DEMOCRATS NO LONGER SO HOT on party founder Andrew Jackson.

Jackson’s election ushered America into the age of participatory politics: Before him, only 20 to 30 percent of the eligible population voted; after him — and for the next 70 years — 70 to 80 percent of the electorate often turned out, Nichols explained.

In fact, the Democratic Party was created to help Jackson gain the presidency.

With Jackson in the White House, politics would never be the same in America, much to the chagrin of his well-bred opponents.

Jackson brought to the presidency the fierce, liberty-loving values of those who settled Appalachia. He preferred to allow state governments to handle many public affairs, rather than expanding the size and scope of the federal government.

Now the bitter clingers are out of style.