Replies

So we are staking our hopes on a guy that couldn’t win his own seat in his own state?

Yes, we are ...

Lincoln was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the White House:

1816: His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
1818: His mother died.
1831: Failed in business.
1832: Ran for state legislature - lost.
1832: Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
1834: Ran for state legislature again - won.
1835: Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.
1840: Sought to become elector - defeated.
1843: Ran for Congress - lost.
1846: Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good job.
1848: Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.
1854: Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.
1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention - got less than 100 votes.
1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
1860: Elected president of the United States.