Question

At the end of her speech Congresswoman Jordan uses a quotation by Republican President Abraham Lincoln. What strategy lies behind the use of this quotation?
A. Using a quotation by a famous Republican president would demonstrate Jordan's willingness to work with both Democrats and Republicans in the coming years.
B. Using a quotation by this respected president would link Jordan's words to the much revered President Lincoln's words in the minds of the listeners, giving her credibility.
C. Using a quotation by President Lincoln would suggest that Congresswoman Jordan has every intention of running in the next Presidential election.
D. Using a quotation by the much revered President Lincoln establishes Jordan as a Congresswoman who admires and studies the history of the United States, giving her credibility.

Answer 1

What strategy lies behind the use of this quotation? B. Using a quotation by this respected president would link Jordan's words to the much revered President Lincoln's words in the minds of the listeners, giving her credibility. The quotation gives her speech validity.

(...) Well I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican President and I ask you that as you listen to these words of Abraham Lincoln, relate them to the concept of a national community in which every last one of us participates:  

"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master." This -- This -- "This expresses my idea of Democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no Democracy."

Barbara Jordan was a politician (feminist) and leader of the black civil rights movement in the United States.