1840

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Despite the country's financial difficulties in the Panic of 1837, Van Buren was re-nominated to run against Whig candidate William Henry Harrison in 1840. Clay expected the Whig nomination, as is seen in this cartoon where Van Buren and Clay "weigh" their chances (14A-1066517). But Harrison was seen as a man who could capture the popular vote and indeed, his "hard cider, log cabin" image caught on. Although of an aristocratic family and owner of a substantial country estate, he is pictured as a backwoods farmer being visited by Francis Blair, the editor of the Globe, Amos Kendall, the Postmaster General, John C. Calhoun, and Van Buren (14B-1066518). Here, in a correct prediction, Harrison knocks Blair, holding a "globe," Kendall, and Van Buren over a barrel of hard cider (14C-1066519). And this cartoon makes another true prophecy: Harrison pulls Van Buren out of the presidential "throne," despite the efforts of Calhoun, Jackson, and Thomas Hart Benton (14D-1066520). 

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Two familiar expressions probably originated in this campaign: "O.K.," standing for "Old Kinderhook," Van Buren's nickname, appears in this cartoon (14E-1066521). "Keep the ball rolling" refers to this ball, inscribed with slogans for "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too," which was rolled down the streets of Baltimore in a parade (14F-1066522). It seems that "Old Kinderhook" wasn't O.K. with the people; Harrison was elected.