Dissing Abraham Lincoln Not a Smart Move

Barack Obama gives a glimpse of his true colors in this week's issue of Time.

Regarding how Lincoln influenced his own life journey, Obama writes:

"In Lincoln's rise from poverty, his ultimate mastery of language and law, his 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. He also reminded me of a larger, fundamental element of American life - the enduring belief that we can constantly remake ourselves to fit our larger dreams."

Obama questions Lincoln's motives in ending slavery, casts doubt on the purity of his principles, and dismisses the significance of one of our nation's most important documents.

"I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator. As a law professor and civil rights lawyer and as an African-American, I am fully aware of his limited views on race. Anyone who actually reads the Emancipation Proclamation knows it was more a military document than a clarion call for justice."

Obama delivers a final slap at Lincoln when discussing his election to the U.S. Senate.

"He may not have dreamed of that exact outcome. But I like to believe he would have appreciated the irony."

I suspect these comments will someday come back to haunt Obama, especially in any national campaign. His address at last summer's Dem National Convention played well across America, impressing Republicans and Independents. His remarks on Lincoln, however, show Obama to be less moderate and mainstream than he appeared to be.

Apparently, even Obama has caught the dreaded Dem fever, showing symptoms that include saying outrageous things that alienate Red state America.