President Obama once said that he would attempt to set up his Administration similar to Abraham Lincoln's who infamously and SUCCESSFULLY included his rivals in his Cabinet. I just started a book "A Team of Rivals" by Doris Goodwin which speaks to the political genious of Lincoln.
I loved the NPR story below regarding Lincoln's retreat at Soldiers Home (when we get to Nationals in D.C. :-) I will see if we can venture there!) - Our country could use his wisdom and humility ... any thoughts on Lincoln, Obama or your favorite Presidents?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106304009
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Alright so I’m number one on this...
ReplyDeleteSo I feel that Lincoln was a political genius because he did in fact include his rivals and potential enemies in his cabinet. This is brilliant because as the president you are the focal point of many attacks from an array of political and social groups. If Lincoln had members in his cabinet that disliked him or didn’t agree with his ideals, they could point out any counter attack to Lincoln’s decisions thus making him a better president for the people. he was an amazing person with very high character because even though he lost a congressional election, senate election, and vice president nomination, he still persisted and did not stop, stating that he was not a loser in life because "the real losers in life are those that give up." I believe that Lincoln was the greatest president that our country has ever seen followed closely by JFK and the late Ronald Reagan. It’s unfortunate that Lincoln’s glorious presidency was cut short because he would have continued to creating an incredible nation.
Chanse
Here is an interesting article i found on msnbc.com where the authors actually ranked the presidents and Lincoln is number one...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29211562/
For me, I think I Lincoln is one of the greatest presidents in the history of America. Each of the greats, hold high status for different reasons, but Lincoln I believe has got to be on the peak. If you look at his time in the president’s chair, he never actually made many critical errors. It is a complete shame that he never got to serve his country to the fullest extent. Regarding the point about how Obama wishes to hold some of his rivals in office; this is probably one of the greatest achievements Lincoln or any president for that matter can hold. I know, personally, that giving your rivals, or enemies, any power comparable to yours is an extremely tough feet. Although, doing this may be tough, it is the ultimate political move for one primary reason. The saying “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” has a denotation and a connotation. The denotation is so you can watch your enemies close; though there is also a hidden meaning that many could overlook. Maybe if one were to keep their enemies closer than their friends, they may not become enemies anymore. If Obama were to, like Lincoln, put his rivals into his cabinet, than this would ease some of the demise that the Obama-haters hold towards him. Obama could not only ease some of his enemy’s hatred, but he could also learn from his rivals. Seeing them in power may give him a sense of the opposing side of decision, thus making his final verdict more logical and more knowledgeable. Any way that you look at it, Obama is purchasing his political career a huge present by following in the footsteps of the logical Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteGoing off of what Chanse said I think that Lincoln was a very strong president as well. Unlike many presidents, he didn't compose his cabinet solely of his friends, many of the figures he didn't know personally. I read somewhere that when he was selecting his cabinet he almost ruined his friendship with Simon Cameron and William Seward. One member of the cabinet that Lincoln had a particularily hard time with was Salmon Chase. Overall Chase just thought that he was more fit for the presidency than Lincoln, and he felt the need to share it with everyone. It seems like it is impossible for rival politicians to get along today. Our campigns seem to be a series of slash and burn comments. I think that Lincoln was able to proove what a strong and tolerant person he was when he put up with competitors in a much more civil manor.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that Abe was an all time great president. Our current president also feels this way and it is why he has decided to model his cabinet like Lincoln's. Both Lincoln's and Obama's have friends and rivals and a great deal of diversity. I thin it is very commendable that Obama has put political ideals aside to create what he feels is the best cabinet he can make. It is important to look not only at the obvious similarities with them both being Illinois senators but the fact they both had a very keen political sense. It is a very wise move for Obama to model his political career after former president Lincoln.
ReplyDeleteOkay not entirely sure where I was supposed to put this, but recently I've been hearing a lot about the "cash for clunkers" deal and how the government seemed to be short on money. I just thought it's interesting how the government can start a program such as this and then not be able to finish it. Recently in the news there was deemed to be a mistake or something with financial calculations so therefore the governemnt does still have money. Here is the link to one of the articles: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009584069_clunkerconfusion02.html
ReplyDeleteI read the article Casey linked, and I think it is pretty interesting as well. If I had recently bought a new fuel efficient car, and traded in an old "clunker" especially since the whole program is irreversible.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, however, I think the program is a good one. People are much more likely to upgrade to a more fuel efficient vehicle if they are offered some incentive for getting rid of their gas guzzling old cars. It seems like a great idea to help the auto industry as well. Lately people have been buying fewer cars, about 10% fewer cars, 14% fewer trucks and 45% fewer SUVs than they were last year at this time.
