Nast played an important role in President Lincoln's reelection In 1864 the war was not going well for the North. Many people blamed Lincoln. They were tired of the war. The Democratic candidate. General George B. McClellan, promised peace at any price. Lincoln didn't think he had a chance to be reelected. In August he wrote: "It seems exceedingly probable that this administration will not be reelected. But he had not counted on the support of Thomas Nast. Nast drew cartoons showing McCellan as a man who would compromise with the South. The cartoons were effective, and helped President Lincoln win reelection.