[Democratshavenobrains]

One minor point: I wouldn't exactly call McClellan a dovish candidate. He was an extremely vain man, who would have wanted the glory that came with finally beating the Confederates, but the reason he lost was because of his perceived subordination to the Peace Democrats like Vallandingham.

[CatoRenasci]

You are correct that George Brinton McClellan was vainglorious, but after his disaster in the Peninsula Campaign, and being sacked after Antietam, he could not bear the thought of someone beating Bobby Lee. If HE couldn't beat Bobby Lee, no one could. Better a dishonorable peace than someone else doing what he couldn't. The man was a gifted organizer and trainer -- he would have made an excellent chief of staff for Grant or Sherman as Commander of the Army of the Potomac had he not been so vain. Shows you what happens when one's self-esteem exceeds one's ability.