It seems like the new "Cash for Clunker" deal would boost car sales. There is no doubt that the auto industry has to love the government instructing people to trade in their old cars for new ones.
From an environmental standpoint it's a pretty good deal as well. I did some calculations, on average (according to Google) an American will drive 12000-15000 miles per year, a "clunker" car averages 8 miles per gallon. This means the average person owning a "clunker" car would emit 29,437 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Since anyone trading in their clunker must buy a car that is more fuel efficient car by at least 10 more miles per gallon (so around 18mpg), the customers would produce 13,083 pounds of CO2 a year. Obviously this is still a lot of co2 in the atmosphere, but clearly much better.
Lincoln is known as an all time great president. Obama is only trying to be like him, he will never truly be him. He is trying to compare himself to Lincoln to make himself look popular and more bipartisan. He is trying to enhance popularity by comparing himself to a well respected and intelligent man. Certain media may try to link the two presidents; Obama being the first African American president and Lincoln, famous for freeing the slaves. They can compare their speaking skills, both had dignity and composure in their arguments. However, Lincoln comprised his cabinet with many different people to enhance his knowledge, to get to know all sides of each argument. He truly cared about making the right decision, even if it didn’t always go with his party. Obama is merely trying to be popular, he wants to seem like he is taking in all opinions but when it comes down to it, he doesn’t care and will do whatever is in line with the Democratic Party.
ReplyDeleteHey this has nothing to do with A. Lincoln, I just want to post a link about Obama's health care speech made in july. Does anyone agree or disagree with his opinions?
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to his Health Care Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3NvKt3i1ks
I feel that Lincoln is a really good president for Obama to follow; especially how he appointed his rivals within his cabinet. Politics today have become, I think, based on party rivalry, more than about true government and doing what is best for our country. Politics instead should be based on issues regardless of party. Lincoln understood that and Obama is trying to follow suit. Obama is obviously not Lincoln, but his recognition of incorporating rivals to work together will produce better ideas and better planning in dealing with issues.
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ReplyDeleteChanse: Have you even seen that book where they rank the presidents? Lincoln is number one in that as well.
ReplyDeleteAs for Obama, they look like democrats to me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_line_of_succession
Obama has been compared to Kennedy and sometimes FDR, but the comparisons all come back to Lincoln. It seems that Obama is following in Lincoln footsteps which is a good administration to model after. Lincoln was a great president and legend due to his political savvy. Lincoln’s creation of a cabinet of rivals was a great political move. I believe a cabinet of rivals will challenge the president and his opinions for the better. The diversity of ideas will provide more confidence when making decisions. I believe it is better to have a range of opinions than have similar beliefs which may result in a single-minded government.
ReplyDeleteLincoln was a great president and we expect Obama to be the same. Lincoln’s cabinet was successful, but like in everything else, Obama will need to make it better. Hopefully Obama will be a better Lincoln.
Here’s a link that compares the tall, skinny, and well-spoken presidents from Illinois;
http://themoderatevoice.com/38863/abe-lincoln-was-no-abe-lincoln-but-barack-obama-might-be/
Both from the same home state of Illinois, Lincoln and Obama can appear very similar in certain aspects. Obama obviously faces a huge economic crisis and therefore must work to bring the nation together, as did Lincoln with the Union during his presidency. Although hardly any former presidents have personally written their speeches, Lincoln and Obama both have at least drafted, if not written their own speeches. Not to mention, overall, both are seen to the public as amazing rhetoricians.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Obama emulates Lincoln for those reasons, as he admires the combination of Abe's humble, yet confident character. It is definitely commendable that both have managed to build a team that included their rivals because ultimately, it can only make a cabinet that much stronger. In a Newsweek article titled, "Obama's Lincoln", it is said that humility is an essential virtue/quality to both Obama and Lincoln.
In "The Audacity of Hope", Obama recounts how he wrote in the Time magazine, " his [Lincoln] capacity to overcome personal loss and remain determined in the face of repeated defeat, in all this, he reminded me not just of my own struggles." Furthermore, Obama both praises and commends Lincoln's "practicality, that self awareness, that humility."
It is very wise of Obama to look at Lincoln for inspiration and knowledge, as Lincoln was responsible for our country become united after the civil war and its turmoil.
