the buzz log
Recount! The Mayhem in Minnesota
Illinois has its disgraced governor enmeshed in a corruption scandal. New York is abuzz with possible candidates to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate (Caroline Kennedy? Fran Drescher?). Meanwhile, the craziest story may well be in Minnesota, where they are still stuck on Election Day.
What's that you say? Didn't we pick a president already? Yes, we did. But the Senate race between the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken is yet to be decided.
Think of it as the movie "Groundhog Day" for our Election Day. In Minnesota, they are replaying that day over and over, with no end in sight. The race unofficially remains within a few hundred votes, which triggered a hand recount. That instigated thousands of challenges of questionable ballots by the two campaigns. Now a panel is reviewing challenges to the ballots. It sure is sounding like a sunnier state from the year 2000. The disputed results could end up in state court or even go to the U.S. Senate Rules Committee if they aren't resolved soon.
While election officials sure seem to be taking their time, some decisions are getting made in this slow-going process. According to the Huffington Post, the state canvassing board recently ruled that absentee ballots rejected due to "administrative or clerical errors" should be counted. The board also ruled that 133 absentee ballots that had mysteriously disappeared should be tallied anyway — based on the results from Election Day. Both of these decisions are said to favor Franken, but this race is still way too close to call — and that's where reconsidering rejected ballots comes in.
The campaigns want every vote to count, but these ballots are far from obvious. How tough can it be to review the challenged ballots — which don't even have hanging chads? You can judge for yourself. But be warned: When it comes down to a handful of individual votes, it's scary what you find. One ballot for Coleman is also marked with a write-in comment: "bad people." Another voted for both candidates and then wrote "NO." Then there's the truly baffling vote for Franken along with a write-in preference for "Lizard People."
The people — lizard or no — have spoken. Now it's time for Minnesota to decide what the people actually said. Over and over again.Filed under: Elections
November 2008: Election Day, Turkey Day, and Black Friday
Thirty days hath November, and every moment seemed fraught with anticipation. Who would win the election? Why did militants take Mumbai? Would the economy stumble even more? How much hope would be pinned on Black Friday? As 2008 approaches its end, review the historical dramas and prosaic concerns that rocked November searches on Yahoo!.
Hitting the Ground Running
And it all came down to this—it being the run to be the 44th president of the United States, and this being the Election Day victory for Democratic candidate Barack Obama. American citizens knew before midnight who would be the new White House tenant for the next four years. Before month's end, Obama unveiled bit by bit what the nation hoped will be his dream team—which includes many familiar faces. No word on the family dog yet. To review Nov. 4, see the day unfold in slices in this Buzz Log.
The Benefits of Carpooling
The benefits got extended for the unemployed, Secretary Treasurer Henry Paulson took a woman's prerogative and changed his mind about buying bad assets, and Big 3 automaker executives found that taking jets to ask for a bailout was a baaad public relations maneuver. As politicians and taxpayers split over whether GM, Ford and Chrysler deserved to be at the feeding trough, the three worked to improve their pitch and travel plans.
Thanks for this Bounty and Discounts
Not that there wasn't already plenty of distractions this month, but Thanksgiving coming a little later this year delayed celebrants' planning, at least online. Stories also reported higher food costs and less traveling. What didn't make America's holiday more low-key was retailer anticipation of whether Black Friday would be its financial savior. Good news and bad news: Sales proved 3% higher than 2007, but the rise was slower compared to last year's 8.3% jump and could portend a weak shopping season.
November 2008 Fastest Movers in Search
Search Terms with the Biggest Percentage Changes
- Wal-Mart Black Friday 2008 (+20,775%. Many retailers slashed and burned to make post-Thanksgiving sales.)
- CMA Awards 2008 (+61,253%. George Strait hit a record 22 trophies on the 42nd country music show.)
- Michael Crichton (+60,183%. The author of science fiction thrillers like "Jurassic Park" died on Election Day.)
