I think Abraham Lincoln was better known for a great deal more than any failed office run. Who are you to diss anyone who has served their nation as admirably as Lincoln, and even paid the price for his accomplishments anyway? You’ve got to be one of those die hard Confederalists, right?
No. He was an obscure prairie lawyer, but his Republican ideals gained a lot of publicity from the Douglas-Lincoln debates.
The problem with being a Representative is that you are one of 435, representing a small area. Senators represent entire states. The difference in prestige is not insignificant - and it creates major advantages for Senators even over Representatives.
You really need to be less defensive. The question is an honest one - one that should be asked of any of the potential nominees who have no executive experience. There was no offense intended, nor any specific agenda behind the question. It just is an opportunity to ask Rep. Hunter to address a weak point in his resume compared to that of Governor Romney or Mayor Giuliani (each of whom have other weak points).
I think the Lincoln-Douglas debates kind of put him on the map, no? He lost the race but got the respect, and persisted as a voice of principled oppostion until the Presidential election came around.
You were a bit scorching there.