The Nominee Who Never Wanted to be President

James Garfield wasn't even a candidate when the Republicans chose him in 1880.

As James Garfield walked to the convention hall, he was filled with a sense of dread. 

Garfield was scheduled to nominate fellow Ohioan John Sherman in a speech later that day. But he just couldn’t bring himself to write it.

That year, the Republican party had no clear leader, and Garfield wasn’t entirely convinced that Sherman was the best option.

Incumb…