Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Chapter 22 begins by discussing the 1864 Presidential race. At a time when American President did not always seek or get nominated for a second term, it is not a foregone conclusion that Lincoln will be his party’s nominee for president. He faces challenges from both the more radical elements in his party and people like Salmon Chase who feel that Lincoln has been too slow to act on many issues and is beholden too much to the advice of Seward and Stanton. In addition, there are the more moderate Republicans and Peace Democrats who feel that the war has dragged on long enough and that the government should make a peace offer to the South. Lincoln, stands his ground and puts his trust in those relationships that he has built over the last four years.

The Democrats nominate George McClellan, Lincoln’s former general; they feel with McClellan they can carry the vote of the army and be in a strong position to make peace with the South.

Still very much concerned with the issue of the war and Reconstruction, Lincoln delivers his famed Gettysburg Address and continues to try and develop a solid plan for how the South will be readmitted to the Union following victory.