Black President? Female President? We’ve Already Had Both

Come the democratic primaries millions will choose between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama: A white woman versus a black man.  If either is elected president it will be a historic first. Or will it? We’ve actually already had a black, female president. True, it was an accident, but it happened!

Dateline March 1849

A hotly contested presidential election saw war hero Zachary Taylor defeat former president (though not incumbent) Martin Van Buren. Taylor, although opposed to slavery in new territories of California and New Mexico, owned several slaves. Known for treating his slaves as kindly as his own sons, Taylor’s “house slave,” Sue May Allcot accompanied Taylor onto the steps of the US Capitol for the Inauguration. The ceremony was a grand affair, but Taylor’s failing health would lead to Allcot holding the Bible while Taylor took the Oath of Office. As Taylor ended the famous words, so did Allcot – she had been repeating Taylor syllable for syllable, a habit she had at the time. Once the oath was finished a grim faced Chief Justice Roger B. Taney informed Taylor that Allcot was now president.  Esoteric rules of procedure dictated that the first to place their hand upon the Bible and say the oath became president.  This was later changed, but for now Allcott was president! Weird and true!!!

The next fourteen days would prove to be some of the strangest in the history of the country.  Allcot enjoyed the office. She met with foreign leaders, appointed a cabinet that many historians still consider among the finest, and decorated the White House with many of the designs it still features today.  She did not as expected try to free the slaves stating, “This appears for the moment to be a states’ rights issue.” Meanwhile Taylor worked feverishly trying to grab back his post. Finally, after a thirty six hour bargaining session a compromise was reached whereas Taylor assumed the presidency and Allcot was appointed as the first ever Secretary of Health and Human Services.

History. It’s a roller coaster ride!!!