Democrats v. Republicans

Eli knows tidbits about all the Presidents from the latest edition of the very cute "So You Want to Be President?" illustrated book. He knows Obama well, learned about Lincoln in school, has heard of the Bush and Clinton families and is fascinated by Trump's orange hair and red face. He calls Hillary "Harley" and makes "feel the Bern" jokes. 

After talking though, yet again, who was who and which candidates I liked on his way to the bathroom last night he asked :

- Mommy, but Obama is a Republican, right? Lincoln was a Republican, no?
- No, Obama is a Democrat. Lincoln was Republican but it was different then.
- OK, but what IS the difference between Republicans and Democrats?

I had a hard time explaining without resorting to generalizations. I talked about what majorities of each thought about the origin of the universe, global warming, guns, free speech, taxes and I (lamely) concluded with:
- Republicans like to tell women what to do with their bodies.
Eli glanced at the pile of free magazines on the ground:
-  You mean like this Self Magazine?