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Obama, Palin top CNN political news of year

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-01 10:01

WASHINGTON - US President-elect Barack Obama and Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin seized the top two spots on CNN's list of top political news in 2008, which was released on Wednesday.

President-elect Barack Obama, his daughters Sasha, left, and Malia, third right, and their friends visit the Honolulu Zoo in Honolulu, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008. [Agencies]

From a junior senator from Illinois to the next president of the United States, Obama broke down barriers and inspired an unprecedented grassroots movement in 2008, making it the No. 1 US political story of the year, CNN said.

He defeated one of the most powerful families in politics to get the Democratic nomination, and easily took down long-time Senator John McCain in the general election.

Obama's campaign was marked by his eloquent speeches, passionate supporters and worldwide fanfare for the Democratic candidate.

The Democrat's ground team helped him smash fundraising records and sail into the White House, making him the first African American to win the presidency.

The second top political news chosen by CNN is the rise of Palin.

In one of the biggest surprises of the year, Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked the 44-year-old Alaska governor as his running mate.

She energized the Republican base and brought record crowds to McCain's campaign events.

In this Nov. 4, 2008 file photo, Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin votes at Wasilla City Hall in Wasilla, Alaska.[Agencies]

Along with her good looks and sharp tongue, the governor also brought a fair share of controversy to the campaign trail.

With all eyes on Palin for 2012, it's likely that this self- declared hockey mom will stay in the news long after the election season.

The rest of CNN's top 10 U.S. political news of the year include the fall of ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the rise of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, the undecided Super Tuesday primary elections of February 5, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's surprising support for McCain, Obama's "love-hate" sage with former foe Hillary Clinton, the debate on the fundamentals of the economy, controversy of Obama's ex-pastor Jeremiah Wright, McCain's rise and fall, and a high number of political scandals.