Ulysses S. Grant won the 1868 Presidential Election in an electoral landslide, but it was very close in the popular vote, a mere 5.4% margin over Horatio Seymour. This result shocked the Republicans, who had been expecting a landslide win with the popular general in the aftermath of the Civil War. Could Grant have won a popular vote win to match his electoral win, and taken the close states of Oregon, New York, and New Jersey? Could this happen against Seymour, or would it be easier to have another candidate replace the extremely reluctant Democratic nominee? If they lose in the popular vote badly, it could hurt the Democrats in the House, reducing their gains and keeping the Republican's majority even higher. How would the Democratic party deal with a crushing electoral, popular, and congressional defeat?