Reply #24: IMO, Lincoln was somewhat over-rated. [View All]

[Alexander]

Anyone coming on the heels of that fool Buchanan would've looked like a stellar president. Lincoln's strength was that his party wasn't badly fractured between Northern and Southern wings. He had no interest in freeing the slaves until he realized it was the only way to preserve the country. He also went fairly easy on the Confederate states towards the end - especially considering the requirements the Radical Republicans wanted to impose on the states before they would be allowed to vote.

Yes, I would consider him a decent president. One of the greatest? Hardly. My point is that when untested candidates are fielded, the country runs a huge risk. My view is that Obama should be more patient, actually get some things done in the Senate, and not just use it immediately as a springboard for national office. When that happens, consituents get pissed. Hence why John Edwards' approval ratings took a dive in NC about 4 years into his term.

Not a single DUer has convincingly explained why Obama can't just wait until after 2008. What's wrong with him getting a little bit older and a little bit wiser before he decides to go for the big prize?