President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) are among the politicians honored in this year's Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People list.
The 2013 list, unveiled Thursday on Time's website, also includes New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), CIA Director John Brennan, NRA executive Wayne LaPierre, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R), California Attorney General Kamala Harris, and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).
Each of the figures honored on the list have a short note written about them by another notable figure. In some cases, the praise comes from surprising sources: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) writes about Biden's "honesty and candor," while Obama remarks on his friendship with Coburn.
"His list of accomplishments is impressive, but most impressive to me is his ability to build bridges, bring people together and get things done," Cantor writes of Biden. "Even though we disagree on many issues, he creates opportunities for future collaboration.
Obama, who befriended Coburn while both were freshman senators, offered similar praise for the Republican.
"The people of Oklahoma are lucky to have someone like Tom representing them in Washington — someone who speaks his mind, sticks to his principles and is committed to the people he was elected to serve," the president writes.
Obama himself was honored by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, marking his eighth time on the list.
In praising Rand Paul for his commitment to "libertarian-leaning conservatism" and his recent 12-hour filibuster on the Senate floor, former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin touts the Kentucky senator as a "voice of reason awakening the public."
"I sent him some caribou jerky from Alaska to help keep up his strength on the Senate floor," Palin writes. "There's more where that came from for this bold Senator with 20/20 vision willing to take a stand for liberty."
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