Exactly one year ago, Barack Obama, a 47-year old Senator from Illinois, was propelled to the Presidency at the behest of young voters nationwide. Invigorated by his mandate for change — and his vision to end “old Washington politics — the young leader laid a rhetorical foundation for progressivism that instilled hope in citizens of all stripes.

But a quarter of the way into his first term, tumultuous politics and partisan squabbling have foiled Barack Obama’s intentions to tread the middle-ground. In the face of these shortcomings, is Millennial disillusionment beginning to redirect young people’s attentions to other rising stars that may be better-suited to make their ideals a reality?

1. Harold Ford. Jr (Current DLC Chairman, Former Tennessee Rep.)
Whip-smart and groomed for political stardom, this aisle-crossing, Tennessee straightalker has branded himself as the voice and vision of an increasingly hybridized Millennial constituency. This, though, should come as no surprise. As the son of Congressman Harold Ford Sr. — and the crown prince of the Ford family fixture — the former Rep. was the second youngest Congressman seated in US history, and in 2002, infamously challenged Nancy Pelosi for House Minority Leader. While rhetorically similar to Barack Obama, Ford’s Congressional voting record indicates a political overlap between his Democratic ideals and conservative ideology. Though he backed a ban on benefits for same-sex couples, he simultaneously demonstrated support for increased adoption rights. This idea of compromise — among many others — sealed Ford’s identity as a political sui generis and hero of modern, millennial Independents.

“I recognize that I stand here tonight because of the brave men and women — many no older than I am today — who were willing to stand up, and in many cases sit down, to create a more perfect union,” Ford declared in his keynote address at the 2000 Democratic Convention. “But I also stand here representing a new generation — a generation committed to those ideals and inspired by an unshakeable confidence in our future.”

2.Charlie Crist (Current Governor of Florida, Senate Candidate)
An abomination to his right-wing counterparts, this smiley, Floridian Senate candidate represents a more modernized Republican middle-ground inclusive of Independents and minorities. While generally supportive of basic conservative values — including traditional marriage, gun rights, and capital punishment — Crist has consistently braved his party’s wrath in straying from Republican orthodoxy on fiscal management and environmental policy. Most notoriously? Publicly backing the Obama Administration’s federal stimulus package and hyping the need for big-tent Republicanism.

“This party can no longer hope to reach Hispanics, African-Americans and other minority groups — we need to just do it,” said Crist at a 2008 RGA conference.” Embracing cultures and lifestyles will make us a better party and better leaders. This desire for inclusiveness is near and dear to my heart.”

3. Meghan McCain (Daily Beast Columnist)
Daughter of Senator and former Presidential candidate John McCain, this sassy blonde maverick made headlines after throwing down the gauntlet with right-wing Ice Queens Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham in defense of young Republican moderates. The spat — a hands-down victory for Meghan — fortified the 25-year old’s role as the voice of a new generation of conservatives saddled with the task of revamping the “party of their forefathers.” Today, the Daily Beast Columnist continues to accomodate changing ideas of Republicanism — particularly for those weary of old ideological constraints.

“I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black,” said McCain at the Log Cabin Republicans convention in April 2009. ” I think government is best when it stays out of people’s lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.”

4. Kal Penn (Associate Dir. of White House Office of Public Engagement)
Currently the Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Kalpen Modi first cut his teeth starring in Harold & Kumar go to White Castle — the magnum opus of all stoner flicks. During Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign, Modi served as a member of Obama’s National Arts Policy Committee and appeared in several, pro-Obama videos that targeted minority Millenial voters. Today, Modi acts as a liaison with Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. He remains a powerful symbol of youth political involvement and minority inclusion within both the Obama Administration, and Washington activism.

“I’ve been thinking about [going into politics] for a while,” said Penn of his departure from the hit TV show, House. ” It’s probably because of the value system my grandparents instilled in me. They marched with Gandhi in the Indian independence movement, and that was always in the back of my head.”

5. Michelle Obama (First Lady of the US)
As one of few First Ladies truly secure in her own femininity, Mrs. Obama has introduced a more confident, authoritative image of the modern woman that appeals to young girls and women of all walks of life. Given her political influence and general popularity, Mrs. Obama could very well pick up where Secretary Clinton left off — shattering the “highest glass ceiling” and equalizing pay for oppressed women around the world.

“We have to design policies that have meaningful impacts on the quality of life for women and families,” said Mrs. Obama in an interview with Katie Couric. “And that’s something that I know I can speak passionately about because whether I’m in the White House as First Lady, as long as I have kids and I’m trying to have a life, I’m gonna be trying to make this balance work.”

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