- Obama Cabinet (+42,899%. See above)
- Green Bean Casserole Recipe (+35,219%. See above)
- Karolina Kurkova (+29,146%. The Victoria Secret model got the top vote for the world's Sexiest Woman.)
- Tony Dow (+27,045%. The former "Leave it to Beaver" star sold sculptures and stirred up nostalgia.)
- Minnesota Senate Race (+26,984%. Al Franken's senate challenge to Norm Coleman still remained unresolved.)
- Cornbread Dressing (+24,024%. More Thanksgiving feast classics.)
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (+21,331%%. It must be Oscar season, as this Holocaust film joins many other critical plaudits.)
October 2008 Top 5 Events
Happenings with the Most Searches Overall
- Black Friday (+1,068%)
- Twilight (+208%)
- Dancing with the Stars (+71%)
- Thanksgiving (+158%)
- Electoral Votes (+48%)
- Barack Obama (+90%)
- Britney Spears (-7%)
- Beyonce (+95%)
- Taylor Swift (+90%)
- Jessica Alba (+88%)
Filed under: Politics, Holidays, Monthly Wrapup, Thanksgiving, Elections, Barack Obama, Wrap Up, Economics
Barack Your Holiday
Many Obama supporters can be forgiven for thinking that Christmas came on Election Day. But there's still the tree to trim, the gifts to wrap, and the parties to plan.
For the Obama supporter who is still thinking red and blue America, instead of red and green, consider celebrating democracy with some festive Obama décor. You can check out Trendhunter's slideshow of tree bling. Photos include a bauble with the images of Barack and Michelle Obama in matching Santa hats; a self-congratulatory ornament with the message "I helped elect Barack Obama" along with the President-elect's photo; and one snow-flaked themed Obama '08 ball.
Now that the tree's properly decked, you'll want to get your Obama fan the perfect gift. Wrap up a set of Obama nesting dolls that will surely make for a great conversation piece.
To add some spice to your party, set up an Obama, Hillary Clinton or Bush piñata. It's fun for all ages and political persuasions. Have a great holiday? Yes, we can.
Filed under: Christmas, Elections, Barack Obama
The Goods on Obama and McCain ... On Sale Now
Victory sometimes comes at a price.
Tough financial times means hawking at every opportunity, and retailers have wasted little time in capitalizing upon Election Day results. Barnes & Noble started a one-week sale of president-elect Barack Obama's three books at 34% off (but not as marked down as other political books at 40% off). The AP reported that his memoirs crept back up into Amazon's top 25 list. "Audacity of Hope" ranked as a Borders digital download bestseller.
Without campaign momentum triggering impulsive patriotic shopping, common wisdom dictated that Nov. 4 was the last big sale day for winners or losers. At least, that was one pitch that Washington Square News reported, as one vendor urged a customer, "Young lady, you've been waiting for this day for 150 years ... Spend some money on history, people!" The next day, however, "Barry Merch" was selling like gangbusters on some New York street corners. Searches on Yahoo! also show a demand for "pop art barack obama shirt" (and a few anti-obama ones as well).
Online presented a mixed picture: The store.barackobama.com started their half-off clearance sale. Independent, for-profit online vendors selling McCain-Palin goods, however, hadn't marked down their items on Nov. 5, including the line of "I'm 'Joe the Plumber'/Don't Tax Me" bumperstickers." (A Jane version is also available.)
John McCain may have lost his bid for the Oval Office, but over in eBay, his singing dancing doll doppelganger received six bids, while the McCain and Obama bobble-head dolls pulled in 10. However, only one offer came for a signed Sarah Palin glossy, and none for four signed McCain books "priced to sell," nor the 2009 calendar featuring the Alaska governor with a gun slung over her shoulder. On the other hand, a signed Obama first edition went for $710 (free shipping), and a signed Michelle Obama baseball with a painting of the first lady sold at more than $200 after a 29-bid tussle.
