It seems that the media have an obsession with the Barack Obama-Abe Lincoln parallels. But Obama definitely has played a role in fueling those parallels.

Take the fact that he launched his campaign in the Land of Lincoln or that he’ll be sworn in with Lincoln’s Bible.

But the latest reminder of the tie between the tall, lanky Obama and the wiry 16th president was triggered when the president-elect, the first lady and daughters Malia and Sasha made an unannounced visit to the Lincoln Memorial Saturday night. They climbed the steps of the memorial and then popped into the museum before heading out and pausing for a moment at the reflecting pool.

No other president has used the Lincoln Bible since Abe was sworn in in 1861. Obama's inaugural theme, "A New Birth of Freedom," reportedly was inspired by Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.