In 1844, James K. Polk became the first dark horse candidate to win the presidency, beating Henry Clay. Polk promised that he would be a one-term president. Challenges: James K. Polk was an avowed ...

Born: November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina... James K. Polk, the original "dark horse" candidate, laid out his foreign policy and domestic aims early, achieved them in one term ...

In 1844 James K.Polk was elected president. A strong believer in America’s ‘manifest destiny’ – a phrase first used the following year in relation to Texas – he settled matters with Britain over the ...