The case for political frenemies

Talking with journalist Steve Inskeep about what Abraham Lincoln's politicking, coalition-building, and dealing with devils tell us about escaping the political conflict and democratic decay of today

Abraham Lincoln: You know the guy. He was born in a log cabin, and he came out as a fully formed white marble statue. This was before epidurals. His first words were, according to his birth certificate, an early draft of the Gettysburg Address.

This is what we do to people who do great good. This is how we repay their heroism. We sacralize them by runnin…