Your favorite politican of all-time

[MarshalltheIrish]

Seeing the wide array of ideas exchanged here (often reflected by our awesome avatars), here's an idea for a thread (although I wouldn't be surprised if it's been done a million times over by now): Who's your favorite politician, and why?

After much deliberation and many candidates, I have ultimately decided upon Richard Riley (pictured in my signature line below), who was Governor of South Carolina from 1979-1987 and Clinton's Secretary of Education from 1993-2001. He was just an ace Governor, made the state almost recession-proof during the 1980-83 downturn and was so popular the SC Constitution was amended to allow him to serve longer.

As Secretary of Education, however, he made an even greater mark. The guy did more to improve academic standards across the board in this country than many could even dream of: accessible education for lower-income families, expanded college grant and loan programs, improvements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and historic discounted internet and media access for schools and libraries. Time Magazine named him one of the 10 best cabinet members of all-time for his tenure and he absolutely deserved it.

Best of all, he's an incredibly nice guy. I got in e-mail contact with him over the summer last year and he sent me a very heartfelt response encouraging to stay in touch.

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Mine's pretty obvious, LOL.

I liked Jimmy Carter even before he received the nomination, and before I knew a thing about politics. My brother used to pick on me, but I guess I could tell that Mr. Carter had a good heart from the very beginning. It sends me over the edge when people criticize his presidency, since he made a real impact, was a major force in bringing down the USSR with his grain embargo and belatedly received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in brokering Middle East peace. He still works for good in the world, ensuring fair elections, working for Habitat for Humanity and speaking out whenever he sees injustice. I know that history will look favorably on him... :patriot:



Welcome to DU, MarshalltheIrish! It's great to have you with us! Terrific idea for a thread... :hi:

[graywarrior]

5. Ted Kennedy

[Captain Hilts]

2. Eleanor Roosevelt. Good on you for Richard Riley. I certainly remember him.

I remember thinking "who in their right mind would make a South Carolina governor the Sec. of Education?!?" having been in South Carolina schools. But he's a good guy that did a lot in a difficult situation.

[Dr Morbius]

3. William Gladstone.

4-time PM of Great Britain (and 4-time Chancellor of the Exchequer) in the 19th century, he is essentially the father of liberalism. He was renowned for his skill with the budget. He fought for Irish home rule, kept Britain out of a war against Prussia, and famously balanced the famous conservative leader Benjamin Disraeli.

Fascinating guy.

[Captain Hilts]

4. He is the only western leader to give Politburo-length speeches! His wife prepared a special

concoction for him to drink during them!!

[Brickbat]

6. Paul Wellstone, Hubert Humphrey, Bella Abzug, Floyd Olson (with some exceptions), Jim Oberstar...

it's hard to pick just one.

[applegrove]

7. Pierre Trudeau.

[femmocrat]

8. Hubert Humphrey and Paul Wellstone.

Humphrey was my ideological role model when I was starting to form my personal political beliefs. Wellstone for all he symbolized as a true liberal/progressive.

I also have tremendous respect for Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter for their generous humanitarianism. I didn't always agree with them, though!

Seems like I should have a couple of women in there! hmmmmm...... Patricia Schroeder comes to mind.

[BlueIris]

9. My beloved John Kerry, of course.

And not just because I still want to make out with him. A lot. :evilgrin:

I'll also throw in a small nod to Oregon's outgoing Governor, Ted Kulongoski. Best. Governor. Ever.

[Ptah]

10. Mike Mansfield

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



Michael Joseph Mansfield (March 16, 1903 – October 5, 2001) was
an American Democratic politician and the longest-serving Majority
Leader of the United States Senate, serving from 1961 to 1977.
He also served as United States Ambassador to Japan for over ten years.
Born in New York City to Irish Catholic immigrants, he was raised in Montana,
where he graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula (then called
Montana State University). Mansfield represented the state of Montana
throughout his political career.



<snip>

An early supporter of Ngo Dinh Diem, Mansfield had a change of heart
on the Vietnam issue after a visit to Vietnam in 1962. He reported to
President Kennedy on December 2, 1962, that US money given to Diem's
government was being squandered and that the US should avoid further
involvement in Vietnam. He was thus the first American official to
comment adversely on the war's progress.


<snip>

This gentleman went from snuffy to national and international prominence.
And when he died in 2001, he was rightly buried in Arlington. If you want to
visit his grave, don't look for him near the "Kennedy Eternal Flame", where
so many politicians are laid to rest. Look for a small, common marker shared
by the majority of our heroes. Look for the marker that says
"Michael J. Mansfield, Pfc. U.S. Marine Corps".

[Bucky]

11. Ivan the Terrible. Dude knew how to handle his critics.

[struggle4progress]

13. Curious why you choose him over Vlad the Impaler or Attila the Hun

[struggle4progress]

12. Hard question. I might choose Earl Warren, who once won as governor

of California by running as both the Democratic and the Republican candidate. I fondly remember his time on the Supreme Court

[MarshalltheIrish]

15. He's my favorite Supreme Court Justice

Along with Thurgood Marshall. Funny how Eisenhower lamented appointing Warren as "the biggest damned fool mistake I ever made." He probably oversaw more historic progress than any other judge. As a proud Californian, I was thrilled to learn not too long ago that he was Governor in the 40's.

[abq e streeter]

14. Wellstone, Bernie Sanders are two that come to mind--RFK maybe more potential than any of 'em though

for being REAL progressives. FDR, despite some horrendous decisions ( internment of American citizens for one; even though during an actual war), but he also may very well have saved the USA, and with help from our allies, the whole world. In that frame of reference, I guess Lincoln too. Bobby Kennedy had the potential to be as good or better than any of the others, and of course, the powers that be needed to put a sudden and violent stop to that.
For personal reasons, John Podesta; a politician even though he's never held elective office. He was a buddy of mine as an undergrad, and a GREAT guy back in the olden days, even though we lost touch with each other by the mid-70's.
BTW , the best speech I ever saw a politician make in person was by George McGovern.

[my2sense]

16. Ann Richards

[TZ]

17. Michael Barnes, former congressional rep for Maryland

Good liberal democrat..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Barnes
All around nice guy too. My HS civics class went to DC and had him talk to us at the Capitol. He made a lasting impression on me that day.:)

[mikeSchmuckabee]

18. Eugene Victor Debs

''As long as there's a lower class, I'm in it. As long as there is a criminal element, I am of it. As long as there is a soul in prison, I am not free.''

[PassingFair]

20. A true hero! +1

:patriot:



He paid dearly for his courage.

[Deep13]

19. As I think about it, I keep coming back to the same person.

A giant among men.

[TZ]

21. Even though I never met him

My second favorite would have to be Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio. Did I tell you my mom worked for him when she was a teenager? She really really liked him!

[Captain Hilts]

22. Yes. And one more...