Tear Jerker: Ted Kennedy, ravaged by brain cancer, coming to speak at the DNC; everyone including himself knew full well it would be his last.
The TV movie:
Harsher in Hindsight: McCain's comments about the "dark side of American populism" can sting particularly hard with the rise of Donald Trump. Heck, a two-part, four-hour Frontlinedocumentary linked the rise of Palin's brand of populism ("How's that 'hope-y change-y' stuff workin' out for ya?") to Trump being elected president.
They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: The film's focus on the Republican side and no plan for a sequel / companion film meaning that the Democrat portion of the book never got adapted.