[jae471]

I doubt its worthy of tinfoil. Jefferson called himself and his party Republican. From his first inaugural address "We all are Republicans; we are all Federalists."

"Democrat" wasn't really used until after true parties were formed.

[m1-lightning]

Jefferson called himself and his party Republican.

As in Jeffersonian Republicans and thus the first opposition party in the United States, the Republicans.

[KarlInOhio]

I just remember the name "Democratic-Republican" from my history books. I didn't know that the Republican part took precidence in the name. Most lists of presidents I've seen list either D or DR for presidents such as Jefferson and Madison, although I hate the idea of the current 'Rat party claiming those great men as their own.