The day after the evening of the DAY, I woke up feeling a little surreal. I knew something momentous had happened that had captured everyone’s attention, something neither horrific, like 9/11, terrible, like the financial meltdown (admittedly an ongoing discussion) nor strange and superficial, like Susan Lucci’s weird goodbye speech on “Dancing with the Stars”. Apparently, we’d elected a young, thin, African-American person with a young, attractive family to be President of the United States. Equally apparent, this occasioned even more professional/amateur, thoughtful/inane, heartfelt/petty commentary than usual. With so many people writing and talking so much through so many outlets and all of us gobbling it up, I thought it might be interesting to single out for special notice some of the more interesting incidents, as well as various sample comments, reactions and analysis I spotted during my slog through the blanket coverage.
Most moving election-night visual: the shots of the crowd in Chicago’s Grant Park
Most over-exposed visual: the shots of the crowd in Grant Park
Shot of the crying face that got to me: Jesse Jackson
Shot of the crying face that didn’t do it for me: Oprah
Weirdest TV moment: CNN’s use of holograms, which was like watching a sputtering Starship Transporter (“Beam me up, Scotty.” “I’m trying!”). Bring back split screen.
Most over-the-top commentator:Chris Matthews on MSNBC
Most restrained commentator: Andersen Cooper on CNN. Didn’t he want to poke his hand through those holograms?
Most gracious speech: McCain’s concession speech; where was that guy during the campaign?
Near-miss moment: Sarah Palin apparently showed up ready to deliver one of two versions of her speech before McCain’s. Aides nixed the idea.
Oddest international snapshot: the Japanese crowds yelling for Obama
Most moving international snapshot: the young Palestinian shown drawing a picture of Obama along with a dove holding an olive branch. Lots of expectations reflected in that sketch.
Most hysterical blog post: Andy Borowitz, with the post title, “Failure to Blow Election Stuns Democrats”
Most interesting offer: Sarah Palin offering to help Obama craft his energy policies. Um, thanks a lot.
Most tepid congratulatory comment imaginable: Jim Manzi in the National Review, who said: “I continue to believe that Barack Obama is likely to be a poor President who will attempt to implement policies that will be detrimental to the national interest…. But I’m spending today proud abut what my country has overcome.” Um, thanks a lot.
Coolest comment: In an article about what kind of social life Washington can expect, Christopher Buckley, lately of National Review until he endorsed Obama (welcome to the dark side, Chris) wrote in the NY Times, “He’s a cool cat and I think he’s going to bring cool catness back…”