Red Room Where the Writers Are

Some Final Pre-VP Pick Thoughts »

It goes without saying that Obama's VP pick will tell us a lot about how he sees his chances in November and what kind of a President he would be if he is elected.

Analyst Asks "Are Dems Plotting Against Obama?" »

GREENPOINT, Bklyn, July 24...Are the Democrats too hip for the room? In their attempt to be evenhanded, ironic and transparent are they unintentionally undermining Barrack Obama's candidacy?

McCain Has Facial Growth Removed »

Earlier today, we learned that 4-time melanoma survivor John McCain had a growth removed from his temple.  His campaign hasn't issued a statement, but an aide says the removal was "purely a p

Poll: Change Presidential Race, First Man To a Billion Wins »

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, June 27...The Electoral College is obsolete, the popular vote can be fraudulently manipulated. The only thing you can depend on in this country is hard cash.

Candidate Bashes Texas, and Loses Millions »

AUSTIN, Texas, June 22...Anarcho-Feminist presidential candidate Leah Schildkraut lost the support of several major Texas fundraisers last night

Designer To Offer Obama Flip Flops and McCain Pampers »

NEW YORK, N.Y. June 20...The hottest souvenir at the Republican Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul this summer won't be McCain buttons--it will be Obama flip flops and matching shorts.

The Toast Crumbles »

As much as I love thinking and writing about this political stuff, I'm going to have to back off politics for a while. See, I've got this book I'm supposed to be writing.

Not So Dumb »

I continue to respect my fellow voters more than the people who try to "work" us.

Americans as quaint primitives »

The condemnation of the world is one thing. Americans are used to that. But there's something especially humbling about being viewed, not with fear or hostility, but with indulgent condescension.

Toast »

Democrats can't afford to get cocky, I know that. Obama's lead in the polls is slim, and it may still be just a post-victory bounce.

That's Entertainment »

The post-mortems for the Clinton campaign still fill the punditverse, most of which fade into one long, annoying drone: hubris...didn't find her voice...no plan after

"Identity" Is Not So Simple »

For all the talk of identity politics in this past Democratic race, what strikes me is how little it really was about that.

The Face of America? »

Okay, take a good look at this:

When the Hell »

A quote from the New York Times that pretty much sums up the last two months in American politics for me:

Our Time »

Well, I still wouldn't call myself "exuberant." Between the exhaustion of the primary grind and the dawning realization that now is when the stakes get really high, my joy is subdued.

The End at Last »

A few hours ago, the Associated Press announced that it had calculated that Barack Obama had secured the endorsement of enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination.

Fairness in Media »

An interesting study here on media treatment of Obama, Clinton, and McCain since the beginning of the year, conducted by Harvard's Joan Shorenstein Cente

Why the Right Is Dead »

I don't care how burnt out you are on the primaries, you have to read this article on the Huffington Post: "

Who Betrayed Whom? »

“Spitting in the eye of the strongest woman candidate in the history of the country.” That’s what Allison Fine called it when NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Barack Obama for President two day

Must...keep...going... »

This one's for my fellow Obama supporters. Those readers who prefer Hillary Clinton, John McCain, or V.I.

The Crucible »

When people who have been separated by resentment and unresolved grievances come together to unite, the first emotion you see is hope.

Take a deep breath »

My friend Jordan just walked into my office to tell me he missed my political blogging, if only because it gave him moments of relief from his unremitting political anxiety.

But I like clinging to my antipathies! »

It seems to me that what led Barack Obama into his awkward comments about small-town Americans'

Proud like Michelle »

I just read the feel-good poll of the season—and it feels good not just because I like Obama but because I really, really want to like Americans.

Better Ways »

Everyone I talk to is exhausted by the prospect of seven more months of presidential campaigning, American-style.

Is it Pennsylvania yet? »

Ask me what the weather was like in Ohio on March 4th and I'll tell you. Go on, ask me!

Oh yeah?! »

Are you as tired of this routine as I am?

Happy Easter »

I swear, this election really isn't the only thing I think about.

Limbaughing Pennsylvania »

This follows on my post below, about how game-playing Republicans apparently gave Clinton her victory in Texas and prolonged the Democratic race by at least two months.

The Limbaugh Effect (for real) »

I'm sorry for going back to the math again—I’d much rather remain on a loftier plane—but this is something I think all Democrats should be aware of.

Can We Talk about Race? »

Ask anyone concerned with the growth and healing of people and institutions—a therapist, a religious leader, an addict in 12-step recovery, a motivational speaker, or that consultant your company br

Dear Senator Obama. Dear Senator Clinton. The World is Worried, and So Are We »

Dear Senator Obama and Senator Clinton,

Change of Shift »

David Ignatius has just written a column in the Washington Post expressing his doubts that Barack Obama will be an effective bipartisan "bridg

The Trophy-Wife President »

I'm enchanted by Sen. Barack Obama.And that's the word.My sons and daughters are enchanted by Barack Obama.They have fallen under his spell.

What Is This Thing? »

The bad news for me is that, because of family conflicts, I won't be able to go to Ohio to help canvass for Obama before the primary.

Balance »

What keeps me confident in my support for Barack Obama, more than anything, is his grace under fire.

Caught in the Lights »

For years my son's favorite book was Watership Down, in which the novelist Richard Adams richly imagined the language and world view of a band of rabbits.

Hard Choice »

I wish my mom had lived to see this election. Leslie Jones was the definition of a Loyal Democrat.

Blind Spots »

It's almost Super Tuesday, and my email inbox is flooded with messages proclaiming that to vote for Obama is to oppress women.

New Times »

I spent the last few days with people whose work in the world combines art and social justice, mostly the community-based and collaborative work I've written about for decades.