TJ is my least favorite of the founders. he was a utopian, a francophile, a social dabbler, and he probably fled in the face of the enemy when he was governor of VA. he was also oddly not present at every key moment in the new country’s history other than the writing of the DoI.
. . . and he flirted with treason by (genuinely) colluding with the french during the french revolution when he was adam’s VP.
if he was alive today, he would be a liberal democrat.
I really used to admire Jefferson, but the guy did have character problems.
I appreciate that Jefferson was a great man, but I feel much the same.
My dislike of certain aspects of Jefferson stems from the whispering campaign he started against President Washington in his 2nd term. He was spreading the word (because of his intense dislike of Hamilton) that Washington wasn’t up to serving, was simply a figurehead serving as a puppet for the policy preferences of Hamilton.
Washington found out that it was Jefferson behind the whispering campaign (from what was termed an impeccable and unimpeachable source) and coldly confronted him, telling him in measured terms that he knew that Jefferson was behind it.
Their personal relationship died at that time, and they did not correspond with each other for the rest of their lives. Jefferson resigned from the Cabinet sometime after that. It was said that when they encountered each other at functions and such, Washington was coldly formal with him, shaking his hand and greeting him politely, but not even engaging in small talk. (That Washington, who was a prolific letter-writer never wrote him again is a solid indication to me that this version of history is probably accurate)
Interestingly, Jefferson and Adams had a similar falling out due to the campaign in the 1800 Presidential Election (which was so bitter, it should be the standard against which all bitter and nasty campaigns are measured...except people have forgotten it) and did not correspond for many years, but did finally achieve a reconciliation later in life after about 12 years of no contact at all.
I have found it fascinating that Adams and Jefferson both died on the same day, within hours of each other...on July 4th, 1826. Amazing.
Jefferson was a flawed man. We are all flawed (Except maybe Washington, who I do idolize...:) but I am grateful for Jefferson’s huge part in our independence, and I appreciate many aspects of his Presidency.