"I'm not sure Lincoln would fare well if he were a presidential candidate today"
- David Herbert Donald
About this Quote
This quote by David Herbert Donald suggests that Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, would not succeed if he were to run for president today. This implies that the political landscape has changed drastically considering that Lincoln's time, which the values and qualities that made him successful in the past might not be as valued today. It might be argued that Lincoln's commitment to civil liberties and his capability to bring the nation together throughout a time of fantastic chaos would be viewed as a positive quality in today's society. However, his absence of experience in foreign policy and his lack of modern technology abilities may be seen as a drawback. Ultimately, this quote recommends that the political environment has actually changed substantially considering that Lincoln's time, and that he might not be as effective if he were to run for president today.
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