Groomed for President?

[HerbS]

Is there anybody on this tremendous forum, that thinks or knows, that Lincoln wanted his son Robert to ever become President? Thoughts?

[RJNorton]

Excellent question, Herb. Personally, I don't think so. I do not recall ever reading that this topic was ever on Abraham's mind.

[HerbS]

Thanks-Roger,That is a question that has always been in the back of my mind!

[L Verge]

After what he had gone through as President, I can't imagine that he would want Robert to follow in his footsteps. Even without a Civil War to face, Lincoln would certainly understand the stress.

As a personal aside: My father was career military and served during WWII and Korea. I am an only child. He never wanted a son because he knew that a son would likely be drafted into a war. Even though the draft had been suspended by the time my daughter was born in the 1970s, he was delighted that she was a girl for the same reason. He did not live long enough to see that women are now an integral part of all military forces.

[J. Beckert]

I don't think so, Herb. I think Lincoln had had his fill of the Presidency by 1865. His thoughts were already wandering to what he would do in his retirement- visit Jerusalem- buy a farm where Tad could have his animals, etc.

I'm wondering if what Robert saw his father go through influenced his own decision to not run for the office. He once referred to the White House as a "gilded prison".

[Rob Wick]

I think Robert knew that if he ever had run for the presidency, it would have been his for the asking, but he then would have constantly been compared to his martyred father, which was hard enough to deal with outside of politics. Even if Abraham had not been assassinated, I think neither he nor RTL would have ever wished it to take place.

Great question, Herb!

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

I agree with everyone else on this. I think Lincoln had such a difficult time as President that he would never want his son to endure anything close. I don't think RTL wanted it either.

[HerbS]

After reading your opinions,I feel it makes sense that RTL didn't want to be President.I think he felt good about being on other President's staffs.But,why?

[Rob Wick]

I think Jason Emerson points out that Robert's view of public service was such that he had to put the country over his own feelings. Whenever he was asked to serve, he felt it was his duty to comply. Had he been nominated for president and then won, he would have saw no other choice but to accept it, but he did all he could to make sure such a scenario never happened.

Best
Rob

[HerbS]

Thanks-Rob-That shines a whole new light on the question.