Since there just aren't enough list stories out there this year, here's my effort to make up for this glaring deficit in American journalism. It's three list stories in one: five newsmakers to remember from 2013, five to forget and 10 to watch in 2014.
First, five who captivated our attention last year:
1. NELSON MANDELA. His death brought his triumph in a lifelong fight against racial discrimination back to the fore. He was a giant among giants, a leader of the tumultuous 20th century who wrenched social change from a viciously repressive government and inspired the world.
2. TED CRUZ. His made-for-TV faux-filibuster was one of the year's biggest media moments. Unsuccessful in his goal of repealing Obamacare, ultimately responsible for the government shutdown, the Texas junior senator succeeded in two things: Increasing his name ID and redefining political polarization.
3. EDWARD SNOWDEN. The government calls him a felon and a traitor. Most of the world calls him a whistle-blower and a hero. Even as he is lambasted as an aider of terrorism (ridiculous), the Obama administration and the NSA have been forced to make key reforms. And it's not over by a long shot.
4. KATHLEEN SEBELIUS. It all happened on her watch: The worst Web rollout since Al Gore invented the Internet. The repeated inquisitions on the Hill, where she was by turns businesslike, exasperated and defiant. And the ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act itself, which became almost a sideshow in the feeding frenzy. Has a Secretary of Health and Human Services ever had a year like this one (and survived)?
5. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND: The junior senator from New York became a powerful symbol of the new order in the upper chamber. Unafraid to speak forcefully against the status quo and on behalf of the victims of military sexual assault — a crime rarely reported and even more rarely successfully prosecuted — Gillibrand was a powerhouse in 2013.
Five to forget:
1. STEVE STOCKMAN: Dogged by ethical and financial issues, Stockman decided to leave his House seat by going out in a blaze of glory, running against John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate primary in Texas. Whatever else happens, one thing is sure: He will lose.
2. STEVE KING: The Iowa super-conservative decided against a run for the Senate — but did not shy away from controversy, with his racist remark about Mexican drug smugglers with "calves the size of cantaloupes."
3. WAYNE LaPIERRE. Whatever you think of the NRA, does this man have any credibility left? Not a particle.
4. ANTHONY WEINER. He is not the mayor of New York City. Which is good. Because calling this sleazeball "Hizzoner" would be an oxymoron.
5. "60 MINUTES." Thank goodness Mike Wallace is not around to see this onetime news paragon's execrable self-parody. As bad as Lara Logan's gaffe on Benghazi was, the NSA puff piece was the lowest of the low.
Ten to watch:
1. JANET YELLEN: Can her progressive ideas reshape the Fed into a force to fight income disparity and increase shared prosperity?.
2. PAUL RYAN: The budget deal and his temperate approach during the shutdown make him the leader of the sane wing of the GOP. Can he avoid being turned into chopped liver by the rabid right?
3. CHRIS CHRISTIE: For that matter, can he?
4. MITCH McCONNELL: How much blame for Congress' record-setting dysfunction will he bear as he goes into a tough reelection fight?
5. HILLARY CLINTON: Will she or won't she?
6. JOE BIDEN: If she won't ... he will. And gaffe machine or not, he's enormously connected and probably the best retail campaigner in Washington, with the possible exception of his boss.
7. JIM HIMES: The Connecticut Democrat has impressed Washington watchers as a moderate with skills and connections that belie his relative youth. This year, he took a coveted Intelligence Committee post, and the financial leadership of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. If Dems do well in 2014, watch his star rise.
8. RON WYDEN: Whether he decides to lead the Energy or Commerce committees in the Senate, (both are possibilities for him now with Sen. Max Baucus' early retirement), this Oregon Democrat will be at the center of one key issue after another.
9. RAND PAUL: Can he close the widening gap between millennials and the Republican Party? Can he leverage tea party roots and get mainstream enough to matter in 2016?
10. JOHN BOEHNER: As the second session of the 113th Congress gets under way, will he be Shutdown Boehner, catering to the right, or Heritage-Foundation-bashing Boehner, as he was at the end of the last session? What his next act is will have a lot to do with whether or not this Congress actually gets anything done.