alternatehistory.com

Abraham Lincoln was generally considered a top candidate for President in 1860, until he decided not to run and instead gave a surprise endorsement to Salmon Chase over William Seward, pushing the nomination to Chase. Lincoln’s keynote speech at the Republican Convention in Chicago brought the delegates to their feet and ensured he would receive the position of Secretary of State in Chase’s administration. Lincoln campaigned vigorously for Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner’s selection as Vice President, uniting the disparate wings of the party and ensuring the GOP would win the election of 1860. What if Lincoln had decided to run? It seems as though he had a legitimate chance, but might have been perceived as too moderate by the Republican delegates. If he had run, would he have won, and who would’ve been his VP? How different would a Lincoln presidency be than the Chase/Sumner administration?
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