Who is your political idol?

[Jackson4Gore]

Who in politics do you admire most? Who got you into the system?

Share you thoughts!

[jonnyblitz]

1. i don't idolize politicians.

the issues got me involved, no politician did.

[bahrbearian]

2. Wellstone, used to be mine.

[dflprincess]

7. He's still mine

followed by Bobby Kennedy.

[TahitiNut]

70. Yup. Paul Wellstone, the citizen-Senator.

He modeled the character I want to see in government.

[tuvor]

3. William Hung!

He's actually quite multitalented.

[ChiciB1]

50. WHAT??????

While I'm super happy for the kid, TALENT isn't what I see from my perspective!

But, hey three cheers for his staying power... he was just On With Keith again the other day! Oh, Keith's another good one! Love that guy and have to admit he's the only one I'll watch very much on MSNBC anymore! Once Tweety had some cohones, but now?????

Looks like Wellstone and Bobby Kennedy did a good job for us Dems, so to all the people who have posted and posted about moving to the center, guess we really aren't too inclined to move away from what we really are.... DEMOCRATS!!!
Think Left... Be Right!

Oh My, just thought of another GREAT one!! MOLLY IVINS!!! What A Gal! Had my picture taken with her when she was down here in Florida last October! A real honor! Greg Palast has come on strong too! These aren't idols per se, but as I said in my other post, we DO have a LOT of Great people!!

[musette_sf]

4. Bobby Kennedy got me into the system.

Dunno if I have any "idols", but right now, I admit that I peek at that dripping wet photo of JK every now and then :evilgrin:

[unblock]

5. political idol? ooh! a new reality show! where can i sign up?

[Bok_Tukalo]

6. There's some good satire there somewhere

<eom>

[Jackson4Gore]

8. Hey, I patented it first!

[morgan2]

9. hey with a political reality show

at least we'd learn more about the candidates then we do now. Maybe people would actually pay attention...

[Radical Activist]

10. Bobby Kennedy, Paul Wellstone, Paul Simon...

I was lucky enough to be one of Senator Simon's students after he retired from the Senate. He's still an inspiration.

I first got involved in politics with an internship for Dick Durbin. I didn't realize how great he is back then, but I liked him.

[Bluzmann57]

11. My parents are my idols

but the two politicians I admired the most were Harold Hughes and Robert Kennedy. For those who may not know, Harold Hughes was a longshot for Governor of Iowa in about 1962 and won due in part to an extremely dirty camoaign by a guy named Erb. You see, Hughes was a recovering alcoholic and admitted it. Erb brought it up and the people here threw him out because of it. Hughes was the typical "regular guy", a truck driver and as already mentioned, a recovering alcoholic. He was a Senator from Iowa for a while too.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

12. Frank Zappa. He warned against Theo-Fascism from LBJ on...Here it is.

First heard him when I was 12 in 1973. 'Brown Shoes Don't Make It'

He was like a one-man internet because his recordings described a society coasting on propaganda-sustained fascism with sexual repression, militarism, racial conflict, religious cults, consumerism, denying evolution, distracting trends, co-opted arts, drug wars, mind control, censorship, ignoring civil rights...

Zappa outted abuse of authority and negligent incompetence of all kinds.

And used every musical style parodied along with his own unique compositions performed by the most virtuosic musicians.

[cyn2]

13. Wes Clark or Elizabeth Edwards

Not sure either one is my idol, but I really respect Clark and would like to see him gain a resonate voice in the future of our country.

Another emerging hero for me is Elizabeth Edwards! She strikes me with a sincerity that is often lacking in others.

Both of these people reach out to us regular types in a sincere and respectful way. Also, both are "scary smart".

Historically, in the US, I'd have to say I admire the accomplishments of FDR.

[XemaSab]

14. Barbara Lee

For voting against the war on terra.

We've killed a snotload of middle easterners for what?

Osama's still out there.

At this rate, Osama's going to outlast the shrub.

