Via the Politico:Obama to use Lincoln Bible
President-elect Obama will be the first President sworn in using the Lincoln Bible since its initial use in 1861.
Now, I don’t care who you are politically speaking, that is some fantastic political symbolism with that move.
Further, I am surprised that the Lincoln Bible has never been used since Lincoln himself.
Sphere: Related ContentFiled under: US Politics | |
The views expressed in the comments are the sole responsibility of the person leaving those comments. They do not reflect the opinion of the author of PoliBlog, nor have they been vetted by the author.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Via the Politico:Obama to use Lincoln Bible
Hmm…he probably will have Bin Laden’s Koran in his pocket, though.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I can’t remember the name, but the first Muslim to take the oath (two years ago?) used Jefferson’s Koran. That was a stroke of genius.
But, yes, this is pretty clever. Unfortunately it has been interpreted as something of a Messiah complex.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I think that the standard critique of Obama is that he has a messiah complex and/or that his supporters see him as a messiah-figure. In all honesty, I was getting tired of that approach months ago.
And you are thinking of Keith Ellison (and yes, it was a stroke of genius).
December 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
So you think that using the Lincoln Bible isn’t at all narcissistic, and does not in any way convey that Obama is the Messiah?
I mean, seriously. Even if Obama turns out to be all that, symbolically linking him to Abraham Lincoln? Even if he is a very strong president, he’s not going to see the union through a civil war. Lincoln saved the union. Lincoln was a political “messiah” when we needed one.
Probably the reason for the Lincoln Bible not being used up until now has been deference to Lincoln, and humility in the presence of true historical greatness.
This is the very sort of gesture (grandiose, dramatic, and ultimately meangingless) that has caused his critics to call him “The One”, “Obammessiah”, etc.
Maybe he should wait and actually achieve something before he counts himself among the great presidents of history. He hasn’t earned that mantle yet, and may not do so at all.
Thinking he’s cut from the same mold as Lincoln is, to say the least, premature.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
You’re right: it probably has nothing whatsoever to do with being from Illinois or, more to the point, being the first non-white President. The first African-American President using the Bible used by the Great Emancipator isn’t the issue–no symbolism of significance to America history there.
No, must be his Messiah complex…
December 24th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
And btw, if these items can only be used once the president-elect in question has achieved his/her own greatness, that means that they can’t ever be used.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I don’t think the Lincoln Bible should ever be used, for the precise reason you cited. It should be in a museum, and remain there, in the public ownership and free for all to see, never to be used for inauguration again. I see that as a better place and use for it than stroking anyone’s ego. Lincoln was one of the truly great leaders from our history, and the relics and artifacts from his presidency belong not to the president elect, but to the people of this nation. They should be treated with reverence and kept in the public care.
As for being the first black president - that fact is utterly meaningless and irrelevant to me. I was taught in the Army that we all bleed red. I cut my soldiers no slack for being black or white, and I see no reason to treat Obama in any special way because of his race (and by the way, if he had one white parent, can’t we just as easily call him white as black?) The man has not proven anything yet. He deserves no more or less praise than any other president elect in our nation’s history.
I also care nothing that Obama is “from” Illinois. I thought he was from Hawaii myself - it seems that he’s spending Christmas with family there. He made his political career in Illinois, specifically Chicago. I’m not sure I’d say that he’s “from” there, and even if he was, it doesn’t entitle him to liken himself to Abraham Lincoln.
I think the Lincoln Bible should be touched only by the archivists and curators entrusted with its preservation.
Maybe the next thing we should do is break out the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and let him add his signature. He deserves it, for being the first black president. Heck, let’s go ahead and build him his monument on the mall. We can tear down that eye-sore of a monolith that is the Washington Monument! Why wait? He is clearly destined to be the greatest president we’ve ever had. He’s black.
I may be alone in feeling this, but I say he’s just a man, like you or me, and I want him to actually accomplish something before we lavish him with praise, sing him songs, build him a monument and let him put his fingers on Abe Lincoln’s Bible.
All the man has done so far to get himself elected is not be George Bush. That’s hardly a difficult task.
December 25th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
As you wish. It is clear that this conversation, such as it is, isn’t going anywhere.
December 26th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I’m so relieved he didn’t pick another book for this. Picking the Lincoln Bible is befitting a president regardless. He is to be the Commander in Chief. I’m also glad he’s behaving as a president should in spite of the other embarrassing outgoing one. Like it or not, the republican nightmare is almost over.
December 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Could it be that Obama just admires Lincoln? Is that so unlikely and does there have to be something underhanded going on because of the bible he chose? Give me a break…
December 27th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Is that because he doesn’t have a Bible of his own!