An Oath Anticipated Around the World

Through campaign stops, primaries and debates, images and stories from the American presidential election appeared on front pages around the world in 2008. The international media was especially captivated by the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Clinton has worldwide recognition as a former first lady. The history-making promise of Obama's campaign also was a tug for an international audience. Or maybe it was a worldwide need for change that created the interest. Whatever the reason, the interest was intense. So it is no surprise that Inauguration Day is front and center from Austria and the United Kingdom to Brazil and Chile to India and Indonesia. "The United States of Obama," said the front page of Die Presse in Vienna, Austria. "A Monumental Moment," declared The Namibian in Windhoek, Namibia. Like some U.S. newspapers, the international press used the U.S. ritual that happens every four years and the election of America's first African-American president to expressed hope. In a front-page column from Washington, The Guardian of London proclaimed the events as a "Magic spell that will open new American era."

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.

It's Not Over Until It's Over

It's been more than a week since Election Day. Yet news about several races remains on front pages.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that the challenger has overtaken incumbent Ted Stevens by 814 votes in the Alaska U.S. Senate race. The front page answered "Four questions about the final count," which is including absentee ballots and ballots that were questioned on Election Day.

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken are neck-in-neck in a count that will decide the seat from Minnesota. 206 votes separate them. The Pioneer Press of St. Paul said the decision on who wins might come down to five people -- a panel in charge of a recount. The Pioneer Press' front page used a diagram to explain "The recount 5" who will oversee the hand counting of 2.92 million ballots. Online, the newspaper posted video of the state's secretary of state explaining the process and a PDF of a recount guide.

Show and Tell at the White House

The Des Moines Register called it "show-and-tell day." President-Elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, visited President and Laura Bush at the White House on Monday. AP called the visit "a striking symbol of the transfer of power to come."

So how did news organizations share the visit?

In the San Francisco Chronicle, a photo of Obama and Bush was accompanied by photos from White House visits by presidents-elect in 1960, 1968, 1980 and 1992.

A White House photo that gave the feel of being in the Oval Office appeared on front pages, including The Plain Dealer of Cleveland. "Nice to meet you, Mr. President," the headline said. The Plain Dealer used a New York Times story, which noted it was Obama's first visit to the Oval Office. But Obama has been to the White House before, an experience he wrote about in one of his books.

How did you play the story?

How the Election Was Won

President-Elect Barack Obama spent most of yesterday out of the public's eye. USA Today reported that he was spotted on the way to workout at a gym "wearing a baseball cap and holding a newspaper." No one wanted to spend yesterday without a newspaper.

Today, front pages provide analysis, looking at the "how" behind the win.

Atop The Indianapolis Star was the label "Why Indiana turned blue." The answer: "Exit polls: 1st-time voters and blacks aided Democrat." "How Obama Built a Winning Coalition" led The Philadelphia Inquirer. Its answer: "He widened Democrats' usual base of support."

From the strategically important state of Florida, the St. Petersburg Times said, "Key to Victory in Florida: Campaigning cast wide net."

The San Francisco Chronicle broke down the vote to illustrate "His Mandate" and "Where the Votes Were." The Washington Post reported, "Democrats Add Suburbs to Their Growing Coalition."

A Moment in History

The Chicago Tribune smartly noted that "Tuesday night was a time to marvel at a once-inconceivable moment in American history." Its main edition front page captured the moment.

Simply Done

Millions of Americans went to the polls yesterday and made history, electing Barack Obama the country’s first African-American president.

The news was all but confirmed before many went to bed Tuesday night. So how does today’s front page distinguish itself from other media? By keeping it simple.

And with simplicity comes impact.

In an early edition distributed in the Midwest, Obama’s hometown Chicago Tribune simply said, “It’s Obama” with a photo of the victor and a cheering crowd. A simple black-and-white portrait of the Illinois senator graced the Sun-Times. “Mr. President,” said the label at the bottom of the page.

The News Journal of Wilmington in Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware used a single photo and a quote. Said the main headline: “ ‘Yes, we can.’”

Making History

Many of today's front pages conveyed the history that was made in the presidential election. "History" was, in fact, the banner headline in today's Palm Beach (Fla.) Post and Indianapolis Star. The Los Angeles Times reported the size of Obama's victory, “Decisive victory makes history,” and noted he “wins a solid mandate and a fortified Democratic majority in Congress.”

A patriotic nameplate topped the Asbury Park Press in Neptune, N.J. The word “Obama” and a special graphic treatment were signals of the significance of the news.

"The Dream Comes True," declared the Great Falls (Mont) Tribune.

Victory Heard Around the World

The U.S. presidential campaign has been hot news around the globe since the primaries.

Images of Hillary Clinton, a recognizable first lady, often were found on international front pages until her withdrawal from the race. John McCain's visit was front-page news in Colombia. Coverage of the presidential debates appeared in newspapers from Europe to Asia to Oceania.

But outside the U.S., the narrative of election '08 was the campaign of Barack Obama. Whether it was the possibility of the first African-American president, the international flavor of Obama's background, tension over current U.S. foreign policy or a worldwide hunger for change, Obama's campaign captivated an international audience.

President-Elect Obama reached out to friends ("To those who seek peace and security, we support you.") and addressed foes ("To those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you.") around the world in his election night speech.

This morning's Home Page of the Guardian of London is filled with election content, including "What this means for US foreign policy."

With expansive election coverage, El Periodico in Spain has video of Dr. Martin Luther King and of Obama on its Home Page. Said its banner headline: "It's not a dream any more."

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."