Posted on 02/12/2009 7:59:57 AM PST by presidio9
President Barack Obama is not the 21st-century Abraham Lincoln, although if you followed his campaign, you could be forgiven some confusion. From the time two years ago when Obama declared his presidential candidacy in Springfield, Ill., to his pre-Inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, Obama has linked himself to that earlier tall, skinny fellow from Illinois who was born 200 years ago today.
Certainly, parallels do exist between the 16th and 44th presidents. Two lawyers from humble origins. Two relative unknowns springing from Illinois politics onto a national stage. Two exceptionally accomplished writers. Two speakers who could captivate crowds. Two men mocked and caricatured as unfit, untested and incapable by their political enemies.
But drawing too many parallels between them is premature in the fourth week of Obama's presidency. That might seem obvious, but it's worth emphasizing, said Jason Jividen, assistant professor of political science at the University of Saint Francis. That people fall for the Obama-as-Lincoln story says something about the adept politics of Obama's campaign and the desire of reporters for a story that resonates with American history.
“There's nothing remarkable about politicians appealing to Lincoln,” Jividen said Wednesday. Teddy Roosevelt's supporters compared him to Lincoln, as did Woodrow Wilson's and Franklin Roosevelt's.
“So much of this comparison has been initiated by Obama and his speechwriters,” Jividen said.
To balance the picture deftly sketched by Obama and his supporters, consider some of the differences.
♦“Obama is beginning much more popular than Lincoln began,” said Elizabeth Kuebler-Wolf, assistant professor of art history at Saint Francis. Lincoln has been much in her thoughts recently, because she's researching artistic presentations of pro- and anti-slavery arguments in 1860.
♦Michael Wolf, assistant professor of political science at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, points out that everyone knew Lincoln would be a divisive president - a civil war's-worth of divisiveness. But Obama has emphasized his “trying to unify the country in a ‘post-partisan' way,” said Wolf, who is Kuebler-Wolf's husband.
♦Obama appears convinced of the momentum of “progress;” that is, the belief that human beings are improving their lot with near-inevitability, Jividen said. Lincoln's doubt and soul-searching during the Civil War led him to a greater degree of humility over time.
At the same time, there are similarities between the two on subtler levels than physiques and geography.
♦ “They share an ironic trait,” Wolf said. “They both approach things pragmatically, but they want to make their decisions consequential. … They're big-thought people, but they understand the need in American politics to act pragmatically at times.”
♦“Both are remarkably candid about their ambition,” Jividen said.
♦Both Lincoln and Obama drew more in their writing and speaking from the idealism of the Declaration of Independence than from any other political document, Jividen said. It's obvious that Obama has a deep understanding of Lincoln's political philosophy, he said.
For now, the differences in the challenges they faced and the times that produced them may make full comparisons pointless. How do you compare the end of slavery and a civil war that killed 1 in 50 Americans with an economic crisis that threatens jobs?
With a little luck, neither Obama nor any future president will bear burdens as great as Lincoln did.
“Lincoln faced the greatest challenge a president could ever face,” Jividen said.
Lincoln and Obama. I didn’t buy it 2 years ago, and I don’t buy it now.
About the only thing they have in common is that they both inhale (inhaled) air.
The fact that obama uses Lincoln for his own gain is just one more reason for me to loathe him.
No comparison should even be made. It is a ridiculous article.
What a pantload.....WHAT has Bambi written????? Crickets.....
I’m still waiting for the first mainstream media article pointing out the parallels between Obama and Jefferson Davis, two politicians of the same divisive, special-interest focused, power-greedy, politically-crooked Democratic party.
Lincoln was an attorney for 20 years. Obama was a community organizer...but it wasn’t for “all the people”...it was targeted as “benefits to one group”.
It’s not true that Lincoln and Obama share the same thoughts on the Declaration of Independence. Obama has blatantly rejected parts of the declaration including the most famous line about the inalienable right to life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness).
uhh... uhmmm... uhh... hmmm...
What exceptional writing accomplishments does the Obamasiah have?
Two speakers who could captivate crowds.
Lincoln didn't have a telepromter.
...and had white mothers.
Lincolnesque to me is trying to fight a war with the Congress and the seditious media breathing fire up his *** 24/7.
Lincoln’s wife was insane....
Those are nothing compared to the parallels with Lincoln that we may see later:
Suspension of habeas corpus
Military trials for citizens
Jailing of political opponents
Lincoln was not the saint many believe him to have been. Neither is Obama. Now that is another obvious parallel.
I think it would be more accurate to say that Lincoln and whoever Obama's speechwriter is draw in their writing and speaking from the idealism of the Declaration of Independence than from any other political document.
The main thing that Obama has in common with Lincoln is that they both hold the same office. Obama has been in office for three weeks and we are now comparing him to one of the greatest men ever to hold it. What’s the point? The MSM wants to elevate Obama to that status. Was Bush 43 ever compared to Lincoln? I can’t recall ever reading such articles.
Neither Obama nor Lincoln are actually “from” Illinois. They moved there later in life. He’s from Hawaii by way of Jakarta and proud that he did not grow up as an American.
You beat me to it. God help us because we are going to need it.I hope you all bought your guns from a third party and paid cash for ammo. January 20th the marxists drove a huge stake into the heart of America and the PORKULOS bill may be the final nail in the coffin.
Have a nice day in the USSA.
Let's go over a couple:
"He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." He won't assent to laws to control illegal immigration or ensure our 2nd Amendment rights.
"He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance." He plans to grow government massively and exert more control over the people through it.
He's using it as a guide on how to gain kingly power over the citizens, not as a call to freedom.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.