[GOPcapitalist]

President Lincoln neither intended, nor by his actions, become a dictator, or overthrow the Constitution.

Lincoln was a politician. Winning an election and maintaining his office and its powers were his intentions. The consequences of pursuing those intentions and the way he pursued them resulted in his violating of the constitution with his actions.

[rmlew]

Lincoln took many unpopular positions which cost him elections.

Lincoln opposed the Mexican war (some warmonger) and lost his Congressional seat for it.
Lincoln opposed slavery and lost his Senatorial race to Stephan Douglas.

Finally, Lincoln's plans for Reconstruction were far less heavy-handed than those of the Radical Republicans. He wanted to give up power andadmit the Southern states quickly.