Favorite Founding Father

[Connemara]

Let's hear 'em. I think a "why" would be useful too.

I pick Benjamin Franklin, mainly because of his Renaissance Man persona and shrewdness. He was also a pimp.

 

[Piobaire]

Thomas Jefferson. Thinker and doer. I'd say more a Ren. Man than even Franklin. Also, seemed to get around

 

[itsstillmatt]

George Mason. More than any other, he saw the imminent threats to individual liberties. Also, for a southerner he was relatively good on slavery.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Thomas Jefferson. Thinker and doer.

His cultivation of the vitis vinifera in America doesn't hurt....

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

His cultivation of the vitis vinifera in America doesn't hurt....

And building a pimp crib, big tax cutter, (

) started a great university. And liked exotic looking women

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by iammatt

George Mason. More than any other, he saw the imminent threats to individual liberties. Also, for a southerner he was relatively good on slavery.
He is not as well remembered as many other FFs. A shame.

 

[DocHolliday]

Washington, no question. Passed up the chance to be king. One of the world's great men. For all the credit Jefferson and Madison get, I suspect Washington shaped our concept of America as much as anyone. It's a shame conventional wisdom portrays him as being so vanilla.

Jefferson is interesting, and clearly a great mind, but he was cold and a jerk to poor John Adams.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Washington, no question. Passed up the chance to be king. One of the world's great men. For all the credit Jefferson and Madison get, I suspect Washington shaped our concept of America as much as anyone. It's a shame conventional wisdom portrays him as being so vanilla.

Jefferson is interesting, and clearly a great mind, but he was cold and a jerk to poor John Adams.

That is very true, and not often noted.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

That is very true, and not often noted.
I had to restrain myself from again posting the story about George III's reaction to the news that Washington would return to Mount Vernon. I love that story -- it makes me kinda misty.

 

[Connemara]

Alexander Hamilton, for obvious reasons. One of the most "unique" founders.

 

[BDC2823]

This is a very tough question. I would have to say Jefferson, but I have such respect and admiration for the likes of Washington, Adams, Franklin, etc. that picking a favorite is difficult. Regardless, I long for the day that a politician emerges to prominence with the ideals and virtue these men bestowed. I don't think this day will ever come though.

 

[BDC2823]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

I had to restrain myself from again posting the story about George III's reaction to the news that Washington would leave office and return to Mount Vernon. I love that story -- it makes me kinda misty.

Please do tell.

 

[greekonomist]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

started a great university.
Boo. Got a great education though.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by BDC2823

Please do tell.
Actually, I botched it above -- it was at the end of the war. Upon being told that Washington planned to walk away from it all and return to Mount Vernon, the incredulous king replied, "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."

 

[greekonomist]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Actually, I botched it above -- it was at the end of the war. Upon being told that Washington planned to walk away from it all and return to Mount Vernon, the incredulous king replied, "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."

I remember reading that somewhere too.