If Obama Discards Public Option, What’s Left of Reform? If Obama Discards Public Option, What’s Left of Reform?
When Barack Obama assumed the presidency, there was talk that former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean might be his Secretary of Health and Human Services. That wou...
Aug 17, 2009 / John Nichols
Around The Nation Around The Nation
August used to be a slow month in politics. Instead we've seen simmeringanger over healthcare, fiery debates over the future of the Democraticparty, and breakthroughs in two majo...
Aug 16, 2009 / Katrina vanden Heuvel
State Department: “Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!” State Department: “Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!”
President Obama, along with his adviser on counterterrorism, John Brennan, a White House deputy national security adviser, have tried to reorient US policy away from the nonsensic...
Aug 14, 2009 / Bob Dreyfuss
Harry Reid Versus Democracy Harry Reid Versus Democracy
No member of Congress should serve without having been elected by the people of the district or state they represent. Unfortunately, four appointed senators are currently serving...
Aug 14, 2009 / John Nichols
Let’s Get Real about Obama Let’s Get Real about Obama
It's been a rough and tough few months. And this August is making a bid to replace the Ides of (is it?) March as the meanest month in our calendar. From a slew of intense late n...
Aug 14, 2009 / Katrina vanden Heuvel
Bring the Crazy… Bring the Crazy…
Wrapup: I've got a new Think Again called "Media Ethics: 'So Last Century'" Also, two Alter-recommendations: The Ghosts of Flatbush adocumentary about the Brooklyn Dodgers runn...
Aug 13, 2009 / Eric Alterman
Sestak vs. Specter Sestak vs. Specter
The debate over issues like President Obama's stimulus, healthcarereform and climate change have revealed fault lines in the country, butalso within the Democratic party. In the ...
Aug 13, 2009 / Katrina vanden Heuvel
The Guns of August and Afghanistan The Guns of August and Afghanistan
Yes, yes, of course, everyone is talking about healthcare and the "mobs" of foes and supporters of reform confronting members of Congress during this month's House and Senate rece...
Aug 12, 2009 / John Nichols
The Thirty Years’ War The Thirty Years’ War
With great anticipation, I trucked over to the posh St. Regis Hotel, just north of the White House, to see Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and his team at an event sponsored by the C...
Aug 12, 2009 / Bob Dreyfuss
Organizing For A Public Option? Organizing For A Public Option?
For those who were counting on President Obama's grassroots army--Organizing for America (OFA)--to lead the fight this August for a public health insuranceoption, there are some...
Aug 12, 2009 / Katrina vanden Heuvel