Abraham Lincoln went down in American history as the most popular and respected president, yet also the least attractive, described by writer and professor Michael Phillips-Anderson as a "tall and lanky figure"..."with a wry smile."
You won't believe how Lincoln compensated for those shortcomings. The legendary man was famous for his sense of humor, captivating his audience with his spontaneous jokes and speech-delivery style. His quick wit allowed him to engage both his opponents and supporters. One of his most famous quotes goes: “Honestly, if I were two-faced, would I be showing you this one?”
Humor plays a vital role in the lives of politicians. Ronald Reagan maintained his electoral battles with humor. When his opponent Walter Mondale shed light on Reagan's old age, the latter delivered a response that ultimately crushed Mondale's chances of winning, saying he would not exploit his "opponent's youth and inexperience."
Many criticized Abraham Lincoln for bringing humor into everything, to the point that the New York Herald newspaper hailed his election as joyful. When he lost his mother and sister during the Civil War, he masked his sorrow with even more jokes, making him susceptible to severe criticism, especially from cartoonists who questioned if the man was serious enough to become the nation's president.
It is a fact that all US presidents, without any exception, resorted to humor in their speeches. Some even hired specialized writers to come up with self-deprecation sarcasm. John F. Kennedy's first election campaign became famous for his statement on his "generous" father buying votes "more than is necessary" to seal a landslide.
Perhaps Winston Churchill was the most politician, in history, to rely on the art of humor. His amusing quips have been compiled in numerous books, adding entire libraries to his extensive works. However, political leadership does not endure solely on the sarcasm of its authors. Abraham Lincoln transformed into one of the greatest presidents of America not because of his sense if humor, but because of his historic role in emancipating Black America.
