Progressive Movement

Hope, Change and The Long Road: One Year Later

Bob Cesca | Posted 11.04.2009 | Politics


Bob Cesca

It's been exactly one year since Barack Obama was elected, and it's becoming increasingly clear that the president hasn't fixed the whole world yet. Then again, he never promised such a thing.

One Year After Obama's Victory: We Are in the Opening Months of a New Progressive Era

Robert Creamer | Posted 11.03.2009 | Politics


Robert Creamer

As I watched Obama's victory speech a year ago, I thought that America was on the brink of a new progressive era. I believe that just as strongly one year later, as well as in the slogan, "Yes We Can."

In the Midst of All This

Mike Lux | Posted 10.28.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

Since we're progressives, we know how to multi-task. So let's keep our eye on the ball for health care, and remember to take a second to pitch in for the LGBT movement.

Reclaiming "We"

Terrance Heath | Posted 10.28.2009 | Politics


Terrance Heath

When it comes to health care reform, the states most likely to benefit -- because they have the highest percentages of uninsured citizens -- are the source of the loudest objections to reform.

We All Sink or Swim Together

Mike Lux | Posted 10.15.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

Conservatives understand that a headline the day after the Maine initiative about them succeeding at rolling back the gay marriage bill helps them build momentum, and helps deflate and discourage progressives.

A New Social Movement

Jay Mandle | Posted 10.13.2009 | Politics


Jay Mandle

Progressives have typically avoided addressing the way the electoral system is financed. They have concentrated on the outcome of politics, but not on the political process.

The American Left Does Not Exist - Or at Least Not in the Way It Seems

David Sirota | Posted 10.08.2009 | Politics


David Sirota

The two standards -- freak out on Republicans when they do something awful, say nothing about Democrats when they do the same thing -- is the canary in the coal mine.

Combating the Disease of Progressive Cynicism

Robert Creamer | Posted 10.08.2009 | Politics


Robert Creamer

One thing I know for sure. If progressives constantly pronounce the public option dead -- it will be. The cynics will create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Triggering a Democratic Civil War

Mike Lux | Posted 09.24.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

By winning Olympia Snowe over on health care, the White House is risking something far more politically dangerous: an ugly fight within the Democratic Party and further erosion of Obama's standing with his base.

The Rare Political Party That Is a Movement

David Sirota | Posted 09.23.2009 | New York


David Sirota

Despite flying under the radar, the Working Families Party is perhaps today's most encouraging model for achieving progressive results over the long haul.

Where Is That Online-Powered "Movement" Now?

Chris Hughes | Posted 09.21.2009 | Technology


Chris Hughes

What went hand in hand with the technology that helped elect Barack Obama was a resolute and unyielding focus on good-old-fashioned political organizing. What's missing now is the organizing leadership.

Hope in Real Life

Rhoades Alderson | Posted 11.10.2009 | Politics


Rhoades Alderson

The president's most recent August swoon reminds us that this moment is the first real test of Obama's "hope" in the nitty-gritty of getting big things done in Washington.

A Party Is Not a Movement

David Sirota | Posted 10.21.2009 | Politics


David Sirota

Though the 2006 and 2008 elections were billed as progressive movement successes, the story behind them highlights a longer-term failure.

The Myths of the Battle of Health Care Reform

Mike Lux | Posted 10.18.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

The traditional media has talked itself into believing certain things about the fight over health care reform, whether there is any serious evidence beyond their own self-reinforcing stories or not.

Hope 2.0: Standing With Obama Over the Long Haul

Mark Klempner | Posted 09.25.2009 | Politics


Mark Klempner

It's not that I object to critical thinking. We need it. Yet, while we're reminding Obama of his promises and scrutinizing him on his decisions, we need to stand with him.

The Constant Challenge of Creating an Effective Left Flank

Mike Lux | Posted 09.24.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

Progressives and the White House need each other to get anything big and important done. It's how big change happens in this country.

Obama, Progressives, and the Question of a Successful Presidency

Mike Lux | Posted 09.21.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

The key to Obama's success at this fundamentally critical juncture is whether the President can get his base excited about him again so that they are actively engaged in fighting by his side on the tough battles ahead.

Progressive Friendly Fire

Rhoades Alderson | Posted 09.06.2009 | Politics


Rhoades Alderson

Some progressive groups are calling for a confrontation with Obama. While we should always strive for better, we can't let the perfect eclipse what in reality is extraordinarily good.

Why Working Families Back Thompson

Dan Cantor | Posted 08.23.2009 | New York


Dan Cantor

At the Working Families Forum I asked the Mayor if his profuse campaign spending distorts democracy. His answer? "Rich people don't always win."

How Progressives Can Deliver on the Promise of Change in 2009 -- Seven Rules for Success

Robert Creamer | Posted 08.10.2009 | Politics


Robert Creamer

The critical battles being fought in 2009 are not about "policies" -- they are about the distribution of wealth and power.

Conservatives (Re)acting Badly

Mike Lux | Posted 08.06.2009 | Politics


Mike Lux

What bothers these conservatives so much is the idea that progressive values are at the heart of the American ideal.

Progressives Take Back the Flag

Peter Dreier | Posted 08.03.2009 | Politics


Peter Dreier

Most Americans are unaware that much of our patriotic culture was created by people with decidedly progressive sympathies.

Obama's Agenda: Hope, Change and Lobby-Centricity

Stuart Whatley | Posted 08.02.2009 | Politics


Stuart Whatley

Obama's self-imposed rule against lobbyists in his administration, and the method whereby he is now implementing his progressive agenda, hews toward a rather perverse irony, if not hypocrisy.

Why I'm Not Freaked Out About the Waxman-Markey Bill

David Roberts | Posted 07.25.2009 | Green


David Roberts

There is no reason to think that this bill is going to be Obama's only legacy on energy. Already there's been the stimulus bill, the new mileage standards and the big climate impacts report.

The Political Stakes in the Battle for Health Care

Lincoln Mitchell | Posted 07.25.2009 | Politics


Lincoln Mitchell

A victory on health care would reinvigorate the progressive movement that elected Obama, and secure the president's place as one of America's great presidents.