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What Would Thomas Jefferson Think of Presidential Politics Today?

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- During his address at the Democratic National Convention, formerVirginia Governor Mark Warner quoted President Thomas Jefferson's hopes for the future: "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." Warner recalled Jefferson's words in the context of evoking change, but those very words are also closely tied to the mission of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation -- "that the future may learn from the past."

To strengthen the Foundation's message and commitment to promoting citizenship particularly in this presidential election year, Colonial Williamsburg turns to another of Jefferson's statements from his 1801 inaugural address, that "Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle."

Can the ideals that guided this founding father stand modern scrutiny? New from Colonial Williamsburg, "Jefferson's Blog" at http://jeffersonblog.history.org offers quotes from Jefferson's writings for online discussion about the relevance of the third president's ideas today.

Each week, a Jefferson quote, like the "difference of opinion" passage that serves for a theme, is posted, and visitors to the Web site are invited to share opinions on Jefferson's philosophies.

"This political blog has people talking," said Robyn Eoff, director of Internet for Colonial Williamsburg. "Jefferson's provocative words evoke passionate responses, and we'd like to think Jefferson would have approved of the spirited debate we're encouraging."

In advance of the 2008 election, teachers may want to have their students participate in the blog just as citizens participated in lively debate in Jefferson's day. Blog subjects have included thoughts on war, military draft, the meaning of the Constitution, resistance to authority and the accountability of public officials. Postings are anonymous and are monitored by Colonial Williamsburg's Web team for appropriateness of language but not for opinion. Quotes from Jefferson's writings will be added through the end of November's presidential election month.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital ofVirginia as a town-sized living history museum, telling the stories of our nation's founders, located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C. For more information call 1-800-HISTORY or visit www.history.org.

    Media Contact: Barbara Brown
    (757) 220-7280 or bbrown@cwf.org

    Agatha Capacchione
    (212) 528-1691 or agatha@mfaltd.com

SOURCE Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

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