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Oliver Burkeman's Campaign Diary: The top 25 moments of the election campaign, part one

In an election campaign this long, and this filled with memorable moments, strange things begin to happen to memory and one's sense of time: it feels like years ago now that Barack Obama, somewhat stunned, approached the podium to celebrate victory in the Iowa caucuses, and more than three weeks since Joe the Plumber ambled into our lives. Who even remembers the antics of the Republican primary debates, or the furore over Hillary Clinton's gas tax holiday proposal? To jog your memory, and to kill some time while we wait for America to vote, here are 25 key moments from the race for the White House. This post contains the first dozen, in chronological order, starting with Obama announcing his candidacy for president in February last year. Part two follows shortly...(Note: these are real-life speeches and spontaneous moments, not ads or made-for-Youtube videos, so you won't find Obama Girl, or Paris Hilton, or Obama's infomercial, etcetera. I made a post more along those lines here.)1. February 10, 2007"I know it's a little chilly, but I'm fired up"Barack Obama announces his candidacy on an icy day in Springfield, Illinois2. April 18, 2007"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran"At a town hall meeting in South Carolina, John McCain makes a joke he would later come to regret3. April 26, 2007Joe Biden on Joe Biden's gaffe problemAt a Democratic primary debate in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the future vice-presidential candidate -- at this point a presidential contender, of course -- delivers a one-word answer to a question about his tendency to ramble4. May 3, 2007"Is there anyone on the stage who does not believe in evolution?"In the first Republican primary debate, at the Reagan Library in California, Senator Sam Brownback, former Governor Mike Huckabee and congressman Tom Tancredo all, rather nervously, raise their hands5. September 21, 2007Rudy Giuliani takes a phone callThe candidate was speaking to the National Rifle Association when his phone rang, but some doubted the spontaneity of this moment of spousal affection6. October 30, 2007"A noun, a verb, and 9/11"Speaking at a debate in Philadelphia, Joe Biden notices a certain recurring tic in the speeches of Rudy Giuliani7. October 30, 2007Drivers' licensesAt the same debate, Hillary Clinton -- under questioning from Tim Russert, whose subsequent death shocked Washington -- gets tangled up on New York governor Eliot Spitzer's policies towards illegal immigrants. Spitzer soon had other things to worry about8. January 3 2008"They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high"Obama, sometimes seeming almost as surprised as the audience, delivers a victory speech after the Iowa caucuses9. January 5, 2007"You're likeable enough"In a rare blunder, Obama, debating in New Hampshire, makes himself look mean-spirited, and hands an advantage to Hillary Clinton10. January 7 2008Hillary's tearsA tearful moment at a campaign stop proved crucial in humanising Clinton, and prolonging her bid for the nomination11. February 12, 2008"I felt this thrill going up my leg"The MSNBC host Chris Matthews makes his most memorable, and mockable, remark of the campaign12. March 18, 2008A more perfect unionIn Philadelphia, Obama responds to the Jeremiah Wright affair with a profoundly moving speech on race and the American democratic experimentContinued...US elections 2008Barack ObamaJohn McCainJoe BidenSarah PalinRudy GiulianiMike Huckabeeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2008 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds