[RAZOR]

VRM, you are correct Bush grew government, way too much. But that is not a conservative principle, and conservatives are not happy with what he did nor what his father did with taxes. Limited gov is not touted by liberals, and in that respect Jefferson would align with conservatives.
Jefferson was a political enemy of Alexander Hamilton, who was the man that gave us the basics of our government. We had been a nation for several years but had no government, Hamilton more than any other man,gave that to us.Jefferson was sure he was ruining the young Republic as he served with Hamilton in Washington's first administration. By the way I would take another Reagan anytime.