What were the notable political moments?

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Best political accessory
Barack Obama
Although the freshman senator wasn't running for office himself this year (at least, not officially), the Democrats' media darling was a must-have on the campaign trail. Obama lent his star power to Senate hopefuls in tight races and relatively safe veterans alike. He "has become the prize catch of the midterm campaign," the New York Times declared in early November, roughly the same time "Obamamania" began to dominate early coverage of the 2008 presidential race.

Honorable mention: Jim Webb's Combat Boots
Virginia's Webb sported his son's roughed-up boots on the campaign trail to show his authority on Iraq both as a veteran and the father of a soldier. The shoes proved a fitting foil to the flashy cowboy boots favored by his opponent, George Allen. And on election night, Webb hoisted the same boots above his head in victory.

Dishonorable mention: George W. Bush
If Obama was the trail's Birkin bag then Bush was the fanny pack. Nationwide, fewer and fewer candidates wanted to be seen with the president. The week before the election, Gov.-elect Charlie Crist skirted Bush in Florida, while Sens. Conrad Burns and Mike DeWine got up on stage with him. Crist won; Burns and DeWine did not.

Agree or disagree? Send us your thoughts!

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Political celebrity of the year
Michael J. Fox
Claire McCaskill's campaign ad from the former sitcom star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 30, gave Democrats a personal angle on a tough issue for Republicans. So when conservative pugilist Rush Limbaugh accused Fox of exaggerating his symptoms in the Missouri ad, McCaskill's campaign -- and Fox's role in it -- went national. The spot quickly spread to multiple swing states, and Fox found a sympathetic platform to champion his political cause. Party politics aside, Alex P. Keaton would be proud.

Honorable mention: Bill Clinton
Clinton achieved in a few short years what once seemed impossible: a near-total image rehabilitation. Clinton is now the granddaddy of the Democratic Party, and his ability to draw the swooning masses was a must-have on the trail.

Dishonorable mention: Mike Tyson
Michael Steele (R) hoped his message of traditional family values would help him flip Maryland's open Senate seat. But for a candidate of any party, a convicted rapist and human ear-muncher probably isn't the best endorser out on the stump.

Agree or disagree? Send us your thoughts!

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Best loser
Lincoln Chafee
It's ironic that one of the most moderate senators in the bunch (one who publicly opposed President Bush's re-election, no less) paid the price among moderate voters for the administration's missteps. Chafee went a step beyond acting graceful in defeat, even saying the country may be better off with a Democratic-controlled Congress -- one that doesn't include him.

Honorable mention: Harold Ford Jr.
It was always going to be an uphill battle for "Junior" in red Tennessee. But then the RNC went in for the kill, launching an endgame push for Bob Corker built around a racially textured ad that implied Ford was an irresponsible playboy. "I love my country more than I love this process," Ford said during his concession speech. He'll be back.

Dishonorable mention: Alcee Hastings
When Nancy Pelosi bypassed the Florida Democrat for the chairmanship of the House intelligence committee, Hastings replied in a letter, "Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet." Was that supposed to make Pelosi reconsider?

Agree or disagree? Send us your thoughts!

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The Hall of Shame: Class of 2006
It was a great year for scandalmongers (and lawyers, too). A smorgasboard of villains and crooks fueled voters' ire: Tom DeLay, Mark Foley, Jack Abramoff, Duke Cunningham, Don Sherwood, Bob Ney, William Jefferson... it's impossible to choose just one inductee into the Hall of Shame, but DeLay's priceless mug shot puts him at the head of the class. Now, let's see how far all those promises of ethics reform get before it's time for our 2007 awards.

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