The Abraham Lincoln Analogy

President Lincoln's 200Th birthday was celebrated today, February 12, around the country. President Obama spoke about Lincoln at the Capital Rotunda. President Obama is a great admirer of President Lincoln and his work done as our 16Th president. He said he felt a gratitude toward Lincoln in making his own story possible. President Obama began his presidential campaign, two years ago, at Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois on Lincoln's birthday. Obama even had the same inaugural lunch served at his luncheon as Lincoln did served on china replica of what Mary Todd Lincoln picked out.

Many people wonder if Obama is trying too hard to keep Lincoln (and his beliefs) to close at hand. Harold Holzer, a Lincoln scholar and co-chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, made the comment that Obama believes he is going to finish Lincoln's unfinished work. Lincoln is remembered for freeing some slaves and this may have been good for Obama to be accepted as a black candidate for president. Obama's message to our country has been, "one nation, one people," which he quoted during a speech at Ford's Theatre about Lincoln, that "he had an unyielding belief that were at heart, one nation, one people."

Some argue our financial crisis cannot be compared to the bloody battle Lincoln was faced with during his presidency, that Obama cannot be successful at mending it. Ross Baker, a political scientist, says "if you portray a Lincoln-esque style your actions should accompany it". He says, "as bad as the financial crisis, it's not the succession of half the union."

I think it's wonderful for people to have role models they admire and look up to, including our president. i really don't see why the media has such a time with making President Obama's admiration for Lincoln a big deal. President Lincoln was a great president and for President Obama wanting to mimic some of his strategies, well I think it says a lot for him.

www.newyorktimes.com