Biggest Political Star of 2009

[Michael]

This is a counter-balance thread to the other one. ;)

This thread is for political figures that have done well in 2009. Again, after we have some nominees, I'll make a poll thread and we can vote on it.

I'll start the nominations off with Senator Al Franken. First of all, I think he handled all that Coleman-recount nonsense very well. Then once he enters the Senate he makes a bunch of Republican Senators look like complete idiots with his ammendment to eliminate protections for military contractor-rapists and then he slaps down Joe Lieberman in the Senate (which was just sweet politics - using the rules to just tell Joe to just shut up is a noble enterprise).

I'm very pleased with Franken's rookie debut in the Senate.

[Zarquon]

P.Chidambaram, Union Home Minister of India; for reacting with relative alacrity to the country's security challenges viz. coordinating the states for the fight against the Maoist insurgency, establishing the National Investigation Agency, reforming India's lackadaisical intelligence establishment, speeding up police reforms, and for not being a feudal fool with a security cavalcade, and being humble.

[Zarquon]

Angela Merkel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel)for securing another term and being competent, Lula da Silva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_In%C3%A1cio_Lula_da_Silva) for competence, Yukio Hatoyama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukio_Hatoyama) for unseating the LDP, Communist Party of China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_China)/ Hu Jintao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu_Jintao)-Wen Jiabao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wen_Jiabao) for a well-planned stimulus package and avoiding economic meltdown in PRC and their focused and relentlessly machiavellian foreign policy, or even Mahinda Rajapakshe (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/Mahinda%20Rajapakshe) for quashing the LTTE.

Everyone of the above have made missteps as well(especially CPC and Rajapakshe), but I suppose there really isn't a single contemporary or even past politician/premier who hasn't done some stupid things.

Also, I didn't really see any greatness from any head of state or pol this year.

[Margot]

Alan Grayson. He's brilliant and vicious.

Plus, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite as sexy as this: Grayson v. Broun on the Constitution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKz5ZHM8kFM)

[Michael]

Angela Merkel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel)for securing another term and being competent, Lula da Silva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_In%C3%A1cio_Lula_da_Silva) for competence, Yukio Hatoyama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukio_Hatoyama) for unseating the LDP, Communist Party of China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_China)/ Hu Jintao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu_Jintao)-Wen Jiabao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wen_Jiabao) for a well-planned stimulus package and avoiding economic meltdown in PRC and their focused and relentlessly machiavellian foreign policy, or even Mahinda Rajapakshe (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/Mahinda%20Rajapakshe) for quashing the LTTE.

Everyone of the above have made missteps as well(especially CPC and Rajapakshe), but I suppose there really isn't a single contemporary or even past politician/premier who hasn't done some stupid things.

Also, I didn't really see any greatness from any head of state or pol this year.
I disagree about Wen. What's he doing that's impressive?

Likewise with Merkel? She's about as mediocre as you can get. Her political goals seem to amount to 'survival'. Not exactly a very impressive figure if you ask me. Decent and reasonably competent is not sufficient for praise in my book.

And Hatoyama just happened to be in the right place at the right time. That's not exactly impressive leadership credentials.

And lots of mixed reviews on Lulu - depending on ideology. Overall, I'm not seeing Lulu actually do very much (but I sure see lots of lefties praising him on principle - much like most of the praise about Obama last year - looks a whole lot more like wishful thinking than actual measure of the man).

Oddly enough, I was thinking that Manmohan Singh (PM of India) seems like the most impressive fellow on the world stage over the last year or so.

His only competition seems to be Erdogan of Turkey. :shrug:

[Donkey]

I like Lula a lot... I'd like to see him come through on more stuff, but I think he's a good example for stable centre-left governance in South America.

[Michael]

I like Lula a lot... I'd like to see him come through on more stuff, but I think he's a good example for stable centre-left governance in South America.
Yeah, stable centre-left governance in South America is good. I've got nothing against Lulu. But that's not exactly a 'best in the world' type performance.

Indeed, Lulu looks good in comparison with his idiot predecessors - but that's a very low bar indeed.

