the buzz log
Dress Code at the Voting Booth
Both Barack Obama and John McCain have passionate supporters. Oddly, on Election Day, that enthusiasm could work against the candidates.
According to several sources within Yahoo! Buzz, voters who wear a candidate's t-shirt to the polling place may be told to take a hike. NPR reports the law "requires poll workers to keep political displays away from the voting booth." A "political display" could include a shirt, button, hat, unitard, whatever.
This rule has been on the books for years, but some predict that this will be the first time it is widely enforced. Supporters for both parties, but especially those who back Obama, are known for wearing official shirts and buttons. If they show up to do their patriotic duty while adorned in such attire, there could be some drama.
Or maybe not. Other articles within the Buzz point out that, at worst, the poll worker could ask the voter to turn their shirt inside out or remove the button. Odds of a riot are extremely slim. Our advice: No matter who you're voting for, stick with a plain white t-shirt on November 4. Or, if you prefer, a non-political themed unitard.
Filed under: Elections, Barack Obama, John McCain
Whose Idea, Anyway?
Tuesday night's debate was a bit of a snoozer. Despite the rumors that Senator McCain would take the gloves off, he remained a polite pugilist (not counting his "that one" comment). Meanwhile, Senator Obama stayed on message while ignoring Tom Brokaw's numorous pleas for brevity. Though certainly not a "game changer," the town hall meeting was notable for John McCain's $300 billion plan to have the government buy and renegotiate mortgages on houses whose value have dropped.
The proposal has folks talking. Forbes.com points out that this is hardly a new idea among economists. The New York Times writes that "the mortgage renewal idea actually originated with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, said Charlie Black, a senior adviser to Mr. McCain."
So, is it feasible and, more importantly, is it a good idea? Not surprisingly, it depends on who you ask. The $300 billion used to buy back the dodgy mortgages would be part of the much discussed $700 billion bailout package. The Associated Press writes that the Treasury's plan for the money could be underway by the time the new president is sworn in. In other words, maybe the money would be spent by then.
Both candidates appear to support the idea, which is ironic. Why? According to Marketwatch the proposal originated with President Bush, a politician who both candidates want nothing to do with.
Filed under: Elections, Barack Obama, John McCain
Fact Checking the Debate
Last night's debate provided viewers the chance to see the two presidential candidates talk turkey on a variety of issues. It also gave voters the opportunity to see if Senators Obama and McCain knew the difference between fact and fiction. A slew of sources within the Buzz examine whether what each candidate said was actually, well, true.
Associated Press
The AP offers in-depth analysis on statements from each candidate. Their findings are that (surprise!) both Obama and McCain stretched the truth at times. For example, Senator Obama's line that his Republican rival wants to give "oil companies another $4 billion" in tax breaks may have been misleading. Meanwhile, Senator McCain's accusation that Senator Obama voted to cut funding to the troops was a bit vague. The Democrat opposed the bill in question because it did not contain "language calling for a troop withdrawl." He did support "another bill that had such language — and money for the troops."
USA Today
The colorful newspaper investigated the candidates' claims and concluded that both senators know how to spin. Obama asserted that the current economic fiasco was caused by President Bush's policies, which were supported by Senator McCain. In reality, McCain voted against "two of the most important parts of President Bush's policy — the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts."
But, according to USA Today, McCain also stretched the truth when he accused Obama of asking for $932 million in earmarked and pork-barrel spending. In reality Obama, like most lawmakers, obtained only a small fraction of what he requested. Side note: Many viewers seemed confused by this Beltway lingo. Searches on "what are earmarks" and "what is a pork barrel" both skyrocketed.
The New York Times
The "Paper of Record" kept its own scorecard. McCain said Obama voted "to increase taxes on people who make as low as $42,000 a year." The Times reports that, according to the nonpartisan FactCheck.org, the claim is "simply false. However, when it comes to how much the United States owes China, Senator McCain said the amount is $500 billion. Senator Obama claimed it's actually a trillion bucks. McCain was correct on this one.
CNN
The news outlet's Political Ticker breaks down the statements made by the candidates during the debate and while out on the campaign trail. Check out their analysis and see for yourself what you've probably suspected all along: A politican's version of "fact" is probably very different than yours.
Filed under: Elections, Barack Obama, John McCain
What’s the Buzz: Spanish Poet, Early Voting, Obama IQ
Grave situation. A renewed interest in the "spanish civil war" (+446%) was sparked by news that the grave of the famed Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca is also the site of thousands of unmarked graves, the result of atrocities committed during the war. The conflict in the 1930s grew between the democratically elected government and the army general Francisco Franco, which left thousands of perceived opponents of the general dead.
Vote early. If you want to vote before Election Day, you don't need to prove you're out of town or unable to get to the polls. In an attempt to avoid the crush of crowds on the actual Election Day, "early voting" (+341%) is now an option in over 30 states, according to the New York Times. The paper also noted that in Georgia, where early voting started this week, over 18,000 votes have already been cast. The Wall Street Journal reports that by actual Election Day, "more than half of the voters in some states will have cast early ballots."
Obama trivia. Obama mania may have died down somewhat, but searches on "barack obama test" (+194%) have increased as we close in on Election Day. Searches reveal tests that include trivia about Obama's life, positions, and arguments.
