Lincoln Poll in USA TODAY

[Laurie Verge]

I have often questioned whether Abraham Lincoln would have been any more "famous" in the history books than Millard Fillmore if it had not been for the crucial decades in which he rose to prominence in politics -- and, of course, his fortune (or misfortune?) to decide to run for the Presidency in 1860 when the country was a tinderbox waiting for the match to light.

As a Southern Marylander, I learned early-on that Lincoln did some very questionable things Constitution-wise; but as I grew older and had more history classes under my belt, I came to semi-understand why he did them. In so doing, I also learned the terrible truth of what it takes to be a politician. You don't always play by the rules!

To me, Lincoln was the ultimate politician who knew how to manipulate people, how to speak in a manner that made people listen, how to surround himself with advisers who were good in the political field, and how to play the system. To stand in the spotlight during the most critical period in American history didn't hurt his image in the future either.

And then came John Wilkes Booth and the first presidential assassination. To me, that ensured Lincoln's positive legacy for all time.