CNN’s Kyra Phillips marked the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth on Thursday’s American Morning by harkening back to Barack Obama’s decision to announce his candidacy for president on the steps of the Old State Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois, where the 16th president once worked: “It was here in the Old Capitol that Abraham Lincoln gave his famous ‘House Divided’ speech. A house divided against itself cannot stand, he proclaimed. Sound familiar? Fast-forward -- February 10th, 2007, Lincoln came to life here as if it were 1858.” She then remarked that with the Democrat’s announcement, “we all witnessed Lincoln’s dream and Obama’s reality.”
The correspondent’s odd comparison came at the end of the 8 pm Eastern hour of the CNN program, as part of the network’s all-day “From Lincoln to Obama” special programming. Phillips traveled to Springfield for the occasion, and began her report with another “parallel,” as she put, between the two presidents concerning their names: “For example, this campaign flag [from Lincoln’s presidential campaign]. Look at this -- ‘Abram Lincoln.’ They even spelled his name wrong. So it wasn’t just Obama that’s been having issues with his name -- also, Abraham Lincoln. Just one of the parallels that we found as we’ve been spending time here.”
Phillips played three sound bites from tourists visiting Lincoln’s home in the Illinois capital, all of whom played up the Obama/Lincoln connections. She made the strongest push for the supposed “parallels” between the two later in her report:
PHILLIPS: Obama, a law professor and civil rights lawyer, inspired by what took place in this law office centuries ago. Lincoln, the lawyer -- a strong orator with a sense of morality, open to new ideas, listening to his critics. Two attorneys, two different lifetimes -- both men dedicated to being scholars of the Constitution.Near the end of the report, Phillips made her “Lincoln came to life” remark, and after playing a clip from Obama’s 2007 announcement, she gushed that “for the first time in history, in the humble heart of the Midwest, we all witnessed Lincoln’s dream and Obama’s reality. Abe Lincoln knew who we were. He just didn’t know what we might become -- until now.”
The full transcript of Kyra Phillip’s report from Thursday’s American Morning:
KYRA PHILLIPS: ...[I]t’s not just not talk about Lincoln. It’s talk about Lincoln and the Obama connection. For example, this campaign flag [from Lincoln’s presidential campaign]. Look at this -- ‘Abram Lincoln.’ They even spelled his name wrong. So it wasn’t just Obama that’s been having issues with his name -- also, Abraham Lincoln. Just one of the parallels that we found as we’ve been spending time here.
PHILLIPS (voice-over): This is a tale of two presidents -- united through the best of times, the worst of times. And how Springfield, Illinois, launched two progressive politicians destined to make history.
PHILLIPS (on-camera): So when you go through Lincoln’s home, and then you see that Barack Obama is now the president of the United States, what were you thinking about going through the house?
ANN TSCHETTER, TOURST FROM LINCOLN, NEBRASKA: That Lincoln is going, ‘this rocks,’ or whatever he would have used in 19th century lingo. (laughs)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): Just imagine what Abraham Lincoln was thinking -- at home, sitting in his parlor, relaxing in his rocker --
PHILLIPS (on-camera): And writing here at his desk. He would be the leader to free slaves, fulfilling the Declaration of Independence, declaring ‘all men are created equal.’
PHILLIPS (voice-over): Two hundred years later --
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA (from January 20, 2009): I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear --
PHILLIPS: Barack Obama would reach the pinnacle of that ideal.
BROOK SIMPSON, TOURIST FROM CHANDLER, ARIZONA: This is the Lincoln dream, the right to rise, culminating in a different way with the first African-American as president of the United States.
PHILLIPS: Obama, a law professor and civil rights lawyer, inspired by what took place in this law office centuries ago. Lincoln, the lawyer -- a strong orator with a sense of morality, open to new ideas, listening to his critics. Two attorneys, two different lifetimes -- both men dedicated to being scholars of the Constitution.
KEN WINKLE, TOURIST FROM LINCOLN, NEBRAKSA: Some lawyers and some politicians will just do anything to win, but I think the spirit of working together to do the right thing and do the most good for the most people was important to Lincoln and it seems that we’re moving toward a time when --
PHILLIPS (on-camera): Same with Obama?
WINKLE: Exactly.
PHILLIPS: And it was here in the Old Capitol that Abraham Lincoln gave his famous ‘House Divided’ speech. A house divided against itself cannot stand, he proclaimed. Sound familiar? Fast-forward -- February 10th, 2007, Lincoln came to life here as if it were 1858.
