The kid trying to read the t-shirts looking for an explanation.

Depending on the amount of extra editing you are open to, I might go with some vignetting to darken the corners so that the kid's face gets a little more prominence.

I like the third one, but it relies too much on words. The little girl makes the first one.

The position of the woman's arm and hand--behind her back--and the expression on the girl's face
make me wonder if the girl has just been pinched. I also like the angle and how the woman's head
has been obscured by the flag waving.

Very interesting shot. Definitely tells a story for me...that is subject to interpretation.

The 3rd one is telling the story of a politician glad-handing his constituents.

The 1st one is favoring the young girl's perspective and she looks none too pleased by it all. She's giving commentary with her expression.

There's a story in the 2nd photo just not one that involves the viewer as much as the other photos.

I wish the 4th one involved more of the expressions of the audience behind the speaker. Katrina was(is) a sad story to tell.

it's all so emotional for me - these political shots of late - I too thought the first one had the most potential for the theme of the contest.
I'll think about it a little longer and hopefully get off the mindset of politics.

I can only wonder who put up the money for it.......