Franklin, Benjamin
1706–1790

Franklin combined pragmatic problem-solving with religious tolerance (he helped fund the building of a hall in Philadelphia open to preachers of any denomination, including a synagogue), free press (Pennsylvania Gazette), civic institutions (libraries, fire departments, hospitals, the postal service), late-life abolitionism, and the 'thirteen virtues' of personal moral discipline. Paxton would earn partial credit for business pragmatism but lose substantially on religious-majoritarian framing — Franklin's funding of religious institutions of every denomination is the precise opposite of Paxton's use of state power against Muslim and Catholic institutions. His personal-conduct issues (adultery, securities-fraud settlement) run hard against Franklin's emphasized personal moral discipline, even though Franklin himself wasn't a moralist about others. Talarico's religious pluralism, civic institutions emphasis, free press, anti-corruption, and public education focus align with Franklin's civic-mindedness. He loses some ground because Franklin's 'industry and frugality' personal-virtue framework is uncomfortable with some progressive economic positions Talarico embraces.