Abraham Lincoln and his “Team of Rivals”

Happy birthday, Abraham Lincoln! “Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” a biography of the 16^th president written by Doris Kearns Goodwin, became the basis for the box office smash hit “Lincoln.” So what IS the Team of Rivals? In simplest terms, Lincoln appointed men to his cabinet who had formerly been his opponents. President Obama did the same when he added Hilary Clinton, his chief rival, to his cabinet. Read on to find out what Goodwin has to say about the effectiveness of this “Team of Rivals” approach.

 

http://www.masslive.com/living/index.ssf/2012/12/doris_kearns_goodwin_reflects_on_obamas_team_of_rivals_writing_about_linncoln_importance_of_historia.html

 

In February and March, Indiana Humanities is exploring the topic of “rivalry,” as part of its Spirit of Competition theme.