This second episode of the CNN series "Race for the White House" does not do justice to its title "Lincoln vs. Douglas." The program is instead a sprawling capsule summary of the contentious 1860 presidential election as a whole.
The coverage of the seven Lincoln-Douglas debates for the earlier senatorial race was skimpy and failed to convey Lincoln's middle-of-the road stance that in fact never came close to firmly opposing slavery.
The program moved from the superficial account of the debates to Lincoln's famous address at Cooper Union in New York City in the run-up to the presidential election. Professor Allen Guelzo recalled that a member of the crowd allegedly cried out, "He's the greatest man since St. Paul" after Lincoln's thoughtful address in his shabby suit and tousled hair.
Much of the program focused on the dirty tricks played at the Republican Convention in Chicago, which were led by the political scoundrel Thurlo Weed, who was angling for the election of William H. Seward. Lincoln's response to Weed's tactics was in the Machiavellian 300-pound David Davis, whose people began offering bribes in return for convention votes for Lincoln.
While Lincoln wanted to avoid cutting deals, the key state of Ohio decided to change its votes to Lincoln, due to the political maneuvering that left Weed in tears and Lincoln as the Republican party's nominee in one of the biggest "upsets" in presidential politicking. Lincoln in effect won the nomination due to political bribery.
The program never really captured the complexity of the election itself that included two candidates from the North (Lincoln and Douglas) and two from the south (Bell and Breckinridge). The election was not a contest between Lincoln and Douglas, as the film's title implies. Much time was spent on the Lincoln team's bargaining with Weed and Seward to win the electoral votes from the state of New York. Of course, the tacit promise involved was to make Seward the new Secretary of State if he could deliver New York. But the program misses the point that Lincoln won the election because of the enormous split within the Democratic party that sapped voting support from Douglas. The vote in New York was only one part of a much more complicated and unique electoral situation.
One of the most interesting parts of the program was in the coverage of the silence of Lincoln during the campaign when the South was literally ablaze in revolt and engaged in preparations for secession. By contrast, Douglas was vocal in his denunciation of the violence and his pleas for saving the union. For his strong stance, Douglas was physically assaulted and undoubtedly lost votes due to his sincerity and genuine desire to preserve the union. In contrast to Douglas's activism, Lincoln took no stand at all, consequently winning the election virtually by default.
In the November 6, 1860 election, a stunning 81% voter turnout gave Lincoln the most votes among the four candidates. Still, Lincoln won with only a plurality of 40%, and by the time he took office, secession was under way. The close of the program depicted the reconciliation of Lincoln and Douglas, who was kind enough to hold Lincoln's top hat on the windy day of the inauguration.
While the CNN program was workmanlike, it included an uneven assortment of commentators, including a political "has-been" like Newt Gingrich, CNN's reporter Jake Tapper, and various political strategists. The most insightful remarks came from the professors, especially the distinguished scholar Allen Guelzo. Kevin Spacey provided the narration in his "House of Cards" voice.
The coverage of the seven Lincoln-Douglas debates for the earlier senatorial race was skimpy and failed to convey Lincoln's middle-of-the road stance that in fact never came close to firmly opposing slavery.
The program moved from the superficial account of the debates to Lincoln's famous address at Cooper Union in New York City in the run-up to the presidential election. Professor Allen Guelzo recalled that a member of the crowd allegedly cried out, "He's the greatest man since St. Paul" after Lincoln's thoughtful address in his shabby suit and tousled hair.
Much of the program focused on the dirty tricks played at the Republican Convention in Chicago, which were led by the political scoundrel Thurlo Weed, who was angling for the election of William H. Seward. Lincoln's response to Weed's tactics was in the Machiavellian 300-pound David Davis, whose people began offering bribes in return for convention votes for Lincoln.
While Lincoln wanted to avoid cutting deals, the key state of Ohio decided to change its votes to Lincoln, due to the political maneuvering that left Weed in tears and Lincoln as the Republican party's nominee in one of the biggest "upsets" in presidential politicking. Lincoln in effect won the nomination due to political bribery.
The program never really captured the complexity of the election itself that included two candidates from the North (Lincoln and Douglas) and two from the south (Bell and Breckinridge). The election was not a contest between Lincoln and Douglas, as the film's title implies. Much time was spent on the Lincoln team's bargaining with Weed and Seward to win the electoral votes from the state of New York. Of course, the tacit promise involved was to make Seward the new Secretary of State if he could deliver New York. But the program misses the point that Lincoln won the election because of the enormous split within the Democratic party that sapped voting support from Douglas. The vote in New York was only one part of a much more complicated and unique electoral situation.
One of the most interesting parts of the program was in the coverage of the silence of Lincoln during the campaign when the South was literally ablaze in revolt and engaged in preparations for secession. By contrast, Douglas was vocal in his denunciation of the violence and his pleas for saving the union. For his strong stance, Douglas was physically assaulted and undoubtedly lost votes due to his sincerity and genuine desire to preserve the union. In contrast to Douglas's activism, Lincoln took no stand at all, consequently winning the election virtually by default.
In the November 6, 1860 election, a stunning 81% voter turnout gave Lincoln the most votes among the four candidates. Still, Lincoln won with only a plurality of 40%, and by the time he took office, secession was under way. The close of the program depicted the reconciliation of Lincoln and Douglas, who was kind enough to hold Lincoln's top hat on the windy day of the inauguration.
While the CNN program was workmanlike, it included an uneven assortment of commentators, including a political "has-been" like Newt Gingrich, CNN's reporter Jake Tapper, and various political strategists. The most insightful remarks came from the professors, especially the distinguished scholar Allen Guelzo. Kevin Spacey provided the narration in his "House of Cards" voice.
