This is a tossup from me between my Bear, who is kind, honest, thoughtful, and very knowledgeable about many things, and President Obama, who awes me with his smarts, sense of humor, decency, and compassion.

My friend, Steve, who grew up as the youngest in a large Catholic family. He's gay,and figured that out while still pretty young. (His mothet never "knew".) The family was pretty strapped financially: from thr poor side of the tracks. He has a tenacity that I admire and envy - yet he's a humble, approachable, good person.

He knew that he wanted to be an architect so he worked in a steel mill while attending undergrad, fell in love with his 25+ year partner in college... then they moved so he could attend architectural school and he eventually graduated and became a registered architect. His spouse died a few years ago and it's been another challenge he's managed to face.

The most impressive thing is the social acumen with which he navigates all of the worlds in which he travels and his openness to meet people at their level.

My uncle. His politics are financially (not socially) conservative, but he gives everyone a fair shake and smiles and tells great jokes and would give you the shirt off his back. He put up with a lot of crap in his life, but he comes out on top all the time.

(My favorite line from the Episcopal prayer book: "Respect the dignity of every human being.")

My dad. He's the most thoughtful, fair-minded, responsible person I know. He's kind, generous, always ready to listen, always ready to laugh. He knows a lot about lots of things, but there isn't a hint of arrogance in him, and he's comfortable around all kinds of people. I'd like to be more like him in every way. (Minus the little beard, but you get what I mean.)