If you have to put a face on the financial crisis, look no further than to Henry “Hank” Paulson. When the shit began to hit the fan, he was the one who drew up plans for the infamous $700 billion bailout. Paulson was never elected to the position he was at. He was appointed by Bush in 2006 and surely he must of seen a glimpse of the role he would eventually play as the mortgages fell through. Or at least I hoped he would, in 2007 he said the mortagage crisis was contained because of the strong economy of the world back then. Either way, Hank Paulson became the rescuer and villain of us all.
The New York showdown between Hillary Clinton and Rudy Guiliani never came to be. But Hillary Clinton sure did come close to fulfill at least half of the expected matchup. In doing so, she showed women from various backgrounds that they had just as much a role in politics as men did today.
Some might remember this election as a three way race between Obama, McCain and Clinton. It almost became a showdown between Clinton and McCain, had it not been for a few delegates worth shy. When she didn’t get the nomination, the Republican party saw an opportunity to land her supporters. It didn’t work. Sarah Palin was not Hillary Clinton in her beliefs or attitude. But Clinton left a legacy on this election. Her influence prompted the Republican party for the first time to nominate a woman to the national ticket.
As for Clinton herself, she managed to head to Washington again. Though, she won’t be going to the White House as commander in chief, she will be the third woman to hold the Secretary of State position.
I don’t like blogging about this individual. Mainly because she brought out the worst in populist rhetoric. Yet, that’s why she is one the people of 2008, because she was the fiery conservative voice that was most expected this election to feature. With the election Barack Obama ending almost a decade’s worth of Republican politics and culture, Sarah Palin is either a glimpse of the future of said politics, or it’s swan showcasing it’s final song. Pretty amazing considering she wasn’t even the nominee for president. Tha’s how powerful she became.
Before 2008 rang in, we knew two events would take place, the Presidential election and the Summer Olympics. And certainly, all eyes in America followed Michael Phelps. And it was Phelps that stood out among an Olympics that crowned the new fastest man on Earth, that saw the United States reclaim the gold in basketball, and one with the amazing opening that had China on everyone’s minds without the thought of human right’s violations (well, at least for a second).
What ultimately failed to take place in 2004, did take place in 2008. Phelps had America cheering him on and the world amazed as he captured a record eight Olympic gold medals. It was an amazing run that saw him shatter records in the process. Michael Phelps is the only individual that Americans have no political dislike for. Whether Republican or Democrat, political or not, Phelps has us cheering and he is number five in my top five person’s of the year.
The year 2008 saw some the worst economic news since the Great Depression. Financial giants either fell or were taken over and some were rescued by the government itself. Amid the collapses, America was eagerly awaiting to see who would take the reigns of George W. Bush and through it, saw one of the longest campaigns from a candidate who broke almost all barriers upon his election. The year 2008 certainly did put the world on a different course.
