Reply #3: That was bullshit, Lincoln talked PLENTY about freeing the slaves

[tom_paine]

Yes, he was a pragmatist and a man of his times.

Read the Lincoln-Douglas dedbates:

http://www.nps.gov/liho/debates.htm

When push came to shove, he stuck with the best reasons to further the war aims, and that was deemphasizing the slavery issue while emphasizing preserving the Union.

He was something of a Radical Republican tool, but he also fought with them, particularly on the terms of the Confederate Reconstruction, and on many other issues.

Most current day Repugs HATE that Federal Gubmint lovin' (and something-else lovin' to many Busheviks) Lincoln.

I have no doubt this is not a coincidence.