1864: George McClellan ran as the Democratic candidate for President against Abraham Lincoln. He won two states, New Jersey and Kentucky. Most often cited as his defeat were the string of victories Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan all enjoyed in the war just prior to the election.
So assuming the POD is that year and all three generals have their victories in late November, the election looks something like this:
Lincoln (Nat'l Union) - 102
McClellan (Democrat) - 131
I've often gone with the Irving Stone school of thought and believed that in terms of ending the war, McClellan would've made a poor President given his poor abilities as a General. Although Steven W. Sears presents a McClellan just as capable of saving the Union as a reelected Lincoln.
Lincoln/Johnson wanted to be sympathetic towards the south, the whole "malice toward none" sort of deal. So perhaps John Wilkes Booth feels good about a President McClellan. With the Democrats trumping a peace platform, Booth might even fool himself into thinking McClellan will recognize the Confederacy.
I doubt he would at all. Booth's admiration for the man might possibly turn into deep hatred and possibly assassination? Might we end up with a President Pendleton?
Questions:
Would the Confederacy stand a chance of surviving if McClellan is elected?
If not, how fast would the war come to a close?
What would McClellan's reconstruction policy be?
Would Booth still seek to assassinate the President hoping the war would continue?
If successful, would a President Pendleton make any differences in reconstruction policy?
So assuming the POD is that year and all three generals have their victories in late November, the election looks something like this:
Lincoln (Nat'l Union) - 102
McClellan (Democrat) - 131
I've often gone with the Irving Stone school of thought and believed that in terms of ending the war, McClellan would've made a poor President given his poor abilities as a General. Although Steven W. Sears presents a McClellan just as capable of saving the Union as a reelected Lincoln.
Lincoln/Johnson wanted to be sympathetic towards the south, the whole "malice toward none" sort of deal. So perhaps John Wilkes Booth feels good about a President McClellan. With the Democrats trumping a peace platform, Booth might even fool himself into thinking McClellan will recognize the Confederacy.
I doubt he would at all. Booth's admiration for the man might possibly turn into deep hatred and possibly assassination? Might we end up with a President Pendleton?
Questions:
Would the Confederacy stand a chance of surviving if McClellan is elected?
If not, how fast would the war come to a close?
What would McClellan's reconstruction policy be?
Would Booth still seek to assassinate the President hoping the war would continue?
If successful, would a President Pendleton make any differences in reconstruction policy?