Nation Topics - Barack Obama | The Nation

Don't let the media or the right-wing spinmeisters reduce our first-ever serious black and female presidential candidates to stereotypes.

Throughout the political sphere--in Democratic and Republican campaigns, in media coverage and pollsters' surveys--the word "change" is bubbling on people's lips. What does it really mean?

An Iowa native attends his home-town caucus, and discovers deliberative democracy at its freewheeling finest. d

All great seasons in politics begin with excitement. Right now there's none.

Barack Obama's historic victory in Iowa comes at a crucial time for a nation still grappling with how remedies to offset racism affect America's power structure.

Hillary Clinton's touting her expertise over Obama--but is experience at political attack, mega-fundraising and cronyism really all that desirable?

As Clinton and Obama square off in South Carolina, a window opens on the fractured state of black politics. It's been an extended soul search. And it ain't over yet.

Have the dreams of the civil rights movement been realized or deferred?

The combined power of Oprah & Obama could reinvigorate our embattled political landscape.

A visionary candidate for a new America.