Michael Henninger

Essays: The Politics of Now

Michelle Obama, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's wife, speaks at a campaign event in York, Pa.
   
Sen. Barack Obama answers questions during a town hall meeting at Great Valley High School in Malvern.
   
Danny O'Connor stands back from the crowd before the start of a Palin rally.
     
  
Sen. John McCain waves before speaking at a rally at Robert Morris University's Sewall Center.
   
McCain volunteer Kathi Creed of Niles, Ohio, awaits Sen. John McCain's appearance at a campaign event in Vienna, Ohio.
   
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is welcomed onstage by U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz at a “Pennsylvania Women for Hillary” event.
     
  
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell claps before the start of the debate between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
   
A police officer stands on a hillside overlooking the Straight Talk Express before a McCain campaign event.
  
Walt Sims of Squirrel Hill holds a sign featuring Ashley Todd while waiting in line for Barack Obama's appearance at a rally.
     
  
Gov. Sarah Palin speaks to the crowd at a "Road to Victory" rally at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pa.
   
Attendees cheer on Gov. Sarah Palin at a campaign rally at Beaver Area High School on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
   
Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin shakes hands with members of the Beaver Area High School football team after speaking at a campaign rally at Beaver Area High School on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
     
  
Sen. John McCain speaks at a campaign event at Atlantic Aviation in Moon Township the day before the presidential election.
   
Ben Pizon, 5, sits atop his father Tony's shoulders awaiting the arrival of Sen. John McCain at a campaign event in Moon Township.
   
Sen. Barack Obama speaks at a rally at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
     
  
K. LaMonte Jones of New York City shakes a tambourine in front of the Washington Monument during a free concert held two days before President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
   
Nane Iabi of Gabon, Africa, holds an American flag bearing President-elect Barack Obama's image while standing in a crowd gathered to watch MSNBC's broadcast booth on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.
   
A Capitol Police officer keeps watch over the west front of the Capitol Building the night before President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009.
     
  
Inauguration-goers crowd the Capitol Building's lawn during Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
   
Michelle Obama holds the Bible as incoming President Barack Obama takes the oath of office at his inauguration on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.