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President John F. Kennedy President Kennedy embodies the essence of dreaming big. He is an icon for the modern American. His thoughtful consideration of any and every person had America smitten within a thousand days. His inspiration will continue for generations to come. “There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” |
Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt reprised the role of first lady, opening the door for modern leaders such as Hillary Clinton, and Barbara Boxer. Her efforts helped those of lesser fortune for generations. “Small minds discuss people Average minds discuss events Great minds discuss
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President William Jefferson Clinton President Clinton will be remembered for many things, but perhaps most important would be his compassion for all people. Nelson Mandela once said: (President Clinton) “Has done more for persons of color worldwide than any leader in history.” Whether it was through providing foreign aid, balancing the budget, reforming the welfare system, or shutting down the government to prevent anti-environmental legislation, the greatest leader of our lifetime worked tirelessly daily to make a difference. Young Democrats everywhere should study his leadership while in office and beyond. |
Senator Hillary Clinton The efforts of Hillary Clinton as both First Lady, and as Senator have already left her mark as one of the most compassionate, driven, born-leaders in American history. It appears she has quite a career in her yet. She should be properly recognized as an inspiration to all Americans, not just women. "The challenge is to practice politics as the art of making what appears to be impossible, possible.” |
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President Franklin Roosevelt President Roosevelt created the progressive, Democratic Party. Many economists will say the Depression would have ended without the New Deal. Ask your grandmother, she’ll give you a completely different story. Franklin Roosevelt’s ideals still shape the Democratic Party today. The Federal Government should be there as a safety net, and a solution for the economic state of the country. The notion of America always doing the right thing in foreign policy, having a safety net for seniors, and government spending in times of need are progressive ideals that embody what the Blue Campaign is trying to restore in the new century. |
Lance Armstrong Aspiring to greatness is something that takes an unending desire to make a difference. What Lance Armstrong has done in cycling, cancer research, and through his own cancer battle, has shown this desire to lead progressively for a better existence. He truly dreams big every day. “Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight.”
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The “Dream” set forth by Dr. King was one many thought would never be accomplished. We grow closer to that dream every day, but it must be acknowledged that there is a long way to go yet. If anything we have taken a step backwards over the last few years from true equality. Dr. King had the sort of idealistic vision that clearly should be indicative of the Democratic Party. This is a call to return to the future he set forth for America. |
Bono Bono is one of the true Humanitarians remaining in the world. He may perhaps reflect the spirit of the Blue Campaign, and a true American spirit, more than any other inspirational figure. He opened up in a recent Rolling Stone interview: Bono can see the opportunity of a Democratic Party that brings back its drive to shape America to be a better place. Let’s not disappoint him. “I've started to see this community as a real resource in America. I have described them as 'narrow-minded idealists.' If you can widen the aperture of that idealism, these people want to change the world. They want their lives to have meaning. And it's one of the things that the Democratic Party has missed out on. You know, so much of the moral high ground in the past was Democratic: FDR, RFK, Cesar Chavez. Now I suppose it's Hillary's passion for cheaper medical care. And Teddy Kennedy, of course." |
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Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela’s efforts for great reform in South Africa show that dreaming big can move mountains over time. He will be an inspirational leader, and only time will heal the wounds of an apartheid South Africa. |
Bernie Sanders Bernie Sanders truly epitomizes Blue Campaign values. Constantly fighting against corporate corruption as the sole Vermont US House Representative, Bernie is now running for Senate in 2006. He has a vision for an America that lives blue everyday. "We need an energy revolution by breaking our dependence on fossil fuels, polluting fuels, ... I am very, very confident our small state will lead this. We will be noticed by the country and the world."
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Vice President Al Gore Regardless of what some environmental groups say, as Vice-President, Al Gore did more to protect the environment than any major White House official in the modern United States. Since then, many environmental advances have been repealed, and those that criticized Gore during the 2000 election would die to have him in office today. Al Gore has been an inspiration to our party for years, and will always influence the direction of the progressive movement. President Gore is of true blue colors. |
Senator Barbara Boxer Senator Boxer is one of the few Senators to stand up for what’s right in Washington today. She has opposed the unnecessary war, as well as tax cuts for the wealthy, and has stood her ground against each and every radical administrative appointment. When other Democrats will not speak their mind, she voices the concern of the Progressive constituency. |
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