Could Abe Lincoln win the presidency today?

[Iceburg]

Could Abe Lincoln win the presidency today?

By E.J. PERKINS
azcentral.com
May 1, 2004

If Abraham Lincoln, arguably the nation’s greatest president, ran for the White House today, could he win?

Conventional wisdom would argue: no way, dude.

Lincoln, like the proverbial duck out of water, would likely be incompatible with a political culture geared to superficial dogma and "telegenicity." Lincoln’s voice (squeaky) and physical appearance (awkward) by themselves would probably do him in.

This point of view is not wholly without merit. Here’s what Joshua Speed, a Lincoln contemporary, wrote in his "Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln" not long after observing the president give a speech.

"Mr. Lincoln’s person was ungainly. He was six feet four inches in height; a little stooped in the shoulders; his legs and arms were long; his feet and hands large; his forehead was high. His head was over the average size. His eyes were gray. His face and forehead were wrinkled even in his youth ... Generally he was a very sad man, and his countenance indicated it."
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[LastDemocratInSC]

1. Not a chance ...

Abraham Lincoln was not a photogenic or telegenic figure - Strike 1

He was a trial lawyer who made lots of money protecting the interests of big railroad companies - Strike 2

He wasn't politically consistent. While he had strongly held views on all subjects, he would temper those views to meet the currents of his time - Strike 3

Abe is out.

Beyond these, Abraham Lincoln suffered awful personal losses before and during his time in the White House and had periods of deep depression because of these events. He wasn't the happy talk kind of guy.

America today demands a President with the constant exuberance of Regis Philbin and the intellect of Kelley Ripa - and we have him!

[Neshanic]

7. Then there is the "Joshua Speed" sleepover issue.

[0007]

15. We called Abe, Lanky Link , because he was tall, thin, and ungainly.

Lanky Link was good with short short speeches and was great at wrestling bears for entertainment -....the WWF would be envious, all the wrestling fans, FAUX News viewers and the jocks would vote for Lanky Link, along with all the ladies that felt sorry that Lanky Link was married to a funny type of women that no one understood, or didn't dare to call crazy. He was a man's man and was a women's dream. The rumor was he was extra large.

He could win in today's times and win big.

[Tina H]

2. Did they ever figure out for sure whether he had Marfan's?

Or whether his wife had syphillis?

It would be weird to have a president with the siph now!

[LastDemocratInSC]

3. Regarding Marfan's syndrome ...

I think the consensus is that Lincoln had all the outward, visible signs that one would look for in diagnosing Marfan's, but even today, echocardiography of the heart and aorta are essential steps to making a positive diagnosis. Those who believe he had Marfan's syndrome say that he probably would have suffered from an aortic anuerysm or dissection within a year or so of his visit to Ford's Theater. We'll never know.

[Tina H]

4. I wouldn't be surprised if someday

they can get more definitive answers on the Marfan's syn by studying Lincoln's remains.

I can't see how we would ever know about potential aneurysms

[carnival]

5. Abe could not win

I don't believe that if he were alive today, Abe Lincoln could win the presidency in an election in 2004.

Think about it...the man would be 195 year's old!

[Tina H]

6. also his big issue (slavery)

is kind of stale at this point in time.

Still, his presidency is an interesting and enlightening historical experience to contemplate.

The quashing of states rights and prerogatives that he stood for is an issue that has come back to haunt us today on issues like gay marriage and the sheer size of the federal gov't.

[jmowreader]

8. Wasn't Reagan about that old?

:D

[Dan-W]

9. Ninety three, or so, today.

And he survived a near fatal wound in his Presidency.

[Reverend_Smitty]

10. I think that is where the similarities of those two individuals end!

n/t

[Alex88]

11. He wasn't really re-elected

The election in the south was a sham.

[jmowreader]

12. Like Florida in 2000?

..

[NNadir]

13. He was "lite."

He did not have strong abolishment credentials when he ran in 1860. Many abolishment people, including Frederick Douglas, William Seward and Salmon Chase supported him grudgingly. In 1864, Chase actually said, "I will do for him what I would do for a better man," Chase thinking that Chase was the "better man."

Lincoln had his own Ralph Nader - like Nader an intellectual incompetant -in the form of Fremont.

Lincoln had NO executive experience, tiny military experience (which he himself ridiculed), and few long standing political friendships. It was absolutely incredible that he was elected then. He would the same chance as an icecube in the Amazon today.

[tom_paine]

14. Nope, the Busheviks would Smear and Destroy his Liberal Ass

They would tell us what they REALLY think (most of them) about Abe lincoln.

Now that the Imperial Party is firmly the Party of Jeff Davis, I expect the hatred and vitriol would be very intense and unpleasant.

If Lincoln didn't go quietly and shrink in fear from the Busheviks, hello Wellstoning!