Matthew Pinsker and Geoff Bennett explore 'What would Lincoln do?' on 'Settle In'

Key Concepts

• Lincoln’s Political Pragmatism (“Boss Lincoln”): The idea that Lincoln was a skilled and often ruthless politician who prioritized preserving the Union, even if it meant compromising on his personal beliefs.
• Union as a Covenant: Lincoln’s view of the Union not as a simple agreement between states, but as a bond between winners and losers of elections, requiring mutual restraint and respect for constitutional limitations.
• Faith in Democracy: Pinsker’s concern that contemporary political disillusionment would deeply trouble Lincoln, given his belief in democracy as “the last best hope of Earth.”
• Amnesty & Reconciliation: Lincoln’s approach to post-Civil War reconciliation, offering conditional amnesty requiring acknowledgement of slavery’s demise.
• Insurrection & Disruption: Lincoln’s understanding of the dangers of disrupting the peaceful transfer of power, as demonstrated by his preparations for the 1861 inauguration and his likely view of January 6th.

The Enduring Relevance of Lincoln’s Leadership

Matthew Pinsker, author of “Boss Lincoln: The Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln,” argues that understanding Lincoln’s political strategies and philosophy is crucial for navigating contemporary political challenges. His Substack utilizes the question “What would Lincoln do?” as a framework for analyzing modern politics, emphasizing the importance of preserving faith in democracy and recognizing the inherent nature of disagreement within a republic.

Lincoln’s View of the Union & Secession

Pinsker details Lincoln’s response to the secession of seven Southern states in 1861. He highlights Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, where Lincoln defined secession as “the essence of anarchy” and articulated his vision of the Union as a system of “a majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations.” This wasn’t a compact of states, nor simply “we the people,” but a binding agreement between electoral winners and losers. Lincoln strategically appealed to the remaining eight slave states, successfully preventing the Confederacy from gaining complete control by securing the allegiance of four of them – a critical factor in the Union’s eventual victory. This demonstrates Lincoln’s pragmatic approach to preserving the Union, even while opposing slavery.

Contemporary Political Disillusionment & January 6th

Pinsker believes Lincoln would be “depressed” by the current decline in faith in democracy, particularly given the sacrifices made to preserve it during the Civil War. He posits that Lincoln would view the January 6th insurrection as a direct threat to the Union, drawing parallels to the secession crisis he faced. Lincoln anticipated potential disruptions to the electoral count, even planning for them in 1861, with the count occurring on February 13th instead of January 6th.

However, Pinsker argues that Lincoln would still recognize those involved in the January 6th riot as “Americans,” even while condemning their actions. He cites the example of a man carrying a Confederate flag through the Capitol, suggesting Lincoln would see a misguided individual rather than simply an enemy. This perspective stems from Lincoln’s belief in the possibility of reconciliation and his famous call for “malice toward none.”

The Nuances of Amnesty & Forgiveness

Pinsker contrasts Lincoln’s approach to amnesty with that of President Trump regarding the January 6th rioters. Lincoln’s amnesty was conditional, requiring Confederates to pledge loyalty to the Constitution and acknowledge the illegitimacy of slavery. He understood that forgiveness needed to be coupled with a recognition of wrongdoing to be truly effective.

He specifically mentions Kevin Seefried, the man who carried the Confederate flag on January 6th, and his son, both of whom expressed remorse after being sentenced. Pinsker hopes this remorse persists despite the pardons granted by President Trump, which he characterizes as a “blanket, sweeping pardon” that labels the rioters as “victims” – a perspective he believes Lincoln would not share. Pinsker emphasizes that Lincoln would still view them as Americans, but not as blameless victims.

Lincoln’s Pragmatism & Political Skill (“Boss Lincoln”)

The discussion highlights the core argument of Pinsker’s book, “Boss Lincoln,” which portrays Lincoln not just as a moral leader, but as a shrewd and pragmatic politician. This “Boss Lincoln” understood the necessity of compromise and strategic maneuvering to achieve his goals, particularly the preservation of the Union. He wasn’t afraid to engage in the messy realities of politics to secure a lasting outcome. As Pinsker states, “That’s straight from Lincoln.”

Data & Statistics

• Seven states seceded from the Union prior to Lincoln’s inauguration.
• Fifteen slave states existed within the Union in 1861.
• Four slave states remained in the Union, while four joined the Confederacy.

Conclusion

Matthew Pinsker’s analysis, rooted in his research on Abraham Lincoln, offers a compelling argument for the enduring relevance of Lincoln’s leadership principles in contemporary politics. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining faith in democracy, recognizing the inevitability of disagreement, and approaching political challenges with pragmatism and a commitment to reconciliation. Lincoln’s vision of the Union as a covenant between all Americans, even those on opposing sides, provides a valuable framework for navigating the current political climate and striving for a more unified future. The key takeaway is that Lincoln’s political skill and commitment to the Union, even amidst profound division, offer a model for addressing the challenges facing American democracy today.