I have to go with the elder statesman of the group, Ben Franklin. His diplomacy in securing the French aid during the Revolutionary War was critical, his leadership during the writing of the current Constitution was brilliant. Has he been a few years younger he would have been the first president. Plus he was a player

I can never say anyone but Washington.

 

I will give Franklin his props, though. He invented the coolest weapon of the day.

 

James Madison, because that's my cat's name.

Jefferson.

Dibs on Hamilton.

Jefferson.

 

I can never say anyone but Washington.

Agreed. Washington was viewed practically as a god amongst his peers at the time.

It was Franklin that convinced Washington to even attend the Constitutional Convention and worked hard to assure George was in charge.

It was Franklin that convinced Washington to even attend the Constitutional Convention and worked hard to assure George was in charge.

 

OK, Washington still had to lead the army to one of the most unforeseen victories ever, and then take the reigns as first president when he could have basically been, in other words, a king.

 

George Washington is the living embodiment of the Roman ideal of Cincinnatus. The perfect kind of leader.

Why isn't Shawn Kemp an option?

I voted for Sam Adams because I like his beer.

OK, Washington still had to lead the army to one of the most unforeseen victories ever, and then take the reigns as first president when he could have basically been, in other words, a king.

 

George Washington is the living embodiment of the Roman ideal of Cincinnatus. The perfect kind of leader.

 

To show how all of this is so intertwined, without the involvement from France, which Franklin secured by partying and lobbying, the victory probably doesn't happen. Something I learned last night, Lafayette and Von Steuban where also Freemasons. Washington would be turning over in his grave if he saw our two party system. I wonder really if he would object too much to our involvement around the world. I believe he would have seen the necessity for change from a young weak nation to the superpower we are today and the responsibilities that come with that.

I got T-Jeff3. Came through in the clutch and didn't slow down after his peak.

We are the worlds dominant economic power because of the financial system Hamilton developed. A fair number of guys on that list wanted the states to remain agrarian based economies.

OTHER: Ronald Reagan.

James Madison

 

1) Most influential author of the Constitution

2) Wrote the Bill of Rights

3) Co-wrote the Federalist Papers

 

Picking Washington is like rooting for the Yankees.

T-Paine.

T-Paine.

I think he just went down for the Tommy Jefferson surgery.

T-Paine.

 

I do loves me some Common Sense.

James Madison

 

1) Most influential author of the Constitution

2) Wrote the Bill of Rights

3) Co-wrote the Federalist Papers

 

^^^

poor john jay.

To show how all of this is so intertwined, without the involvement from France, which Franklin secured by partying and lobbying, the victory probably doesn't happen. Something I learned last night, Lafayette and Von Steuban where also Freemasons. Washington would be turning over in his grave if he saw our two party system. I wonder really if he would object too much to our involvement around the world. I believe he would have seen the necessity for change from a young weak nation to the superpower we are today and the responsibilities that come with that.

 

Yes, Franklin obviously did a ton. If there were a ranking, he'd be second for me in a tie with Jefferson and John Adams. But I just can't pick anyone but the father of our country.

Picking Washington is like rooting for the Yankees.

 

I completely disagree. At this point, it's the fashionable thing to not pick Washington. It makes you look more intelligent to a regular schmo.

 

poor john jay.

 

I'm surprised Sam Adams is garnering more votes than John Adams.