I suspect, too, that the modern debates represent the effort of candidates with widely-varying constituencies and special interests … - Allen C. Guelzo

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When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated.

Allen C. Guelzo

I suspect, too, that the modern debates represent the effort of candidates with widely-varying constituencies and special interests to please to tip the hat as quickly as possible to as many of the constituencies and interests as possible. That leaves no time for big-picture issues. Contrast this with Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, where the subject was only ever slavery, and the discussion went right to the bedrock of what a democracy is all about.

Candidates, Democracy, Effort, Leaves, Special, Suspect

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Modern presidential debating only started with Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy in 1960, although the proximity of that to the Lincoln-Douglas centennial is more than accidental. The reason is, I think, the medium. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas were talking, but the talking was in terms of logic, development, and reasoning. Television, as a medium, resists those qualities in speaking - it favors quick cuts, one-liners, and talking points. I think the modern debates are largely the prisoners of the televised medium

Accidental, Cutting, Debates, Medium, Presidential, Thinking

It is possible to have pardon without forgiveness-a murderer can be pardoned by the governor, but that does not mean the victim's family has forgiven him. And there can be forgiveness without pardon.

Doe, Forgiven, Forgiveness, Mean, Pardon, Possible

The one who pursues revenge should dig two graves.

Dig, Pursues, Revenge, Should, Two

Patriotism without criticism has no head; criticism without patriotism has no heart.

Criticism, Head, Heart, Patriotism

It's often said that leadership is the art of getting people to do what you want, and making them think it's what they want. This captures a lot of what Abraham Lincoln did.

Art, Captures, Making, People, Thinking