Albany Is a Cesspool. Here’s How to Clean It Up Albany Is a Cesspool. Here’s How to Clean It Up
A few simple rules could curtail the political favors that speaker Sheldon Silver is accused of making for profit.
Jan 26, 2015 / Stephen Gillers
Obama Brings the Work/Family Debate Out of Women’s Heads and Into the Mainstream Obama Brings the Work/Family Debate Out of Women’s Heads and Into the Mainstream
In his State of the Union address last night, Obama pitched universal childcare and paid leave—for both mothers and fathers.
Jan 21, 2015 / Blog / Bryce Covert
Obama Gets His Mojo Back Obama Gets His Mojo Back
More than a wish list, he offers a framework for 2015 legislative fights and the 2016 campaign.
Jan 21, 2015 / Editorial / The Editors
Magic Eyewear Magic Eyewear
Rick Perry now wears thoughtful glasses, With which, advisers think, he passes As someone worthy of reprises— A man whose brain now never freezes.
Jan 21, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Democrats Pan Obama’s Trade Talk in His State of the Union Democrats Pan Obama’s Trade Talk in His State of the Union
The president’s request for a quick trade deal was met with silence.
Jan 21, 2015 / Blog / George Zornick
Obama’s Ambitious State of the Union Address Rejects Lame-Duck Status Obama’s Ambitious State of the Union Address Rejects Lame-Duck Status
More than a wish list, he offers a framework for 2015 legislative fights and the 2016 campaign.
Jan 21, 2015 / Blog / John Nichols
Joni Ernst Will Provide a Koch Brothers Rebuttal to the State of the Union Joni Ernst Will Provide a Koch Brothers Rebuttal to the State of the Union
The new senator from Iowa credits the billionaires and their allies: they “really started my trajectory.”
Jan 20, 2015 / Blog / John Nichols
A 2016 Debate We Need A 2016 Debate We Need
Editor’s Note: Each week we cross-post an excerpt from Katrina vanden Heuvel’s column at the WashingtonPost.com. Read the full text of Katrina’s column here. On Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address to a Congress ruled by Republicans. The president has two years left in his second term, but political Washington is so focused on the 2016 presidential race that even the president’s speech is evaluated for its effect on the race. Presidential campaigns start earlier and earlier, but seem to get emptier and emptier. Already the media is hyping the coming horse race, laying odds on who is in and who isn’t, positioning one candidate against another, treating reform ideas like fashions on a Hollywood red carpet, judged only in relation to the competition. Already the money primary has started, with political contenders dutifully lining up like beauty contestants at big money donor gatherings. Please support our journalism. Get a digital subscription for just $9.50! On the Republican side, contenders seem to be tripping over one another, with a baker’s dozen or more considering the race. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has already built a campaign in waiting, even before announcing her exploratory committee. Activists hoping to avoid a Clinton coronation have launched a “draft Warren” movement, to push Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren into the race. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former senator Jim Webb are also considering a run. Read the full text of Katrina’s column here. Read Next: Katrina vanden Heuvel on Bill Moyers
Jan 20, 2015 / Blog / Katrina vanden Heuvel
Obama’s Smart Economic (and Political) Calculus: Tax the Rich Obama’s Smart Economic (and Political) Calculus: Tax the Rich
The president will use his State of the Union Address to propose new taxes and fees on very rich people and very big banks.
Jan 18, 2015 / Blog / John Nichols
Obama’s Right to Embrace the Public Option for Closing the Digital Divide Obama’s Right to Embrace the Public Option for Closing the Digital Divide
The president wants cities to be able to innovate with municipal broadband systems.
Jan 15, 2015 / Blog / John Nichols