[beckett]

Bump for the greatest President in American history.

I'd like to agree with your sentiment that the present occupant of the WH has Lincoln's "quality," but such a notion does too much violence to Lincoln's surpassing eloquence and deep intelligence. GWB, for all his decency and strength, is nowhere near the same league. If he were operating with two junior secretarial staffers in the middle of a monumental crisis, as Lincoln did, he'd be completely over his head.

GWB benefits mightily by the quality and ubiquity of his help. Lincoln navigated his own way through a stormy sea.

[republicanwizard]

Well, neither was Lincoln dealing with a bureacracy the size Bush has.

I'm not saying Bush is Lincoln's equal, but he is certainly closer than any other of our Presidents. No one has dealt with so much tragedy with so much fortitude and moral direction.

[John H K]

Bump for the greatest President in American history.

Regardless of the opinion of Lincoln I've always found it a bit odd how Washington gets ignored in "Greatest President" arguments.

He's so OBVIOUSLY our greatest President even having a debate seems silly. He DEFINED what the office of President is.

Basically, pretty much every armed revolution or civil war in history results in the newly-created government being taken over by a dictator. Washington broke that pattern when he served two terms, refused to be a king, and went home.

Resisting that temptation to be a dictator when you COULD be a dictator is UNBELIEVABLY difficult, even for the most pure-hearted person.

[ServesURight]

Bump for the greatest President in American history.

Greater than Washington? Madison? Jefferson? Reagan?

[PJ-Comix]

A lot of people don't realize that much of Lincoln's eloquence was due to his intense reading and study of Shakespeare. Early in his political career, Lincoln was a HORRIBLE speaker. He was virtually laughed out of Congress during his sole term in Congress due to a silly speech he gave concerning the Mexican War. After he left Congress he did a lot of soul-searching and intense study which included the Shakespeare plays. The result was the eloquent Lincoln we know today.