For the political campaign of 1804, it became clear that Thomas Jefferson once again be the party’s candidate for president. GOP leaders decided to focus on his running mate.

The Twelfth Amendment was not ratified yet (although ultimately it would be ratified before the elections), so had not yet established a system of appointment of the president and vice president on a single ballot. Instead, the old system was still in use. Who received the largest number of electoral votes became president, and the runner-up would be vice president. The Republicans wanted to select a potential vice president who was popular and attractive enough to overcome all the other candidates, but not so strong that he would get more votes than Jefferson.

Aaron Burr, vice president of Jefferson in his first term, was not considered for the ticket of the political campaign this time. Burr and Jefferson had originally tied elections of 1800, and Jefferson had questioned the loyalty of always Burr and largely ignored during the first quarter. While serving as vice president, Burr ran for election for governor of New York, but was defeated. Later, he was involved in a duel with Alexander Hamilton that resulted in the death of Hamilton.

In February 1804, a group of Republicans met and appointed a committee of men whose aim was “to promote the success of Republican candidates.” Thirteen men were elected to the Committee: Seven were Senators, six were members of the House of Representatives, and were from 13 different states. His mission was not only to ensure the reelection of Thomas Jefferson, but also to ensure that his vice president was a Republican support.

This was a breakthrough in political campaigns, as this group of 13 men represents the first formal organization of the National Party set to elect a president and vice president. Final choice for the party candidate for vice president was the governor of New York, George Clinton. In addition to his experience and his political role, Clinton said the geographical balance of a list whose presidential candidate came from Virginia.

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