Obama's Sense of History Hits Mark

At the old state Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois, Sen. Barack Obama on Saturday declared the start of dual campaigns, not only to become President of the United States, but to become the nation's first black president. Nearby, on June 17, 1858, Abraham Lincoln also declared two campaigns: one to become a U.S. Senator, the other to end slavery in the United States. In the first, he would fail, in the second, he would prevail.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand," said Lincoln on that day in his historic "A House Divided" speech. While his audience had heard those words many times, Lincoln went on to give them momentous relevance and immediacy when, of slavery he stated, "I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free."

Aside from the political significance of Sen. Obama's candidacy, the venue he has chosen for its launch is just as notable and just as appropriate.

Old State Capital photo, courtesy State of Illinois

Also See:
Barack Obama Declares His 2008 Run for the White House (US Liberals)
Barack Obama, 2008 Presidential Candidate (US Liberals)
"A House Divided"
The Emancipation Proclamation