WI: President (of the United States) Sam Houston

What if, in 1856, the Democrats were as deadlocked as they were 4 years ago, and Sam Houston emerges as a compromise candidate. How would his term in office go, what would he do differently than James Buchanan, earlier or later Civil War? Or no Civil War at all?
 
He certainly wouldn't have messed up as badly as Buchanan did. Plus the southern states may be slightly more willing to deal with him since he was from the south. If secession does come then Texas is certainly in an odd situation :p.
 
I really don't have much to say about this, other than if it happened, Sam Houston would have been President of two entirely separate nations, which would be awesome. I hope you go somewhere with this.
 
I really don't have much to say about this, other than if it happened, Sam Houston would have been President of two entirely separate nations, which would be awesome. I hope you go somewhere with this.

I want to, really badly, but I need some perspective from other people.
 
If he becomes president he is going to be a strongly pro-union and free-soiler. He also can't possibly do as bad a job as James Buchanan. James Buchanan made even Jeff Davis look like Teddy Roosevelt in comparison.
 

Jasen777

Donor
What if, in 1856, the Democrats were as deadlocked as they were 4 years ago, and Sam Houston emerges as a compromise candidate. How would his term in office go, what would he do differently than James Buchanan, earlier or later Civil War? Or no Civil War at all?

Well it was Lincoln's election in 1860 the set the South off OTL, but that might very well not happen here, probably won't if Houston wins in '56 (I don't know how plausible that is without looking more into it).
 
Houston doesn't have enough support within the Democratic Party to carry the nomination; he could have potentially netted the American Party nomination though, which would have enabled him to unite the Southern and Northern wings of that party, and allow for a stronger performance in November.

However, even then, and in 1860 as the Constitutional Union party nominee, his election would almost certainly have arisen out of compromise between the various factions within a dead-locked electoral college.

As the People's Party nominee, a candidacy from which he withdrew in 1860, he had little to no hope of winning anything, except maybe Texas.
 
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