 While canvassing for Polk, Haynes honed his skills as an orator, delivering eloquent speeches in favor of Democratic positions, such as the annexation of Texas.At one event, he accused Whigs of being "latitudinarious," prompting taunts from Brownlow, who stated there was no such word.Haynes and Nelson would later serve as the respective electors for Lewis Cass and Zachary Taylor in 1848.