 |
| Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton |
So in trying to put together a list of the most influential shapers of the political world of the past twenty years, I knew that these three men would be at the Top 3 slots, which would hardly be any fun (lists are always more fun when the Number One isn't wholly obvious), so I decided to exclude them. Instead, I wanted to take a look at the twenty people who didn't hold the highest office in the land who have most influenced the past twenty years of American political life. I tried as much as possible to be objective (balancing between Republican and Democratic politicians), and also tried to focus on national influence. For example, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg have had an enormous impact on New York City and are household names, but they rarely have impacted people outside their constituency with a great deal of depth.
In doing this, I'm obviously leaving off a plethora of names (including all White House Chiefs of Staff, a Vice President, and two losing presidential candidates most notably), but that's what the comments section is for-clearly, more than twenty people can impact the political system in a major way over twenty years. Instead, I thought this would be a fun discussion about American politics and the biggest names that have impacted it. Here are my twenty individuals who have most shaped the Washington and national political landscape over the past two decades:
 |
| Gov. Howard Dean |
Where He was in 1993: He had just been re-elected to a second term as Governor of Vermont
Where He's at in 2013: Contributor to CNBC and longshot presidential contender for 2016
Why He's On the List: Dean made an enormous impact on the national scene early in the 2004 Democratic primaries, when his liberal grassroots campaign lit the fires of the Democratic Party in a way that Barack Obama would find great success with four years later. However, Dean's greatest impact to the past twenty years was his initially-maligned 50-State Strategy, which had huge success in the 2006 and 2008 elections and turned New England into a Democratic stronghold (today, no Republican has a House seat from the region).
19. Condoleezza Rice
Where She was in 1993: She had just been appointed the first female Provost of Stanford University.
Where She's at in 2013: She's back at Stanford, and just signed a book deal.
Why She's On the List: As the National Security Advisor during the 9/11 attacks, as well as the Iraq War, Rice was one of the principle shapers of foreign policy during its most pertinent phase in the United States of America since the Cold War.
18. Colin Powell
Where He was in 1993: Serving his final few months as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Where He's At in 2013: Largely outside of the public view, his most recent contribution to the political landscape has been his endorsement of President Obama
Why He's On the List: Powell spent most of the 1990's as the hope of Republican politics-many thought he would have beaten President Bill Clinton in 1996 (one of four rare occurrences from the past two decades where someone completely turned down an easy pass to a major party presidential nomination). He later became a pivotal figure in the Bush administration and the Iraq War, and in 2008, scorned his former employer by endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for the White House.
17. Donald Rumsfeld
Where He was in 1993: Just finishing up a stint as CEO of the General Instrument Corporation
Where's He at in 2013: Though he's endorsed some more liberal policies since ending his stint as the head of the Defense Department (he supported repealing DADT), he can most often be found on FOX News slamming the president on issues like Syria.
Why He's on the List: Few would argue that the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were the largest political story of the past twenty years, if not the largest news story in general. Rumsfeld's position as head of the Defense Department saw the launches of both wars. His leadership tenure also saw the horrific human rights violations at Abu Ghraib, which were one of the largest mars on the Bush administration.
16. Nancy Pelosi
Where She was in 1993: Pelosi had just been re-elected to a fourth term in California's eighth district.
Where She's at in 2013: House Minority Leader
Why She's on the List: Pelosi may have served only two terms as Speaker, but she used her time valuably. She became a leading voice of the opposition from 2006 to 2008 when Barack Obama was running for the White House, and eventually led to the passage of his signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act.
15. John Roberts
Where He was in 1993: He served as partner at Hogan and Hartson, one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in Washington D.C.
Where He's at in 2013: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Why He's on the List: His Court has seen an incredible number of cases, ranging from fourth amendment rights to those discussing animal cruelty. Roberts may have shaped the court the most significantly with his stance on the Affordable Care Act, a surprise decision on his behalf that allowed the legislation to stay intact. His court has also seen a number of gay rights cases, which will likely be regarded as some of the most important of his tenure (though he has not been in the majority on all of them). And finally, he was part of the conservative majority who allowed the landmark Citizens United victory.
