An unprecedented grassroots campaign swept Barack Obama into office. Now that he’s President, what’s at stake?
An unprecedented grassroots campaign swept Barack Obama into office. Now that he’s President, what’s at stake? Click through this slide show to consider big challenges ahead, as explored in recent editions of The Nation.
1. Iraq: President Obama has promised to end the war. Will he keep his word? In our March 31 special issue, The Nation explored the staggering cost of the War in Iraq and told a cautionary tale about escalation in Afghanistan.
2. The economy: Can a “new New Deal” halt the recession? The Nation gathered a panel of experts, thinkers, artists and grassroots leaders to propose a new deal for the 21st century, making the case of an active and strong government.
3. Retroactive prosecution: Should President Obama hold Bush and Cheney accountable for war crimes? In this January 15 essay, Elizabeth Holtzman explains the best way to hold Bush accountable.4. Climate change & green jobs: Can Obama grow the economy and confront global warming? Van Jones argues for a green new deal in the November 17 issue of The Nation.
5. Healthcare reform: Will it happen in 2009? Trudy Lieberman weighs in on the gathering health care fight in Washington, and what Obama means by “universal health care” in the October 27 issue of The Nation.
6. The wealth gap: Is ending poverty on the agenda? In a special issue from June 30, economic policy expert Sarah Anderson offers A 12-step Program for Ending Plutocracy, providing a useful road map for the Obama administration to take to address economic inequality in America.
7. Veterans: Can Obama restore integrity to the Veterans Administration? For three years The Nation has followed the Bush Administration’s mistreatment of our veterans. As Obama takes office, Joshua Kors’ September 15 investigation makes a frank assessment of the Veterans Administration Obama inherits.
8. Gulf recovery: Can Obama revitalize New Orleans? A.C. Thompson’s recent investigation of vigilante shootings in the wake of Hurricane Katrina shows one of many racial scars to be healed from indifference and incompetence in the Gulf.
9. Workers Rights: The Employee Free Choice Act could be the biggest fight of 2009. How hard will President Obama fight the right? Esther Kaplan looks at the labor movement’s readiness for the hard campaign ahead in the January 26 issue of The Nation.
10. His Place in History: Obama came to power on the shoulders of the heroes of the civil rights movement. Will he–and we–live up to the standard they have set?
