"Herndon was born mediocre"

[Tom Emery]

I am completely in agreement with Mike B's closing statement on the importance of the Ann Rutledge romance.

Rob, I understand your question on "evidence." (And, let me also note your poignant comments on your life experiences. I'm sorry for your losses).

But, some writers such as Mark Neely (in his Abraham Lincoln Encyclopedia) are highly dismissive of a Rutledge romance, even citing the Menard Axis report. I certainly don't mean to compare myself to Neely. But, I still have issues with the idea of a Rutledge romance.

I know that some New Salem residents supported the idea of a romance -- but weren't there some that didn't? (Help me on this -- I'm doing this off memory. If I'm wrong, sorry). In addition, haven't there been some questions on Mentor Graham's honesty, for lack of a better word?

Also, I felt the late 1990s studies were not as balanced as they could have been, as I said.

Let me ask your opinion on this: do you think Herndon was trying to examine all evidence to come up with a balanced finding? Or, was he trying to prove a notion, just because he hated Mary? Herndon gave us a portrait of the daily life of Lincoln that cannot be found anywhere else; but I think he offset that with his exaggerations of subjects like Ann Rutledge, which detract from his credibility.

My main gripe, though, is the way Herndon, and plenty of others, have blown the romance out of proportion. There is no question that there could have been a romance between Lincoln and Ann. But, there has never been anything to go on to believe it was something spectacular as some have written. Herndon, or anyone else through the years, really could not make that claim.

At any rate, I am in complete agreement with Mike B's statement on the romance's importance in Lincoln's life.