![The rules, not the rulers: President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House in October.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/biden-harris-oct-getty.jpg)
Even Without a Contest at the Top of the Ticket, Voting in the Democratic Primary Still Matters Even Without a Contest at the Top of the Ticket, Voting in the Democratic Primary Still Matters
Joe Biden and the DNC have arranged a coronation, but what they don’t want you to know is that changing the rules is at least as important as choosing our rulers.
Jan 16, 2024 / Larry Cohen
![President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders during a 2020 presidential primary debate.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Biden_and_Bernie.jpg)
Democrats and the Left: A Mutual Dependency Democrats and the Left: A Mutual Dependency
Mass movements stoke the fires of popular discontent, but only the state can pass laws and overhaul key institutions.
Jan 9, 2024 / Michael Kazin
![US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive for a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge National Historical Park on January 5, 2024.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/bidensvalleyforge_getty.jpg)
Biden’s Pro-Democracy Message Is Too Negative and Too Narrow Biden’s Pro-Democracy Message Is Too Negative and Too Narrow
A winning campaign needs more than just revulsion at the January 6 coup.
Jan 8, 2024 / Jeet Heer
![Republican presidential candidate and former US president Donald Trump speaks to guest at a cam](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/trump-waterloo-getty.jpg)
More Democracy, Not the Courts, Will Defeat Trump’s Authoritarianism More Democracy, Not the Courts, Will Defeat Trump’s Authoritarianism
The pursuit of legal liberalism is a distraction from mobilizing a majority coalition against a would-be dictator.
Dec 29, 2023 / Jeet Heer
![Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton debating Henry Kissinger on February 11, 2016.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-30-at-9.54.15 AM.jpg)
That Time Bernie Sanders Told America: “I Am Proud to Say That Henry Kissinger Is Not My Friend” That Time Bernie Sanders Told America: “I Am Proud to Say That Henry Kissinger Is Not My Friend”
In a remarkable 2016 debate with Hillary Clinton, Sanders rejected the establishment consensus and declared, “I will not take advice from Henry Kissinger.”
Nov 30, 2023 / John Nichols
![lavette mayes posing outside of her home](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/lavette-mayes-AP.jpg)
How We Ended Cash Bail in Illinois How We Ended Cash Bail in Illinois
Lessons from a successful struggle.
Nov 15, 2023 / Will Tanzman
![Fetterman greets Rabbi Myers, Tree of Life](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/fetterman-oct-2023-getty.jpg)
Senator John Fetterman Is a Progressive Icon, a Republican Hate Figure—and a Pro-Israel Pinup Senator John Fetterman Is a Progressive Icon, a Republican Hate Figure—and a Pro-Israel Pinup
The Pennsylvania Democrat has long bucked convention on everything from legalizing marijuana to the Senate dress code. But his views on Israel/Palestine risk alienating his base.
Nov 14, 2023 / Ross Barkan
![Senators Burton K. Wheeler of Montana and Robert Taft of Ohio study a globe.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GettyImages-613513016.jpg)
This Isn’t Your Father’s GOP. It’s Your Grandfather’s GOP. This Isn’t Your Father’s GOP. It’s Your Grandfather’s GOP.
Today's Republicans aren’t isolationists; they are hawks targeting Latin America and Asia.
Nov 6, 2023 / Jeet Heer
![People rally in support of Palestinians in Times Square in New York on October 8, 2023.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1713235219.jpg)
Why I Just Quit DSA Why I Just Quit DSA
After over four decades as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, one of the group’s founding members is leaving in sorrow and anger.
Oct 23, 2023 / Maurice Isserman
![west Virginia statehouse, capitol, economic bill of rights](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/west-virginia-statehouse-AP.jpg)
In West Virginia, Can the Left Win Back “Trump Country”? In West Virginia, Can the Left Win Back “Trump Country”?
Not until coastal journalists stop viewing rural people as an exotic species.
Oct 16, 2023 / Richard Eskow