Let's try to categorize the founding fathers into our modern major political parties by basic principles.

Benjamin Franklin- originator of the saying, "God helps those who help themselves." Republican.

James Madison- He was one of the chief advocates of a strong federal government, right along with John Jay and Alexander Hamilton. Also, he believed in the individual rights in the Bill of Rights.
Democrat.

Alexander Hamilton- believed in a strong central government; creator of the Bank of the U.S.
Democrat

George Washington- He's tough. Washington didn't advocate political parties, but his constant affiliation with the Federalists suggests his belief in a strong central government. Also, he was a Deist and advocated religious plurality.
Democrat.

John Adams- another Federalist. He also did all he could to avoid war, but this probably had more to do with the weakness of the young nation than with any political ideology. He was also heavily responsible for the Alien and Sedition acts.
Republican.

Thomas Jefferson- Okay, this one's really difficult. Jefferson was anti-Federalist, because he believed big government infringed upon personal choice and liberty. However, this belief extended to both the economy and social issues. He sounds like a libertarian, but that party isn't well established now.
Republican?

Any others?

Libertarian, end of story.

Already got 'im.

Also, I consider strong central government to be more a Democratic belief than a Republican belief because it seems like Republicans give more importance to states' rights.

Heh, haul out the lawnmower yet again, ian.

quote:

They'd all be Republicans because the founding fathers weren't godless f@ggots.

Only godless f@ggots call people godless f@ggots. Keep that in mind, bud.

Also, isn't a strong central government a statist belief?

This is an interesting idea. Honestly, I don't think that you can categorize any of our founders into today's poltical parties. They are just so different.

You know what happened? I got confused between a discussion I had on myspace and one I had on youthnoise. This topic was in response to something somebody said on a myspace board. My bad.

They'd start their own cool, Retro Party. Wear powdered wigs, ride horses, duel, etc. I'd vote for 'em. Good times.

I sort of think the whole idea is ridiculous because neither party really represents the spirit of the early nation. To pigeon hole the founding fathers into the dominant parties of a political system that has been amended and distorted, not to mention having grown beurocratic, well, it just seems silly to me. One one side you have attacks against the secular base of government, and on the other side you have the watering down of the Bill of Rights and the rights of the individual. On both sides you have a massive growth of government and expansion of the inflated legal system. Not to mention the tax codes, and spending...

I'd say that the founding fathers would likely be of a different political party entirely.