by Mark Silva
Two years ago this month, on Feb. 10, 2007, then-Sen. Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president in Springfield, Ill., -- not far from the Abraham Lincoln museum
Next week, on Feb 12., President Obama will return to Springfield to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
The White House says the president will travel at the invitation of Sen. Dick Durbin, the senior senator from Illinois who helped convince Obama to run for president.
Obama has had plenty to say about Lincoln on his way to inauguration as the 44th president. On Feb. 12, in Springfield, he'll have a chance to say a lot more.
The day he announced his candidacy, in the place where Lincoln delivered his House Divided speech, the city where Obama served as a state senator, Obama spoke of the nation's "unyielding faith, that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it.
"That's what Abraham Lincoln understood then,'' Obama said then. "He had his doubts. He had his defeats. He had his setbacks. But through his will and his words, he moved a nation and helped free a people.''
Obama said then that he recognized "a certain presumptuousness -- a certain audacity'' in his announcement. But it was there, in the shadow of the Old Capitol, that he called on Americans to rally around "common hopes and common dreams.''
Like the president who preceded him, George W. Bush, who campaigned on a decidedly domestic agenda and had no foretelling of a national security crisis that would ultimately consume his presidency, Obama has taken office in the midst of an unforeseen economic crisis.
Demanding times demand inspiration.
Watch for it on Lincoln's birthday.
Obama will attend the Abraham Lincoln Association's annual Lincoln birthday banquet,according to Durbin's office.
"Abraham Lincoln's legacy is deeply rooted in his home state of Illinois," Durbin said in a statement issued by his office.
"Last week, our state proudly looked to Washington once again as another son of Illinois took the presidential oath of office,'' he said. "As our country's economic challenges grow, President Barack Obama will be called on to show leadership and courage similar to that shown by Lincoln during one of the most difficult periods in our history. ''
The Abraham Lincoln Association was organized in 1908 as the Lincoln Centennial Association. It led the national celebration of Lincoln's one-hundredth birthday and continued to mark that day until 1925.
Each year on Lincoln's birthday, Feb. 12, the association hosts a banquet and symposium that features renowned Lincoln scholars.
Comments
Too bad Obam ties himself in with Dick Durbin as his creditabilty is 0 after the Roland Burris mess..
Posted by: Inky | February 2, 2009 2:21 PM
Hey! I live here in Springfield and can say without any doubt that Sen. Obama did absolutely nothing for Springfield or Illinois for that matter, except to use us for a Lincoln backdrop.
His days in the Illinois Senate were non-productive, non-committal to any ideals other than Obama and his non-voting record in the Illinois shows his less than stellar desire to be a leader. He voted present most the time and I an begining to see more of his "above my pay grade" responses as President.
It's up to us now, or so he's says, to straighten out America. But hey, it makes a wonderful backdrop for the Great One - Lincoln's home town!
Posted by: springfield | February 2, 2009 2:25 PM
Too bad Obam ties himself in with Dick Durbin as his creditabilty is 0 after the Roland Burris mess..
Posted by: Inky | February 2, 2009 2:21 PM
I'm sure if you try really really hard you can also blame the recent ice storms on him also. Come on...give it a try.
ps...you also left out "change" "Chicago" and a few other pavlov dog type words.
Posted by: bill r. | February 2, 2009 2:37 PM
Too bad Obama tries to link himself to Lincoln, it is a disservice to old Abe! Obama has done nothing to earn any comparisons to Abe. This is like someone comparing themselves to Babe Ruth without even having their first at bat in the majors. Self comparisons are easy to do bit they mean nothing.
Posted by: truth talker | February 2, 2009 2:54 PM
Why not save the hundreds of thousands of dollars it will cost to come here to celebrate and just do it at the White House. The Pres should be practicing fiscal responsibility as millions lose their jobs.
Posted by: Anne L. | February 2, 2009 3:00 PM
Truth...Funny but I seem to remember the republican candidates falling all over themselves during the debates to see who could compare themselves to Ronnie Raygun the most times. Funny that in the end....they only turned out looking like one of the cast members of Bedtime for Bonzo.
Posted by: bill r. | February 2, 2009 3:01 PM
It's even more of a disservice for current day Republicans to insinuate that they have anything in common AT ALL with Lincoln.
If the current Republican ideology had existed within the party in the 1860s, slavery would have been A-O-K with them well into the 20th Century.
Posted by: cdub | February 2, 2009 3:14 PM
You Obama haters just can't get enough, can you? Too bad there are no brains among you. Number one, what did Obama have to do with Burris, other than give his opinion, which he should have, being the leader of his party? Number two- imagine that, the President, who happens to be from Illinois visiting Springfield, during an historical occasion. Who would have thought? If he had not, I imagine you wingnuts would have found fault with that.
Posted by: Disgusted | February 2, 2009 3:28 PM
Wunder Barry tried to line up with Martin Luther King also. MLK was anti abortion and also a Republican. It is not to late to change Barry.
Posted by: seven | February 2, 2009 3:40 PM
Stop with PR campaign and start getting this country on track.
Forget the symbolism, the public is tired of it.
Obama needs to start being ontime. Nothing is so irritating and disrespectful as being late.
Stop perpetuating the cliche, CPT.
Posted by: kayna | February 2, 2009 3:48 PM
Maybe this is the bi-partisanship Obama was promising, since his "I won" thing dissolved any notions of such nonsense last week.
Hanging around a Republican's memorial is probably as bi-partisan as we're going to be permitted.
Say, since comments here are supposedly screened for relevance to the topic, how about screening Obama stories for relevance to the real world?
Posted by: WPZ | February 2, 2009 3:56 PM
Mr Obama. I knew Abraham Lincoln. Your'e not Abraham Lincoln.
Posted by: TAD | February 2, 2009 4:14 PM
Pleeeze keep him and his Pork pal in D.C. If he comes we're organizing a protest against his failure to uphold his campaign promises. "Line by line...eliminate earmarks and wasteful spending, no lobbyists in my administration, listen to good ideas", ad nauseam. No change, just same old Democratic failed policy. No wonder the Dow is down 17% and the economy is contracting. We fear his agenda and the Dems. house (debated the Pork bill for 8 hrs, that's 108B/hr.). Hang tough Inky, no one needs Rush, he is failing on his own. You lefties and your herd mentality are witnessing the Chicago shuffle! How about that WH wagyu beef at 100.00/lb. and the extra 93K congressional "petty cash" /yr., now that is real stimulus.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 2, 2009 4:22 PM
Good for President Obama and Senator Durbin. An Illinois President celebrating Lincoln's birthday in our state capital is something to celebrate.
Posted by: Dan Johnson-Weinberger | February 2, 2009 4:30 PM
Of all the people in the world to insert Pavlov's theory into a political conversation - billr - you quiver and drool every time you see a glass of kool-aid.
You're way too much there billy with your everythig Obama!
Posted by: springfield | February 2, 2009 4:46 PM
ref-
Good for President Obama and Senator Durbin. An Illinois President celebrating Lincoln's birthday in our state capital is something to celebrate.
Posted by: Dan Johnson-Weinberger | February 2, 2009 4:30 PM
Come on now___
With Dick Durbin???
Posted by: Inky | February 2, 2009 4:53 PM
I live downstate. Trust me, they're no more deserving of attention or special treatment down here than they up there. We Illinoisans have some awful fiscal truths to face up to. Until we do, NO ONE should enable us to kick the can down the road, yet again.
Posted by: Angry Pancho | February 2, 2009 5:04 PM
Good to see all the miserable Springfieldians have came out of the shadows. So thankful I don't live there anymore. Everyone spends all their time whining, crying, and complaining but not taking any action to change Springfield or their personal circumstances.