[iwantmycountryback]

15. I'm only 16

So I can't say people like RFK or JFK, but for now I'd have to say Eliot Spitzer. He's done an awesome job as NY attorney general.

[LynnTheDem]

18. Wow...FANTASTIC!

Forgive me if I sound patronizing or condescending, I DO NOT mean to; but it's damn unusual to see teenagers take any interest in politics and it's so FAB so see!

GOOD on ya!!!

:hug:

[iwantmycountryback]

27. Thanks

I really got interested for this election cycle. I'd only paid very passive attention to it before, but Bush has motivated me to do something. I'm from the very blue state of New York, unfortunately my representative is a Republican who got 67% of the vote. But I know Spitzer's gonna be the governor in '06, whether Pataki runs again or not.

[LynnTheDem]

30. That's one thing bush did; got a lot of people interested in politics.

Having such a secretive nasty ignorant dangerous sociopathic fascist dictator with the mentality of a grade-school bully as the pResident of the USA woke people up.

Unfortunately, while it woke up the entire world and 50% of America, the other 50% of the USA is still soundly ignorant. Maybe not for much longer though.

[LynnTheDem]

16. Senator Robert Byrd.

The man has more INTEGRITY and HONESTY in his pinkie finger than the entire bushCabal and all rightwingnuts combined.

[HeilChimp]

47. another vote for Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virgina!!!

>>>
Senator Robert Byrd.
Posted by LynnTheDem
The man has more INTEGRITY and HONESTY in his pinkie finger than the entire bushCabal and all rightwingnuts combined.
<<<

SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD (D-WV)




My sentiments exactly. Byrd is one of the few red state Senators with a spine. His whole career has been an example of principles and LEADERSHIP. He EARNED the nickname "Coincience of the Senate". I wish we could have him back as Senate Democrat Leader instead of that wimp Reid.

As for greatest political role model of all-time, I always have a soft spot for the great Eugene Debs.

[Moderate Dem]

17. I don't have a political idol, I'm an adult.

[LynnTheDem]

19. So am I an adult

And as an adult, I know how to read "idol" and understand "admire" or "respect" can be inferred from the poster's question. Especially when the original poster stated "who do you ADMIRE" in his message. :)

[Moderate Dem]

39. Lightnen up, I was just being a smartass...

[LynnTheDem]

52. I believe I was light enough, thanks.

:)

[autorank]

45. Hey, Welcome to DU!!! No idols, some to really admire though.

[ihelpu2see]

20. truthfully, this past year it was Dr. H. Dean

he showed great grasp of many subjects, he could hit Bush hard on this charade of a foreign policy and he had emotion and is intelligent....

in the past L. Wieker, as the Ind. Gov. of CT had to make hard choices but was on the right track, also he helped with the impeachment of Nixon, though I was only 2 or 3 then.

and

Chris Dodd

Not that these are people I idolize, but in the genus Politicianus they are not offensive.

[catbert836]

21. Karl Marx

I'm religious, but I believe Marxism and Christianity can mix well together. Marx had most of the right ideas, but he forgot that people aren't perfect. I believe the best government humaity can hope for is Socialist with Democracy mixed in. No "dictatorship of the proletariat" for me.

[trillian]

22. Wes Clark!

I had never been involved in politics until Wes Clark joined the race. I never had much time for politicians. I think for the most part they only care about power and getting themselves re-elected.

Wes Clark was different. He was intelligent,warm, had integrity and above all, was honest.

[DaveinMD]

23. Robert Kennedy

He is truly the last politician who was able to unite working class people of all races. He really inspired me growing up. More recently, Paul Wellstone was a real hero.

[DaveinMD]

28. I forgot to mention Bill Bradley

Liberal Democrat Senator and hall of famer for the New York Knicks. I dreamed I could have his life one day.

[hoi polloi]

24. Who do I admire most?

You know a lot of politicians played around and were considered great. The media singled out Clinton as a deserved jerk. But, politically I must say that, as a politician, only a few in history can match him. And you can be sure all of those did what he did, even back to Caesar Agustus.
Did Jesus? Who knows.
But, Bill Clinton has to be one of the most admirable.

