Politics

Obama’s Debate No-Show: 30 Years in the Making

Obama’s lackluster performance came straight out of decades of Democratic backpedaling. Will he show backbone in debate two?

James Thindwa

Workers’ Rights at the Ballot Box

Labor flexes its political muscle in the Midwest.

Theo Anderson

Issues that Obama and Romney Avoid

The presidential candidates aren't so keen on addressing the survival of humanity.

Noam Chomsky

Two Little Missing Words

If now isn't the time for President Obama to have a real conversation about Social Security, when is?

David Sirota

Obama: Forever Zung

Three (unsurprising) surprises from his first-debate zinging.

Theo Anderson

Express Yourself, But Vote

This year's Democratic ticket may not be perfect, but, like life, it is much better than the alternative.

Joel Bleifuss

Pre-Debate Analysis: The Mad Science of U.S. Presidential Campaigns

Behind Obama and Romney's every blink, there are countless calculations.

Steven Hill

In Person: Sister Activist

Simone Chapman leads Nuns on the Bus, who lobby for social and economic justice (and plague Paul Ryan).

Rebecca Burns

Legislate First, Ask Questions Never

We all must share responsibility for the ignorance of our leaders.

Leonard C. Goodman

Brown v. Warren: Choosing Between Automatons and Leaders

Corporate execs fear elected officials who have inconvenient morals or brains--like Elizabeth Warren.

David Sirota

‘Going Nuclear’ on Class

The Democrats’ working-class disconnect.

David Moberg

Ryan Shrugged

Republican vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan can't shake his Randian roots.

Chris Lehmann

Splintering the 99%

Romney and Ryan descend to race-baiting.

Louis Nayman

Drug Dealers Protecting Their Turf

Alcohol peddlers are fighting marijuana reform to keep out the competition.

David Sirota

Winning in 2012

Wooing the volatile, mistrustful, anti-political — but crucial — Independent vote

Vic Fingerhut

Romney, Ryan, GOP Demand Obama Stop Strengthening Welfare-to-Work

Republicans flip-flop on welfare-to-work, challenging efforts by Obama to help states find jobs for welfare recipients.

Leo Gerard, United Steelworkers President

A Good Ole Boys’ Family Feud

As Romney sinks, Republicans turn on each other, and the 'Southern strategy' implodes at last.

Theo Anderson

The Right-Wing Machine Behind ‘School Choice’

Think public-school teachers are bad and vouchers are good? You may be prey to a well-funded stealth campaign.

Rachel Tabachnick