President lincoln's decision on what to do about the situation at fort sumter in the first weeks of his administration can best be characterized as

It was a middle-of-the-road, pragmatic solution on all fronts, which spoke to much of Lincoln's character and how he ran for the office in the first place. He decided to send provisions to the fort instead of a pre-emptive engagement, and the only reason a battle ensued was because the Confederate army decided to fire on the fort while it was being supplied.