14. Harry Reid
Where He was in 1993: Reid had just won re-election to a second term rather easily to his Senate seat in Nevada.
Where He's at in 2013: Senate Majority Leader
Why He's on the List: Reid has been the face of Congress for most of the past decade. He has run an incredibly tight ship in the Senate after three terms as majority leader and has managed to pass the Affordable Care Act, the Lily Ledbetter Act, and major gay rights legislation during his time in charge.
13. Rush Limbaugh
Where He was in 1993: He was reaching the peak of his early popularity, frequently criticizing a newly-elected President Clinton.
Where He's at in 2013: Still hosting The Rush Limbaugh Show, the most highly-rated talk radio show in the country.
Why He's on the List: Few people carry the polarizing love him/hate him tag better than Rush Limbaugh. As one of the leading voices in the conservative movement, he was a major contributor to the 1994 Republican midterm landslides and can still make-or-break a conservative politician's career on his show, which reaches some 15 million listeners.
12. Al Gore
Where He was in 1993: He had just been elected Vice President of the United States.
Where He's at in 2013: He remains one of the most highly-paid and sought after politicians on the speaking circuit.
Why He's on the List: Gore, oddly enough, had more influence in what he did out of power than he did while Vice President. After a hair's breadth election in 2000 for the White House, he became the public face of the climate change movement. Though he turned down the presidential nomination in 2004 (like Powell in 1996, one of those four rare politicians during this era to turn down the nomination when it would have clearly been his if he'd wanted it), he gained incredible public awareness for his movement with An Inconvenient Truth in 2006.
11. Sarah Palin
Where She was in 1993: Member of the Wasilla City Council
Where She's at in 2013: A FOX News contributor, and one of the most well-known figures in the Republican Party
Why She's on the List: Because no politician in the past five years, save Barack Obama, has received public attention as much as Sarah Palin. Palin went from an obscure governor to the face of the Republican Party in 2008 when she overshadowed John McCain and instantly became one of the most famous women in the country. Since then, she has been the most visible leader of the Tea Party movement and continues to have a strong following despite her controversial statements. Also, like Powell in 1996 and Gore in 2004, few would argue that had the governor run for the Republican nomination in 2012, she likely would have won it.
10. Sandra Day O'Connor
Where She was in 1993: Enjoying her twelfth year on the Supreme Court, having just given up the title of only woman to serve in the institution.
Where She's at in 2013: Largely retired, though she frequently can be found on the speaking and talk show circuits, and just wrote a book about the history of the Supreme Court
Why She's on the List: Though she will remain indefinitely in history books as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, that's not why she's here. She's here because she was the key swing vote in a number of landmark cases, including those regarding McCain-Feingold and most importantly, the 2000 Presidential Election.
9. John McCain
Where He was in 1993: Despite his involvement in the "Keating Five," he had just won re-election rather handily to a second term in Arizona.
Where He's at in 2013: Currently serving his fifth term in the United States Senate, and continuing to make headlines as a member of the "Gang of Eight."
Why He's on the List: John McCain has been one of the principle leaders of the Republican Party. From his two major presidential races (2000 and 2008) to his stance as both a key maverick in the Senate and as the body's leading "hawk," he will likely go down with the likes of Henry Clay, William Jennings Bryan and Bob Dole as one of the most accomplished politicians to run for and lose the White House.
8. Ben Bernanke
Where He was in 1993: A tenured professor at Princeton
Where He's at in 2013: Chairman of the Federal Reserve
Why He's on the List: As Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Bernanke has overseen the Great Recession as well as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. By virtue of the power that is instilled in this particular office, he has been one of the most important figures in the world's economy since taking the position in 2006.
7. Anthony Kennedy
Where He Was in 1993: Enjoying his fifth year on the Supreme Court
Where He's at in 2013: Enjoying his 25th year on the Supreme Court, making him the 25th longest-serving justice in history.
Why He's on the List: Since O'Connor retired from the Court, there has been no single justice who has been more closely monitored than Kennedy. His opinions on abortion, gay rights, the environment, gun control, and habeas corpus have, through 5-4 decisions, become the law of the land.
6. Roger Ailes
Where He was in 1993: Ailes was finishing up his tenure at CNBC and was ready to start the failed experiment of America's Talking.