[Zarquon]

Decent and reasonably competent is not sufficient for praise in my book.
Like I said, I don't think there have been any great leaders or demonstration of leadership by anyone this year; and the people I mentioned ranged from competent overall to right on a specific thing and flawed overall.

Oddly enough, I was thinking that Manmohan Singh (PM of India) seems like the most impressive fellow on the world stage over the last year or so.
His only competition seems to be Erdogan of Turkey. :shrug:
Really?

There has been:

* flip-flopping over Pakistan(i assume you know of the games they have been playing with US, its even worse with India)
* zero action on disinvestment(privatisation of useless govt monopolies, which could raise much-needed revenue and kindle competition)
* no police reform(still pretty much like the Police force of the British Raj, in severe need of better equipment, training and higher standards)
* washing their hands of repealing the anti-homosexuality law-section 377 of the Indian Penal Code or Criminal Code (conveniently left to the Courts, which will take years)
* Abysmal agricultural output due to a truant monsoon, which coupled with the lack of adequate irrigation facilities has lead to the highest food-price inflation in 10 years(@19.95% for the last week of November, in a country where 77% make less than $2/day)
* Massive inefficiency and corruption in infrastructure projects, which are either stalled or moving at a snail's pace
* No implementation of Education reforms, which have hit a grinding halt after the rejection of multiple proposals from the Human Resource Development ministry
* No Judicial reforms(here judges don't have to make assets public, and don't have any defacto overseer, except the Collegium of judges and impeachment by Parliament)
* we are still vulnerable to a 26/11 type attack despite improvements in information-gathering and establishment of NIA due to lack of professionalism in the intelligence community
* the Armed forces are being short-changed vis-a-vis remuneration and equipment, and healthcare hasn't improved much.
* the fiscal deficit is out of control(>10% of GDP), as actual revenues fall way below projected ones as subsidies drain more and more; stimulus package didn't cost that much

Adding to all this is the ugly rise of regionalism, and the hijacking of the political agenda with demands for creation of new states(which are justified but cumbersome and not a top priority) and the govt's stirring of a hornet's nest in this arena(they gave in to a hunger-striker, which lead others to raise 'long-standing' demands as well ).

However, he has handled the financial meltdown(credit shortages) and ensuing global recession(exports and manufacturing hit hard) very well, the Maoist insurgency is finally being tackled, and other foreign policy has been good.

[Donkey]

I tend to like Oscar Arias of Costa Rica a lot.

[Michael]

Like I said, I don't think there have been any great leaders or demonstration of leadership by anyone this year; and the people I mentioned ranged from competent overall to right on a specific thing and flawed overall.
Yes, I agree that the world 'political pool of talent' appears to be embarrassingly shallow.

Really?
My praise for Singh was based entirely on the international/foreign policy side. I don't follow Indian domestic politics at all.

On the international front, he's been increasing India's diplomatic profile - and making deals with China and USA (both have been traditional enemies of India).

Yes, India's relationship with Pakistan is as fucked up as ever, but I hardly can blame Singh for that mess. Improving India's relationship with both China and the USA (at the same time no less) is impressive.

[Zarquon]

My praise for Singh was based entirely on the international/foreign policy side. I don't follow Indian domestic politics at all.

Policies affecting a billion people and a trillion-dollar economy should be part of any judgment of said leader; and if we are to ignore domestic policy, the CPC look damn good at their pursuit of 'national interests'.

[Evangeline]

Alan Grayson. He's brilliant and vicious.

Plus, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite as sexy as this: Grayson v. Broun on the Constitution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKz5ZHM8kFM)

Wow thanks for that vid. I love it. That's awesome.

I have to agree with Grayson and Franken. I think they are both shining stars this year.

I wish I could say Obama too.....but he really shouldn't pretend he didn't campaign on the public option.

[Lily]

Alan Grayson. He's brilliant and vicious.

Plus, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite as sexy as this: Grayson v. Broun on the Constitution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKz5ZHM8kFM)

I'm a big fan of Congressman Grayson. He's smart and smart-mouthed. I particularly liked his remark that Dick Cheney should "STFU." Why yes, yes he should. :lol:

[Evangeline]

Yep, it was hard to choose, between Franken and Grayson. I voted Franken. I just love his mind.