Why did Lincoln, a Republican, pick Johnson, a Democrat, as VP?

Was it because the country was so divided and it was an attempt to once again unite the country? What would happen if something like that were to happen today? Would it work? For example, if Huckabee did not get on the Republican ticket (highly unlikely at this time), would a ticket such as Obama/Huckabee unite this country??

To think a Huckabee anything (and BTW Edwards is a more of a populist!!!) of the sort...

Eight yr's of there elk is enough

And why? IS Obama reaching out to them? do you think for one second - they? are going to do the same thing! there no take prisoners attitude will come out sone enough- good luck!HOPE will only get you so far!!!

I, for one, am not in favor of putting Huckleberry within a poorly-chewed pretzel's reach of the throne!

Perhaps another combination would be better, but it would have to be someone pleasing to the conservatives, obviously.

We may be looking at a President Huckabee. Do you think that is not possible?

It is possible. So let THEM vote for him! :)

The party did. And it was a total disaster, for a whole lot of complicated reasons. It did not unite the country, and Johnson was impeached, though acquitted.

In philosophy, structure, or support.

The republican party split in 1864. One group, that was opposed to the re-election of Lincoln, formed a new party and nominated John C. Fremont as their candidate. Other republicans joined with a number of Northern Democrats to form the National Union Party, which nominated Lincoln. Johnson was one of the few Southern Democrats who didn't leave the federal congress and supported the war and that was a large reason why he was picked as the nominee.

Of course, it all turned out rather badly when (a) the war ended (b) Lincoln was assasinated and (c) Johnson turned out to have little support once the nation was re-united (remember, none of the confederate states participated in the election)

who in no way deserves to be anywhere near the Presidency or even Vice Presidency. Bizarre post.

on edit--I could see Hagel, but...Huckabilly? Oh my God.

Lincoln made it policy to have his political enemies as part of his administration, especially if he thought they showed as leaders. Seward, Bates and Chase were his opponents in the 1860 nominations, and they all were part of his cabinet.