Posted this on the politics board, but I like you people a little more, so figured I would cross post this

Dems are fighting amongst themselves if the sitting "president" is their best choice.

Republicans just witnessed their candidate and former president literally come within half an inch of an assassination.

Hollywood can't even write this. Just absolutely insane.

One election that was mentioned that I think almost mirrors this is Lincoln's second election

Most anticipated contenders…

1800: Incumbent Adams vs his VP Jefferson. Resulted in the first peaceful transfer of power between parties.

1828: Andrew Jackson and his followers had been pissed as hell ever since a "corrupt bargain" in the House of Representatives had put John Quincy Adams in the WH after the 5-way race of 1824, despite Jackson winning more votes in the electoral college. One of the biggest rematches of all time and the results determined the next 30+ years of American politics a Jacksonian democrats ascended.

1860: Lincoln's first election. The losers were so pissed they started a civil war. First election fearing this new Republican Party + the democrats were splitting in half. Drama!

1868: The Republicans HATED Andrew Johnson and could not WAIT to elect Grant. Zero doubt of outcome, but probably the one folks most eagerly awaited the outcome of.

1912: A true 3-man race between TR, who had returned from retirement and split the GOP to run again; his former best friend Taft, who he had personally handpicked to succeed him 4 years earlier and had now turned on; and Wilson, hoping to be the first southern born Democrat in the WH since before the civil war.

2008: Everyone hated Bush by the end of his term, even McCain was running away from Bush's record, and there was a huge question of "where does the country pivot next?" You had the first black presidential nominee on the Democratic side (after upsetting the Hillary machine - one of the more shocking primary upsets).

Anticipated is an odd choice of words. I don't know anyone who is looking forward to this election. 2016 had more drama than just about any election I've seen in living memory. 1912 would be an excellent contender. 1860 would be the most dreaded election given the breakup of the Democratic Party and the clear signs of where things were headed long before election night.

I think we tend to overstate the gravitas of recent events compared to history. Political violence, sadly, is nothing new. Aged candidates inspiring worries over mental faculties is not new.

There is little really riding on this election as compared to truly momentous moments in our history. . . . . Lincoln being voted in and triggering secession, FDR voted in during the Depression, the early Presidential elections such as 1800 where the peaceful transfer of power was still a new thing.

Given their backgrounds and time in the oval, Neither candidate offers any hope of a new path for the country.

I am, Biden can't be removed fast enough to prevent further damage to the country.

After this election we will have one of them never able to be President again

And that statement could offend both Democrats and Republicans

I have a stub from 1945 Tu vs A&m game, Worth anything?





















7

A minor correction, but 1860 was not the first presidential election for the Republican party. John C. Fremont was the Republican candidate in 1856.

1860 was the first election the Republicans had a realistic chance of winning, however.

Good point

In 1856, everyone may have been eager to see who would win out between the republicans and the know-nothings in a race to replace the Whigs

I'll buy it from you.