Planning for the monumental political campaign of 1804 was set up early, much like the presidential races of today.
Party organizations were set up in each state.
By October 1801, instructions had been given out to party organizers in each town.
These political campaign committees were told to make up a list of all those eligible to cote in their towns, especially those likely to consider themselves Republican.
The committees were told to hold a private meeting with these Republicans to discuss with them the importance of ensuring that Republican principles were maintained in local government.
The committees were also told to try to make sure that Republican newspapers were circulated in their towns.
These early campaign organizations formed the basis of party structure at the local level.
In 1804, when Thomas Jefferson sought reelection, his party reminded voters of the failures of Federalist president John Adams and provided a list of Jefferson's accomplishments during his four years in office.
These included reduction of taxes, elimination of several thousand unnecessary government jobs, reduction of the national debt, maintenance of peace, and the purchase of the Louisiana territory.
It is an interesting note that, apart from the Louisiana Purchase, many similar claims feature in modern presidential political campaigns.
Adams and the Federalists were also linked--unfavorably--to Great Britain.
The Revolutionary War was still recent history, and voters were reminded that Great Britain had been America's greatest enemy not long ago.
Federalists responded by linking their party to George Washington.
They organized a large public campaign celebration of George Washington's birthday and described a vote for the Federalist as a vote for the "Washington ticket.
" In the end, Jefferson was overwhelmingly successful in this political campaign bid for reelection.
He won every state except for Delaware and Connecticut.