Henry Clay initially told his allies that he would not run in the 1848 presidential election, but he was unwilling to support Taylor, a "mere military man.". Although Daniel Webster and General Winfield Scott each commanded a limited base of support in the party, Taylor and Clay each saw the other as their lone serious rival for the Whig nomination.
Henry Clay initially declared his intention not to run in the 1848 presidential election but was unwilling to back Zachary Taylor, a "mere military man."  Daniel Webster and General Winfield Scott had limited support within the party, while both Taylor and Clay saw each other as their main contender for the Whig nomination.