While in general party leaders usually create policies that reflect their own ideas, Jefferson and Madison are two leaders who often didn't reflect their parties ideals in their policies. Jefferson and Madison sometimes utilize the elastic clause of the Constitution, even though their party believes in strict construction. Even though sometimes these men follow their party ideals, very often during their presidencies their party characterization was not at all accurate. No policy better illustrates the inaccuracy in the characterization of the two parties than the Embargo Act. The Embargo Act was created by Jefferson to prevent America from trading with England and France in response to the French and British stealing from American ships and …show more content…
Madison tells Congress to build roads linking the states, even though road building is a reserved power. Madison is a Republican and believes in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, but he rationalizes his statement by saying that it will help to connect the states (Document H). John Randolph’s speech on the proposed tariff is an attack on Jefferson for enacting so many Federalist ideas, even though he is a Republican. He says that Jefferson is, “Bearing the superficial appearance of republicanism,” further highlighting my argument that Jefferson did not enact policies that reflected his political party (Document F). A final example of Jefferson's uncharacteristic ideas is found in the letter from Jefferson to Samuel Miller. Jefferson says, “I am aware that the practice of my predecessors may be quoted... Be that as it may, everyone must act according to the dictates of his own reason.” What Jefferson is saying is that even though the founding fathers had their beliefs in the Constitution, Jefferson believes that the people are allowed to go against the Constitution to observe their own beliefs. This again is one characteristic of a Republican because Republicans believe in strict