Posted on 02/28/2007 2:51:27 PM PST by kellynla
On the evening of February 27, 1860, a near capacity crowd gathered inside the Great Hall at the Cooper Union in New York City. Nearly 1,500 New Yorkers curious about the man from Springfield, Ill., came to hear him speak. In a brilliantly vivid recounting of the 7,700-word address in his book "Lincoln at Cooper Union," Harold Holzer persuasively argues that it was this speech that made Abraham Lincoln president.
The speech focused on the one great issue of the day — whether the federal government had the power to limit the expansion of slavery in the new territories. Lincoln delivered it with a cogency and passion that won over the Eastern crowd.
Familiar with the text though he didn't go to New York with Lincoln, William Herndon, his law partner, said, "it was constructed with a view to accuracy of statement, simplicity of language, and unity of thought. In some respects like a lawyer's brief, it was logical, temperate in tone, powerful — irresistibly driving conviction home to men's reasons and their souls."
(Excerpt) Read more at nysun.com ...
I am a big fan of Newt I hope he runs in 2008 I think he's the only one who makes sense and is un afraid of hurting the liberals feelings! As for Cuomo I think he is a pompus ass, never liked him or his son.
I really like Newt...but think that Hillary would beat him in a landslide. Unfortunately.
I think exactly the opposite. The presidential candidates on GOP side should generate excitement among the base or there is no chance for them to win in general elections, because media is not going to generate it for them.
Ronald Reagan generated that kind of enthusiasm when he won in 1980, 1984, 1988 (most voted for GHW Bush as proxy for Reagan, he lost in 1992 on his own with no enthusiasm of his own), and helped win in 1994 (his letter to America announcing the "long goodbye" due to Alzheimer, when after elections Newt calling Nancy Reagan said "we all stand on his shoulders") and 2004 (wave of patriotism and memory just few months before the election).
Not a shade of enthusiasm in 1992 and 1996 from two fine men, war heroes, no real blemishes in private life but not real spokesmen for conservative ideas or values beyond stale platitudes - and two ignominious defeats. You can add 2006 midterm elections to that - no sparks, no unity or unifying ideas or leaders with the result of apathetic electorate and low GOP turnout in an average turnout year.
Newt's personal "baggage" is also wildly exaggerated - he's not a heel like Clinton, you can be sure he's not going to chase young interns around White House. His political baggage is mostly created by al-Media, and should be worn as badge of honor rather than shunned - al-media doesn't target just anyone, only those who present danger to them and their ideology.
Hillary has overwhelmingly more negative baggage, both personal and political. Newt won't even have to point it out in the campaign, it will be on YouTube and everywhere else on Internet, "free media" and "paid media" will have far less role in outcome of 2008 election - the 'great unwashed' will stay the 'great unwashed' if they care, but most will have a chance to see what they need - "Swifties" won't be denied if cable channel is intimidated from showing the truth.
Well as I recall Newt notified his wife he was divorcing her while she was in the hospital because of cancer. That sounds pretty bad. Women would rather vote for the "poor victim" Hillary than someone who can be accused of doing that. And I like the guy, I think he is brilliant...but think he would never make it through the gauntlet..
I saw Newt defend himself very well regarding this during townhall on C-SPAN against one very smug liberal student, and I was very impressed - Newt was straight, forceful with facts and put that student so much on the defensive that he hurried away.
Maybe this can help explain why his "baggage" is not as serious as it's made out to be (not that it wouldn't be made an issue, but any Republican will have "issues", real or made up) :
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1776611/replies?c=54
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