Where's He at in 2013: President of FOX News
Why He's on the List: More than any other media figure, Ailes has altered the news media landscape. FOX News has changed the Republican Party eternally, and made household names out of people like Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Glenn Beck.
5. Alan Greenspan
Where He was in 1993: Already becoming an economic rock star as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Where's He at in 2013: He gave a speech in 2012 about congressional cooperation, but has largely stayed out of the public eye recently.
Why He's on the List: During his record five terms as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, he supported Clinton's deficit reduction plan, initiated interest rate cuts post the 9/11 attacks, and saw a record high rise in gold prices.
4. Newt Gingrich
Where He Was in 1993: House Minority Whip
Where's He at in 2013: Co-hosting Crossfire (which CNN apparently has rehashed because they're out of good ideas)
Why He's on the List: During the 1990's, he was the face of the Republican Party. He helped facilitate the Republican Revolution of 1994, the Contract with America, and eventually led the impeachment trials against Bill Clinton as Speaker of the House.
3. Karl Rove
Where He Was in 1993: Rove was helping Kay Bailey Hutchison win the special Senate election in Texas.
Where's He at in 2013: He just extended his contract as a FOX News contributor through 2016.
Why He's on the List: Rove was Bush's right hand man during his presidential election and throughout his tenure in the White House. Though he was surrounded by controversy due to the U.S. Attorney firings, the White House e-mail controversies, and most notably the Valerie Plame affair, he remained a key player in the Bush White House and a towering figure in electoral politics.
2. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Where She was in 1993: She had just started serving as First Lady of the United States.
Where She's at in 2013: Writing another book, cashing in on the speaking circuit, and receiving daily rumors about another presidential run.
Why She's on the List: Clinton and the number one choice for most influential are probably the only two that rival the three presidents in terms of collective influence. From her years as the most influential First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt to her high profile gig as a New York senator to a presidential candidate to a globe-trotting Secretary of State, she's been a major part of the national conversation for all of the past twenty years.
1. Dick Cheney
Where He was in 1993: He had just finished his tenure as Secretary of Defense during the George H.W. Bush administration.
Where He's at in 2013: Frequently appearing on news shows discussing the decisions of the Obama administration.
Why He's on the List: As Vice President, Dick Cheney had an incredible hand on foreign policy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. No other Vice President has had the level of influence over the country that Cheney did. For eight years, sometimes even more than the president, he was the most prominent politician in the country. And, like Powell in 1996, Gore in 2004, and Palin in 2012, Cheney was the only other person to basically turn down the nomination for the presidency (in 2008).
And those are my choices for the twenty most influential American politicians of the past twenty years. Who should be cut and whom would you include? I considered Ken Starr, Bob Dole, Joe Biden, Madeline Albright, and William Rehnquist-should one of them have made it or would you have gone with someone else entirely? Share in the comments!
Where She's at in 2013: She's back at Stanford, and just signed a book deal.
Why She's On the List: As the National Security Advisor during the 9/11 attacks, as well as the Iraq War, Rice was one of the principle shapers of foreign policy during its most pertinent phase in the United States of America since the Cold War.
18. Colin Powell
Where He was in 1993: Serving his final few months as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Where He's At in 2013: Largely outside of the public view, his most recent contribution to the political landscape has been his endorsement of President Obama
Why He's On the List: Powell spent most of the 1990's as the hope of Republican politics-many thought he would have beaten President Bill Clinton in 1996 (one of four rare occurrences from the past two decades where someone completely turned down an easy pass to a major party presidential nomination). He later became a pivotal figure in the Bush administration and the Iraq War, and in 2008, scorned his former employer by endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for the White House.
 |
| Sec. Donald Rumsfeld |
Where He was in 1993: Just finishing up a stint as CEO of the General Instrument Corporation
Where's He at in 2013: Though he's endorsed some more liberal policies since ending his stint as the head of the Defense Department (he supported repealing DADT), he can most often be found on FOX News slamming the president on issues like Syria.
