Mel - "We need someone to build on the consensus once it's found". I believe national consensus can only be reach in a very limited number of areas. Hence, the need for a very limited federal gov't. I believe the very reason for Congresses poor showing in public opinion polls, is due to this. Areas where national consensus cannot be reach, should be left to the states, and to the people. This was the belief in 1787, and should be now.

We the People's education of history is key.

Lorna Abbott "Franklin turned his back on France". What wasn't done for France, that should have been? Thomas Jefferson was the person more intimate and responsible for relations with France, as minister plenipotentiary and later Sec. of State, subsequent to Franklin leaving France in 1786.