The 1800 presidential contest, one of the most spirited in our nation's history, is the subject of Edward Larson's book A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign (Free Press, 2007). Pulitzer Prize winner Larson, now the Hugh & Hazel Darling Professor of Law at Pepperdine, will appear at AEI to discuss the book on Friday, June 6th.

Under an earlier Electoral College system, Democrats Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were running on the same ticket but ended up with the same number of electors. The tie led to an extended dispute in Congress with Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists finally coming to the aid of Jefferson. The electoral crisis led to the passage of the Twelfth Amendment.

Today's highly partisan, polarized politics pale in comparison to the level of bitterness and intrigue in the spirited intraparty battle of 1800. Jefferson was branded an infidel, and Aaron Burr, someone who would start a war to consolidate his power.

With the intraparty battle between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama still fresh in our minds, and the controversy over the 2000 election a strong memory, A Magnificent Catastrophe reminds us of the excitement and tumult that can surround momentous and closely fought elections.