I see Abraham Lincoln is being dragged into Supreme Court politics (erroneously). Let's look at what actually happened. (Thread)

Chief Justice Taney died on October 12, 1864, with less than a month to the election. As Ben Wade quipped, “I prayed with earnestness for the life of Taney to be prolonged through Buchanan’s Administration, and by God I[’]m a little afraid I have overdone the matter.” (2)

The Election would be November 8. Lincoln declined to immediately name a successor. Why? Several reasons. For one, the senate wasn't in session and wouldn't be until December 5. AL was focused on winning a second term, the war, and his annual message to congress. (3)

Unlike today, where a single justice can excite your entire coalition, various factions of Lincoln supporters had strong feelings for and against various possible nominees. Blair? Chase? Stanton? Bates? Swayne? All had allies and enemies. (4)

So why would Lincoln divide his coalition on the eve of a national election where the result was in doubt, for a nominee that couldn't be confirmed until December anyway? If anything, the open seat incentivized various nominees and their supporters to work harder for him. (5)

But didn't Lincoln say he would look to "expressions of public opinion from the country?" Sure. Just as any president would. But now in the form of an election. The White House received mail from all over the country on the subject. (6)

Lincoln nominated Chase on December 6, 1864 after the election and before his second term began in March. There is no indication - none whatsoever - that Lincoln would have left this decision to McClellan if the election had gone differently. (7)

So regardless of your feelings on current events, Lincoln saw it as his responsibility to fill the supreme court vacancy before the end of his term. There is no reason to believe this was contingent on the outcome of the election. (End)