Top 5 Political Communication Moments of 2010

Another year, another power shift in Washington. Here's this year's list with explanations, counting down from 5 to 1:

5. Christine O’Donnell’s “I’m not a witch” ad: This ad and the controversy it addresses was the death knell of both this Tea Party-backed candidate and GOP hopes of a Senate takeover. O’Donnell symbolized the appeal and risks of pushing the envelope of “outsiderism.” Her novelty garnered more media coverage than any other candidate but, despite her best efforts to avoid the press, that coverage led to her undoing.

4. President Obama’s Oval Office Speech About the BP Oil Spill: The biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history vexed the administration for the entire summer of 2010. This nationally televised prime time address, the first Oval Office speech of the Obama’s presidency, showed the limits of Obama’s rhetorical prowess in changing the national media narrative, a problem that would plague the President throughout the year.

3. President Obama’s Q&A Appearance at GOP Baltimore Retreat: More than anything, this high stakes, high profile gambit allowed Obama to regain his footing after the August Tea Party rallies of 2009 and the Brown thunderclap in Massachusetts. Demonstrating boldness and a command of the issues, Obama emerged once again as the best politician in town, gaining confidence and momentum to battle and win on his signature health care reform--the largest domestic legislation in decades.

2. Scott Brown-Martha Coakley Final Debate - Although some attributed Brown’s monumental victory to Coakley’s weaknesses as a candidate, those who interpreted the upset as a harbinger of anti-Democratic fervor were closer to the mark. However, Brown also came to represent the public’s refusal to fully embrace the Tea Party philosophy as his moderate votes have already put a target on his back.

And the top political communication moment of 2010 was…

1. Citizens United - Some may take issue with dubbing a decision by the august U.S. Supreme Court on the same level with political speeches and debates. However, this party-line decision on campaign financing freed corporations to inject unlimited amounts of cash into political campaigns. The full ramifications are not yet known, but everyone seems to agree that this is a big deal.

Happy New Year!