Politics

Detroit Mayor Is the Only U.S. Politician Among 'World's Greatest Leaders'

March 26, 2015, 5:04 PM

Mike Duggan is pictured alongside prominent neighbors in a new Fortune Magazine feature headlined "World's Greatest Leaders."

The mayor and co-honoree Kevyn Orr are pictured with Pope Francis, John Roberts Jr., Bill and Melinda Gates, Mary Barra, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and others you know.  Taylor Swift and Jimmy Fallon even make the 50-person cut.

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"In his first year in office, Duggan proved a driven and effective manager," Fortune says.

But no one else in the second annual spread is an American elected official, Jena McGregor writes in The Washington Post.

What's even more conspicuous [than President Obama's absence] is that no other elected leader at the national level made the list either. Not a single U.S. senator or representative is on it, nor are any figures from the current crop of presidential hopefuls. There aren't even any state senators or representatives, or any current governors. . . .

The one exception was at the local level: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. He, along with former Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, was highlighted for his management of the city in the wake of the massive municipal bankruptcy. . . .

With the lone exception of Detroit's mayor, the leaders making our laws, writing our budgets and setting the agenda are not widely seen as effective.

The pair get the No. 20 spot. Here's the business magazine's praise for the mayor:

In his first year in office, Duggan proved a driven and effective manager, getting over 20,000 new streetlights, shortening emergency response times, and balancing the city budget for the first time in over a decade.

Editors say in a sidebar:

"We set out to find singular leaders with vision who moved others to act as well, and who brought their followers with them on a shared quest. We looked for effectiveness and commitment and for the courage to pioneer."

-- Alan Stamm


Read more:  The Washington Post


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