I should have been clearer. Not “radical,” but “bourgeoisie.” Pure Marxist.
Sorry, misunderstood.
However, “bourgeoisie” simply means middle-class. With the exception of the southern planters, who I suspect thought of themselves as gentry, I think all the Founders would have been fine with the reference. (Etymologically, bourgeoisie means “townsman,” much like the German or English burgher. During the Middle Ages the townsman were the only people outside the feudal structure of serf, vassal and lord.)
B. Franklin certainly was. One of the greatest defenders of middle-class values in history. That’s essentially what Poor Richard is.
At the time, the attack on “middle-classness” came mostly from above. The aristos, or wannabees. Not too long after the assault on MC values from the “intellectuals” started, in theory in defense of the poor. It still continues and is coming perilously close to an ultimate victory.