Special Coverage: Election 2008

Acknowledging the Race Chasm

David Sirota, Creators Syndicate. May 9, 2008.
The pervasive racism that taints our political discourse will persist until we recognize and reject it.

From the blogs

Missouri Nuns Fight Voter Disenfranchisement

by Jill Hussein C., Brilliant at Breakfast

After their Indiana sisters were disenfranchised, Missouri nuns are mad as heck and not gonna take it anymore.

We'll "Never" See McCain's Tax Returns?

by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report

Cindy McCain declares herself off limits.

Unfortunate Racial Talk Creeps Back into the Democratic Campaign

by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report

The Clinton campaign plays the race card in an argument for her electability.

Obama's Consolidation of the Party

by Matt Stoller, Open Left

Barack Obama built a movement to rival and take over the Democratic Party. Now what?

Newt Gingrich: Republicans Face Real Disaster

by Cliff Schecter, Cliff Schecter's Blog

Republicans face tough times at the polls this November.

Clinton Camp: “There Are No Rules”

by Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet

Clinton top advisors say the fight goes past the primaries while the Obama camp claims the momentum.

Barack Obama's Very Good Primary Night

by John Nichols, The Nation

The Senator's win in North Carolina and virtual draw in Indiana almost assures him of the nomination.

Voter Suppression Happens (in Indiana)

by dday, Hullabaloo

According to the AP, 12 nuns were turned away from voting by one of their own sisters.

Democracy Corps: Youth for the Win!

by Mike Connery, AlterNet

A new poll by Democracy Corps highlights trends and habits among young voters.

NC Robo-Call Investigation Broadens - NAACP Files Complaint

by Pam Spaulding, Pam's House Blend

The North Carolina NAACP has filed a complaint of voter suppression against Women's Voices, Women Vote.

Battle of the Hawks

Robert Scheer, Truthdig. May 7, 2008.
Both McCain and Clinton have shown a dangerously cavalier attitude towards the option of a nuclear strike against Iran.

Obama's Triumph Over Media Frivolity

Norman Solomon, AlterNet. May 7, 2008.
Obama's Tuesday win represents a victory over a press corps fixated on fluff over substance.

Clinton: Damn the Pundits, Full Speed Ahead

David Corn, MotherJones.com. May 7, 2008.
The Clinton campaign has signaled it will fight on. But her only real option is going nuclear.

Obama Wins NC Decisively, Clinton Hangs on by Thread

Michael Carmichael, Huffington Post. May 7, 2008.
In a nutshell, the Reverend Wright strategy backfired.

There Is No 'Nuclear Option' for Hillary to Seize the Nomination at the Dem Convention

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet. May 5, 2008.
The speculation that Hillary's campaign might try to override the voting process to get the nomination ignores DNC rules.

McCain's Preacher Pal Calls Catholic Church the 'Great Whore' -- Where's the Outrage?

Frank Rich, The New York Times. May 5, 2008.
If the hypocrisy whipped up over Jeremiah Wright proves anything, it's that this nation's candid conversation on race has yet to begin.

Was It Really What Jeremiah Wright Said, Or Was It Because He's Black?

Bill Moyers, Bill Moyers Journal. May 3, 2008.
White preachers are given leeway in politics that Jeremiah Wright wasn't.

Experts: Clinton/McCain Gas Tax 'Holiday' a Joke

Sam Stein, Huffington Post. May 2, 2008.
It's "so ridiculous ... it takes your breath away."

Ignore the Youth Vote at Your Own Peril

Matisse Bustos Hawkes, AlterNet. May 2, 2008.
Mike Connery on why progressive leaders should stop lamenting 'youth apathy' and start engaging the most diverse, tolerant, generation in history.

Hillary Struggles Against Sexism But Regularly Plays Race Card

Betsy Reed, The Nation. May 2, 2008.
In the face of raw, media-driven misogyny, Clinton resorts to playing the race card and loses some women's support in the process.

