I saw “Lincoln” again last night.

This time, with floor debate on repeal of Maryland’s death penalty days away.

Without doubt, the most historic vote I will cast.

This time, with my niece, Rachel.

Afterwards, she asked me to explain how the Republican Party had changed from the party opposed to slavery to its present-day ideology.

I told her about FDR’s New Deal, Senator John Kennedy’s call to a jailed Dr. King late in the 1960 Presidential campaign, and President Richard Nixon’s Southern strategy.