[Cookie wookie]

25. I have lots of idols right now:

Americans: Michael Moore, Kevin Shelley (SOS, California), Joe Conason, Cliff Arnebeck, Cynthia McKinney, John Conyers, Sheila Jackson Lee, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Richard Clarke, Joe Wilson, Barbara Boxer, Mike Malloy, the editors at the "Lone Star Iconoclast," Randi Rhodes, Roxanne Jekot, all the unsung heroes/heroines who are fighting for our voting rights and civil liberties, Robert Byrd, Ted Kennedy, Maxine Waters, the MoveOn crew and Jon Stewart. I'm sure I missed some but it's late.

Historically too many but the most important are Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., Bobby Kennedy, John Kennedy, Roosevelt, and Churchill. Going farther back, Abraham Lincoln and all the early framers of the Constitution.

Who got me into the system? Nixon, Reagan, and the bush crime family. I'm an artist. I'd be taking it easy, living a happy and fruitful life, spending my free time lolling around painting and creating art, just getting out to vote and help some every couple of years if it wasn't the need to fight against the death, destruction, and misery they cause(d).

[Jackson4Gore]

26. Mine of course is Al Gore!

For giving me inspiration and being so kind to me! He speaks with truth, passion, and energy. He is our leader! God bless President Gore!

[livinginphotographs]

29. Howard Dean got me into the system....

But Al Sharpton kept me in.

[quaoar]

31. Bobby Kennedy

"Some people see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not?"

[Comicstripper]

32. Er....Jed Bartlett?

I really like that guy....
Oh, REAL people? OK:
Obama, Feingold, Edwards (for his private career, not his public one), a li'l of Gore, and Kerry big time. And, uh....Ralph Nader.
Please don't hurt me.

[WinnieBago]

33. My Idol

Hilary Clinton, I totally admire her.

[Hippo_Tron]

48. I'll second that vote for Jed Bartlett

Now why can't he exist in real life again?

[DaveinMD]

65. you mean he doesn't?

I'm pretending I live in West Wing world.

[Hippo_Tron]

66. The West Wing world beats the HELL out of this one

I think that Jed Bartlett is a president that almost all DUers would be proud of. I think that his only REALLY questionable action was killing Shareef, something that I'm not totally sure I disagree with. Either way, it's a hell of a lot better than killing 100,000 Iraqis.

[DaveinMD]

68. it sure does

Bartlett is the President we dream of. I really wish he was real.

[pstans]

34. Young voter

Michael Moore's book "Dude, Where's My Country" got my attention to the disasters of the B*sh administration.

Howard Dean turned me onto the issues during the primary campaigns.

From everything I have heard (from PBS specials, to my college history courses) Teddy Roosevelt was one heck of a President and Leader that people today should follow. His principles were moral and is held strong to those beliefs.

[njdemocrat106]

35. Clinton and Kerry

My admiration for Kerry has grown since his campaign, but Clinton is still "up there" in my book. I even voted for Clinton in my 6th grade mock election in 1992 (Perot, yes, Perot won the mock election), and had my picture taken next to his portrait in the Hall of Presidents in Disney World last year (yeah, I know. Real tacky).

[LittleClarkie]

36. Kerry

also Clark. Both are true patriots.

[IMSA]

37. Tom McCall

Governor of Oregon during the 1970's and probably best known for starting the Bottle Bill which put a deposit on beverage containers and his “visit but don’t move to Oregon” speach. Was a Republican in name only, fiercely independent, a conservationist before it became fashionable, was against the Viet Nam war, immensely disliked Reagan and Nixon, and had the balls to turn Oregon into the most progressive state in the Union during his 2 terms.

IMSA.

[fujiyama]

38. I don't really idolize

any politician, but there are those I admire.

As you can see from my avatar, I like Russ Fiengold a lot. I think he has a rare sincerity not seen in most politicians.

