Liberal and Progressive Political Leaders and Notable Persons
By Deborah White, About.com Guide to US Liberal Politics
Profiles, information and current news about liberal and progressive leaders and notable persons and opinion-makers, both longtime and emerging, within our country.
- Barack Obama, '08 Democratic Nominee for President
- Democratic Leadership in Congress
- Democratic Leaders in the U.S. Senate
- Liberal Celebrity Activists
- Activist Journalists
- Civil Rights Leaders
- Democratic Governors & Mayors
- Democratic Senators Newly Elected in 2006
Barack Obama, '08 Democratic Nominee for President
In June 2008, 46-year-old Barack Obama, U.S. Senator from Illinois, officially earned enough convention delegates to be the Democratic party nominee for the presidential race.
As the DNC's presidential candidate, Sen. Obama also becomes the leader of the Democratic party, including the Democratic message, election strategies, policies, fundraising, and platform of issue stances.
- Profile of Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois
- Barack Obama's Primary Season Victory Speech
- Obama's Famed 2004 Democratic Convention Speech
- Obama's 2007 Announcement of Presidential Candidacy
- Barack Obama's Peace Plan for Iraq, the Middle East
- Barack Obama's Stirring 2002 Speech Against the Iraq War
Democratic Leadership in Congress
Voters in November 2006 gave Democrats control of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in the 110th Congress, which took office in January 2007. However, given the smallness of Democrats' Congressional majorities, particlarly in the Senate, liberals have been frustrated in passing legislation on some of the most important issues.
This section contains profile of many of the top Democratic leaders in Congress, and listings of powerful Congressional committee chairs.
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada
- House Majority Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina
- House Committee Chairs for the 110th Congress, 2007-08
- Senate Committee Chairs for the 110th Congress, 2007-08
- The Blue Dogs, A Coalition of Moderate House Democrats
- The Democratic Agenda for the 110th Congress
Democratic Leaders in the U.S. Senate
Profile of top and long-serving Democrats in the U.S. Senate.
- Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware
- Sen. Barbara Boxer of California
- Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California
Liberal Celebrity Activists
Profiles of liberal celebrity activists and opinion-makers.
- Oprah Winfrey: Activist & Philanthropist
- The Politics of George Clooney, Actor and Liberal Activist
- Rosie O'Donnell, Liberal Activist & TV Personality
- Brad Pitt, Green Activist & Film Actor
- Bono's Famed Remarks to the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast
- Al Franken, Comedian and 2008 Senate Candidate
Activist Journalists
Profiles of selected influential activist journalists.
- Lara Logan, CBS Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent
- Anderson Cooper, Journalist and CNN Anchor
- Chris Matthews, Host of MSNBC's Hardball
- Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Correspondent
- Elizabeth Vargas, ABC News Journalist
Civil Rights Leaders
Profiles and words of and about selected U.S. civil rights leaders.
- Cesar Chavez, Latino Champion of Civil Rights
- Lesser Known Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech
- Coretta Scott King, Human Rights Advocate
- Barack Obama's Courageous Speech on Race & Faith
- Barack Obama's Remarks about Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Al Gore's Landmark Speech on U.S. Constitutional Crisis
Democratic Governors & Mayors
Profiles of selected influential Democratic governors and mayors.
- Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico
- Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas
- Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona
- Eliot Spitzer, Former Governor of New York
- Gov. Bill Richardson's Plan to Prevent a Nuclear 9-11
Democratic Senators Newly Elected in 2006
Profiles of emerging new Democratic voices in the U.S. Senate, newly elected to first terms in November 2006.
