Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, other? Please explain your answer. I asked Jefferson expert Clay Jenkinson this question, but didn't get a reply, so I thought I'd ask all of you what you thought!
2007-05-24 19:07:11 · 16 answers · asked by mistersato 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Remember: he was a "Democratic-Republican" who strongly opposed the strong central government championed by the Federalists, like John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. Furthermore, he was horrified by the Alien and Sedition Acts, which resemble today's Patriot Act.
He also opposed slavery early in his political career, then gave it up as a lost cause (pun not intended). But he continued to own slaves all his life, and even fathered children on one of his slaves -- Sally Hemings (substantiated by recent DNA testing). Hard to pigeonhole that Jefferson.
2007-05-24 19:15:55 · update #1
Key political beliefs of his would have him leaning towards Republican. Here's why: he advocated a strong state government and a weak Federal government (as opposed to the Federalists, who were his rivals). He distrusted big national government. He believed in a strong US military and was the first President to send US forces out in to the world to protect American business interest from pirates off the coast of Africa ("... to the shores of Tripoli.") He was a naturalist, but no political party truely wants to destroy nature.
There is one thing that he has in common with a modern-day Democratic President: He had his way with the ladies and was not above sleeping around.
Bottom line is this: the country is SO different, and political parties were SO new then, it is all just speculation.
2007-05-24 19:23:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Thomas Jefferson Political Party
2016-09-29 02:35:17 · answer #2 · answered by arieux 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. The Republican party wasn't around until Lincoln and at that time stood nearly opposite of their stances today.
I think any party he belong to would be very different than any we have right now. I think his strength in his beliefs would force a party to focus on the issues as opposed to what will get a candidate elected.
In my opinion that is one thing wrong with most candidates we have now. Most, if not all, do not take a stand for their beliefs to state them in a debate. Jefferson was willing, as all the forefathers, to die for his.
It would be refreshing to have a candidate do that today. A question that it poses would be if she/he would get elected. Whether you agree with current or past leaders, elected official are a reflection of ourselves.
2007-05-24 19:51:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Abraham Lincoln would still be a Republican, but a liberal one, aka Republican in Name Only (much like McCain). As for Jefferson, probably Independent.
2016-04-01 07:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by Gregory 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Constitution or Libertarian. Republicans and Democrats would make him puke. He would probably advocate armed revolt against the two party corporate oligarchy America has become.
2007-05-24 19:16:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 0⤋
Tea Party. No question. Look at the easy comparison of his views and those of the Tea Party, Small Government, Constitutional rights, and free enterprise. This is a no-brainer. TJ would PUKE if he saw how massive the Fed has grown since FDR.
2014-05-29 21:07:17 · answer #6 · answered by Christopher Combest 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Libertarian or the Constitutional Party with leanings a little Democrat as well
2007-05-24 19:23:26 · answer #7 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He was for State Rights and State Sovereignty, so he probably wouldn't belong to either major party (although he might begrudgingly be Republican).
He would probably start a revolution.
2007-05-24 19:18:00 · answer #8 · answered by E 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Great question. I'd say he'd just be a moderate or probably his inventive mind would come up with a new party.
2007-05-24 19:12:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm thinking he would be a part of the Natural Law Party.
2007-05-24 19:10:10 · answer #10 · answered by freshbliss 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