Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Bizarre Political Moments of '08

Weird doings with Hillary, Huck and a chucked shoe

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 2, 2009 5:59 PM CST

(Newser) – Oh-eight was a banner year for politics, and half the time it was a really strange banner. Politico looks back on the weirdest moments in a topsy-turvy year.

Mike Huckabee holds a news conference to announce he won’t run a negative ad, then plays the ad for everyone.
Desperate for blue collar cred, Hillary Clinton awkwardly downs a whiskey shot in an Indiana bar.
San Francisco tries to rename a sewage plant after George W. Bush.

Barack Obama speaks in front of a faux presidential seal.
Bloggers hunt rumors that Trig is Sarah Palin’s granddaughter.
John McCain calls Obama “that one.”
Palin “pardons” a turkey, then gives an interview as turkeys are slaughtered in the background.
Bush dodges a shoe.
Bush kisses Barbara Streisand.
Pre-scandal, Rod Blagojevich considered naming himself to the Senate to “remake his image” for 2016 presidential run.

[Videos (3)]

In this video grab, President Bush dodges a shoe in Iraq. (AP Photo/APTN)

Sarah Palin's turkey pardon makes the list. (AP Photo)

Hillary Rodham Clinton eyes her shot of Crown Royal with Bronko's owner Nick Tarailo, right, as she stops at the bar during a campaign stop at Bronko's restaurant in Crown Point, Ind., April 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Sarah Palin "pardons" a turkey. (PrideRunsDeep)

The president shoes off his cat-like reflexes. (Gaddi78)

John McCain at the 2nd Presidential Debate, October 7, 2008. (tpmtv)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

(NEWSER) - The most popular politician nationwide is the one that got away: Hillary Clinton. Nearly two-thirds of the country sees the secretary of state favorably, and a third are battling what Bloomberg terms “buyer’s remorse” over not electing her president. Just over a year ago, only a quarter of Americans felt that way. “Looking back, I wonder if she would have been a stronger leader, knowing the games and the politics and all that goes on,” says a Florida woman. “I don’t think she would have bent as much.” More»

Obama, Bush Most Admired Men in America: Gallup

Hillary Clinton still tops woman, followed by Sarah Palin

(NEWSER) - His approval ratings may have cratered over the past two years, but Barack Obama is still the most admired man in America, according to Gallup’s annual poll . Obama took 22% of the vote, cruising past the competition. Who came in second? The Decider himself, George W. Bush, who narrowly edged out Bill Clinton, 5% to 4%. Nelson Mandela and Bill Gates round out the top five. Obama’s dominance isn’t too surprising, Gallup notes—sitting presidents have taken the top spot in 52 of the 64 years it has run the poll. More»

Bush: I Woulda Endorsed Obama

Reportedly told a group of Brits he wouldn't vote for McCain, too

(NEWSER) - George Bush's stop-the-presses revelations just won't stop , though the latest comes by way of a dusty anecdote that's finally seeing the light of day. Alex Barker, writing for the Financial Times reveals that in an Oval Office meeting with Gordon Brown and other British dignitaries during the 2008 campaign season, John McCain came up in conversation. Bush reportedly told the group (according to two who were there): "I probably won’t even vote for the guy. I had to endorse him. But I’d have endorsed Obama if they’d asked me." More»

Bush: Palin Isn't Qualified to Be President

He 'thinks less' of McCain for choosing her, says confidant

(NEWSER) - Former President George Bush doesn't believe Sarah Palin is qualified to be president and thinks less of John McCain for choosing her as his running mate, a confidant tell the New York Daily News. "Naming Palin makes Bush think less of McCain as a man," said a GOP official close to Bush. "He thinks McCain ran a lousy campaign with an unqualified running mate, and destroyed any chance of winning by picking Palin." More»

Meghan McCain: I Hate the Hate

It's turning her off to politics

(NEWSER) - American political hate-mongering has reached such a fervor that for the "first time" in her life Meghan McCain is finding herself "disillusioned with the political process—something I swore would never happen to me," she writes in the Daily Beast . She's angry, too, about political decisions, but "I believe we can discuss our differences with respect," she adds. It's "almost as if to be taken seriously in politics, a certain level of anger and incivility is required." When she presses for compromise, she's attacked as an "Obama zombie," she complains. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Bizarre Political Moments of '08

Weird doings with Hillary, Huck and a chucked shoe