Filed under: History, Recaps, Barack Obama
August 2008 Buzz Wrap Up: Political Pomp and Olympian Pageantry
August really began on 08-08-08, and made up for the doldrums of summer with political pomp and Olympian pageantry. Yet even as firsts were made on both fronts, the Search buzz was assaulted with the specter of Cold War, shocking passings, and natural disasters. Take a look back at what captivated the Web over the past 31 rushed days of summer.
Olympian Records, Herculean Efforts, and Chinese Aesthetics
Environmentalists watched the skies and activists watched the streets, but Olympic fans were out in phenomenal force to watch the Beijing opening ceremony (+19,435% in searches) unroll with cinematic precision. The amateur contest engaged millions, many who wondered about rules and gamesmanship, and asked an awful lot of questions.
Of all the spectacular athletes, Michael Phelps dominated screentime, medals and searches. Paraguayan model Leryn Franco placed 51st in the javelin contest but second in Web searches, thanks to her pairing of beauty and sharp sticks. Gymnasts Shawn Johnson, Alicia Sacramone, and Nastia Liukin rounded up the top five. In sports queries, everything from the badminton to judo to marathon buzzed, but redemption vaulted "olympic basketball" to the top, followed by gymnastics and volleyball (beach, naturally). Ending after a mere two weeks, fans looked forward to the next fix, winter in 2010 and summers 2012 and 2016.
Unconventional Politics
The medal count had barely been tallied up before the Democrats started mugging for the cameras from sweltering Denver. Barack Obama secured the top politico spot in searches, as people researched his platforms ("obama tax plan," "obama gun control"), sought out jokes (yes, as in "So Barack Obama walks into a stadium..."), and to find his speech.
The royal families Kennedy and Clinton captured the buzz, but a Republican did manage to snare some Search light: Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin (+13,527%) gallivanted into history and into the top 100 search terms. Next up, RNC in the Twin Cities.
Gone Too Soon, Others Sticking Around
Comedian Bernie Mac and singer Isaac Hayes died within a day of one another. The shock of Hayes' passing made the influential singer the fastest moving search this month. People poured over the details of his life: music, his contribution to the film "Shaft," his wives, and his time with "South Park."
Yet it was the Mac's premature death from sarcoidosis that hit mourners much harder, almost seven times harder. His show had established him as a family man, and his death at 50 drew people to seek out his survivors and family photos, as well as his creative history.
Bad news also came with the death of Dr. Dre's son, Andre, and Dave Freeman, author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die." Fortunately, another Freeman—actor Morgan Freeman—survived his August 3 car crash, although people monitored his condition for days. And despite the odd swell of rumors claiming their demise, Dolly Parton and Lil Wayne's daughter are just fine.
Here below, a couple lists of what captivated searches this busy, busy month.
August 2008 Fastest Movers in Search
Searches with the Biggest Percentage Changes
- Isaac Hayes (+96,545%)
- Real Bigfoot (+86,563%. Georgians—of the state, not the invaded nation—presented "evidence" of the mythical creature.)
- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (+71,770%)
- Michael Phelps Girlfriend (+71,481%. No, not as far as anyone knows.)
- Luciana Barroso (+52,657%. Actor Matt Damon's wife gave birth to a second daughter)
- Goblin Shark (+43,173%. Footage of the deep-sea crawler buoyed its buzz.)
- Laurence Fishburne (+41,176%. Actor will head "CSI.")
- Melissa Lawson (+33,116%. Won "Nasville Star.")
- Tuatara (+27,607%. An 111-year-old dinosaur descendent successfully mates after decades of abstinence.
- Tom Cruise Tropic Thunder (+27,596%. The actor's cameo held up in the comical film.)
August 2008 Top 10 Personalities
Sentient Beings with the Most Searches Overall
- Miley Cyrus (-40%)
- Bernie Mac (+2,943%)
- Michael Phelps (+2,759%)
- Britney Spears (-20%)
- Sarah Palin (+13,527%)
- Lindsay Lohan (-15%)
- Bigfoot (+2,672%)
- Leryn Franco (off the charts)
- Shelley Malil (off the charts)
- Paris Hilton (+15%)
Filed under: Movies, Politics, Music, Celebrities, Monthly Wrapup, Cryptozoology, Hillary Clinton, Presidents, Barack Obama, Olympics, Wrap Up, John McCain
top movers
| Rank | Subject | 1-Day Move |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oddest Jobs | Breakout! |
| 2 | Vivienne Marcheline And Knox Leon | Breakout! |
| 3 | Shwayze Song | Breakout! |
| 4 | Cell Phone Etiquette | Breakout! |
| 5 | Your Home Page | 17280% |
| 6 | W Magazine | 8647% |
| 7 | Christie Brinkley | 8361% |
| 8 | Selma Blair | 5953% |
| 9 | Nashville Star | 2758% |
| 10 | Neiman Marcus Christmas Book | 1365% |
top leaders
| Rank | Subject | Move | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leryn Franco | +244 | 456 |
| 2 | Holly Madison | +288 | 351 |
| 3 | Halloween Costumes | -17 | 222 |
| 4 | Hi-5 | +8 | 220 |
| 5 | Kellie Pickler | +101 | 200 |
| 6 | Jamie Lynn Spears | +80 | 180 |
| 7 | NFL | +0 | 136 |
| 8 | Barack Obama | -1 | 119 |
what's the buzz?
A subject's buzz score is the percentage of Yahoo! users searching for that subject on a given day, multiplied by a constant to make the number easier to read. Weekly leaders are the subjects with the greatest average buzz score for a given week.
For more detailed information, visit our FAQ.