The most inspiring political figure in your lifetime?

[Jackeens]

At the risk of this looking like an American Idol type contest....who, for you, has been the single most inspiring political figure in your lifetime? Needless to say, it doesn't have to be a President or a Prime Minister, it could be a local activist who had a profound effect either on your life or your thinking.

Again, I don't mean it to seem like a daft political beauty contest, I'm just interested to know who has most inspired DUers.

Thanks.

[ZombieHorde]

1. Kucinich and Obama. nt

[earth mom]

32. Obama could learn a thing or two or three from Kucinich.

Seriously.

[Juche]

36. Does Kucinich get anything done

Before people pile on me, I am a huge fan of Kucinich. But Kucinich seems to just stand for his principals, he doesn't seem able to get anything done with them. Impeachment, a new 9/11 investigation, universal healthcare, better living standards for the poor, etc. He talks, but nothing happens. I believe Kucinich once said he was a driving force behind opposing the Iraq war resolution in the house in 2002, that 2/3 of the democrats there voted against. So maybe I'm wrong. Personally I would love it if Kucinich had the ability to get things done, but for the most part he seems to only be able to stand up for his principals, not get legislation passed that is based on them. Then again you could say the same about other people I like Like Suu Kyi.

Combine Kucinich's principals with Obama's rhetoric and populist appeal and LBJs ability to get things done and you'd have an amazing politician.

[verges]

42. I agree.

I like Dennis, and agree with most of what he says. However, he really doesn't play well with others. And that is an important part of the job.

[earth mom]

53. NO-the others don't want to "play" with him because they themselves are so fucking corrupt. nt

[cali]

124. um, Bernie "played" with others in the House and accomplished quite a bit

do tell us all how corrupt Bernie is. Can't wait to hear that one.

[earth mom]

52. Kucinich is up against a bunch of self serving corporately owned corrupt politicians.

How in the hell can he accomplish all that he wants to amidst such corruption?

He needs our support and help now more than ever.

Not more b.s. excuses like you've posted.

[Juche]

79. excuses?

What excuses? I don't follow.

Bill Maher recently did a new rules lamenting that Obama doesn't have Bush's ability to get things done. Bush could get really bad ideas passed with a 30 seat majority in the house and a 50/50 split in the senate. The Obama admin is struggling with a 59/40 senate situation and about a 70 seat majority in the house.

[earth mom]

96. Sounds like just more excuses to me.

Congress is not forcing Obama to veer right.

He's doing that all by himself with the help of all the Dinos in his administration.

[blm]

66. In terms of 'getting things done' imagine America today if there was NO John Kerry in

the Senate. BushInc would have pushed the fascist agenda through by the early 90s. This nation would be well into its SECOND decade of Full-on Fascism by now.

Flagging illegal wars in Central America, uncovering IranContra, BCCI, S&L crisis, CIA drugrunning.....there isn't anyone who comes even close....Kerry uncovered more government corruption than any other lawmaker in modern history.

Imagine how the historic record would read...

But, I doubt many here would even consider real actions. Kucinich actually does have actions under his belt....and he'd have more if he wasn't surrounded by so many corporate tools, aka the Clinton wing of the Dem party.

[Vidar]

75. Gobachev, MLK, Kennedy & Churchill.

[arcadian]

97. He doesn't get anything done because he doesn't have big money backers.

end of message.

[Juche]

99. what happened with his 9/11 financial investigation

He wanted to do an investigation into financial matters regarding 9/11 (insider trading and things like that).

[chimpymustgo]

92. You children. King. Mandela. RFK. They walked the WALK.

[Jackeens]

2. Nelson Mandela.

From 'guerilla' to President, his story made it seem like anything was possible.

