In imagining Obama's acceptance speech, I thought vaguely that he might quote Thomas Jefferson, speaking in his first inaugural address at the victorious end of a bitter factional battle: "we are all Republicans, we are all Federalists." But Obama's personal model is Lincoln, so in his appeal for healing and unity, he chose one of Lincoln's great appeals to unity, the unheeded plea in his first inaugural:
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.
And with supreme grace, enacting what he spoke, Obama credited that sentiment as an expression of "Republican values...we all share." We are all Republicans, indeed. I guess he did quote Jefferson as well.
More on this magnificent speeech tomorrow.
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