Lincoln- the man for every politician.

[LincolnMan]

I've been posting images on FaceBook of past and present political campaign badges featuring political candidates and Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln finds favor with politicians of every stripe it seems. I think that various viewpoints can be found with Lincoln that are also found among the various political parties. If given consideration, what would you all think reonates regarding Lincoln with Republicans, Democrats, and any of the other parties?

[ELCore]

Would Abraham Lincoln Be a Democrat Today?

[RJNorton]

Mr. Lincoln finds favor with politicians of every stripe it seems.

At least in my lifetime I believe more politicians use quotes from Lincoln than any other President (although sometimes the quotes used are wrongly attributed to Lincoln - such as Ronald Reagan using the "10 Cannots").

[LincolnMan]

Roger: agree with that. I realize that using Lincoln during a political campaign has it's potential advantages. Still, I also find it interesting that Lincoln's philosophies (for lack of a better term) find some alignment with the various parties. In part, I think this speaks to how complex Lincoln was.

[RJNorton]

Roger: agree with that. I realize that using Lincoln during a political campaign has it's potential advantages. Still, I also find it interesting that Lincoln's philosophies (for lack of a better term) find some alignment with the various parties. In part, I think this speaks to how complex Lincoln was.

Agreed, Bill.

I found this clip of Ronald Reagan using part of the "Ten Cannots" and wrongly attributing them to Lincoln.

[LincolnMan]

One of the badges I own features Lincoln and Trump as "true Republicans." Somevof my friends have reacted strongly to the pairing. I mentioned in another post that one writer likened Trump unto Jackson. Is there something in the Trump effort that is Lincolnish? (Not sure if that is a word!).

[Wild Bill]

You'll ought to read David Donald's "Getting Right with Lincoln," in his Lincoln reconsidered (1956)He points out that everyone from right to left across the political spectrum wants to identify with Lincoln--even if they do not.

[LincolnMan]

Good recommendation!

[Eva Elisabeth]

"Lincoln Reconsidered" is a must-read&-have IMO.

[LincolnMan]

Since it was published in 1956 I wish there was an updated book along the same lines.

[Wild Bill]

Another related article available in larger libraries is T. Harry Williams, "Abraham Lincoln: Principle and Pragmatism in Politics," Mississippi Valley Historical Review, 40 (June 1953), 89-108.

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Laurie, I think this is where I got Williams' notion that Lincoln was not wedded to any single Reconstruction approach

[LincolnMan]

I have a political badge from 1968 for Richard Nixon featuring Lincoln, Washington, and TR.
The slogan is: "Give America another great president"
Reminds me of Trump's "Let's make America great again."
Some things don't change...

[ELCore]

I have a political badge from 1968 for Richard Nixon featuring Lincoln, Washington, and TR.
The slogan is: "Give America another great president"
Reminds me of Trump's "Let's make America great again."
Some things don't change...

You can watch Bill Clinton's 1991 presidential campaign announcement on C-SPAN. Towards the end, about the 34:00 mark, he told the crowd, "I believe together we can make America great again".

I am not making this up.

C-SPAN

[LincolnMan]

Nothing new under the sun...

[RJNorton]

There's also a 6 second video of it on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51ojuOt-TnU