[vetvetdoug]

Read "The War Between The States (Was Jefferson Davis A Traitor)", by Alfred Bledsoe which was published around 1900 about the Constitutionality of secession. Lincoln was not on the ballot in the Southern States...I dare say if this were to happen again where a candidate wasn't even on the ballot and was deemed President there would be turmoil again. The Hartford Convention of 1812 proves the Northern States hypocrites when Secession is concerned. Slavery? Why did Lincoln fire Fremont and Hunter when they wanted the War to be over slavery? The Lone Star Flag of Texas was used as a Confederate Battle Flag so why isn't it an issue? History is gray, not black and white, and there are quite a few ignorant of history and recite the mantra given to them by the colleges and public school system.

[Sherman Logan]

Lincoln was not on the ballot in southern states because southern states refused to put him on. Why this should be considered Lincoln’s fault in some way or impact the legitimacy of his election, as you seem to imply, is beyond me.

Let us assume CRuz is nominated, and a number of blue states keep him off the ballot. Which I think they could do constitutionally, at least in theory.

If he nevertheless wins a majority of the Electoral College, is his election somehow less valid or legitimate?

Lincoln won an absolute najority in the College, an impeccably constitutional result. The southern states just didn’t like that result, so they took their ball and went home.