Thomas Jefferson was perceived by his opponents as a naive optimist, akin to Candide, the character created by Voltaire, reflecting his idealistic views on human nature and governance. This portrayal suggests that Jefferson's belief in the goodness of people and democratic principles was seen as overly simplistic and vulnerable to exploitation.

In contrast, Alexander Hamilton was viewed as a cunning strategist resembling Machiavelli, suggesting that his approach to politics was pragmatic and often manipulative. Hamilton's focus on strong central authority and economic power characterized him as a realist, willing to employ calculated tactics to achieve his goals, presenting a stark ideological difference between the two founding figures.