Why He's on the List: Few would argue that the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were the largest political story of the past twenty years, if not the largest news story in general. Rumsfeld's position as head of the Defense Department saw the launches of both wars. His leadership tenure also saw the horrific human rights violations at Abu Ghraib, which were one of the largest mars on the Bush administration.
16. Nancy Pelosi
Where She was in 1993: Pelosi had just been re-elected to a fourth term in California's eighth district.
Where She's at in 2013: House Minority Leader
Why She's on the List: Pelosi may have served only two terms as Speaker, but she used her time valuably. She became a leading voice of the opposition from 2006 to 2008 when Barack Obama was running for the White House, and eventually led to the passage of his signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act.
15. John Roberts
Where He was in 1993: He served as partner at Hogan and Hartson, one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in Washington D.C.
Where He's at in 2013: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Why He's on the List: His Court has seen an incredible number of cases, ranging from fourth amendment rights to those discussing animal cruelty. Roberts may have shaped the court the most significantly with his stance on the Affordable Care Act, a surprise decision on his behalf that allowed the legislation to stay intact. His court has also seen a number of gay rights cases, which will likely be regarded as some of the most important of his tenure (though he has not been in the majority on all of them). And finally, he was part of the conservative majority who allowed the landmark Citizens United victory.
14. Harry Reid
Where He was in 1993: Reid had just won re-election to a second term rather easily to his Senate seat in Nevada.
Where He's at in 2013: Senate Majority Leader
Why He's on the List: Reid has been the face of Congress for most of the past decade. He has run an incredibly tight ship in the Senate after three terms as majority leader and has managed to pass the Affordable Care Act, the Lily Ledbetter Act, and major gay rights legislation during his time in charge.
 |
| Rush Limbaugh |
Where He was in 1993: He was reaching the peak of his early popularity, frequently criticizing a newly-elected President Clinton.
Where He's at in 2013: Still hosting The Rush Limbaugh Show, the most highly-rated talk radio show in the country.
Why He's on the List: Few people carry the polarizing love him/hate him tag better than Rush Limbaugh. As one of the leading voices in the conservative movement, he was a major contributor to the 1994 Republican midterm landslides and can still make-or-break a conservative politician's career on his show, which reaches some 15 million listeners.
12. Al Gore
Where He was in 1993: He had just been elected Vice President of the United States.
Where He's at in 2013: He remains one of the most highly-paid and sought after politicians on the speaking circuit.
Why He's on the List: Gore, oddly enough, had more influence in what he did out of power than he did while Vice President. After a hair's breadth election in 2000 for the White House, he became the public face of the climate change movement. Though he turned down the presidential nomination in 2004 (like Powell in 1996, one of those four rare politicians during this era to turn down the nomination when it would have clearly been his if he'd wanted it), he gained incredible public awareness for his movement with An Inconvenient Truth in 2006.
 |
| Gov. Sarah Palin |
Where She was in 1993: Member of the Wasilla City Council
Where She's at in 2013: A FOX News contributor, and one of the most well-known figures in the Republican Party
Why She's on the List: Because no politician in the past five years, save Barack Obama, has received public attention as much as Sarah Palin. Palin went from an obscure governor to the face of the Republican Party in 2008 when she overshadowed John McCain and instantly became one of the most famous women in the country. Since then, she has been the most visible leader of the Tea Party movement and continues to have a strong following despite her controversial statements. Also, like Powell in 1996 and Gore in 2004, few would argue that had the governor run for the Republican nomination in 2012, she likely would have won it.
10. Sandra Day O'Connor
Where She was in 1993: Enjoying her twelfth year on the Supreme Court, having just given up the title of only woman to serve in the institution.
Where She's at in 2013: Largely retired, though she frequently can be found on the speaking and talk show circuits, and just wrote a book about the history of the Supreme Court
Why She's on the List: Though she will remain indefinitely in history books as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, that's not why she's here. She's here because she was the key swing vote in a number of landmark cases, including those regarding McCain-Feingold and most importantly, the 2000 Presidential Election.
9. John McCain
Where He was in 1993: Despite his involvement in the "Keating Five," he had just won re-election rather handily to a second term in Arizona.
Where He's at in 2013: Currently serving his fifth term in the United States Senate, and continuing to make headlines as a member of the "Gang of Eight."
