It would seem Mr. Schock's writing skills are superior to most readers here. He certainly does invoke and compare himself to Lincoln. It is implicitly done by the structure of his writing, not through some explicit comparison.
Mr. Schock sees himself going through hardships and setbacks just like Lincoln, when Lincoln was still relatively inconsequential, just another name in the Congressional roll. Lincoln had setbacks. Through perseverance, like Lincoln, he will prevail. His choice of Lincoln over the multitudes of other inspiring triumphs over hardships, suggests that Schock sees himself aspiring to historical greatness.
Methinks his meteoric rise into the public consciousness has gone to his head. Important people said "soar, young man" and he soared. He got up high into the sky. Once there he couldn't find the direction and purpose he needed, instead choosing to just play around and follow the pack.