Kathy Grannis, the media relations manager at the National Retail Federation, points out in a phone call that discounting usually happens after a sporting event or the Olympics. Euphoria, however, could extend the shelf life of election goods. "Those who are happy about the decision may invest in new merchandise to show their support in public," Grannis says. "If it's discounted, who's to say they won't buy a couple for their family or friends."
Retail or discount, the price matters less than the fact that Obama merchandise exists in such artistic plenty. The Philadelphia City Paper asserts that "the left has never really embraced [political] merchandising in the same way." Nowadays, political visages, such as the omnipresent Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, have been fair T-shirt game. "Pop culture usually has a lot to do with what consumers buy, whether it's a sports event or an election event," Grannis suggests. "Consumers are influenced by broadcast media."
Buyers and vendors, however, see it as buying a moment in history. People rushed out to snap up newspapers, from national papers to local editions ... and some promptly marked up the resale value as high as $2,000. (Print may be a beleaguered medium, but they frame better than a Web page.) How long the craze lasts may depend upon how long Obama can maintain his celebrated status. In the meantime, buying political favors is one way to help the economy.
Filed under: Politics, Elections, Presidents, Sales
Presidential Party Crashers
Oprah's got her dress for it. Obama Girl wants an invitation to it. It could be just the ticket for those needing yet another political fix. It's Inauguration Day. And boy is it big in Buzz.
What it is.
Officially, Inauguration Day is when the president-elect (that would be Barack Obama) is sworn into office. The event usually occurs on the steps of the Capitol, usually by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who presides over the oath, which is taken directly from the Constitution: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." Serious stuff.
When it is.
Mark your calendars: Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
Who gets to go.
All of us! Of course, the Inaugural Ball may be a little bit more exclusive, but anyone who wants to stand along Pennsylvania Avenue to freeze their toes off and witness the parade to the ceremony may do so. Those who want to be on site for the historic occasion are already planning their trips with lookups on "inauguration travel packages," "inauguration packages," and "attending the presidential inauguration."
But don't expect to get serious deals. Inauguration Day is good for business. In the past, hotel rooms have gone for an eye-popping $350-$400 a night, and local business is generally boosted 30%. (With those kinds of prices, how could it not?) Of course, you can always look for volunteer opportunities, which a few searchers are already scouting out.
Not surprisingly, the most popular searches on the event are coming from D.C., and those locals won't have to do much more than pay for a seat on the Metro.
Logistics.
In addition to planning his Cabinet, Obama also needs to form a Presidential Inaugural Committee to plan his inauguration. Politico explains that the committee is tasked with doing everything from "raising private money to finance the ceremony and surrounding balls and events, to deciding which military units would march down Pennsylvania Avenue, and, yes, finding all those portable toilets." You can find a complete guide to the festivities — with more details as they are made available — here.
Record crowds are expected this time around, with some predicting a million or more attendees. Maybe they should order more porta potties.
Filed under: Politics, Elections, Presidents, Barack Obama
top movers
| Rank | Subject | 1-Day Move |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nidal Malik Hasan | Breakout! |
| 2 | Fort Hood Shooting | Breakout! |
| 3 | Tyrannosaurus Rex | Breakout! |
| 4 | Fort Hood | 43518% |
| 5 | Tropical Storm Ida | 4377% |
| 6 | Willie Aames | 3325% |
| 7 | Shannon Dedrick | 3299% |
| 8 | Gretchen Rossi | 2702% |
| 9 | Epic Mickey | 2583% |
| 10 | Lee Harvey Oswald | 1907% |
top leaders
| Rank | Subject | Move | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danica Patrick | +194 | 207 |
| 2 | Fort Hood | +185 | 185 |
| 3 | Angelina Jolie | +114 | 164 |
| 4 | Rihanna | +39 | 157 |
| 5 | New York Yankees | +54 | 154 |
| 6 | Alicia Keys | +139 | 153 |
| 7 | +1 | 153 | |
| 8 | NFL | +6 | 138 |
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.
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