<P> Some close to the president took the view that Coolidge was looking to be drafted by the party for the 1928 election . Vice President Charles G. Dawes believed that he "ardently" wanted the nomination . Commerce secretary Herbert Hoover, himself considering a 1928 election bid, asked Coolidge if his decision was "absolutely conclusive," and the president made no direct reply . Even one of Coolidge's closest friends, Senator Butler, said of the decision, "I do not know what he wants ." </P> <P> As for being drafted as the party's candidate, Coolidge stated that he "was determined not to have that contingency arise ." </P> <P> Others saw Coolidge's message as a desire to get back to private life . As early as 1924, Coolidge decided he would not run for the presidency a second time . The death of his son, Cal Jr., in 1924, took a heavy toll on the president, which some say led to clinical depression . "When he died, the power and the glory of the Presidency went with him," Coolidge later wrote in his autobiography . He also noted that another term would put him in the White House longer than any other man had been there, and ten years is more time than any man should spend there . </P> <P> Also, Coolidge took some steps to make sure he was not drafted for the nomination . He said, "I do not approve the circulation of a petition, such as has been reported in the morning press, requesting me to run for president in 1928 . I don't see that anything good could come from it . I hope it will be discontinued ." He also announced in December 1927, "My statement stands . No one should be led to suppose that I have modified it . My decision will be respected ." Informed that some Massachusetts Republicans were mounting a campaign to have him win their state's presidential primary, Coolidge informed the Republican state chairman "Such an action would be most embarrassing to me...I request that it not be done ." </P>

President that did not run for second term