Thirty-three years old in 1776, Thomas Jefferson was one of the most influential Founding Fathers and is consistently ranked by historians as one of our greatest presidents. An intellectual force in 18th century America, Jefferson promoted the ideals of American republicanism – a political philosophy that stresses
liberty and individual rights, rejects inherited political power and makes the people the nation’s supreme source of authority. While Democrats claim Jefferson as their own, the association is as open to debate as the Republicans’ claiming Abraham Lincoln for the GOP of 2009. As a strong advocate for individual freedom and trust in the citizenry, Jefferson would likely be drawn to the Libertarian wing of the modern Republican Party, which says the government should stay out of people’s private lives. Jefferson would also likely feel more at home in the rural “Red State” regions of the GOP, rather than the urban centers at the core of the Democratic Party’s power base. Jefferson idealized the farmer as the ideal example of republican virtues,  distrusting cities and financiers. The third president also favored states’ rights and a strictly limited federal government, sentiments that run counter to the heritage of the Democratic Party.
Of course, it’s all pure speculation as to where Jefferson would position himself in today’s political arena. We leave it to our two Faceoff pugilists to square off over the issue today, and in fine Jeffersonian tradition, leave it to our reader-voters to decide the question.

Be sure to read what FACEOFF columnists Kent Moreno and Steve Smoot have to say on this subject and If you have something to say about it, send us a letter-to-the-editor at: letters@newstribune.info. We want to hear what you have to say.

This week's FACEOFF QUESTION: In honor of the 4th of July: If reincarnated and placed into today’s political arena, would Thomas Jefferson be be labeled a liberal or conservative?