National: Chris Shays

At times over the past two years, it has seemed more an honor to cover this election season than a job. From an interminable primary season that featured fundamental disagreements about the directions of both parties to a general election that rocked back and forth like a ship trapped in a hurricane, no twist was too unlikely, no turn outside the realm of possibility.

Many times, this reporter has marveled about the moment, 20 years in the future, when some new reporter or political science student asks about the 2008 elections.