WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) – Time Magazine has released its annual list of 100 influential people from around the world impacting cultures, countries, and citizens around the globe.
Among the list in 2016 are notable American politicians who’ve become the main focus of cable television news and friendly debate for the past year.
Below is a look at some of the most high profile selections:
Paul Ryan
The recently elected Speaker of the House became a symbol for a new chapter in Republican politics soon after replacing long-time Speaker John Boehner in October of 2015. Paul Ryan however was already a household name before taking over as Speaker thanks to his role in the 2012 campaign by running as Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential running mate.
While the fiscal conservative was unable to help bring Gov. Romney to the White House in 2012, his decision to stick to his conservative principals continues to be rewarded by the party.
Despite repeated attempts to distance himself from the 2016 race, Rep. Ryan still is the subject of speculation about a possible late entry into the race.
Gov. Romney profiled his former running mate for the Time magazine piece. Click here to read his thoughts.
Donald Trump
After spending decades developing high-profile real estate and his name into a media conglomerate, Donald Trump makes the Time 100 list for an obvious accomplishment: removing any sense of predictability in the 2016 race.
Mr. Trump’s White House bid was originally thought by some to be a long shot opportunity but within weeks of entering the race his poll numbers began to climb over GOP front-runners like Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
While the Trump campaign has endured more than its fair share of media coverage, controversy and conundrums, its support from American voters can be found from coast to coast.
The question still remains if Trump will ever become the Republican nominee but his supporters are making it clear: they won’t forget how one political outsider changed a process many felt could never be challenged.
Mr. Trump was profiled in Time by a fellow Republican, a congresswoman from North Carolina. Click here to read his thoughts.
Bernie Sanders
The idea of a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist competing head on with a former first lady, a New York senator, and former secretary of state seemed unthinkable when the 2016 race began nearly a year ago. However for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the unthinkable remains to some supporters unstoppable.
Compared to a heated and nasty Democratic primary in 2008, the campaign between Secretary Hillary Clinton and Senator Sanders has remained calm in comparison. That could change though as time dwindles down ahead of the Democratic convention in Philadelphia this summer.
Even though the odds of capturing enough delegates ahead of the convention remains against the Sanders campaign, the grassroots effort that emboldened Sen. Sanders hasn’t slowed down yet.
The Sanders campaign offers Americans a firsthand reminder of why the 2016 race is different from years past: being an establishment favorite doesn’t necessarily equal support from the people you hope to serve.
Sen. Sanders is profiled by a former Clinton cabinet secretary. Click here to read his thoughts.
To read the full list of the Time 100, click here.For the latest on the Race for the White House, follow @markpmeredith on Twitter.