Yet to an even greater degree, he crafted his politics to win them.
Lincoln opposed slavery and lost his Senatorial race to Stephan Douglas.
Untrue. If you recall back in 1858, senators did not run for election. The state legislatures picked them.
So where then did the debates with Stephen Douglas come from? Quite simply, they were campaign appearanced made in attempt to win seats in the legislature for each figure's respective political party. As for those debate appearances, Lincoln was by far the bigger "waffler" of the two, tuning his message carefully to his audiences. He changes positions to his audience between stops so much that Douglas openly accused him in later debates of contradicting himself between appearances.
Finally, Lincoln's plans for Reconstruction were far less heavy-handed than those of the Radical Republicans.
Yes, but Lincoln was securely in his second term when the time for "reconstruction" emerged. He was not up for election any more.
Lincoln took many unpopular positions which cost him elections.
GOPcapitalist responded
Yet to an even greater degree, he crafted his politics to win them.
It is easy to be an idealogue. It is far harder to be elected and turn principles into law or policy.
Lincoln opposed slavery and lost his Senatorial race to Stephan Douglas.
Untrue. If you recall back in 1858, senators did not run for election. The state legislatures picked them.
That the electorate was restricted ot the State Legislature did not preclude electioneering aimed at swaying Legislatures directly or through their constituents.
Lincold and Douglas both campaigned and famously debated each other.
So where then did the debates with Stephen Douglas come from? Quite simply, they were campaign appearanced made in attempt to win seats in the legislature for each figure's respective political party. As for those debate appearances, Lincoln was by far the bigger "waffler" of the two, tuning his message carefully to his audiences. He changes positions to his audience between stops so much that Douglas openly accused him in later debates of contradicting himself between appearances.
I will not deny that Lincoln tailored his message. He lost and deserved to.
Yes, but Lincoln was securely in his second term when the time for "reconstruction" emerged. He was not up for election any more.
You have it exactly backwards.
The Radical Republicans' plan for Reconstruction were never popular with most voters. The idea of posting large number of troops in a defeated South was not popular with a war weary populace.
Lincoln's more moderate plans were more popular. This angered some Radical Republicans like Thad Stevens, who tried to dump Lincoln.