Final answer:
The real issue in the debate over nullification was b. states rights vs federal authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early 1830s, the debate between the supporters and opponents of nullification intensified with the discussion of the sale of federal lands. Robert Y. Hayne of South Carolina and Daniel Webster raised the issue of states' rights, with Hayne suggesting that the southern opposition to the tariff reflected a desire to preserve the union from federal dominance. The real issue in the debate over nullification was b. states rights vs federal authority.
On the other hand, Webster argued that the laws of the United States were the supreme law of the land. President Jackson and Vice President Calhoun also outlined their positions on nullification, with Jackson challenging Calhoun's belief in the states' ability to nullify federal laws. The nullification crisis ultimately highlighted the tension between states' rights and federal authority.