It seems that every Democrat’s favorite Republican is Abe Lincoln, and Al Gore is no exception. Tonight, he declared Obama to be the next Lincoln.

Gore also compared Obama to Abraham Lincoln, saying that “before he entered the White House, Abraham Lincoln’s experience in elective office consisted of eight years in his state legislature in Springfield, Ill., and one term in Congress –- during which he showed the courage and wisdom to oppose the invasion of another country, that was popular when it started, but later condemned by history.

“The experience Lincoln’s supporters valued most in that race was his powerful ability to inspire hope in the future at a time of impasse,” Gore said. “He was known chiefly as a clear thinker and a great orator, with a passion for justice and a determination to heal the deep divisions of our land. He insisted on reaching past partisan and regional divides, to exalt our common humanity. In 2008, once again, we find ourselves at the end of an era with a mandate from history to launch another new beginning. And once again, we have a candidate whose experience perfectly matches an extraordinary moment of transition.”