It is therefore not to be wondered at that Lincoln's single term in the House of Representatives at Washington added practically nothing to his reputation.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Well, it seems to me Lincoln, I suppose, is kind of a model of a particular sort of presidency, a presidency that first of all is elected by a minority of the votes.
But having said all of that, that still doesn't account for a lot of the increase in popularity which stems, I think, from Lincoln's personal characteristics.
I think also there's no question that Lincoln has been diluted down through history in some way, almost by becoming as iconic as he is, in a way he's become diluted.
I'm not sure Lincoln would fare well if he were a presidential candidate today.
We forget that the most successful statesmen have been professionals. Lincoln was a professional politician.
Lincoln was the greatest speaker and he was ridiculed for how he looked, you know?
I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator.
Lincoln emancipated nobody. The man freed not a single slave.
There is no disputing that Lincoln was a great man.
No president has come near to rivaling Lincoln as a writer.