Why Lincoln Wouldn't Win the GOP's Nomination

Sure, the GOP calls itself the "Party of Lincoln," but would today's Republicans actually nominate him for president? Writing in the Christian Science Monitor, Jackie Hogan gives four reasons why they wouldn't:

1. He was the first president to make income tax law—and it was a progressive income tax that required the richest to pay a higher rate. What's more, he taxed earned income and capital gains at the same rate.

2. He never talked about his personal faith, despite making references to God in speeches. In fact, he appears to have had doubts about orthodox Christian practices.
3. He wasn't particularly attractive; compare his ill-fitting suits and messy hair to Mitt Romney's flawless appearance. Indeed, upon being labeled "two-faced," he responded, "If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
4. He was generally moderate, and offered lengthy arguments to defend his positions. The short Gettysburg Address was an outlier: A major speech in 1854 was longer than three hours, and in the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the men took turns speaking for up to 90 minutes each.

Click through for the reasons why the GOP might have supported him anyway. (More Abraham Lincoln stories.)