Final answer:
The Whigs' decision to nominate Winfield Scott backfired due to divisions within the party and a lack of appeal to voters, leading to Franklin Pierce's victory in the election.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Whigs' decision to nominate Winfield Scott as their candidate in 1852 backfired because it created divisions within the party and failed to resonate with voters. Scott's speeches focused on old battles and irrelevant topics, which did not appeal to voters. Additionally, the Democrats successfully painted Scott as a nativist, which prevented him from gaining support among immigrant voters. Ultimately, Franklin Pierce of the Democratic party won the election.