the buzz log

Among the many historic aspects to the American presidential election of 2008, the Web fundamentally changed how the candidates raised funds and spread their messages. The citizenry educated themselves on the political process at every step of the way and shared their own take on the process via blogs, videos, and images.

So, fittingly, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, Americans turned to the same medium minute by minute, hour by hour. Here now, what was on the minds of the electorate, Election Day, through a Web prism:

Midnight (PT)/3 a.m. (ET)
  • Financial minds seek out "currency converter" and "real-time reports."
  • Sporting minds look up scores on "nfl.com" and "nba."
  • Citizens refresh themselves on "electoral and college" and the "election map," as well as their "polling place" and "where to vote."

3 a.m. (PT)/6 a.m. (ET)
  • Lindsay Lohan is the most-searched personality, followed by Madelyn Dunham.
  • In procrastinators' searches, "am i registered to vote" pushes past "what time do the polls open."
  • "Where do i vote" (+105%) becomes the fastest-moving query.
  • "Bachelorette" couple Deanna Pappas and Jesse Csincak's breakup intrigues many.
  • Barack Obama attracts three times more lookups than John McCain.

6 a.m. (PT)/9 a.m. (ET)
  • Economy, jobs, and love surge to the fastest-moving searches this hour in the form of "scottrade" (+145%), "linkedin" (143%), and "eharmony" (+124%).
  • The inquiries for "electoral votes" updates bump out "lindsay lohan."
  • Besides "election day," voter-related searches include "live election coverage," "exit polls," "election coverage," "provisional ballot," "what are electoral votes," and from an impatient many, "election results."
  • Lookups for "electronic voting machine" blast up.
  • Green Party contender Ralph Nader finally gets some search respect, as does Democratic veep pick Joe Biden.
  • The first craving for "free starbucks coffee" begins, shortly followed by "chick fil a."
  • Traditional media outlets see a surge, including "cnn," "fox news," "good morning america," and "tom joyner show."

9 a.m. (PT)/Noon (ET)
  • Akon becomes the fastest-moving search, after the singer declares he'd reverse-migrate back to his native Senegal if his candidate of choice doesn't win.
  • Among the personalities leaping into the search fray: Cindy McCain and oilman T. Boone Pickens (who funded California's proposition 10 about wind energy).
Electoral influence over the market prompts "dow jones index" lookups.
  • "Black Friday" queries rise 15% on the news that Circuit City will start holiday sales on Wednesday.
  • The impatience simmers as people ask, "who is winning the election." Self-satisfied citizens look for "i voted stickers."
  • The rumor, "keith olbermann fired msnbc," bubbles up. Perhaps Ben Affleck is angling for the gig.

Noon (PT)/3 p.m. (ET)
  • Aimless frittering is called for as Tetris climbs 126%. The national mood turns to chicken pot pie.
  • People are still looking for their "voting locations." Interest in "presidential polls" drops 45%, and demand to know "who is the next president" and "when will we know who won the election" rises.
  • An update on the ABC soap "general hospital" is sought.
  • The online profiles for Karl Rove (especially for his map), Sean Hannity, and Joe the Plumber pop up.
  • New political sources include "twitter" and "fivethirtyeight.com."
  • A clash in concerns tussle with searches for "black panther voter intimidation" and "filibuster proof senate."

3 p.m. (PT)/6 p.m. (ET)
  • "Electoral votes" sag 31% in searches, but still remain in the top five terms, as does "election results." Questions pop about "what is an electoral vote and popular vote" and "what are electoral votes based on."
  • The Detroit Pistons double their buzz, thanks to a line-up shakeout and securing Allen Iverson.
  • "Political dashboard" scrutiny grows 91%. People seek an online visual of "united states map." The results of the "national election pool" cracks the top 300 terms.
  • People seek the results for Indiana and California, particularly Proposition 8.

6 p.m. (PT)/9 p.m. (ET)
  • The East Coast voting booths shut down, but there's still a wait for "poll closing times." People also scroll for details on "state by state polls" and "voter turnout."
  • Dixville Notch becomes the center of online attention as the first hint of Obama's strong win.
  • The movie based on the "Twilight" vampire novel series won't come out until Nov. 21, but obsession sparks searches for the "twilight soundtrack."
  • Tim Robbins draws attention to his voting woes after he posts a video.
  • Searchers pull up Chicago's "metra schedule," perhaps to make what could be a victory rally. People optimistically look forward to "inauguration day."
  • Gone from the ballot but not forgotten in searches: Hillary Clinton.

9 p.m. (PT)/Midnight (ET)
  • America declares its "44th president," aka the "first black president."
  • News of Patrick Swayze involved in an Illinois HAZMAT situation makes for a peculiar spike, as does Australia's efforts to save the endangered Tasmanian devils.
  • The ouster of Elizabeth Dole ripples online, as does the close Minnesota contest with comedian Al Franken.
  • Searches for "mccain concession speech" isn't lost in the outbreak of "obama wins" queries. Hillary Clinton, George Bush, and Michelle Obama all spike.
  • Obama credits those who have supported him, and they too get due search recognition: "obama chief of staff," "obama campaign manager," "anne nixon cooper," "obama's sisters," and more.
  • Once more, people look forward to "inauguration" and look back into "historicity." But, the burning question of the present, "where does the vice president live."