My ideas from Newsweek article are in the following link:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/169170/page/2
McKenna Blenz
I agree with what almost everyone is saying. I too believe that Lincoln was one of our greatest presidents of all time. That cannot be denied. Casey said it best when he said “Regarding the point about how Obama wishes to hold some of his rivals in office; this is probably one of the greatest achievements Lincoln or any president for that matter can hold.” The fact that Obama is trying to keep his friends close and his enemies closer will be phenomenal in broadening America’s horizons and making all politicians work together. In a former article by Newsweek (found at http://www.newsweek.com/id/169170/page/1), they stated“The most important quality may be humility, which both Obama and Lincoln repeatedly refer to as an essential virtue. Humility in this case is not to be confused with meekness or passivity. Rather, it comes from confidence. A Lincolnesque leader is confident enough to be humble—to not feel the need to bluster or dominate, but to be sufficiently sure of one's own judgment and self-worth to really listen and not be threatened by contrary advice.”The fact that both Lincoln and Obama are both living proof of how far the American dream can take one man and have achieved so much is amazing. They both changed the mood and mind set of many Americans making them both amazing presidents. I highly recommend reading that article from Newsweek. Although it was written in April, a lot of it is still relevant. Here is the link again: http://www.newsweek.com/id/169170/page/1
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ReplyDeleteOops...Looks like McKenna and I used the same link. Great minds think alike! :)
ReplyDeleteHere is another newsweek article that I found to be good as well. It is from the LA Times and is found at http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/02/obama-lincoln.html
They're both great articles!One of the things I especially like about the LA times link is that it has a video comparing/contrasting how both Obama and Lincoln handled war. I found it really interesting. Any other thoughts?
this is funny
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQkMAPVoIo
I was pondering this topic and i realise there is alot of hype right now over how great of a president Obama is, aleast from the left. But I think likening president Obama to one of the greatest men from America's past might be a little extreme atleast at this early stage in the game. I mean were talking about one of the major founders of the GOP. Lincoln also stoped European support of the south during civil war. The major one was he Ended slavery atleast in confederate states with the Emancipation Proclimation which eventually went on to hold the union together. There are numerous other bills he signed in that have had great impact on the course of our history like the "homestead act of 1862" which granted land in the west at a very low price. The "legal tender act of 1862," this act established the first American paper currency. Even though there are differences i do believe that Obama is great and has many of Lincoln's great qualities like being able to lead the masses and appease their minds. Lincoln and Obama are both great leaders and public speakers of their generation, if not all time. I can only hope that in 2012 when we look back at President Obama's years in office his plans to rebirth the health care system will be among many other great deeds.
ReplyDeleteEvery President of the United States is different - that much is clear. Whether or not they have similar views or goals, they will treat them in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteFrom doing the hw in the textbook, I've come to a little more of an understanding of the power of the President. It's understandable that some feel that the President and/or Congress has too much power, with provisions such as the Elastic Clause, but they can be used for the best - for our common good. Lincoln executed the Elastic Clause when he created the Emancipation Proclamation. He was a President on a mission to eliminate slavery and keep the Union together at the same time, which essentially dissolved into a North v. South situation. Lincoln was trying to keep the nation's morals in check by abolishing slavery, which is a fundamental basis of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Other Presidents have faced great struggles within the nation; looking at today, we have many struggles over health care, national debt, immigration, terrorism, gay/lesbian rights, etc. But none of them face these problems in the same way, or have the same results when faced with the same problem.
Lincoln was an awesome President and perhaps one of the best this nation has ever had and ever will have.
I admire George Washington. By voluntarily stepping down from the presidency after two terms he upheld the rule of law emphasized in the Constitution. Historians argue that Washington could have defied the new government and become a monarch. George Washington set an important precedent for future presidents.
ReplyDeleteFDR solved the problems of the depression by organizing his cabinet as a brain trust. Members were appointed based on merit and expertise rather than their particular political agendas. The Founders envisioned the presidency as above party politics. FDR’s inclusion of members from various parties did just that. FDR was also the first president not to follow the precedent set by George Washington. However, he was popular enough to be reelected three times.
Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and George Washington are the three greatest presidents in American History.
If I had to choose one President that I would back completely is would have to be Franklin D. Roosevelt. A strong President can’t always follow the rules when the country is in need of a total overhaul. I think that Obama could learn a few facts about the executive order from this past president, who enacted many public work policies without consulting congress at all. Many where later ruled unconstitutional, but guess what, they worked. FDR was facing an even greater economic depression then the one we are going through today, if Obama were to enact some of the New Deal policies we might see a turn around in our country after all.
ReplyDeleteHeres a link to a list of new deal programs
http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/new-deal/a-list-of-new-deal-programs.html
Some have commented on their favorite presidents and I would like to comment on the worst presidents. James Buchanan has to rate as the worst of our Presidents, due to his utter failure to protect the Union and his support of Confederate interests during that period that borders on high treason. Andrew Jackson should be ranked second worst for his genocide of eastern American Indians. In particular, his refusal to uphold the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Cherokee Indian nation was an impeachable offense. Most of Congress at the time was just as guilty, with only a few brave souls, such as Davy Crocket, willing to vote against Jackson
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