Speaking of professional speakers, one of the Founding Fathers who wouldn’t be one would be Thomas Jefferson! Although he was very intellectual, wise, and erudite, he was not a good speaker. He could write better than the best of them. But speak he could not, and he knew it. For that reason alone, he probably couldn’t be elected President today.

His voice was high and “squeaky”. He wrote the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence without book or pamphlet as references. Only his background and training as a lawyer guided him through his writing. But he didn’t speak up on behalf of his draft at the Continental Congress. He allowed John Adams to represent him and the committee in advocating adoption of the Declaration.

John was so brilliant in his defense of the Declaration, Jefferson referred to him as the “Colossus” in the debate. He carried the day. The Declaration of Independence was adopted. The rest, as they say, is history.

Tom was tall, educated, handsome, brilliant, and a great leader. He was elected as President of the United States twice, succeeding John Adams as Commander in Chief. I think he would like the achievements we have made as a nation, even in technology. But because of TV he probably wouldn’t even run for election today!