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Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates - Ta-Nehisi Coates is a senior editor for The Atlantic, where he writes about culture, politics, and social issues for TheAtlantic.com and the magazine. He is the author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle. More

Born in 1975, the product of two beautiful parents. Raised in West Baltimore—not quite The Wire, but sometimes ill all the same. Studied at the Mecca for some years in the mid-’90s. Emerged with a purpose, if not a degree. Slowly migrated up the East Coast with a baby and my beloved, until I reached the shores of Harlem. Wrote some stuff along the way.

But your enemies closer...

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Nov 7 2008, 2:46 PM ET Comment

I don't have any love for Joe Lieberman. I want to be clear about that. I think he grandstands and covers for rank ambition with bullshit talk of bipartisanship. His attacks on Obama were disgusting, especially given that Obama supported him in his losing primary effort. His support of McCain  seemed to be much more about his wounded ego than anything else, and in typical self-centered fashion, he's now waffling between the Dems and the GOP.

But here's the thing--in terms of pushing forward a progressive agenda, is booting a dude who votes with Dems on every issue except Iraq really the best move? Lemme add one other thing: What impressed me most about Obama's run is that when so many of us wanted Obama to bring the battle-axe, he held back. People scorned him as weak, but really he was smart and knew when to unload and when to be magnanimous. I strongly believe that talk of "anger" and "respect" won't be the keys to our future. This is business. And is booting Lieberman the best business move? I am willing to be convinced here. I'm seriously just asking.

UPDATE: I'm convinced. The comments on subpoena power got me. 


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