Why He's on the List: John McCain has been one of the principle leaders of the Republican Party. From his two major presidential races (2000 and 2008) to his stance as both a key maverick in the Senate and as the body's leading "hawk," he will likely go down with the likes of Henry Clay, William Jennings Bryan and Bob Dole as one of the most accomplished politicians to run for and lose the White House.
 |
| Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke |
Where He was in 1993: A tenured professor at Princeton
Where He's at in 2013: Chairman of the Federal Reserve
Why He's on the List: As Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Bernanke has overseen the Great Recession as well as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. By virtue of the power that is instilled in this particular office, he has been one of the most important figures in the world's economy since taking the position in 2006.
7. Anthony Kennedy
Where He Was in 1993: Enjoying his fifth year on the Supreme Court
Where He's at in 2013: Enjoying his 25th year on the Supreme Court, making him the 25th longest-serving justice in history.
Why He's on the List: Since O'Connor retired from the Court, there has been no single justice who has been more closely monitored than Kennedy. His opinions on abortion, gay rights, the environment, gun control, and habeas corpus have, through 5-4 decisions, become the law of the land.
6. Roger Ailes
Where He was in 1993: Ailes was finishing up his tenure at CNBC and was ready to start the failed experiment of America's Talking.
Where's He at in 2013: President of FOX News
Why He's on the List: More than any other media figure, Ailes has altered the news media landscape. FOX News has changed the Republican Party eternally, and made household names out of people like Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Glenn Beck.
5. Alan Greenspan
Where He was in 1993: Already becoming an economic rock star as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Where's He at in 2013: He gave a speech in 2012 about congressional cooperation, but has largely stayed out of the public eye recently.
Why He's on the List: During his record five terms as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, he supported Clinton's deficit reduction plan, initiated interest rate cuts post the 9/11 attacks, and saw a record high rise in gold prices.
 |
| Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich |
Where He Was in 1993: House Minority Whip
Where's He at in 2013: Co-hosting Crossfire (which CNN apparently has rehashed because they're out of good ideas)
Why He's on the List: During the 1990's, he was the face of the Republican Party. He helped facilitate the Republican Revolution of 1994, the Contract with America, and eventually led the impeachment trials against Bill Clinton as Speaker of the House.
3. Karl Rove
Where He Was in 1993: Rove was helping Kay Bailey Hutchison win the special Senate election in Texas.
Where's He at in 2013: He just extended his contract as a FOX News contributor through 2016.
Why He's on the List: Rove was Bush's right hand man during his presidential election and throughout his tenure in the White House. Though he was surrounded by controversy due to the U.S. Attorney firings, the White House e-mail controversies, and most notably the Valerie Plame affair, he remained a key player in the Bush White House and a towering figure in electoral politics.
 |
| Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton |
Where She was in 1993: She had just started serving as First Lady of the United States.
Where She's at in 2013: Writing another book, cashing in on the speaking circuit, and receiving daily rumors about another presidential run.
Why She's on the List: Clinton and the number one choice for most influential are probably the only two that rival the three presidents in terms of collective influence. From her years as the most influential First Lady since Eleanor Roosevelt to her high profile gig as a New York senator to a presidential candidate to a globe-trotting Secretary of State, she's been a major part of the national conversation for all of the past twenty years.
 |
| Vice President Dick Cheney |
Where He was in 1993: He had just finished his tenure as Secretary of Defense during the George H.W. Bush administration.
Where He's at in 2013: Frequently appearing on news shows discussing the decisions of the Obama administration.
Why He's on the List: As Vice President, Dick Cheney had an incredible hand on foreign policy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. No other Vice President has had the level of influence over the country that Cheney did. For eight years, sometimes even more than the president, he was the most prominent politician in the country. And, like Powell in 1996, Gore in 2004, and Palin in 2012, Cheney was the only other person to basically turn down the nomination for the presidency (in 2008).
And those are my choices for the twenty most influential American politicians of the past twenty years. Who should be cut and whom would you include? I considered Ken Starr, Bob Dole, Joe Biden, Madeline Albright, and William Rehnquist-should one of them have made it or would you have gone with someone else entirely? Share in the comments!
No comments:
Post a Comment