In 1855 Lincoln unsuccessfully tried to get the Senate, and a year later he joined the newly formed Republican Party. He ran for the nomination for vice president in elections in 1856, but lost to William Lewis Dayton. Between August 21 and October 15, 1858 he conducted lively debates about slavery with Senator Stephen Douglas, which earned him popularity. Despite this, he failed to win election to the Senate, which was lost with Douglas
so B. :)
