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 announced he wouldn't run in the 1848 presidential election but was unwilling to endorse Zachary Taylor, whom he considered a "mere military man."  Despite having limited support from Daniel Webster and General Winfield Scott, both Taylor and Clay saw each other as their main rival for the Whig nomination.