"To become Lincoln Obama needs a Fredrick Douglas"

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Interesting comment by Travis Smiley on MTP. (I have no opinion of Travis Smiley. I just thought it was an interesting topic.)

Paraphrasing:

"Great presidents are made, not born. Lincoln needed Fredrick Douglas to push him toward greatness. To achieve greatness Obama needs to be pushed."

Discuss.

[mucifer]

1. so we have to push him.

[alsame]

2. I saw that too and don't totally agree. The country and world that

Obama is inheriting may provide the push toward greatness.

[liberalmuse]

3. Interesting!

You know there will be many people like Frederick Douglas. The world is full of injustice. I hope that Obama will allow such people to push him towards greatness.

[jobycom]

4. DU is that Fredrick Douglass!

Or we are part of it, anyway. It doesn't have to be a person. FDR was pushed by events and needs. Leaders can be pushed by events, by groups of people, whatever. Even Bush was pushed, so obviously pushing isn't enough.

[Doctor_J]

5. He's got biden, clinton, krugman on his side, and hostile Big Media against him

The big problems we are facing are economic disaster and huge loss of international standing. He's got a big-mouthed VP and beloved SecState to keep the second part in gear, and the most recent Nobel economist for the second. Between those people and the daily battle against the Repuke Media Machine, inspiration should be easy to come by.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. To become Lincoln

Obama would have to travel back in time and be born like about two hundred years ago. Plus he would have to be white, taller, far more ugly, and half the republic ought to be on its way out the door just about now.

He could get polio and mimic FDR.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

7. Tavis still seems bitter at times. nt

[boomerbust]

8. How about

Frederick Walker Bush

[stray cat]

9. Hillary gave him a good start in that direction - his adivsors will as well

none of them are shrinking violets but I don't think anyone pushes Obama against his will unless its his wife and kids

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Fred Said

"To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker."

[FrenchieCat]

11. I wonder if Tavis Smiley is believing himself to be that Fedrick Douglas.....

Tavis is quite the self promoter last I checked. I like him, but he's not a great or new thinker. After all, he was made famous via the OJ trial......so I've never truly been impressed by Mr. Smiley, and note that my first cousin is married to a Smiley.

[Occam Bandage]

12. I disagree. I don't believe Douglass had much of an impact on Lincoln

after Lincoln took office.