Chernow’s Hamilton

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I woke at 3 last night and read Chapter 37 “Deadlock” about how after weakening President’s John Adams chances at reelection he stopped Aaron Burr from becoming President when the Republican’s Vice Presidential candidate got as many electoral votes has his party’s Presidential choice Thomas Jefferson. That has been one of the most famous stories in our nation’s political history and it was magnified when a bitter Burr killed Hamilton in a duel four years later.

I had read a few chapters preceding Jefferson’s election with diminished enthusiasm. Hamilton whose rocket like luck, brilliance and beginning were brilliant had given way to orneriness as Adams took over from his beloved George Washington as President. I was shocked by his human frailty after such a solid beginning. He redeemed himself in “Deadlock.”

I scribbled a lot of yellow marker onto the pages especially where I saw precedents for out age of Trump….But I’m taking a nap first. Come back later.

I am back from four hours of answering questionnaires and designing materials for my school board campaign. I am very pleased with the 500 words I submitted for publication next Tuesday in the Duluth News Tribune. This morning I was stoked to talk about the example for good and ill set by Hamilton, Burr, Jefferson and John Adams. America is lucky to have survived 1800 just as it will be lucky to survive Donald Trump.

But I’m too bushed for that now…

Some other time.

About the author

Harry is a ferociously good natured eccentric in Duluth Minnesota who detests traitors dressed up as Uncle Sam. You can find somewhat better edited writings of his at the Duluth Reader "contributors." page. The URL is:

https://duluthreader.com/contributors/h/84/284-harry-welty