Posted by: Tina | February 2, 2009 5:17 PM
Stupidity truimph's racism everytime. Some of these critical remarks are so "childish". These negative people do not have a cogent argument to make; have amnesia, whenever, the failed policies of George Bush is discussed. And, none of them can say what Dick Durbin did for Illinois while he was in the State House or while he's been in the Senate for two terms. They'd have to look it up on the Internet; yet, they attack our brilliant president because the man just happens to be an American that is not fully European. There are some very sick people small minded but the good news is Truth, God, Liberty, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights are burying your stupidity generation after generation. WE may even have a Redman, Native Indian president. I'd vote for him or her. Ha.
Posted by: Maurice | February 2, 2009 5:21 PM
This is like Blagojevich comparing himself to Ghandi.
I thought the election was over. This just seems a gimicky ploy to attempt to redeem his self image and that of the new Chicago heavy administration from the Blago mess.
Posted by: Cathy | February 2, 2009 5:24 PM
Doesn't Obama have more important things to do other than travel for a "birthday" on my and other American's taxes. Yeppers, he certainly learned his politics from the best - the Chicago Machine and the Kennedy's.
Posted by: kinda | February 2, 2009 5:40 PM
billr - you quiver and drool every time you see a glass of kool-aid.
You're way too much there billy with your everythig Obama!
Posted by: springfield | February 2, 2009 4:46 PM
Yep...goofy grape is my favorite...how about you?
Posted by: Inky on roids | February 2, 2009 5:51 PM
Barack Obama a "Legend in his own mind"!
Posted by: Den C | February 2, 2009 6:00 PM
Isn't ironic? Obama is going to celebrate someone (Lincoln) who worked to free the slaves while Obama works to make us all slaves to Socialism.
Posted by: Alz | February 2, 2009 6:47 PM
sn't this the man who thinks avoiding paying taxes makes you a good candidate to run the IRS and the tax department..and stands behind them? Now he wants us to believe he's some kind of Honest guy? Obama loves grandstanding , he has propaganda commercials and has his face on television EVERYDAY with a speech or comment.. he should have just went to Hollywood.. and Durbin has the brownest nose of ANY senator in the senate
Posted by: Independent Voter Joliet | February 2, 2009 6:52 PM
Abraham is having his party at Chuckie Cheese
Posted by: chitown | February 2, 2009 7:16 PM
At this point, a cardboard box is better than the moron/monkey that just left the office of the President. Barack will do just fine. The Republicans keep shooting themselves in the foot. The party of NO just got themselves a black leader. Talk about trying to "change" by being literal. Republicans are morons!
Posted by: neil | February 2, 2009 7:40 PM
Wow. 8 years of GOP hell and these losers are quick to judge a 2 week presidency. Too bad you have no successful record to defend...look where u got us now GOP!
Posted by: david | February 2, 2009 8:09 PM
The Audacity of Hype......
Posted by: JollyRogerK9 | February 2, 2009 8:38 PM
Not even in office for a month, and already Superbowl, cocktail parties and now a trip to Springfield. How much is this costing me???
Posted by: The real realist | February 2, 2009 9:14 PM
True Talker; you are correct sir!
Posted by: Denny Crane | February 2, 2009 9:30 PM
Blame Nobama for the ice Storms???
Come on we are still blaming Bush for everything, remember????
Posted by: AL | February 2, 2009 10:20 PM
Blame Nobama for the ice Storms???
Come on we are still blaming Bush for everything, remember????
Posted by: AL | February 2, 2009 10:20 PM
How pathetic coming from the party that still blame Clinton and Carter. You Betcha....Gone almost a whole month and forgotten...............good call!
Posted by: bill r. | February 2, 2009 11:47 PM
people need to lighten up on here.... it is great for the pres to go to spi.... awesome:)
Posted by: senator geary | February 2, 2009 11:48 PM
Obama comparing himself to Abe Lincoln reminds me of a song. the lyrics are:
Oh yes, Im the great pretender
Pretending that Im doing well
My need is such I pretend too much
Im lonely but no one can tell.
Posted by: JJM | February 3, 2009 2:41 AM