President Obama Election 2008:
Collection of Newspaper Front Pages
by the Poynter Institute by The
Poynter Institute
Obama: Frontpages
The presidential campaign of 2008 was one of the most intense and
closely-followed races in US politics. Moments after the presidential
election was called for Barack Obama across televisions and computer
screens (and probably sooner), editors at newspapers around the world
began framing some of the most significant front pages in history.
President Obama: Election 2008 is a collection of over 75 November 5th,
2008 newspaper front pages from around the world, including international,
campus, and ethnic newspapers. There is no better statement of the
emotion, excitement and significance of this historic event. Compiled by
The Poynter Institute, a non-profit school for journalists, this book will be a

cherished keepsake or gift for any of the millions of Americans who cast
their vote for the 44th President of the United States.
A Look Inside President Obama: Election 2008, with an Introduction by
Garry Trudeau In the real world, as a matter of record, there
isnt much dancing in the streets. Setting aside sanctioned festivals, its
mostly just a figure of speech, especially when used predictively (see Iraq,
invasion of).
Election Day, November 4, 2008, was different.
That night, Baltimore Avenue in Philadelphia was clogged with a jubilant
mob boogying with abandon, banging pots and pans in time with horn
blasts from engulfed cars. In Kisumu, thousands of Kenyans shimmied in
the streets, singing, kissing, thumping on drums in such an unalloyed
outpouring of euphoria that the government was moved to declare a
national holiday. In Seattle, a club turned its speakers into the street,
blasting a beat for the enormous dance party that rocked downtown. In
Jakarta, schoolchildren hugged and danced in the pouring rain. In New
Haven, hundreds of Yale students, mad with joy, spontaneously poured
from their rooms and converged on a campus green, where they formed
an enormous circle of celebration. And in Manhattan, Broadway was
quickly cordoned off as thousands of New Yorkers streamed south toward
the lights, dancing, shouting, overcome by a big, bold blast of history, the
kind that filled up Times Square on V-J Day.
And then the next day, after the street parties were over, people went out
and did something many of them hadnt done in years: They bought
newspapers.
Yes, newspapers.
By the trainload, actually. The Washington Post printed up 30,000 extra
copies; they sold out instantly. So they ordered another 150,000 copies,
then raised it to 250,000, then eventually 700,000—offered at triple the
usual cover price. In Los Angeles, the Times printed up an extra 107,000,
but they were gone in an instant. Outside their downtown offices, a line of
customers formed around the block. Two days later, it was still there.
Meanwhile, The New York Times put an extra 250,000 papers on the
street, but individual copies still popped up on eBay for $200 apiece. And
at last count, USA Today had printed 380,000 additional copies, with
online sales still brisk.
All those folks scrambling for copies werent just interested in election
returns, obviously. They could, after all, get the details from TV or the
Internet, and probably already had—maybe even from their local
newspapers Web site. But what they couldnt get was the crisp, tactile,
iconic artifact that is a daily newspaper— that tangible proof that
something big had really happened. The morning-after newspaper, with

the huge headlines reserved for historic events, continues to be seen as
the indispensable keepsake—one that can forever evoke and refresh a
deeply consequential memory.
To our industry, it was a glorious day and no doubt will be recalled fondly.
It seems doubtful, with newspapers inexorably losing their place in public
life, that we will see many more like it. But on November 5, 2008, for one
day, we became a nation of newspaper consumers again. Across the
country, editors were breaking out the 72-point type, and the public
couldn’t get enough of it.
This collection of front pages evolved from that continuing excitement,
and part of its great appeal is that it allows readers to vicariously
experience the same ringing event from many vantage points. Each
newspaper had its own particular cultural or geographic perspective, so
while the basic lead (Obama wins!) was the same everywhere, there was
considerable variation in the framing. For Hawaiian readers, for instance, it
was a hometown-boy-makes-good story. For Atlanta, with its civil rights
legacy, the story is the ultimate triumph of social justice. In The Arizona
Republic, John McCains home newspaper, the smiling winner shares the
front page with a gracious loser.
To look at these disparate front pages in sequence is to grasp the
enormity of Barack Obamas dream of bringing a fractious country together.
But the overriding tone of elation and pride suggests hes off to a pretty
good start.
Did I mention there was dancing in the streets?
--Garry Trudeau
A New Era: Excerpts from President Obama Election 2008
Personal Review: President Obama Election 2008: Collection of
Newspaper Front Pages by the Poynter Institute by The Poynter
Institute
We have witnessed history in the making. Barack Obama's election victory
in November 2008 begins a new era for America, and this collection of
newspaper front pages presents many perspectives on this election win
and on our country, from both American and foreign perspectives. I have
bought several copies for myself and for my cousin and friends who live in
France and shared the joy of this historic moment for America and the
world. I recommend this as a great publication for present and future
reference, as well as a good read to keep alive the hope and the joy of this
achievement.

For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
President Obama Election 2008: Collection of Newspaper Front Pages by the Poynter
Institute by The Poynter Institute 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!