I also admire Al Gore, Howard Dean, Wes Clark, Kerry, and Bobby Kennedy.

[proud patriot]

40. Medea Benjiman

she rocks :headbang:

[hopein08]

41. Russ Feingold

He stands up for what he believes in and doesn't seem to back down much.

In addition, I've read that his political idols are John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. and they are my historical political idols.

[FightinNewDem]

42. Ideals and Integrity

Paul Tsongas


A man of intelligence, compassion aindependence, who never lost touch with his blue-collar hometown of Lowell, Mass.


Joe Biden


Since he is a smart-assed, Irish-Catholic lawyer who went to an all-boys Catholic high school and seems to annoy all the right people, I have to love Biden. We have too much in common.

Others I admire:

Tim Penney
Paul Wellstone
Bobby Kennedy
Bob Casey
Bob Kerrey
Paul Simon (the late senator)
Bono (who sometimes is as much a politician as a rock star)

What's the common thread? Certainly not ideology. It's integrity. It's a willingness to stand up for your beliefs, to hold fast to your ideals even when it isn't popular or politically convenient to do so. All of these men have shown a blend of idealism, political skill, and moral courage that I find inspiring.

[mzmolly]

43. JFK/RFK, Teddy Kennedy/Wellstone/MLK/Dean/Kerry/Gore ...

and many others fighting the good fight every day.

[autorank]

44. Most admired: Clark. Rocked my world: Sen. Wayne Morse (R, OR)

No idols, just competent, honest leaders. Since Clark is highly competent and honest, he's my most admired (very highly so, the guy could be making millions and he hangs in their for his country).

Sen. Wayne Morse, R, OR in the 60's voted against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (along with Ernst Greuning, R, AK) and spoke up like a true warrior on this issue. We actually had 20 or so Dem warriors in the Senate for this stupid war who did the same thing. Bur Morse was a fire-eater. I saw him speak once in CA and he was just amazing. Yes, there were true liberal Republicans at one time.

[wyldwolf]

46. William Jefferson Clinton

[Nitrogenica]

54. My hero!!!

[Bethany Rockafella]

76. Ditto!

[ChiciB1]

49. Robert Kennedy

Was My Idol way back when I was a kid. I cried and cried when he was shot. Then along came others that I admired greatly, but Paul Wellstone was my "ball of fire" for such a long time. I recall decorating my Christmas Tree shortly after he was first elected and followed him from then on.

Unfortunately, he died on my birthday 2 years ago! I was SHOCKED and will never have a birthday again without thinking of him. John Conyers really has shown me a lot lately and regardless of what may have been said or be said about Jesse Jackson, I still admire him greatly. Jimmy Carter has been a WONDERFUL President and even though people say he's more DLC, I don't THINK so. I enjoyed his speech at last year's Convention and he really fired up the hall with my kind of Democratic feelings. We've had so so many wonderful Dems, and I can't finish without saying something about Mario Cuomo! I still remember his speech at at Mondale's Convention... it was GREAT!

Better stop now, but if all of stopped to think about it, we have many many Great Democrats to be thankful for. Joe Biden coule carry some water right now, I like him a lot too!

[Clarkie1]

51. I'm not into idolotry

[Debs]

53. I think the whole cult of personality thing is a mistake

I probably admired Paul Wellstone (may God bless his soul) most. As for what got me into politics, I was always interested but I remember the very day it became a personal obsession with me. When the three Maryknoll nuns and one lay churchworkers were raped, murdered and burried in a shallow grave, the Reagan administration (apparantly in an effort to show there was no level of moral deparvity to which they would not sink) publicly stated that they believed these good people, who had only gone to El Salvador to relieve some of the misery we were bringing that country, were running guns and exchaged gunfire with the creatures that murdered them. I was astonished, that day I resolved I would know about what we were doing in the world. That was what made me a political animal

[Sean Reynolds]

55. Lenin....

He took a Russia that was in economic crisis and turned it into a Super Power.

