[70] The former president faced opposition from Southerners who feared his views on slavery, while his handling of the Panic of 1837—he had refused to rescind the Specie Circular—aroused opposition from some in the West (today's Midwestern United States) who believed his hard money policies had hurt their section of the country.[70] Many Southerners backed Calhoun's candidacy, Westerners rallied around Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, and former Vice President Johnson also maintained a strong following among Democrats.[70] Jackson assured Van Buren by letter that Polk in his campaigns for governor had "fought the battle well and fought it alone".[71] Polk hoped to gain Van Buren's support, hinting in a letter that a Van Buren/Polk ticket could carry Tennessee, but found him unconvinced.[72]
The biggest political issue in the United States at that time was territorial expansion.[2] The Republic of Texas had successfully revolted against Mexico in 1836. 