So, can you guess who TIME’s Person of the Year for 2008 turned out to be?
Not a huge surprise of course. Regardless, in honor of the occasion, and since now seems as good a time as any to fire up the 2008-in-retrospect train, below are some of the longer GitM essays on President-elect Obama over the past year and change. (And if you’re really a glutton for punishment, and want to relive all the debate coverage or somesuch, there’s always the election 2008 archives.)
“Progressivism, a Born Loser?, “Progressivism Continued” — November 2007. Wherein the case is made that [a] Obama is more progressive than he is liberal and that [b], contra friend and colleague David Greenberg, that’s exactly what America needs right now.
“IA-Day | GitM for Obama” — January 2008. An overview of the Democratic field as it stood the morning of the Iowa caucus, and an endorsement of Barack Obama.
“The Future Begins Now,” “Iowa By the Numbers” — January 2008. On Senator Obama’s victory in the Iowa caucuses.
“Barack Obama and the Generation Gap” — January 2008 — A plea to Baby Boom voters, borrowing heavily from my man Bob Dylan, to get behind Sen. Obama.
“Greenberg: Missing the Thread” — January 2008. Arguing, again with friend David Greenberg, that there is much more to Obama’s candidacy than just the “Great White Hope.”
“The Great Need of the Hour” — January 2008. An excerpt from then-Senator Obama’s MLK day speech.
“Yes, We Can,” “Oh Carolina!” — January 2008. Excerpts from Sen. Obama’s speech, and parsing Obama’s victory, in my home state of South Carolina.
“A President Like My Father,” It is Time Now for Barack Obama” — January 2008. Excerpts from Caroline and Ted Kennedy’s respective endorsements of the Senator.
““Empty Suit…with a Stovepipe Hat” — January 2008. The Tribune‘s Eric Zorn makes the Lincoln v. Seward comparison explicit.
“Lakoff on the Dem Divide” — January 2008. Linguist and political theorist George Lakoff endorses Obama.
“Showtime | Barack Obama for President” — February 2008. A round-up of Obama endorsements, and primary news thus far, on Super Tuesday.
“We’re Going the Distance” — February 2008. Parsing the Super Tuesday results.
“Obama Endorses La Follette” — February 2008. In Wisconsin, Obama rhetorically tips his hat to the progressives of yesteryear.
“Dodd Comes Forward” — February 2008. Senator Chris Dodd becomes the first former primary opponent to endorse Obama.
“We are Hope Despite the Times” — March 2008. Michael Stipe endorses Obama.
“Stepping Back for the Big Picture” — March 2008. On the state of the race during the six-week Pennsylvania lull.
“A More Perfect Union” — March 2008. On Senator Obama’s “Race in America” speech.
“Our Five Year Mission” — May 2008. Barack Obama and others respond to the fifth anniversary of “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq.
“So Happy Together… | It’s On.” — May 2008. The McCain-Obama general election unofficially begins.
“The Lesson of the Ring” — June 2008. Some closing thoughts on the seemingly never-ending 2008 Democratic primary.
“The Nominee” — June 2008. Excerpt from Sen. Obama’s nomination-clinching victory speech.
“The Bygones are Bygones” — June 2008. Senators Obama and Clinton make peace.
“Obama: Don’t Tread on Me” — June 2008. Thought on and excerpts from Sen. Obama’s “patriotism” speech in Independence, MO.
“Wir sind alle Berliners” — July 2008. On Sen. Obama’s summer world tour and speech in Berlin.
“That’s Me in the Corner…” — August 2008. On Sen. Obama’s visit to Chesapeake, VA, which I attended.
“The Ticket” — August 2008. Sen. Obama chooses Joe Biden as his running mate.
“Wow,” “Obama: The Main Event” — August 2008. Reflections on my visit to Denver, and Sen. Obama’s nomination speech.
“Astride the Mad Elephant” — October 2008. On the sad turn taken by the McCain campaign.
“Barack Obama for President” — November 2008. The closing argument for Sen Obama, on election day.
“44,” “Thoughts after the Quake” — November 2008. Early reflections on the election of Barack Obama.
Phew, what a long, strange trip it’s been! Of course, in all the important ways, we’re only just getting started.
