Entirely Appropriate
This, I think, is entirely appropriate and strikes an excellent tone:
On January 20th, President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office using the same Bible upon which President Lincoln was sworn in at his first inauguration. The Bible is currently part of the collections of the Library of Congress. Though there is no constitutional requirement for the use of a Bible during the swearing-in, Presidents have traditionally used Bibles for the ceremony, choosing a volume with personal or historical significance. President-elect Obama will be the first President sworn in using the Lincoln Bible since its initial use in 1861.
My reading of Mr. York's commentary is that he's mocking Obama's hubris:
Obviously, I buried the lead. It should have been "Obama Joins Distinguished Predecessors Harding and Carter in Choosing Bible Used By A Previous President." (OK, Eisenhower too, but just half.)
Me, I think Obama is paying tribute to a man who did a pretty good job in handling the worst crisis this country has ever faced. The Emancipation Proclamation was a pretty big deal. York needs to lighten up.
Byron, if it helps, remember that Lincoln was the first Republican President, too.
