What were the notable political moments?

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Outstanding advancement in technology
YouTube
The video-sharing technology that Time chose as its 2006 Invention of the Year is already become so ubiquitous, it's easy to forget YouTube is still a phenomenon in its infancy. Naysayers were quick to dismiss the Web site as narcissistic, but some politicos were savvy enough to embrace the Internet's viral side. While activist bloggers might win the hearts of the base, a compromising video of one's opponent (or in some cases, a complimentary video of oneself) posted for free on YouTube could win an entire election.

Honorable mention: "The Google"
"One of the things I've used on the Google is to pull up maps," President Bush declared in a CNBC interview, setting a bold course of leadership to the cutting edge of the Internets (see next). Next up, maybe: e-mail, which he said in the same interview he doesn't do. Our future in this information age is secure.

Dishonorable mention: Ted Stevens
Two years ago, Bush referred to the World Wide Web as the "Internets" in a presidential debate. This year, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens described the Internet as a "series of tubes" in a congressional hearing. The Daily Show seized on the comments, and in a fitting twist of irony, Stevens' words were later lampooned in a techno remix posted on... YouTube.

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Best political fight
Bill Clinton vs. Chris Wallace
Yes, that was Bill Clinton once again wagging his finger on live television. In a lively and heated September interview with FOX News anchor Chris Wallace, the former president took issue with Wallace's questioning, called the interview a "conservative hit job" and gave other Democrats cover to criticize the powerhouse cable channel. Wallace called his questioning -- what else -- "fair and balanced." In the end, everyone won. "Fox News Sunday" got a big ratings boost, and Democrats got a shot of adrenaline. Who cares if Clinton calculated the confrontation; it was great TV.

Honorable mention: John Edwards vs. Wal-Mart
The populist Edwards was a natural fit for the activist group Wake Up Wal-Mart, which launched a very public labor campaign against the retail giant this year. Slightly undermining the ex-senator's message: the staffer who tried to drop Edwards' name at a Wal-Mart in order to secure a Sony Playstation 3.

Dishonorable mention: Cynthia McKinney vs. The Capitol Police
See McKinney walk past a House security checkpoint without her ID. See her hit the police officer who tries to stop her. See her blame the incident on being a "female black congresswoman." See a grand jury convened to investigate, an ensuing media melee and her eventual apology. See Georgia voters kick her out of office -- again.

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The Lyndon LaRouche honorary award for tenacity in the face of hopelessness
The very independent independent running for governor of Texas never really had a chance. But country star Kinky Friedman -- whose former back-up singers were referred to as "The Texas Jewboys" -- successfully petitioned the state to allow his nickname to appear on the ballot. Toward the end of the race, he barked: "If I lose this race I will retire in a petulant snit." Lose he did, but with a surprising 12 percent of the vote. And his talking action figure is still available for sale.

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Outstanding campaign slogan
'Why The Hell Not?'
Speaking of Kinky Friedman, in an often-hilarious election cycle, Friedman's campaign was one of the few that was intentionally funny. The salty Texan said he hoped to draw the "middle-finger vote" and play maverick governor to a discontented state, and he circumvented naysayers by asking a deeply existential question. When the electorate is this unhappy... why the hell not, indeed.

Honorable mention: 'Punch Foley For Joe'
Mark Foley's replacement in Fla.-16 had just a month to introduce himself. Joe Negron also had to explain that his name wasn't on the ballot -- and if voters wanted a GOP congressman, they'd have to "elect" a 52-year-old man who tried to seduce teenage boys. The nuanced slogan didn't work, but Negron gets points for trying.

Dishonorable mention: 'A Whitehouse In Washington We Can Trust'
Translation: Vote for me -- I make an easy pun! Luckily for Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Islanders were so anxious to see Democrats in charge that they ousted one of the Senate's most liberal Republicans to put another Whitehouse in D.C. after all.

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