What is it with Obama and Lincoln?

I think the question is simple to answer. Lincoln was the greatest President from Illinois. Obama is not comparing himself to Lincoln nor does he want to be Lincoln. He's just honoring Illinois politics and history.

Perhaps Obama feels it'll be poetic as the first black president to honor Lincoln, since Lincoln is commonly credited for freeing the slaves and thus starting the civil rights movement. Obama's presidency will be the culimination of what Lincoln started, at least where Civil Rights are concerned.

My guess is because both of them where Senators from Illinois, but that is my guess. Lincoln violated the Constitution, well Lilwonders set back because I believe Obama is going to violate the Constitution a hand full of times.

I disagree, I think Lincoln is a pretty good choice for a role model. Admittedly I'm a bit biased since Lincoln is my second favorite president. As far as Obama's connection to Lincoln is concerned. They were both elected out of Illinois. You could say that Lincoln has always been Illinois's favorite son and I don't see anything unusual about a president elect from Illinois being enamored of Lincoln. Actually, the articles that I've read on Obama indicate that he has also been reading a lot on the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, my first favorite president.

I am not an American history expert but I read somewhere else that it was in Lincoln's time that the Black Americans were given freedom from slavery. it was in his time that the very first black American was recognized. Although since that was the first time it was implemented that is why it took some more years before the Black Americans really felt their freedom which I think at some point is still struggling to maintain that freedom of theirs.

While I do not think Lincoln was the best president the US has known, and yes he united the country through force of war, and well not sure how it is that we really can compare any president from 150 years ago to one who is to take office today, if it is to be done than I think it sad, are we then to revert to the way things were more than a hundred years ago? I suppose personally I should think if there was a quality to be emulated by presidents from one other president it would be the attitude of say Truman, he took responsibilty for his words, actions and choices, more than any other and that would be the quality I would want any president to emulate. I do think that Lincoln had some fine goals, and ideals, I do like that he felt that there should be freedom for all, but then if that is the case how do you justiify denying the south its freedom from the north? I like that Lincoln was not about punishing the south for the war but rather working towards a reunification of the two sides. How would he have handled that I don't know he was killed before he could. I am not looking for any president to emulate that and become a martyr to assination. As for President Elect Obama, what is it then that he wants to emulate in regards to Lincoln? I suppose I kind of just don't get that. I also don't see where the comparisson can be made the country is not the same as it was then. I can see however where ideals more so than realities could be an influence. The Ideals of being sure that there are rights for everyone, the ideals of bringing people together, to work together towards building a better economy and a recovery for the country are ones that are nice ideals, but is that what was done, and how something is done is going to be as important as the results. So it should be interesting.

I was surprised enough by the first thread about this subject, but to see there are two is kind of baffling. What does it matter, exactly? Do you think Obama is going to declare another civil war or something?

Lincoln as the 16th President of the United States is listed as the most popular President of all time. The civil war was going to happen no matter what he did. Plus have you noticed that Bush has read Lincoln too? Most people have either studied or read the Gettysburg Address which he gave and use that as a basis of uniting the country. There are several good books written about him. You might enjoy reading a couple of the bios including one by Carl Sandburg.

I don't think it's anything very "deep". Lincoln was one of our most admired Presidents although obviously everyone doesn't agree. The same could be said about John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. There are similarities, both are from Illinois and had been Senators from that state and both took office at a very divisive time in our country's history. I kind of think his focus on Lincoln is as much to pay homage for the people of his state as anything else. Annie

I think that since Obama was Senator from Illinois then it is appropriate that he is remembering Lincoln whose actions wether it be war or something else gave people such as Obama that opportunity to run for and be elected to piblic office. One thing in your post that stuck me lilwonders was when you said that Obama visited the Lincoln Memorial. Well unless Illinois gets rid of its crooked Governor that might be the last chance anyone gets to visit it because historic sites such as that are being closed by Blagojevich.

More than anything,the popele say,the founders were hampered by zhe culture of their time. While Lincoln privately expressed distaste for slavery,they also understood that it was part of the political and economic bedrock of the country they helped to create.Today I think Obama will be OK , as he know more about the world .

Personally I think Obama is taking the Lincoln stuff a bit too far. He takes the train ride, he eats the same food on inauguration day, swears on the same bible... it's overdoing it to the point that it is comical. Admiration is one thing, wanting to essentially salute Lincoln and honor him, fine, but downright imitation... does he have no original thought of his own? Well, at least that comes to mind. At this point I'm not even sure if he truly admires Lincoln or if he thinks that it will put him in a better light if people think he does. Isn't it Lincolns 200th birthday sometime soon? I think he tries to link himself to Lincoln because Lincoln is seen as a great president who ended slavery. He also supposively is one of the few black presidents who ran as white people and disguised their true heritage (he had a rather dark complexion). Essentially, he paved the way for Obama to be president today so to speak. Personally I think he should do less imitating (MLK at the national convention, Lincoln now) and do more original acceptable things on his own. He should have an original thought, not just be a copycat.

I think it may have something to do with just drawing a crowd...I mean supposed famous president is awed after by first African-American President. That would be the headline. It is all publicity I think...by the way I was not trying to make that racist.

We all have opinions and should all agree to disagree. I agree there are many others out there to be influenced by, but you also have to remember, the media LOVES to twist and distort things and make them bigger issue than it truly is (the more interesting you make the story, the more readers/ viewers, etc). Major in Journalism and you learn that one in your first semester of Freshman year. I think it is the symbolism of using Lincoln's bible. Lincoln was credited for freeing the slaves. Though there is still racism in the United States, we have elected the first African-American president. It shows how far we have come as a country, and I believe Obama chose Lincoln's bible because he is inspired by what Lincoln did about slavery, because without that, he would not have achieved what many thought they would never see in their lifetime. Because of Lincoln's actions (whether you agree or disagree), Obama achieved something absolutely historic for our country, and he wants to honor the actions of Lincoln that allowed him to become the first African-American president. Just because people believe he will be a "great uniter" like Lincoln, doesn't mean he will go about it in the same ways. We have come a long way and there are many other options and ways to go about uniting a country without a civil war.