OBAMA (from 2007): It’s because of the millions who rallied to his cause, we’re no longer divided north and south, slave and free.
PHILLIPS (voice-over): Barack Obama announcing his candidacy for president of the United States, and for the first time in history, in the humble heart of the Midwest, we all witnessed Lincoln’s dream and Obama’s reality. Abe Lincoln knew who we were. He just didn’t know what we might become -- until now.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
"Amazingly enough, we also
February 12, 2009 - 13:37 ET by HockeyKid"Amazingly enough, we also discovered that both presidents put both feet on the floor immediately prior to standing up."
And here's a coincidence: Reporters say that, had Lincoln known Obama's ancestors, he would have wished them to be enslaved. Similarly, Obama wishes he had at least one relative who stood even a remote chance of having been a slave.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
GREGG, TRANSLATED
February 12, 2009 - 16:52 ET by reelman46JUDD GREGG: THE TRANSLATION
As Judd Gregg withdraws as a BHO nominee 2.12.09:
“However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not
work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package
and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to
accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential
differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these
concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many
critical items of policy.
CRAWFISH NOTE: The translation >>> Judd took
a close look and realized the radical secular socialist is a radical
secular socialist (aka kook).
Now only if “Republicans” Curly Collins, Larry Snowe and Moe Specter would realize the same!
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
reelman... As to the
February 12, 2009 - 16:58 ET by bigtimerreelman...
As to the 3 RINOs regarding your remarks....
If ONLY we could be so lucky!
Congrats CNN you are now a
February 12, 2009 - 13:37 ET by ForeverOnTheRightCongrats CNN you are now a "religious" news broadcast, all you need to do now is build Obama temples of worship. I saw this tripe while waiting in line at Subway, it really offended me as CNN often does.
We're all at Subway now,
February 12, 2009 - 13:43 ET by HockeyKidWe're all at Subway now, waiting while Congress builds us that trillion-dollar pork sandwich.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Congrats CNN you are now a
February 12, 2009 - 14:00 ET by ForeverOnTheRightCongrats CNN you are now a "religious" news broadcast, all you need to do now is build Obama temples of worship. I saw this tripe while waiting in line at Subway, it really offended me as CNN often does. My understanding is the Lincoln was not a popular president in part because of the Civil War. Now who is Lincoln more like Bush who is unpopular, especially with liberals, because of Iraq, or Obama because he's had nothing to do with the war? uhmmm let me guess... Bush I'd say is more like Lincoln, in that respect.
Obama and the MSM are a bit diluted to think he is like Lincoln. Most of the similarities are either a coincidence or a stretch of the imagination.
oops, ment to edit what I said above.
Ha! I must admit, the
February 12, 2009 - 13:43 ET by QueenMumHa! I must admit, the headline for this topic had me convinced that the Dear Leader is indeed able to raise the dead.
What an idiot
February 12, 2009 - 13:48 ET by dubuquemanBack then it was common to abbreviate first names (Wm., Geo., etc.)
True enough about abbreviating names....
February 12, 2009 - 13:55 ET by Prester John...but in the case the reporterette is correct.
They initially got his name wrong.
i see
February 12, 2009 - 14:43 ET by dubuquemanThanks. Of course, it doesn't make it any less ridiculous that she would make such a stretch to connect the two. Sheesh.
It is beyond....
February 12, 2009 - 14:50 ET by Prester John...laughable.
It is turning into farce and the great thing is that they are totally oblivious to it.
I read this and threw up!
February 12, 2009 - 14:03 ET by semolina_filcherI read this and threw up! But sooner had I cleaned up my mess and lo and behold, the ghost of Lincoln appeared before me and turned into a smiling Barack Obama.
Seriously, the Clinton News Network needs to do a better job vetting its news anchors. One can only take so much of the Obamamism.....geez!
Wow!
February 12, 2009 - 14:09 ET by jaywlHow spooky the parallel of a misspelled name and Obama having a middle name we shouldn't talk about! How did I miss that?
As much rolling around in
February 12, 2009 - 14:20 ET by dmntd1As much rolling around in his grave as he's doing, while realizing how much his beloved union is faltering under the lack of leadership displayed by the Great Orator, you'd think he was alive too!!!!
In all seriousness though, I live in Springfield, Illinois (or close enough to spit...). This poo has me stuck like a hermit at my house. The disrespect shown to such a great man, a lover of the union, a man willing to sacrifice his personal beliefs to protect the united States of America, is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. When a man personally believes that 'all men are created equal' and ignores that, because to act impulsively on it will create dire, and disastrous results, my respect for his strength in the face of adversity is unequaled. His belief in statesmen,and citizens, should be the leaders, and his willingness to lead, is unequaled throughout Congress today. His respect for those that are willing to lay down their lives to protect this country, from enemies both foreign and domestic, makes me wish this Enemy from Within had never ascended the steps to the White House, much less been elected as leader of the (soon to be no longer) Free World!
