No soldier could face either danger or responsibility more calmly than he. These are qualities more rarely found than genius or physical courage. General Taylor never made any great show or parade, either of uniform or retinue. In dress he was possibly too plain, rarely wearing anything in the field to indicate his rank, or even that he was an officer; but he was known to every soldier in his army, and was respected by all.[87]
Election of 1848
Main article: 1848 United States presidential election
Taylor/Fillmore 1848 campaign poster
In his capacity as a career officer, Taylor had never publicly revealed his political beliefs before 1848 nor voted before that time.[88] He was apolitical and had a negative opinion of most politicians. He thought of himself as an independent, believing in a strong and sound banking system for the country, and thought that President Andrew Jackson should not have allowed the Second Bank of the United States to collapse in 1836.