2007 In Review

Key political stories from 2007: the first year that Democrats have controlled Congress since 1993. Republicans responded with record filibusters but enough slipped ranks for Congress to produce the first veto overrride of the Bush presidency.

As far back as January, Americans opposed troop escalation in Iraq, a tactic contrary to Iraq Study Group recommendations. Congress struggled, unsuccessfully, to block funds for the war, which is well into its fifth year. Have we lost our moral compass?

The longest presidential campaign ever engulfed the entire year: Hillary Clinton declared in January. Primary madness struck in March; Democrats had a YouTube debate in July. Is the campaign worth the cost?

AttorneyGate was a snowball that eventually engulfed Alberto Gonzales. The Department of Justice became politicized. And the Pat Tillman saga still drags on.

A chapter in PlameGate was closed when Scooter Libby was found guilty of lying and obstruction of justice; President Bush commuted his sentence. And heads continued to roll as the Abramoff scandal took on Energizer Bunny proportions. The White House lost millions of emails, and senior Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) became ensnarled in a corruption investigation of the state legislature.

Climate change: Vice President Gore took an Oscar in February and the Peace Prize in October. The Supreme Court said EPA could regulate greenhouse gases. Then EPA told California that it couldn't.

Pet deaths across the nation illustrated the reach of globalization. They were followed by various toy recalls. We have also outsourced the war on drugs.

Maine said no to a national ID plan (the first state to do so). Georgia personified injustice in the Genarlow Wilson case. And January closed with the death of Molly Ivins, a colorful Texas columnist.

The year 2008 will be shaped by presidential politics, but the nominees will be clear before February (29 days, leap year) ends.