[Exultant Democracy]

10. I agree

[FARAFIELD]

43. Mandela is a close second behind JohnPaul II for me

His election was not an accident, he was shrewder than any figure since roosevelt. I was only 16 at the time of his election, but when the soviets told him not to go back to Poland after his election and he did anyway. ANd 1/2 a million came out in the rain to see him (google the visit). It was clear that it was the beginning of the end. Of course he supported solidarity movement and Poland Fell and the rest is history. Very inspiring as a Catholic to see someone with some spine go up against the bad guys, and even though I dont politically agree with some of his (my churches stands) he stood up and took action at a time that the only thing our prez was doing was making more nukes. Morally Mandella is just below him in my lifetime, JPII didnt have the additional problem of having to make a political system work. The right wingers tend to say that "talking" makes us look weak, but JPII and Madella thats about all they did, and seemed to work out great.

[goclark]

74. My vote goes to Nelson Mandela nt

[Kitty Herder]

80. Mandela's my choice, too. n/t

[applegrove]

100. Yup. Mandela would be at the top of my list. Trudeau too.

[applegrove]

112. Tommy Douglas too though I don't remember when he was in parliament but

have heard of his history since he won "Greatest Canadian".

[Crunchy Frog]

3. Mikhail Gorbachev. n/t

[realisticphish]

87. Unusual choice, but a good one nt

[MineralMan]

4. Martin Luther King...

I heard him speak several times, and always have wondered what he might have accomplished had he not been cut down so soon.

[rosesaylavee]

22. +1

If I were older, I would have said Gandhi. He was unmatched in his accomplishments - in both South Africa and India. Amazing what he accomplished in his lifetime.

And I never heard MLK just know his writings as he was gunned down early in my life. His work is so powerful it's still being read and discussed today which speaks to the amazing power of his ideas.

[MineralMan]

30. A lot of the choices do seem to be based on the age

of the respondent. I was in Selma for the second abortive march in 1965. I never met the man, but he was remarkable in his ability to address an issue in clear, certain terms. He inspired many of us in our late teens and 20s...an inspiration that has never left me. I'm no longer active the way I was then, but it was a very important time in my life.

[ZombieHorde]

68. Before my time, but good choice. nt

[Skittles]

5. Lech Walesa

fucking awesome

[emilyg]

76. +1

[Posteritatis]

98. +2

[Union Yes]

108. +3 for Solidarity

[leftofthedial]

6. Inspiring to me? MLK, Mandela, Dennis Kucinich.

Inspiring to the most people and most influential (and in a VERY BAD WAY)? Ronnie raygun.

[LeftishBrit]

7. Nelson Mandela, definitely

But as regards local activists: I would like to give an honourable mention to our local Oxford schoolchildren, who were among the first to take to the streets to protest the Iraq war in 2003. They were the adults, when our supposedly 'Labour' government were fawning poodles.

[LWolf]

8. Dennis Kucinich.

There were many inspiring political figures in my childhood:

MLK
Angela Davis
RFK

That list goes on and on. I was just a child, though, at the time. Since I reached adulthood? Looking around for a political figure who tells the truth, who walks his talk, who stands in the right place on issues, who doesn't back down, who doesn't sell his ideological soul for money and power...

It's a barren desert out there. There are a few more that I could add, but those will have to wait for an uncensored, non-partisan conversation.

[aikoaiko]

9. Bill Clinton, that's right I said it.

Seriously, when I was in my early 20s he gave me hope for a better future like no other has since. Of course, there were let downs and dissappointments, but he really did inspire me that America could find a moderate solution to our polarizing politics.

[rvablue]

39. Sad that you have to apologize for your choice on a Democratic site.

But it the unfortunate reality.

Many people felt this way too. It was a breath of fresh air when he won after the Reagan/Bush years.


ed: typo

[liberalmuse]

11. Martin Luther King, hands down. n/t

[Dramarama]

12. Gavin Newsom

Keep in mind I was born in 1990

[Odin2005]

13. Obama, Mandela.

I'm laughing at the people saying Kucinich is inspiring. :rofl:

[tabatha]

19. Obama, Mandela....

especially as I experienced the "before" for both of them.

