May 29, 2009, Kagoshima – Dr. Fred Kaplan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at Queens College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York, spoke to an audience of about 290 at Kagoshima University about the oratory of Presidents Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln. As an admirer of Lincoln, President Obama has studied works by and about him, including Dr. Kaplan’s book, Lincoln: the Biography of a Writer.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln’s birth and many comparisons have been made between the two presidents – their connection to the state of Illinois, background as lawyers, and even their similar physiques. Their oratory skills, however, have perhaps drawn the most attention. Dr. Kaplan noted that Lincoln and Obama were first catapulted to the national stage after each delivered landmark speeches. He said that Lincoln wrote all of his speeches and Obama usually ends up writing his own as well, despite having a speechwriter. Dr. Kaplan explained that most importantly, both men knew the importance of the spoken word and clearly understood the power of language to persuade.