Jonah Goldberg quotes a reader, presumably approvingly:
Just wondered, did anyone notice the echoes of Lincoln in McCain’s speech? Interesting–(Lincoln) Now we are engaged in a great civil war,
(McCain) We are engaged in a hard struggle against a cruel and determined adversary.(L) We are met on a great battlefield of that war.
(M) My friends, we are again met on the field of political competition with our fellow countrymen.(L) It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do so.
(M) It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis we have these contests(L) It is rather for us the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us–that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion–
(M) It is left to us to keep their generous benefaction alive, and our blessed, beautiful country worthy of their courage.
I note that McCain and Lincoln appear to have a similar regard for the Bill of Rights.