Advertise on podcast: Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Statesman.  Author.  President of the United States.  Perhaps no one's words best embodied the ethos of the Founding Fathers quite like Thomas Jefferson.  At Constituting America, we feel what he wrote in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago makes it one of the  world's greatest documents of freedom ever written.  To help us better understand Jefferson and his extraordinary enduring legacy, we are pleased to welcome back longtime Constituting America friend, Tony Williams.  Tony is a senior fellow at the Bill of Rights Institute, senior fellow at Constituting America and a prolific author of such books as  "Divided over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America," co-authored with Dr. David J. Bobb.

A foundational principle that distinguished and continues to distinguish our country from most other governments in the world is that our government exists by the "consent of the governed."  Why was this idea so paramount to the establishment of our republic, and what is its origin?  From Aristotle to Locke, we see the genesis of this idea that was at the core of the American Revolution and continues today.  To further expound on principle of "the consent of the governed," we are delighted to welcome the Honorable Bob Pence, former US Ambassador to Finland.

The women who contributed to the founding of our country  are often overlooked.  Their accomplishments played a vital role in the fledgling nation.  One such woman is Abigail Adams.  While we can never have a direct conversation with this remarkable woman, we are fortunate that she wrote thousands upon thousands of letters to various correspondents, including over 1,100 letters to her husband while they lived apart in his service to the nation.  One of Mrs. Adams' letters is our focus today as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of its writing.  This letter is sometimes referred to as her "Remember the Ladies" letter written on March 31, 1776 to her husband, John Adams, and she implored Congress to "remember the ladies" in crafting laws for the new country.  To lead this discussion, we are honored to welcome Dr. Diana Carlin, Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University and president of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE).

"Give me liberty or give me death."  That singular line proclaimed by Patrick Henry defined our country's founding generation and has become one of the most famous lines in American history.  In just 7 words, the ethos of our country and our fierce loyalty to liberty was promulgated.  In our chat today, we discuss the events leading up to this famous line and its subsequent impact in our country's history.  To offer his expertise on this topic, we are happy to welcome Dr. Thomas Kidd, research professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In recognition of St. Patrick's Day this year, Constituting America is recognizing the role the Irish played in the founding of our country.  Did you know 3 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Irish-born?  Or a sizeable proportion of the Continental Army had Irish ancestry?  Since our founding, 23 US Presidents have had Irish blood.  To help us recognize the  impact the Irish people have had on our country, we are delighted to welcome America 250 Commissioner and former Congressman Joe Crowley to our chat this week.

Due to its position as the 13th American Colony as well as the last colony to support the American Revolution, the role Georgia played in the founding of our country is often overshadowed by colonies like Virginia and Massachusetts.  But Georgia should not be overlooked.  To shed light on the role Georgia played and its historical significance in the American Revolution and our country's founding, our guest this week is Dr. Stan Deaton.  Dr. Deaton is the Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at the Georgia Historical Society as well as the Emmy-winning writer and host of "Today in Georgia History."

A war is a series of battles won.  The American Revolution is no different.  For the colonies and George Washington to beat the larger British military force, individual battles had to be fought.  One victory won by the Patriots early on, did not involve a direct battle.  The Fortification of Dorchester Heights, and the subsequent British Evacuation of Boston, exemplifies the early genius of General Washington and the fortitude of hero Henry Knox.  Join our special guest, Professor Robert Allison, Professor of History at Suffolk University and Chair of Revolution 250, as we learn about these incredible events.

We all know the Americans won the American Revolution.  But have you stopped to wonder how exactly our smaller army beat the larger professional army of the British and how the series of battles unfolded that led to the eventual British surrender?  On our chat today, we are discussing one of those monumental events-North Carolina's Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge-and its impact on the outcome of the war. To provide his knowledge of this battle and the Revolutionary War, we are pleased to welcome John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation, a teacher at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and the author of 10 books.

It is that time of year where celebrate the birthday of General George Washington!  Each year around this time our podcast pays tribute to the man Major General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III eulogized as "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."     This year, we focus on Washington's Farewell Address, an incredible example of his oratorical skills and a blueprint for our republic.  In his address, Washington paints a rather cautionary tale on issues that will face our new nation.  Among others, he cautioned against the rise of political factions and foreign entanglements, issues that still affect our nation centuries later.     To lead the conversation this week, we are thrilled to welcome Henry Olson, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, as our special guest.

For 250 years, a debate has carried on over the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. To enlighten us on his new book: "Divided Over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America," we welcome author Tony Williams!

Through no fault of any of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, some signers are better known than others.  Some are familiar household names while others are a bit more obscure.  One of the lesser-known signers is the subject of our chat this week.  Abraham Clark was a lawyer from New Jersey who signed the Declaration but also served two terms in the United States House of Representatives.  To shed more light on the life and career of Abraham Clark, and the personal sacrifices he made in defense of freedom, we are delighted to welcome Gary Porter as our special guest.  Gary is a long-time friend of Constituting America and Executive Director of the Constitution Leadership Initiative.

When one looks at the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, among the soaring prose and clear indictment against the British crown, one name stands out from the others: John Hancock.  Clearly, we know he was a Founding Father and most know he was the first to sign the great document.  But beyond that, he is one of the least studied of the Founders.  Today, we change that.  To help in this challenge to shed light on him we are delighted to welcome as our  special guest Robert Allison, Professor of History at Suffolk University, president of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts and chair of Revolution 250.

Perhaps there is no greater archetype of the American Dream than Benjamin Franklin in the founding generation.  A printer's apprentice, he rose to become a writer, statesman and scientist.  Along the way, he helped draft and sign the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution and became our country's first postmaster general and served as an ambassador to France.  As we celebrate our country's 250th birthday this year, we are delighted to have a chance to chat with Dr. Franklin, wonderfully portrayed by David Holland of the American Historical Theatre.

Our country is built on a great library of extraordinary documents that framed our new republic in its infancy.  Constituting America always delights in discussing these works.  In that spirit, today we are discussing Thomas Paine's seminal work, "Common Sense."  How did the English-born Paine become such an ardent supporter of American independence and what role did his work have in pushing us from mere resistance to revolution?  To discuss this extraordinary document, we are pleased to welcome to the chat Robert McDonald, professor of history at the U.S Military Academy in West Point, NY.

Compared to modern record keeping, not all of the details surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence are known.  Case in point, although we know the date, we do not know the specific time of day when it passed and was signed.  Other questions remain such as who offered what changes and were they incorporated in Jefferson's final draft?  But what we do know is the long-lasting impact this incredible document had that changed the world.  As we kick off the new year, a year in which we celebrate the 250th birthday of our country, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Michael Auslin as our guest this week.  Dr. Auslin is the Payson J. Treat Distinguished Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and author of "National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America."