Thomas Jefferson impersonator provides answers to 2008 questions

What would a Founding Father have to say about the 2008 presidential election, or the modern American presidency, for that matter?

Could he even get elected?

With Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama facing key primary races next week — and President Bush, meanwhile, in the final stages of his eight-year run — we turned to Thomas Jefferson for some answers.

Or rather, longtime Jefferson impersonator Bill Barker, who will be in character as the nation’s third president tonight at Poplar Forest.

The retreat home’s Ninth Annual Evening of Conversation with Mr. Jefferson marks the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s last year as president.  The event features Jefferson and Dolley Madison, first lady to James Madison.

As Barker prepared for the historical theater on Friday, he sat down with The News & Advance as Thomas Jefferson to field our questions.

He was joined by Dolley Madison, as portrayed by Lauren Leigh, who has been a living history interpreter since 1990.

Q&A: Jefferson with Dolley Madison

Q: Do you think the nation is ready for the first female president?

Madison: We ladies need to be involved in government. We need to be a civilizing influence. You gentlemen are just too vigorous in your pursuit of policy.

Jefferson: I can only say, sir, you heard it yourself. Whenever we think ultimately we are the head of the household, we should recognize the lady is the neck upon which our heads are turned in any direction she so chooses.

Q: The first African-American president?

I would find this a marvel — is it not, sir? — that we may own up to the principles in our Declaration of Independence.

Would that we could finally reach a time to allow for all people, regardless of their color, to vote. No one, sir, as I’ve written several people, would be more in favor of the Negro being placed upon the same plane as all races of man across this globe.

The more so, sir, I appointed Mr. Banneker,a surveyor, in our nation’s city of Washington, the first African-American appointed to our government. So again, sir, I would think this a wonderful achievement.

Q: How would you rate your own chances of getting elected if you ran in 2008? What would be the planks in your platform?

I was the first to object and to oppose what had long been considered the only platform in politics — the platform of the Federalists, those who had occupied our government for eight years during the time I was Secretary of State.

My platform should remain the same, first and foremost, that public office should be temporary. That we should continue indeed to see revolution in office — and I mean that, sir. If people come up with new ideas and there has been a stagnant politics for some time, people have a right to overthrow that.

I think we should not meddle in foreign politics — that has always been my foundation. We must maintain a balance of our political economy at home, a safety and defense of our own shores, a reconciliation of our problems, and let that be a beacon of light to the rest of the world as to the value of a Democratic republic.

We should not deny the influence of the individual states — that the federal government should never have so much power to coerce upon Virginia what is best for Massachusetts and vice versa.

Q: What did you learn in your time as President?

I am but a public servant. When our nation was in a turmoil as to whether we should support the French or the English in their wars, I thought what was best was the installing of an embargo, that we remain neutral and not trade with any kingdom of Europe. I soon discovered it was disastrous to New England. I had to remember that I was President of all the nation, not just the South. So I was very much in favor of a repeal of that embargo. So I would say that my recognition was no matter what I might consider to be best for our nation, that the people should always be heard beyond my opinion.

Q: What advice would you give to President Bush as he prepares to leave office?

I would say for any chief magistrate that gives up the power of lofty office to retire unto their own vine and fig, that they might freely allow the next occupant of the President’s house to pursue what he believes is right and just for the nation.

I think that our past presidents are of great value to help present chief magistrates understand that they can be overburdened and incumbent by things they never thought would occur in their administration. I hope that they might understand as well that they are always public servants, and when they take their leave, perhaps they become representative of the greatest title in our nation, that is as a citizen.

— Justin Faulconer

Dolley Madison, played by Laura Leigh, stands at the Poplar Forest house Friday. Leigh will take part in a conversation with Thomas Jefferson tonight. KIM RAFF/THE NEWS & ADVANCE

If you’re going
 
- Event: “Waiting on Dolley: An Evening of Conversation with Thomas Jefferson”

- Where: Poplar Forest

- Time: 8 p.m. today (wine reception starts on the lawn at 7 p.m.)

- The evening of historical theater features Jefferson and Dolley Madison, first lady to James Madison. A widower, President Jefferson often called on her to serve as the unofficial first lady for White House functions.