[CBR]

20. +1

[opihimoimoi]

14. In these times of desperate need...I Vote President Obama...the mess left

by the GOP/Bushies...is unprecedented...and Obama has his plate overflowing.

Ya would think the Pubs want to help the Nation....but sadly...it don't seem that way at all...

They say it openly....They want Pres Obama to fucking Fail...

What the Hell kind of Patriotism is THAT?

[lpbk2713]

15. Bobby Kennedy

No doubt in my mind.

[Dramarama]

35. +1

[Libertyfirst]

58. +2

[sandnsea]

16. John Kerry

He is exactly who he says he is and he does exactly what he says he'll do. When the shit hits the fan, he's who I want in my corner. Wise, compassionate, honest and enough guts so his integrity matters.

[karynnj]

104. John Kerry too - and for the very same reasons

Though you said it better than I ever could.

[blm]

113. You said exactly what counts in public service....

.

[GodlessBiker]

17. Harvey Milk

[Vinca]

18. I'm leaning toward Bernie Sanders.

I don't think I've ever heard a man as passionate about what matters as Bernie.

[handmade34]

29. yes

I was living in Vermont when Bernie Sanders became mayor of Burlington and have followed his career. Good man!

[conscious evolution]

21. George Bush

If it was not for him I would still be apathetic about politics and the state of the world.

[pacalo]

24. I have to agree. The boy king made me sit up & pay attention more than any other.

JFK was the most awe-inspiring for me.

[dixiegrrrrl]

55. In that vein...Nixon.

From the moment he was elected, I became "out" in my political activism.
Rarely have I felt such passionate disgust for one person.
Cheney runs close 2nd.
But Nixon? I credit everything about him and his Reign for my active interest in politics.

[imdjh]

23. My mom. nt

[rvablue]

41. What office did your mom hold? n/t

[imdjh]

102. Depression-baby citizen feminist, mother, rule breaker, Democrat

Her generation was the one that fought to allow pregnant girls finish high school and married women to go to college.
Her generation founded PFLAG and created the expectation that decent people would accept their gay children.
Her generation agreed to send their kids to integrated schools and then worked to make them work.
Her generation was the last to be called "honey" in the workplace (unless you want to be, of course).
Her generation put into action and did a lot of the work to realize in the middle class the theory generated largely by a previous generation of privileged women.

[flvegan]

25. Wayne Pacelle, Dalai Lama, Kucinich, Gore.

Michael Moore as well, I suppose, as his work is all political.

[jody]

26. FDR n/t

[indepat]

45. Second the FDR but may I add Barbara Jordon as a close second

for she will always be on my very short list of greatest 20th-century Americans. :D

Edited to add Barbara Jordon comment

[jody]

51. Agree she blazed paths for others to follow. n/t

[The_Commonist]

27. Eugene McCarthy.

Just thought I'd throw him in there.

[KittyWampus]

28. Paul Wellstone

[earth mom]

31. Gore and Kucinich. nt

[Jackeens]

33. Okay, seeing as some of you are choosing more than one :-) : Barack Obama.

[Juche]

34. Aung san Suu Kyi

Daughter of the general who liberated Burma, gave up a life of peace and freedom to help lead the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar and turned down offers to be exiled.

I'd give Jimmy Carter honorable mention though. He wasn't too inspiring at home, but internationally he has been a great political figure after he left office with his fight for democracy, human rights, tolerance of mental illness and basic health infrastructure.

[rvablue]

37. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are tied for me! n/t

[eddieb2]

38. George W. Bush

He Inspired me to become a Democrat.

[BlooInBloo]

40. MLK. Durr.

[JenniferJuniper]

44. Phil Ochs

He was before my time, but his music still had a profound effect on the development of my political consciousness.

[Contrary1]

46. Bobby Kennedy n/t

[TahitiNut]

47. Gandhi, FDR, JFK, RFK, MLK, Barbara Jordan, Anwar Sadat, Mandela, ... etc.

I'm old.

