Saturday, January 19, 2008

Obama and the Founders

1 comment:

Philip Klinkner said...

Ellis is correct that framers were concerned about the impact of factions and parties, but fuller examination of American history shows the necessity of parties. Indeed, Jefferson and Madison, despite the anti-party statements Ellis quotes, were the founders of the first modern political party. They understand that parties provide the unity and organization necessary to advance and achieve important political goals. The same for Lincoln, who knew the crucial importance of the Republican party as the instrument for advancing the anti-slavery cause.