Can the US Founding Fathers Make it to the White House?

The question of whether the United States' founding fathers could be elected as the President of the modern United States is a fascinating subject, often discussed in academic circles and casual conversations. While George Washington and other names like Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin remain influential figures in American history, the answers to this query are complex and multifaceted.

Baron von Steuben: The Unlikely Candidate

One name that emerges as a contender, although not traditionally among the founding fathers, is Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. Despite being excluded from the official list of founding fathers, von Steuben possesses some qualifications that could potentially make him an attractive candidate for some voters. However, the concept of combined admiration for his contributions and acceptance of his personal transgressions, like being a homosexual and reported pedophile, presents a significant hurdle. It illustrates the shifting moral and social standards from the time of the founding to the modern era.

Alexander Hamilton: The Visionary and Proponent of Federal Power

Alexander Hamilton, a central figure in the American Revolution, is noted for his vision of a powerful nation playing a significant role in the international community. His support for a strong federal government aligns with many contemporary political ideals. Hamilton's advocacy for leveraging both agriculture and trade to foster economic success is still relevant today, making him a potential draw for those who value a robust economic policy. Yet, his time and place inevitably influenced his views, and his policies, such as the Federalist Papers, were crafted with a very specific 18th-century context in mind. Therefore, translating his ideas into a modern political framework would require significant adjustments.

Electability and Constitutional Requirements

A common debate revolves around the constitutional requirement that the President must be a natural-born citizen and alive at the time of the inauguration. This stipulation is unambiguous, and no founding father, except possibly Baron von Steuben, who was naturalized, fits this criterion. This requirement alone makes the direct election of founding fathers as modern US presidents virtually impossible. Furthermore, the constitutional rules around electing a president, including the electors and the electoral college, have evolved significantly over time.

Liberals and the Founders’ Legacy

For contemporary liberal viewpoints, the founders' legacies stretch beyond their governance. Some argue that bringing the founding fathers back in a time machine would lead to the restoration of greater inequalities and injustices. Authors and scholars like Howard Zinn and Gerald Horne have critiqued the founders for their support of slavery and their predominantly male, white, and wealthy perspectives. These arguments emphasize the stark contrast between their ideals and the modern values of inclusivity and equity.

Rewriting History: Hamilton and Franklin

Two names consistently surface in discussions about potential founding father candidates for the modern presidency: Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin. While Hamilton has fewer points in his favor regarding the constitutional requirement, Franklin does meet the natural-born citizen requirement. Hamilton, born in Jamaica, met the requirement as his US citizenship was recognized at the time of the Constitution's adoption. Franklin, however, represents a more unlikely scenario, given the radically different political landscape of the present day. His contributions to the Founding era are undoubtedly significant, but his political perspectives and the social norms of his time would pose substantial challenges in a contemporary context.

Conclusion

The debate over whether the founding fathers could be elected in the modern United States is more than just a historical curiosity. It reflects shifting political, social, and economic landscapes from the 18th century to today. While figures like Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin have qualities that align with current values, the structural and ethical complexities of electing a president from a different era highlight the importance of continuity and evolution in governance. The legacy of the founders remains a crucial part of American history, but the path to the presidency in the 21st century is profoundly different.