Stalwarts , led by Grant 's old political ally , Roscoe Conkling , saw Grant 's renewed popularity as an opportunity to regain power , and sought to nominate him for the presidency in 1880 . Opponents called it a violation of the unofficial two-term rule in use since George Washington . Grant said nothing publicly but wanted the job and encouraged his men . Washburne urged him to run ; Grant demurred , saying he would be happy for the Republicans to win with another candidate , though he preferred James G. Blaine to John Sherman . Even so , Conkling and John A. Logan began to organize delegates in Grant 's favor . When the convention convened in Chicago in June , there were more delegates pledged to Grant than to any other candidate , but he was still short of a majority vote to get the nomination
the convention
1880 Republican National Convention
Ulysses S. Grant