Seward defeats Lincoln

I'm sure this must have been done, but what if for some reason Seward takes the 1860 nomination- reconciliation with Greeley, better organisation, doesn't take the European tour but still manages not to put his foot in his mouth etc.

The argument made against him was that he was so radical the Republicans might lose Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and/or new Jersey, the result being that Douglas might be able to get the election thrown to the House. Plasusibility?
 
I'm sure this must have been done, but what if for some reason Seward takes the 1860 nomination- reconciliation with Greeley, better organisation, doesn't take the European tour but still manages not to put his foot in his mouth etc.

The argument made against him was that he was so radical the Republicans might lose Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and/or new Jersey, the result being that Douglas might be able to get the election thrown to the House. Plasusibility?

Honestly that would make a very interesting timeline assuming Seward gets elected. Was he viewed as negatively as Lincoln was in the South?
 
Honestly that would make a very interesting timeline assuming Seward gets elected. Was he viewed as negatively as Lincoln was in the South?

Far worse. He was even seen negatively in the North, as prior to the ACW he was considered a radical. He would have still probably won in the EC, but with a far smaller margin than Lincoln. For instance, IOTL, Breckinridge came close to winning California. He would have probably won it Seward was the Republican nominee. I think that even then, Seward would be able to win. The North was just too enraged at the Democrats at a whole for enough voters to vote Democratic.

The Seward of 1860 was very different from the Seward of 1865. He would probably be a lot more heavy handed than Lincoln ever was.
 
Far worse. He was even seen negatively in the North, as prior to the ACW he was considered a radical. He would have still probably won in the EC, but with a far smaller margin than Lincoln. For instance, IOTL, Breckinridge came close to winning California. He would have probably won it Seward was the Republican nominee. I think that even then, Seward would be able to win. The North was just too enraged at the Democrats at a whole for enough voters to vote Democratic.

Actually it was Oregon where Breckinridge came close. Douglas was the runner-up in CA.
 
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