Last week’s National Journal poll of political bloggers asked Left-leaning and Right-leaning bloggers about their favorite political figures. Herewith, the results:
Most-admired House member: On the Left, Alan Grayson. My father’s former campaign treasurer, Denver Rep. Diana DeGette, tied for second. On the Right, tie between Jeff Flake, Mike Pence, and Paul Ryan. I voted for Flake.
Most-admired Senator: On the Left, Bernie Sanders. On the Right, Tom Coburn. I voted for Coburn.
Which current member of Congress has the brightest political future: On the Left, Alan Grayson. (A result I view as very wrong, if a bright political future includes winning re-election.) On the Right, a tie between Michelle Bachmann, Eric Cantor, and Jim DeMint. I voted for Bachmann, because I thought that she will continue to win re-election, might move up to the Senate, and continues to grow in national influence. Twelve months from now, she’ll still be rising in political influence, while Grayson will be trying to get a job as an Air America host. This isn’t a value judgment about Grayson/Bachmann, just a political prediction.
Most impressive Cabinet Secretary this year: On the Left, Hillary Clinton. On the Right, Robert Gates. I voted for Interior Secretary Salazar.
Which political figure has most impressed you this year: On the Left, Alan Grayson. On the Right, Sarah Palin. I voted for interim Honduran President Robert Micheletti, “for saving his nation from despotism and standing up to powerful foreign governments which backed the would-be despot.”
Who is the best Democratic/Republican strategist: The Left picked David Plouffe. The Right picked Karl Rove, as did I. Not so great in 2006, but pretty insightful these days.
Who is the most creative Democratic/Republican thinker: The Left chose “None,” followed by Howard Dean. The Right chose Newt Gingrich, as did I. Not a good manager, as shown by his tenure as Speaker of the House, but very creative and smart.
Which voice in the Democratic/Republican party would you like to mute: The Left wanted to silence Rahm Emanuel. On the Right, there was a tie between Gingrich, Michael Steele, and Lindsey Graham. I voted for “none,” because “Diversity is a sign of strength, and debate is healthy.”
CrazyTrain says:
I voted for Interior Secretary Salazar.
Homer.
I voted for Bachmann, because I thought that she will continue to win re-election, might move up to the Senate, and continues to grow in national influence.
Yes, there is a strong chance that Bachmann could win state-wide office in a blue state. Perhaps you would like to contact me about getting into the bridge business — I have a great one to sell you . . . .
December 16, 2009, 4:57 pmwohjr says:
Can I ask what it is about Coburn you like so much?
Needless obstructionism?
December 16, 2009, 5:25 pmrarango says:
it seems to me if these are the people on both the left and right who are deemed to be influential:
we are truly f**ked
this is a sad commentary on the state of american politics.
just my .02
December 16, 2009, 5:29 pmbyomtov says:
I voted for Bachmann, because I thought that she will continue to win re-election, might move up to the Senate, and continues to grow in national influence.
Wow, Dave. You sure take a dim view of the electorate.
December 16, 2009, 5:31 pmArrowSmith says:
Heaven forbid we should have ANY opposition to the runaway socialist freight-train. But I suppose when the Democrats were in the minority, their opposition was very heroic in your eyes.
December 16, 2009, 5:31 pmwohjr says:
@Arrow
That’s just a tad disingenuous given the stunt he pulled just today. Because without requiring the Sanders Amendment to be read, it definitely would have passed right?
December 16, 2009, 5:33 pmSo Say I says:
Tom ‘let’s defund political science research because I think it’s worthless’ Coburn? Really?
December 16, 2009, 5:48 pmArrowSmith says:
I don’t necessarily support Tom Coburn, but OTOH I view anything that slows down government as a good thing. It’s a matter of overall philosophy, I believe in small government!
December 16, 2009, 5:49 pmwohjr says:
Anything that slows down government? Like delaying a vote on DoD appropriations so this amendment that will never pass can be read aloud?
I just don’t see how needlessly throwing sand in the gears like this benefits anyone at all. Maybe now Coburn can sell some more “Dr. No” t-shirts or something…
December 16, 2009, 6:02 pmDave N. says:
You mean the “Blue State” that currently has a Republican Governor? You mean the “Blue State” that until 2009 also had a Republican Senator who very narrowly lost in a bad Republican year? You mean the “Blue State” that had an evenly divided Congressional delegation until 2007?
More Bluish-purple than Blue. This isn’t Massachusetts we’re talking about.
December 16, 2009, 6:28 pmNickM says:
Alan Grayson with a clean sweep on the left? ROFL. Seriously, the guy’s perpetually on the edge of physically battering anyone who’s upsetting him.
There’s a good chance the #1 viral video of the 2010 elections will be the Grayson campaign melting down fists first.
Sorry Henry Waxman, even though you molded large portions of the Democratic Party agenda and shepherded it through the House, you didn’t yell, scream, and swear enough.
Nick
December 16, 2009, 6:50 pmGordo says:
Coburn and Sanders. A sad commentary on the polarization of our politics today.
December 16, 2009, 7:02 pmAnon21 says:
Ok, call it purple. That’s still all you need to say with regard to Bacmann’s chances. She couldn’t win a statewide election in any State to the left of Utah. Thankfully.
December 16, 2009, 7:37 pmSteve says:
More Bluish-purple than Blue. This isn’t Massachusetts we’re talking about.
But is it a state that is likely to send Michele Bachmann to the Senate? Norm Coleman wasn’t exactly Jim DeMint.
December 16, 2009, 7:37 pmJones says:
Alan Grayson? Sarah Palin? Michele Bachmann? Really? Really?
I’m not sure you could create a better indictment of the stupidity of the political blogosphere than this survey.
December 16, 2009, 9:18 pmPolitical bloggers: We love Tom Coburn and Bernie Sanders | Liberal Whoppers says:
[...] the article here: Political bloggers: We love Tom Coburn and Bernie Sanders Share this [...]
December 16, 2009, 11:54 pmEric says:
Tom Coburn? As a lefty who used to read this blog regularly I am quickly losing respect for some of the bloggers.
December 17, 2009, 4:42 amTweets that mention The Volokh Conspiracy » Blog Archive » Political bloggers: We love Tom Coburn and Bernie Sanders -- Topsy.com says:
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December 17, 2009, 2:02 pmU.Va. Grad says:
Michelle Bachmann is no Norm Coleman or Tim Pawlenty.
December 17, 2009, 2:51 pmLeo Marvin says:
You’d think bloggers had an ideological intolerance for pragmatism.
December 17, 2009, 4:42 pmuberVU - social comments says:
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December 17, 2009, 7:44 pmpireader says:
Who is the most creative … Republican thinker … Newt Gingrich.
Which voice in the …Republican party would you like to mute …a tie between Gingrich …
December 18, 2009, 1:37 am