[Cal33]

57. Gandhi, fdr, jfk, rfk, mlk, barbara jordan, anwar sadat, mandela, ... etc.

I agree with your choices. I'm old, too. Coincidence?

[ColbertWatcher]

48. This guy ...

He is an inadvertent political figure, but a figure nonetheless.

[timeforpeace]

49. George Winne Jr.

Those others talked. This guy walked the walk. Probably seared the tragedy of war into our minds like no other. Remember his sacrifice. US out of Iraq and Afghanistan now.

[Blue_In_AK]

50. The only one I've been inspired to volunteer for

and whom I trust completely is Diane Benson, who ran for Congress in 2006 and 2008 here in Alaska.

[frebrd]

54. FDR n/t

[madamesilverspurs]

56. Bishop Corrigan.

He performed my confirmation in 1960. Two or three years later he was arrested with other civil rights protestors. He was a friend of Martin Luther King.

Having grown up in a household where "children are to be seen and not heard," and where people who 'rocked the boat' were routinely dissed as troublemakers or worse, I kept my admiration to myself. But when I got out on my own I remembered him and the lesson he taught by his example.

[Lindsey]

62. Obama, Bill Clinton, FDR, Mandela, JFK, Gandhi n/t

[Brigid]

59. I'll give you a hint:

He lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in DC. :)

[timtom]

60. Kennedy and Kucinich

[varelse]

61. Nelson Mandela (nt)

[wildbilln864]

63. Paul Wellstone and Dennis Kucinich! nt

[HughMoran]

64. MLK

...even though I was to young to appreciate his impact at the time.

[billyoc]

65. Al Sharpton.

[dysfunctional press]

67. jimmy carter.

nt

[Xenotime]

69. Obama

[BuyingThyme]

70. Lynn Woolsey.

[ruggerson]

71. BARBARA JORDAN

hands down for me.

[Ilsa]

83. I thought of her also, but wasn't sure I was ready to name her. Glad you did, though! nt

[Skittles]

118. I thought of her too

awesome gal :thumbsup:

[Blue Belle]

72. Gore, Carter, Wellstone...

DeFazio, Obama.

[jwirr]

73. At the age of 68 I have had more than one: FDR as a child, RFK in

the 60s, George McGovern in the 70s and I am hoping that President Obama will qualify today.

[AnnieBW]

77. RFK, Mandela, Gorbachev

Although I was three when RFK was assassinated. Of the three, I'd have to say Mandela. I'd also put Ronnie Ray-gun in there, too. He inspired a lot of people - just not me.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

78. RFK (a reformed politician if there ever was one), Paul Wellstone, Dennis Kucinich

Also the little-known but terrific Peter DeFazio of Oregon.

[WonderGrunion]

81. Howard Dean

The man had to wear a flak jacket because of his position on equal rights. Risking death for your beliefs is true heroics.

[LostInAnomie]

84. You stole mine.

He's built of sterner stuff than almost any politician. A brave an brilliant man.

He's one of the few politicians in my lifetime that I wonder how things would be different if he would have won the nomination and presidency.

[WonderGrunion]

91. You can have Howard too.

He's people-powered after all.

[tabbycat31]

93. good one

it was his message (and George Bush's ineptitude) that inspired me to get involved with politics. I love his ideas on healthcare too.

He's a true progressive, which is a rarity these days. I also think he's responsible for our party taking back Congress and the White House.

[dkf]

120. I don't need heroics...I just want the guy who always made the most

sense to me.

That man is Howard Dean.

He'll always be my first.

[H2O Man]

82. Malcolm X.

He was so good!

[realisticphish]

85. Not in my lifetime, but Nagy Imre

Stood up to the USSR, presided briefly over a free Budapest, watched it collapse when the West didn't send aid, and ended up dying for it.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

86. Gandhi, Gorbachev, MLK, Aung San Suu Kyi, Gene McCarthy, Kucinich.

[Uzybone]

88. Obama and Mandela

by many miles.

[armyowalgreens]

89. I've only been alive for 19 years...

I don't have many to choose from.

