Thomas Jefferson as Touchstone
As democracy’s hero celebrates his 272nd birthday, a look at how the late president’s words continue to inspire, despite being misconstrued.
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Photo Illustration by Slate. Image Courtesy Democracy's Muse: How Thomas Jefferson Became an FDR Liberal, a Reagan Republican, and a Tea Party Fanatic, All the While Being Dead
Listen to Episode 234 of Slate’s The Gist:
Do women make better presidents? Today on The Gist, we talk with Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. Plus, we wish Thomas Jefferson a happy 272nd birthday by discussing how his name is evoked today. Historian Andrew Burstein is the author of Democracy's Muse: How Thomas Jefferson Became an FDR Liberal, a Reagan Republican, and a Tea Party Fanatic, All the While Being Dead. For the Spiel, vetting the vetting of Hillary Clinton.
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