People
If nominated by either party, I should preemptorily decline, and even if unanimously elected, I should decline to serve.
— William Tecumseh Sherman
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
A flat refusal, stated in advance: even if a party nominated them and everyone voted yes, the speaker would say no and not take the job. The stacked conditions make the 'no' feel absolutely unbreakable.
Context reviewed