[really-looney]

56. Thomas P (Tip) O'Neill

A great Democrat when the Democratic party was led by great men

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Catchawave]

58. John Edwards n/t

[ZombieNixon]

59. I'm only 17,

but Bobby Kennedy is who I try to emulate, and Howard Dean got me into the system.

[48pan]

60. FDR

A great man and a great politician.

[Mend]

61. John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Martin Luther King

[Patsy Stone]

62. Bill Clinton I love

But I got in to get Reagan out. :)

[Piperay]

73. I LOVE Clinton too

he gave me my country back after the 'dirty dozen' years of Raygun/Poppy. :thumbsup:

[Patsy Stone]

74. We share a birthday...and we're both left-handed! Swoon. n/t

[KBlagburn]

63. Jimmy Carter

[zulchzulu]

64. Woody Guthrie, Frank Zappa, Fighting Bob La Follette, Gandi, MLK, JFK...

...too many really...

There are the ones with a vision that didn't care about what happened and then the ones that would be smart enough to work the system to get things changed...

In many respects, I'm more for the political moments that certain people made that made a political statement that has lasted through time...

All the Founding Fathers getting in a room and writing the Declaration of Independence to Jimmy Hendrix doing his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner to Abe Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation to LBJ signing the Civil Rights Act to Eisenhower warning about the military industrial complex... too many of those great events by people I may not consider "political gods".

[Obviousman]

67. Dick Durbin

The greatest Senator this country has.
PolitiKoll Discussion

[d_b]

69. Punk music got me interested at a young age

[TrustingDog]

71. no real pol idols, lots of idles about tho. n/t

[The River]

72. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

he sent the British occupiers packing without
firing a single shot. Oh to have a leader like
him today.

[vixengrl]

75. My parents are probably the biggest influence on my political views.

They aren't especially activist, but they are certainly informed and opinionated, and they started me off to be the same. They encouraged me to read the newspaper and watch news on t.v., to develop my opinions about the world around me, they shared their opinions--which was the best part, because they could tell me about the history of things. They helped learn to evaluate how what a politician is saying relates to my life--as opposed to falling for happy horsecrap.

But for actually people who are politicians, I'd say Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are influential. Carter is important because during his presidency, looking back, I'd say he had a crappy hand. The energy crisis, the economy--these things maybe couldn't be helped during four yrs. The hostage crisis I have my definite suspicions about. But he greened up the White House and encouraged conservation. He may not have done all he wanted, but tried. And although they say there's no second acts in American politics, he's had one hell of a good post-presidency. Today he is still seen as a man of great character, intelligence and optimism. That smile is a piece of Americana that is never too corn-pone for me.

Bill Clinton could be up there with FDR, for all of me. I voted for him in the first ever presidential election that I could vote, and I knew he was a winner from Arsenio and MTV Rock the Vote. I knew, because his ability to relate to people, his charisma and all that, never seemed put-on. They are the real thing. He genuinely knows and cares about people, and his skills at the business of politics are outstanding. I would say he is a true genius and world class statesman. I know there's a little Machiavelli in there, and a little Don Juan, too. But the one makes him a great politician and the other makes him an understandable and flawed human being. They do nothing to smear his legacy for me.

Last--I got this little collection of biographies when I was six or seven through a reading program at my public school--the collection was from Dell books as I recall. The people who were "biographed" were Louis Armstrong, Eleanor Roosevelt, JFK, Helen Keller, Amelia Earhart, and Martin Luther King,Jr. And for learning at an early age about civil rights, feminism, international affairs, disabled people's rights, etc....I think that little boxed set did a great job. And so all of these people, in a way, are influences, too. I don't still have that collection--but man, I'd give it to any school kid. I say--and I sure got this from my parents--you're never too young to learn.

[Flammable Materials]

77. I don't idolize politicians. n/t

Paul Wellstone receives my greatest respect, though.

[zann725]

78. McGovern.

n/t