Mary Kate Cary is a former White House speechwriter for President George H. W. Bush and a lecturer at the University of Virginia, where she teaches Democracy Out Loud a course on great American speeches. In this episode, Cary explores the long, complicated friendship and rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, tracing their relationship in three acts—from collaborators on independence, to bitter political opponents, to reconciled friends through letters late in life. She reflects on how their disagreement shaped America’s two-party system and the tradition of peaceful transfer of power. Drawing on her own career as a bipartisan commentator and teacher, Cary argues that principled disagreement—rather than hostility—is essential to a healthy democracy.

Tell us your argument stories!

• Email guest and topic suggestions to us at [email protected]
• Follow us on Instagram