(Sven asks a really important question. – promoted by Clark)
In 2003 hardly anyone outside of Illinois knew a state senator named Barack Obama.
Five years later he is the nominee for President of the Democratic Party.
What this shows is that there clearly is talent all over the United States (while I’m not saying there is an Obama in every state). The question simply is if they can make it out of the political wilderness into the limelight.
What I’m wondering is who comes after Obama? Who is the future of the Democratic Party? Now, this is not necessarily about who might become a future president but rather who has the ability to work hard and inspire people and make it into a leadership position in the future. Whether that is as governor, in the U.S. Senate or any other leadership position.
So, here’s my question to you: who is the future of the Democratic Party? Which young person (younger than Obama who was born in 1961), male or female, white, African-American, Asian-American or Hispanic, straight or gay, inspires you? Now, that person may have already made it to Congress, or have been elected to statewide office. But it’s just as likely that person is in the state legislature, the state cabinet or an elected official at the local level (mayor or county commissioner) or currently running for an office.
Which young Democrat in Missouri inspires you and whom do you wish/hope to rise and aim higher? And please provide year of birth and a bio link to that person if you can.
Cross posted from My Silver State.
Jeff Smith and Rodney Hubbard. My coffee hasn’t quite kicked in yet, though.
Jeff Smith although I’m still a bit peeved at him about Koster.
Robin Carnahan was born on August 4, 1961. Does that put her in the running?
Jake Zimmerman,Rachel Storch,Joan Bray,Robin Wright Jones,Paul LeVota,Jeanne Krkton,Deb Lavender,Margaret Donnelly,Jeff Harris,Andria Simckes,Clint Zweifel,Jennifer Mott-Oxford,Jamilah Nasheed,Maria Chappelle-Nadal,Sam Page,Susan Montee,Jay Nixon,John Temporiti and many others.
Rea Kleeman
She’s young (under 30), well informed, energetic, articulate, friendly. She’s most definitely progressive, unafraid to be pro-choice in a district where Dems have feared to utter that term.
The only loser when she puts Mark Parkinson out of business in St. Charles next November will be Joan Bray, who’ll be lucky if she can find another legislative assistant with Kristy’s research skills.
Jolie Justus
Rachel Storch
Jeff Smith
She was one of five neophytes running in a crowded primary for a state office just a few years ago and now she is a leading contender for congress in the 9th Congressional District.
She has raised more money from party activists than the two long time established political names (Steve Gaw and Ken Jacob) combined.
If she beats both Gaw and Jacob (which I think is likely) and then wins in a Republican leaning district (which I think is more likely than turning the MO-6 blue that is getting all the national pundit attention), I think she’d be among the top young Democratic stars in congress. I think she’s a little younger than Obama or at least somewhere around that age.