as an aspiing whig politician, lincoln occasionally resorted to cruel and aggressive humor, not simply to put his opponents on the offensive but to eviscerate and humiliate them. the so-called roasting of forker was just one instance of lincoln using his power to hurt to withering effect. the occasion was a meeting in front of a large crowd in springfield during his campaign for re-election to the state legislature in 1836. lincoln's impressive speech prompted a request from george forker, a prominent local democrat, that he be given the stand. forker was a recent convert from lincoln's whig party, and had been rewarded by his new associates with a lucrative public office. he had also built the best house in the city over which he had erected a lightning rod, the only one in the place. 15 years lincoln senior, the patronizing forker declared the young man would have to be taken down. after waiting with suppressed excitement, lincoln resumed the stand. he acknowledged that he was young, but he said his critics should remember, i am older in years than i am in the tricks and trades of po