--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After the Lincoln-Douglas debates made…" description: "\"“After the Lincoln-Douglas debates made Lincoln a nationally recognized politician, Illinois papers began to mention Lincoln as a Republican candidate ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/charles-river-editors-1165_east-coast_after-the-lincoln-douglas-debates-made-l_991067.jpg" --- # After the Lincoln-Douglas debates made Lincoln a… ![“After the Lincoln-Douglas debates made Lincoln a nationally recognized politician, Illinois papers began to mention Lincoln as a Republican candidate for President throughout 1859. Lincoln was humbled, though a bit dumbfounded. He thought himself more suited for the Senate, where he could orate…” quote by Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/charles-river-editors-1165_east-coast_after-the-lincoln-douglas-debates-made-l_991067.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/charles-river-editors-1165_east-coast_after-the-lincoln-douglas-debates-made-l_991067.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/charles-river-editors-1165_east-coast_after-the-lincoln-douglas-debates-made-l_991067.jpg) > ““After the Lincoln-Douglas debates made Lincoln a nationally recognized politician, Illinois papers began to mention Lincoln as a Republican candidate for President throughout 1859.  Lincoln was humbled, though a bit dumbfounded.  He thought himself more suited for the Senate, where he could orate and discuss ideas, and moreover there were Republicans of much greater national prominence on the East coast, particularly William Seward.  Lacking any administrative experience, he wasn't sure he would enjoy being President. ”” [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lincoln felt unprepared for the presidency, preferring the Senate’s deliberative role, yet was urged to run. **In simple terms:** Lincoln doubted his fit for president. Key Takeaway Embrace roles beyond comfort zones. Themes politics leadership self‑doubt Mood thoughtful determined Type historical motivational When to use this quote - election campaigns - career changes - public office - leadership training Key Concepts public service career transition historical context Questions to Reflect On - What would you do if you felt underqualified? - How can humility be a strength? A Different Perspective His humility may have limited his ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [East coast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/east-coast/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [“He was at last untrammelled by constitutional conditions and limitations, was free to carry the War into Africa. “Carthago est delenda” was thenceforth ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-henry-grimke/he-was-at-last-untrammelled-by-constitutional-conditions-and/) [Archibald Henry Grimke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-henry-grimke/) > [I sound New York. I sound East Coast much more than a blonde person from L.A.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kavner/i-sound-new-york-i-sound-east-coast-much-more-than-a-blonde-person/) [Julie Kavner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kavner/) > [I grew up listening to a lot of 2Pac and a lot of East Coast, West Coast rap; Bad Boy, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saweetie/i-grew-up-listening-to-a-lot-of-2pac-and-a-lot-of-east-coast-west/) [Saweetie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saweetie/) > [Lyme disease is very debilitating. 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I sound East Coast much more than a blonde person from L.A.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kavner/i-sound-new-york-i-sound-east-coast-much-more-than-a-blonde-person/) [Julie Kavner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kavner/) > [When you're "East Coast" person, you are so insufferable, and you have no idea. And I was. One, because I was miserable, and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/when-you-re-east-coast-person-you-are-so-insufferable-and-you-have-no/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [That awkward moment when Mitt suggests getting rid of FEMA on TV and then Hurricane Sandy hits the East Coast right before the election.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-awkward-moment-when-mitt-suggests-getting-rid-of-fema-on-tv-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was always real deep into music. From everything, all around the board - from East Coast, West Coast, down South, everywhere. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-dolph/i-was-always-real-deep-into-music-from-everything-all-around-the/) [Young Dolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-dolph/) > [We loved getting married on the east coast of Mexico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cooper/we-loved-getting-married-on-the-east-coast-of-mexico/) [Alex Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cooper/) > [“For everything there is a season. I'd miss having the seasons, people from New York like to say by way of indicating the extraordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/for-everything-there-is-a-season-i-d-miss-having-the-seasons-people/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [I think Chicago people are very special people, and the Midwest's confluence of East Coast-meets-Midwest sensibilities had to, on a formative level, inform me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-sunjata/i-think-chicago-people-are-very-special-people-and-the-midwest-s/) [Daniel Sunjata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-sunjata/) > [Pete Rock, CL Smooth, all this East Coast stuff - that's kind of, like, the rappers I first admired. 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