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Even though writers do not create their own headlines, let me rise to make a courageous defense of the usage of "first annual" in both the head and in the text.
What "first annual" conveys is that we are inventing a Salon tradition that will be repeated next Thanksgiving. "Inaugural," which was the suggested alternative from "YourFriendlyPedant," does not make clear that these horn-of-plenty ratings will return at the same time next year. All "inaugural" implies is that they will be repeated at some time. Also, specifically in the headline, it could be confusing to readers to link "Inaugural" (associated with presidents) and "Capitol Hill" (which, of course, refers to Congress).
In response to the comment about the omission of Howard Dean, I wnat to point out that he was not the only public figure who ended up on the cutting-room floor. In an ideal world, I would have also written entries for Rahm Emanuel, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Tom Vilsack, Mike Huckaby, Sam Brownbeck, Trent Lott, Robert Gates and the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
But, with the possible exception of the Salt-Lake-City-based choir, I will deal with all of them in future articles.