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy." - Winston Churchill
"Foreskin and seven years
February 12, 2009 - 15:13 ET by SickofLibs"Foreskin and seven years ago..."
One thing you can say
February 12, 2009 - 15:52 ET by 10ksnookerLincoln formed the Republican party -- Meanwhile the Democrats were busy forming the KKK, drafting Jim Crow laws, hoisting the Confederate flag on State Capitals throughout the South and conducting lynchings of political opponents and black people.
Which party has the richer history.
I hope Obama listens to his critics better than Lincoln did...
February 12, 2009 - 16:32 ET by Jcon96Barry might want to be careful with that comparison. Even more ammo for those of us who are not enamored of him like the MSM.
Our Top Story Tonight:
February 12, 2009 - 16:56 ET by BarkerPresident Abraham Lincoln is still dead.
→ Barker
February 12, 2009 - 17:02 ET by Cool ArrowI heard AP was doing a story on Abe Lincoln swimming across the Atlantic in 25 days.
And then he established....
February 12, 2009 - 17:03 ET by Prester John....a settlement at Jamestown, VA
Or was it Plymouth, MA?
→ Right Prester
February 12, 2009 - 17:09 ET by Cool ArrowAnd Squanto showed him how to grow ethanol plants.
barker
February 12, 2009 - 17:08 ET by misterbillPresident Abraham Lincoln is still dead.
Can you prove that?????
OOPS, sorry one of my other personalities is a liberal and also a holocaust denier. I expect to be named a cardinal soon.
That is, if I can raise my batting average.
Maybe some red states will
February 12, 2009 - 17:03 ET by RR GOPMaybe some red states will secede and put this hypothetical comparison to the test?
It would be quite interesting. Plus, I'd move.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Note to Kyra: I would
February 12, 2009 - 18:18 ET by gopcongressNote to Kyra:
I would rather have one of most African Americans, newly freed from slavery during Lincoln's time, as president of this country, rather than this hack we have now. I bet Abe would say the same thing, after he's done rolling around in his grave from our current status.
"...for the first time in
February 12, 2009 - 20:03 ET by danebramage"...for the first time in history, in the humble heart of the Midwest, we all witnessed Lincoln’s dream and Obama’s reality."
She's got to be kidding. Doesn't she understand that Lincoln considered black men inferior and incapable of achieving (actual) equality with the white man? Doesn't she know he wanted to ship the emancipated slaves to colonies in Liberia or the Mediterranean where they could dwell together, unmixed with white Americans?
The last thing in the world Lincoln would have ever dreamt of is a black President of the U.S.A. That's simply a matter of fact. He made statements like the above numerous times throughout his career.
Velvet Obama?
February 12, 2009 - 21:33 ET by Sergeant ROCKI wonder if there's going to be a velvet 'black' Lincoln painting at the flea market this weekend? I need one to compliment my black Jesus.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
Correct me if I'm wrong but
February 13, 2009 - 00:24 ET by TN MomCorrect me if I'm wrong but did Lincoln have a 'journalist' like Chris Matthews who got tingles up his leg? Did Lincoln have a community group like ACORN to help him get out the vote? Did Lincoln ever hang out with terrorist?
Lincoln came to life...
February 13, 2009 - 01:14 ET by CobraMan...and said, Obama, I was home schooled. How about you?
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
For some reason
February 13, 2009 - 01:24 ET by CobraManEvery time I hear something about Obama, I can't help but start thinking about Cool Hand Luke and the song he sang when he learned that his mother died.
I don't care if it rains or freezes
'Long as I got my Plastic Jesus
Riding on the dashboard of my car.
Through my trials and tribulations
And my travels through the nations
With my Plastic Jesus I'll go far.
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
Lincoln did come to life
February 13, 2009 - 08:32 ET by ChrisMillsJust to turn over in his grave for being compared to the joke in the White House
Chafee maybe
February 13, 2009 - 15:26 ET by wizardjrbut not Abraham.
Barry is much more like the Carpetbaggers of post bellum America than he is like our previous President. The Carpetbaggers are one of the reasons the KKK got formed in the first place. Barry is going to be a recruitment poster for skinheads, KKK, and any other seperatist group. He's already voted "gun salesman of the year".