Who's Illegal? The Politics of Immigration

Scott Thill, WireTap. April 30, 2008.
For every Minuteman who beats his chest at the border, there are many more immigration rights supporters.

The Curse of the Clintons

Thomas Palley, AlterNet. April 30, 2008.
The truth is they have become a curse for Democrats and not an asset.

McCain's Sneak Attack on Obama

Allen McDuffee, AlterNet. April 30, 2008.
McCain denounced a Republican ad painting Obama as extremist yet continues to perform the live version on the campaign trail.

No Country for Old Men

Robert Scheer, Truthdig. April 30, 2008.
McCain's age matters; especially if he picks his running mate from the crazy wing of the Republican Party.

Corporate America Hearts Obama

Chris Hedges, Truthdig. April 30, 2008.
Obama’s campaign message, filled with lofty promises of change and hope, is also filled with repeated reassurances to the corporate elite.

On Sexist Media Coverage of Hillary Clinton

Jessica Wakeman, Huffington Post. April 29, 2008.
There are plenty of ways to criticize Hillary Clinton without resorting to sexism, but the mainstream media refuses to go beyond frat-boy commentary.

Help Us Write "The Gender Speech"

Marie Wilson, Huffington Post. April 29, 2008.
Gender equality will only become a reality when we all contribute our voices to it. Let's start now.

The Pitfalls of Campaigning on Bill Clinton's 'Legacy'

Barbara Crossette, The Nation. April 28, 2008.
Hillary is out on the trail touting her experience in the White House, but her husband's foreign policy record was anything but stellar.

Ignore the Corporate Media Spin, McCain is a Weak Candidate

Frank Rich, The New York Times. April 28, 2008.
Democratic infighting might seem bad, but McCain is trying to succeed the most despised president in his own 71-year lifetime.

Hillary Serves out the Pork

Matt Taibbi, RollingStone.com. April 27, 2008.
Nobody doles out taxpayer money like Hillary Clinton -- or rakes in as much campaign cash from the companies she does favors for.

Welcome to the Nomination Race That Will Not Die

Will Durst, AlterNet. April 25, 2008.
Thanks to Pennsylvania, the Democratic primary circus continues. Meanwhile, McCain is free to roam the country frightening children.

Hillary Turns Up Heat, Threatens to 'Obliterate' Iran

Robert Scheer, Truthdig. April 23, 2008.
Is the campaign trail the best place to ratchet up the rhetoric against Iran? Clinton thinks so.

Clinton the Brawler Beats Obama the Consensus Builder

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet. April 23, 2008.
Clinton wins Pennsylvania to fight on, while Obama maintains a firm delegate lead.

A Quick Guide to the Pennsylvania Primary

ZP Heller, AlterNet. April 22, 2008.
A guide to the polls, voting history and the likely allocation of Pennsylvania's 158 delegates between Hillary and Obama.

Hillary's Plan to Win Relies on Improbable Finale at DNC Convention

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet. April 21, 2008.
Hillary's backers say they will try to convince Obama delegates to switch at the Democratic Convention.

Let's Party Like It’s 1932

Norman Solomon, AlterNet. April 21, 2008.
Obama has the potential to become as great a president as FDR, while activists have the potential to prompt change comparable to the New Deal.

What if 5.3 Million More Americans Could Vote?

Erika Wood, AlterNet. April 21, 2008.
Millions of people in the U.S. can't vote because of felony convictions. Restoring their right to vote means restoring democracy.

Truth Vs. 'Trash Journalism': McCain's Weak Rebuttal to Damaging Allegations

Cliff Schecter, AlterNet. April 21, 2008.
Reporters told Real McCain author Schecter that the McCains were estranged and that the senator frequented Hanoi's red light district.

Battle for PA: Bitter Voters, Republican Converts and Huge Turnouts for Both Campaigns

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet. April 21, 2008.
For a state that hasn't had a competitive presidential primary in decades, there is enormous voter interest in the Dem candidates.

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