Abraham Lincoln: "Big enough to be inconsistent."

[L Verge]

I still think our former chancellor Brandt spoke very well at Lincoln's 150th anniversary banquet in Springfield:

"In Abraham Lincoln intellectual force was matched with moral strength. He understood the spirit as well as the needs of his time; and he was possessed of that pragmatic way of thinking which is conducive to successful action and which always stands the test if it is anchored in firm convictions."

The entire speech is here:
http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...t#pid56517

I have used the word "pragmatic" so many times in describing Lincoln's actions to the public at Surratt House, and I used it during teaching. I consider myself a pragmatist (probably from being an only child who devised methods to get my way!). I'm hoping we find more pragmatic politicians in the future who have firm convictions about what America needs and what is good for America as a whole.