Icon's Reign Ends

Two-thirds of today's Anchorage Daily News is used to report on the defeat of Alaska's longtime U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. A count of absentee and questioned ballots gave Stevens' competitor, Anchorage's mayor, an insurmountable lead. Mark "Begich topples Stevens," the Daily News' banner headline said.

Stevens' image did not appear on the page. Instead, the front page featured a large photo of the incoming senator and a story about how he will be replaced as mayor. The front page teased to an inside story about the vote breakdown in each district. Online, the newspaper provided video of Begich and encouraged readers to offer an opinion on who should be acting mayor. The Daily News has an online section on "Uncle Ted," who has dominated the Alaska political landscape for decades but who was convicted of federal corruption charges.

Speaking of prominent Alaska politicians, Gov. Sarah Palin remains a front-page fixture in Anchorage: "Palin publicity blitz shows no signs of slowing.

Covering Defeat

There was a critical secondary story today for two U.S. newspapers -- The Arizona Republic and the Anchorage Daily News, hometown newspapers of the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

A picture of John and Cindy McCain anchored the bottom of The Arizona Republic, which produced a 20-page election special section. Under its main headline, the paper said, "Arizonan McCain gracious in defeat, calls for unity."

The Anchorage Daily News pictured Palin in a reflective moment Tuesday night but left other content about the governor for inside. There it asked, "Can Sarah Palin go home again?" The newspaper examined relationships in Alaska and noted, "There are some messes to clean up."

Pivitol Moments

In analyzing Presidential Campaign '08, CBS's Bob Schieffer identified three pivotal events -- all of which made front page news:

1. Fundraising and Barack Obama's decision not to take federal campaign financing.

2. John McCain's choice of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his No. 2. The choice quickly energized the Republican base. But for others, the enthusiasm has waned since her appearance at the Republican convention. By the end of the campaign, the Anchorage Daily News endorsed Obama, a move that might have surprised those outside of Alaska.

3. The economy. National polls show an Obama lead over McCain when likely voters are asked who they trust to deal with the economy.

How did your newspaper share these critical events with your readers and viewers?

(Anchorage Daily News endorsement)

Palin for VP: Unexpected Choice

There’s a surprise on today’s front page.

John McCain’s unexpected choice of the Alaska governor as his running mate sent front pages scrambling to answer the question: Who is Sarah Palin?

A relative unknown on the national political scene, Palin needed an introduction. The Los Angeles Times provided a profile, “She’s no good ol’ boy.” The Detroit Free Press noted, “History maker is also hunter, hockey mom.” The St. Petersburg Times bulleted personal information and even explained how to pronounce her last name (PAY-lin).

Palin went to college in Idaho, where the Statesman in Boise printed positive local reaction. In Palin’s home state of Alaska, the news was so big that it filled the Anchorage Daily News.

The Washington Post noted McCain’s historic choice: “Palin First Woman on GOP Ticket.” The Arizona Republic in Phoenix said the choice reinforces McCain’s maverick image.

Some front pages asked why she was chosen and then went on to analyze the pick. “Choice of Palin could be stroke of brilliance or act of desperation,” the San Francisco Chronicle said.