The Progressive Moment

One of the things I hoped for when Michelle Obama spoke at the Democratic convention, was that she would introduce Americans to the America that she came from and the America that was the setting of her story. One of the biggest shames in this campaign is the lack of any discussion of the reality that we don't all live in the same America. It's one reality that both progressives and conservatives must grapple with between now and November, and beyond. more »

At the Denver convention, Sen. Barack Obama gave a very fine acceptance speech, but not a great one. Winning the battle against conservatism requires going beyond personality and empathy and clearly—and extremely briefly—stating the case for progressive reform. more »

Now that the festivities in Denver have drawn to a close, one thing, at least, is clear to me after having spent four days among progressives from all over the country: They are convinced that this moment is real and that the stakes have never been higher. There is a sense of opportunity and engagement with issues that I haven't seen in progressive circles for some time. more »

There they were, billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens, Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope and Center for American Progress president John Podesta on the same stage at The Big Tent in Denver on Wednesday, in near-perfect harmony. Something’s wrong here.

And indeed there was, and it was Pope who pointed it out. more »

Paul Krugman, the columnist for The New York Times, told me in an interview here in Denver that getting a universal health care plan enacted will be one of he most important keys to creating a progressive moment on a whole host of issues. more »

Because Bush and his allies have failed, our fellow citizens are ready to consider the progressive message. But what is it? In simple terms that all Americans understand, what do we stand for? Try using this 12-word answer. Then join our continuing debate on how to take advantage of "the progressive moment." more »

My colleague Bill Scher and I review this week's posts on "Creating the Progressive Moment" and outline plans for continuing the discussion in Denver. We talk about the several fronts on which progressives have to work in the coming weeks to change the direction of the country. more »

Conservative governments have resolutely cut budgets and driven out the experts whose job it was to keep the country's public works in good working order. But they never expected there would be an Obama Moment—a moment of national renewal in which progressives would be able to seize the process and launch some bold, creative acts of our own. It's not an overstatement to say that we may never have a creative opportunity like this one again. more »

Before we can assess an "Obama Moment" we have to know if this is an actual "moment," or whether this is a mirage, like the one when Bill Clinton promised to oppose NAFTA and then rammed it through Congress "over the dead bodies" of the progressive movement. We have to ask Barack Obama—and ourselves—the same question: What side are you on? more »