Obama in Chicago knocks GOP rivals: No Abe Lincolns among them

President Obama returned home for two fund-raisers on Friday, taking aim at GOP rivals stumping in Illinois in advance of the Tuesday primary as contenders who hardly measured up to another president from Illinois--a Republican, Abe Lincoln.

In his speech, Obama said he wants the U.S. to be as competitive as other nations. “I don’t want to ride on a road in Germany and see a better road than Lake Shore Drive,” the famous roadway that runs along, mostly, Lake Michigan.....

“Now, you might have noticed that we have some guests in Illinois this week,” Obama said at the luncheon. Without mentioning their names, he was referring to Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum--campaigning in the Chicago northwest suburbs today, and Newt Gingrich, in the area on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Apparently things haven’t quite wrapped up on the other side. So, so there is actually some interest in the primary that we have here on Tuesday. And -- and my message to all the candidates is, welcome to the land of Lincoln.

“Because I’m thinking, maybe some Lincoln will rub off on them while they are here,” Obama said, recounting that Lincoln--even during the Civil War, was able to build a trans-continental railroad and establish land grant colleges.”

Obama, continuing to aim his remarks at his GOP rivals, said Lincoln “understood that we are a people that take great pride in our self-reliance and our independence, but that we are also one nation and one people, and that we rise or fall together.

more at: http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/11340898-505/obama-in-chicago-knocks-gop-rivals-no-abe-lincolns-among-them.html