Obama invited to visit Hodgenville

When new Congressman Brett Guthrie got his first face-to-face meeting with President Barack Obama, the conversation immediately turned to Abraham Lincoln.

The president visited a Republican House gathering to discuss the federal economic stimulus bill. As he was leaving, Guthrie found himself in position for a handshake and a 20-second conversation that he related during his visit to Hodgenville last week.

“I said, ‘You know, Mr. President, Abraham Lincoln was not born in Illinois. He was born in my district,’” Rep. Guthrie said.

Guthrie immediately invited the president to visit Hodgenville during this bicentennial of the 16th president’s birth.

He was told by people from the president’s staff that a trip to the birthplace “is on his radar.”

LaRue County Judge-Executive Tommy Turner, who is co-chairman of the national bicentennial observance, said he too has been told that the president is interested in a trip to Hodgenville. No details or formal planning is in place.

Guthrie said the former senator from Illinois would be a welcomed and appropriate guest.

“This president has so aligned himself with the image and values of Abraham Lincoln that we hold so dear in this area,” Guthrie said.