Presidential historian puts "Decision 2012" in perspective - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

How will history remember this election?

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin says it could be for the "break" between the two parties in terms of what the role of government is, and what is should be. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential Historian says, "I think we're a point between government and free enterprise where the relationship between the two has to be thought through because the country is so polarized on both sides."

But, it could be worse. Goodwin, who spoke at Morningside College, Wednesday night, as part of the Waitt Lecture Series, says candidates have occasionally lost their cool on the campaign trial. She says Abraham Lincoln famously slapped Stephen Douglas with this insult, "I don't know what to call you except you are a liar."

Thursday night, on "News Four at Ten", Doris Kearns Goodwin's thoughts on President Barack Obama's place in presidential history.