WI: McLean/Lincoln, not Fremont/Dayton, in 1856

Just as it says on the tin. It's noteworthy to say that Associate Supreme Court Justice McLean, the second-place finisher at the first-ever Republican National Convention in 1856, was opposed to the expansion of slavery, but not an outright abolitionist. Indeed, he was considered much more moderate by the people there. Also, Abraham Lincoln was second in votes for Vice President. So, what if the second-place candidates won the nomination, and John McLean (who was 71) became the oldest man ever to run on a major-party ticket? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McLean
 
McClean might stand a better chance of winning that Fremont if he's more moderate on slavery -- don't know if this is necessarily a good thing in the long term...
 

Japhy

Banned
McClean might stand a better chance of winning that Fremont if he's more moderate on slavery -- don't know if this is necessarily a good thing in the long term...

The opposite is true. McLean represents the more hardliner faction in the party while (Ironic considering his later views) Fremont was the moderate. McLean's running as the leader of the Party means the Republicans in 1856 are viewed as barely and different then the Free Soilers and Liberty Parties that came before them. The party can win in New England (Maybe not all of it) and the German Belt but New York and Ohio are gone. Ohio to Buchanan, New York to Fillmore.

And if Lincoln runs as his VP he has no chance in 1860.
 
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