With the defeat of Adams , Clay became the de facto leader of the National Republicans , and he began making preparations for a presidential campaign in the 1832 election . In 1831 , Jackson made it clear that he was going to run for re-election , ensuring that support or opposition to his presidency would be a central feature of the upcoming race . Jackson 's Democrats rallied around his policies towards the national bank , internal improvements , Indian removal , and nullification , but these policies also earned Jackson various enemies , including Vice President John C. Calhoun . However , Clay rejected overtures from the fledgling Anti-Masonic Party , and his attempt to convince Calhoun to serve as his running mate failed , leaving the opposition to Jackson split among different factions . Inspired by the Anti-Masonic Party 's national convention , Clay 's National Republican followers arranged for a national convention that nominated Clay for president
national convention
1831 National Republican National Convention
Henry Clay