I'll have to think about this and get back to you.

[ThomWV]

90. Tenzin Gyatso

[mtf80123]

94. Tenzin Gyatso

Has my vote as well.

[ThomWV]

121. I don't have a religious bone in my body but that man is living walking inspiration

If I had been half the decent man he is this world would be a better place.

And yes, he is also a political leader.

[madfloridian]

95. Howard Dean because he did not pander to George Bush.

He made it ok to speak out.

He may be sidelined now by Rahm and his bunch, but he will keep fighting.

I think Obama might be a hero of mine someday, but until he starts speaking out for women and gays and backing away from the religious right....he won't be.

[lunatica]

101. Martin Luther King Jr. Hands down. I don't even have to think about it

I still get chills and choke up when I hear his 'I Have A Dream' speech.

Mandela and Al Gore after he lost the selection in 2000. Carter with his human rights life's work and Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center.

[Vickers]

103. Joe Strummer

:thumbsup:

[Union Yes]

105. Walter Reuther

Led union organizing and unionized much of America.

Unions led us out of the great depression and created the middle class.

To this day we owe a lot to Reuther.

Wage standards

40 hour work week

Overtime pay

Worker safety.

The eroding protections that we enjoy today are a result of the tireless work of Reuther.

We must stop giving away the worker rights and protections that Reuther led the fight for.

Honor Reuther by supporting EFCA

[Union Yes]

106. Also, Reuther was a leading advocate in pushing passage of the New Deal.

We might not have the New Deal without his advocacy.

[marmar]

107. I'm less inspired by purely political figures than I am by people like....

MLK, Vandana Shiva, Cesar Chavez, Eugene Debs et all - people who fought/still fight for justice.

[stevedeshazer]

109. Wayne Morse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Morse

<snip>

Wayne Lyman Morse (October 20, 1900 – July 22, 1974) was a politician and attorney from Oregon, United States, known for his proclivity for opposing his parties' leadership, and specifically for his opposition to the Vietnam War on constitutional grounds.

Born and educated in the midwest, Morse moved to Oregon in 1930 and began teaching at the University of Oregon School of Law. During World War II he was elected to the United States Senate as a Republican; he became an Independent after Dwight D. Eisenhower's election to the presidency in 1952. While an independent, he set a record for performing the longest one-person filibuster in the history of the Senate. Morse joined the Democratic Party in 1955, and was reelected twice while a member of that party.

Morse made a brief run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 1960. A few years later, Morse was one of only two Senators who opposed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the president to take military action in Vietnam without a declaration of war. He continued to speak out against the war in the ensuing years, and lost his 1968 bid for reelection to Bob Packwood, who criticized his strong opposition to the war. Morse made two more bids for reelection to the Senate before his death in 1974.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

110. Jesse Jackson, the 1984-88 version

I've come to see through him and all his flaws in more recent times, but when I was ten years old, I found him inspirational and he got me interested in politics

[alarimer]

111. No one.

They are all corrupt assholes. Certainly not Obama, who is turning into a bigger corporate shill than I feared. I don't get inspired by politicians.

[anonymous171]

114. I know. I am edgy as well.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

115. I don't know yet.

Nobody in my lifetime has really profoundly changed me yet.

[camera obscura]

116. Paul Wellstone and Russ Feingold

[harun]

127. Good picks. Getting first rate people in the Senate is tough, and those two are first rate.

[Toucano]

117. Jimmy Carter, Paul Tsongas.

Too soon to tell with Obama, but he could take the prize.

[Raine]

119. RFK & Barack Obama nt

[dorkulon]

122. Jello Biafra.

[EndersDame]

123. I will raise you one Zack de la Rocha

[11 Bravo]

125. Bobby Kennedy

[Jane in Texas]

126. Bobby Kennedy

He observed. He learned. He grew.

But he was struck down much too young. I think he would have morphed into one of our very greatest presidents.

[RebelOne]

128. JFK, Kucinich and Obama n/t