Sunday, November 9, 2008

Parallels Between Obama, Lincoln

A look at some of the parallels in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama:

• Reached national prominence in Illinois after being raised elsewhere: Lincoln in Kentucky and Indiana, Obama in Hawaii and Indonesia.

• Served eight years in the Illinois Legislature: Lincoln in the state House, Obama in the state Senate.

• Spent two years in Washington before running for president: Lincoln served one term in Congress, while Obama was two years into a Senate term when he announced.

• Spoke out, while still political unknowns, against the United States declaring war: Lincoln criticized the Mexican-American War while in Congress. Obama opposed invading Iraq.

• Reached national prominence on the strength of oratorical skills: Lincoln made his name with the Lincoln-Douglas debates and famous addresses such as his “House Divided” and Cooper Union speeches. Obama wowed people with his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention.

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