AlterNet.org: Election 2008

Will Obama Channel MLK in His Acceptance Speech?

Drew D. Hansen, AlterNet — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:01 PDT

Obama will accept the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of "I Have A Dream."

Democrats: Don't Make Afghanistan Your War

Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Nation — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:01 PDT

Biden, Obama, and the Dems are rallying to escalate the war in Afghanistan. But trading one war for another would be catastrophic.

If Obama Wins, Who Will Be in His Cabinet -- And Who Should Be?

Jim Hightower, Hightower Lowdown — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Obama's advisers will be the ones whispering in the president's ear and pulling the levers of executive power.

A Truck-Sized Loophole: Corporations, Special Interests to Spend $100 Million on Convention Parties

Michael Winship, TruthOut.org — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

The parties' conventions offer plenty of opportunity to skirt the spirit of campaign finance laws without violating them.

What 15,000 Reporters Are Doing at the DNC

Justin Peters, Columbia Journalism Review — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Drinking, complaining and getting massages are just a few of reporters' preferred convention activities.

What a McCain Victory Could Mean: No Money for Health Care and the End of Our Volunteer Army

Robert Parry, Consortium News — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

The price tag for John McCain's war lust would mean virtually every other national priority would be short-changed or neglected.

Dems Nominate Obama, Unify and Transform the Party

John Nichols, TheNation.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

A hundred years ago, Dems questioned whether to take a stand against lynching. Today, Obama's nomination completes a long process of transformation.

Immigration: Too Hot for the Dems?

Roberto Lovato, New America Media — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:01 PDT

America's brutal immigration detention network is getting little attention from Democratic reformers and their institutional allies in Denver.

Unifying Dems Is No Longer Hillary's Job -- It's Up to Delegates and Us

Kathleen Reardon, Huffington Post — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:01 PDT

Hillary Clinton's call to support Barack Obama was unequivocal. Now everyone else needs to follow her lead.

Does McCain Really Need Another Mansion? Giving Him White House Is One Too Many

Jared Bernstein, Huffington Post — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

McCain's got eight houses and a level of wealth that insulates him from the real lives of 99% of Americans. That's dangerous for a president.

Hillary Electrifies: "Nothing Less Than the Fate of Our Nation ... Hangs in the Balance"

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

In a speech to a roaring crowd at the DNC, Hillary Clinton gave full support to Barack Obama, promising to fight for health care and the environment.

Half of Americans Believe GOP Spin on Obama's Tax Plan

Joshua Holland, AlterNet — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:01 PDT

Even though Obama says he'll cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans, Gallup records 53 percent thinking he'll raise them.

What Should Hillary's Role Be After the Convention?

Marie Cocco, Washington Post Writers Group — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:01 PDT

It is usually the job of the party nominee to build unity once a vanquished rival has conceded. Unless the loser happens to be a woman.

Michelle Obama Moves First Lady Role into 21st Century

Adele Stan, Huffington Post — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:01 PDT

Michelle Obama's appearance last night conveyed an admirable unwillingness to diminish herself and her gifts to fit a sexist ideal.

10 Ways Obama Should Not Imitate the John Kerry Campaign

Drew Westen, Huffington Post — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Dems have used the same playbook to guide themselves to losing presidential campaigns for decades. Here are the techniques Obama should avoid.

The Pinched Middle Class Is Ditching Target for Wal-Mart

Marie Cocco, Washington Post Writers Group — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Money is on the mind of voters as they see their paychecks shrink from inflation, their jobs threatened and their middle-class dreams diminished.

Michelle Introduces Who the Obamas Really Are: Just Like All of Us

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Michelle Obama gives an inspiring and intimate introduction to her family's all-American success story. And: Ted Kennedy passes the torch.

The Democratic Party Platform's Missing Plank

Sam Pizzigati, Too Much: A Commentary on Excess and Inequality — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

The Democrats have, once again, chosen not to challenge the incredible concentrations of wealth that sit at America's economic summit.

Jumping Jack Rachel Maddow

The Masher, AlterNet — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:00:01 PDT

An exuberant Maddow called for a stronger progressive media to counter the right-wing propaganda machine.

Just What, Exactly, Is the DNC?

Christopher Hayes, The Nation — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:00:01 PDT

A look at what actually goes on at the Democratic National Convention.