Ted Kennedy Obama Bin Laden | Obama President 2008

By his personal, albeit public, explanation of the executive action he took in ordering the execution of Osama bin Laden, an unremorseful enemy of the state if there ever was, President Barack Obama could not help but bring to mind comparisons with his two favorite past Presidents, Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy, once again. After all, it’s a well-known fact that each history making decision weighed heavy on Lincoln throughout the Civil War, as did every single one which Kennedy wrestled with during the Cold War.

Lincoln seemingly placed his faith – and the fate of the national compact as well – in the hands of a higher power: “I know there is a God - and I see a storm coming. If he has a place for me, I believe that I am ready”. One hundred years later, Kennedy, who often quoted Lincoln’s line, in an aside to his brother Robert on October 28, 1962 [the evening of the thirteenth and final day of the Cuban Missile Crisis] in another apparent acknowledgment of Lincoln – who was, of course, assassinated after the fall of Richmond and surrender of Lee to Grant – whispered “This is the night I should go to the theater”.

Patterning himself after his role models, the country’s current Chief Executive chose not to call upon Congress or own Cabinet when it came to crunch time. Like him or not, say what you will about him, but without the help of Congress or even the hopes of his Cabinet, Obama certainly did the right thing. Osama deserved to die, period. Now, there are those who’ll cry foul: ‘What about if and when the mission was a miserable failure?’ Therein lies the rub: Obama, like both Lincoln and Kennedy before him, presented strong evidence his shoulders were broad enough and provided sturdy proof to this planet’s people he was man enough to handle the responsibility that comes along, hand-in-hand, with the authority of his office.