What would you ask Jefferson or Hamilton?

ANN ARBOR—Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton will visit the University of Michigan’s Clements Library on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. for a live and spontaneous discussion.

Clay Jenkinson, widely acclaimed as an authentic Jefferson impersonator, will match off against Hal Bidlack in the role of Hamilton in a debate and free-wheeling discussion on the first principles of government and society. The two will appear in costume and mind-set of the 18th century.

U-M Prof. Emeritus Shaw Livermore Jr. will moderate the debate. Audience participation and questions are welcome.

This year of political campaigns and following controversies have brought about a variety of competing theories and attitudes about the American political system and the American people. While specific issues and political parties have changed, to a remarkable degree the issues which divide the country today were first defined and enunciated by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, in private correspondence, state papers, and Republican and Federalist polemics of more than two centuries ago.

Jenkinson is a writer, scholar, teacher, and commentator and host of the syndicated radio program “The Thomas Jefferson Hour.” He has portrayed Jefferson at the White House, before Supreme Court justices, state legislatures and in more than 1,500 performances in nearly every state.

Bidlack teaches undergraduate political science and has been a military officer for 19 years. He has twice served at the White House as director of global environmental affairs for the National Security Council, providing direct support to the president and vice president on environmental security issues. He regularly portrays Hamilton on Jenkinson’s radio program.

C-SPAN will be taping this presentation for future broadcast.

For ticket information, call (734) 764-2347.