President Obama Says Gold Star Military Families 'Represent the Very Best of Our Country'
The commander-in-chief’s speech to a disabled veterans’ group was a counterweight to Donald Trump’s comments on the military.
Trump Time Capsule #65: 'I'd Like to Hear His Wife Say Something'
The most personally moving, and most fundamentally patriotic, moment of the Democratic National Convention was the appearance by the bereaved…
The Democrats’ Message of Calm
The Atlantic’s Molly Ball explores Hillary Clinton’s image of composure in the midst of a troubled country.
Trump Time Capsule #63: What's In the Tax Returns?
Mark Salter, former chief of staff to Sen. John McCain, has written an essay for Real Clear Politics on why…
Trump Time Capsule #62: 'A Man Who Can Be Baited With a Tweet'
Last night, in her overall very successful acceptance speech, Hillary Clinton said with ruthless precision about her opponent: …
A Message of Calm in an Agitated Time
Can Hillary Clinton’s projection of steadiness resonate with an unsettled country?
Signs of the Times
The placards at the Democratic National Convention had more than symbolic importance.
Why the Democratic Party Can’t Escape Mass Incarceration
It's the issue at the heart of the convention: a policy they helped create, and are now debating how to fix.
The Christian Sects Who Protest at Conventions
Those who demonstrate at the RNC and DNC have extreme views within their faith. But they are increasingly mistaken for the mainstream.
Hillary's Message to America
The Democrat promised voters she’d do her job intelligently and doggedly—and help them be the heroes of their own lives.
Hillary Does It Again
In her acceptance speech, the Democratic nominee took on her Republican rival by throwing Donald Trump’s own words back at him.
The Most Inspiring and Depressing Moment of the Democratic Convention
The father of a Muslim American who died in Iraq confronts Donald Trump.
Hillary Clinton Begins Building Her Coalition
The Democratic nominee for United States president made a play for progressives, moderates, and Independents alike during her address in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
How Chelsea Beat Ivanka at Being a Candidate Daughter
The comparatively less flashy, less spirited former First Kid managed to show her mom’s softer side at the DNC on Thursday.
Hillary Clinton’s Feminist Triumph
The former secretary of state made history by winning the presidential nomination. Can she do it again by winning the presidency?
A Truth Made Self-Evident
Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic nomination in Philadelphia, ratifying a promise made there 240 years before—that all are created equal.
Trump Time Capsule #61: 'A Serious Threat Against the Security of the West'
Just a quick place-holder note on where things stand, near the end of the DNC and in the middle of…
Elizabeth Warren on Trump's 'Toxic Stew of Bigotry and Hatred'
Experience the senator’s press-conference speech in virtual reality.
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Bernie or Bargain
Are die-hard Bernie Sanders supporters willing to compromise and vote for Hillary Clinton?
Trump Shows the Flaws of NSA Surveillance
His call for Russian hackers to break into Hillary Clinton’s email validate the worst suspicions of security-state critics.
When Bernie Bros Become Hillary Bros
A casual survey at the DNC reveals not youthful folly, but Millennial pragmatism.
Why Identity Trumps Class for Many at the Democratic Convention
Sketches of voters whose life experiences caused them to see the election through the lenses of gender and race.
The Diverse Left and White Working-Class Right
Does the Democratic Party—open to all immigrants, races, genders, and sexual orientations—have enough room for less educated white voters?
Obama Returns to His Biography
Twelve years after introducing himself to the American public as the son of an immigrant, the president recast himself as a bearer of Scotch-Irish values.
Bloomberg's Case Against Trump
The billionaire former New York mayor denounced the Republican nominee as a “dangerous demagogue” and a “risky, reckless, and radical choice.”
A Thermidorian Reaction
At the Democratic National Convention, history repeats itself ...
Why Trump Really Doesn't Want to Release Those Returns
A reader who is a veteran lawyer on the West Coast writes about Donald Trump’s argument that he can’t/won’t release…
Trump Time Capsule #60: Tim Kaine of the Garden State
With the (justified) flap over Donald Trump’s invitation to Vladimir Putin to intervene in U.S. politics, and with his continued…
Trump Time Capsule #59: 'I Hope Putin Has Hillary's Emails'
Without elaboration, I will note for the record something, yet another thing, that to the best of my knowledge has…
Trump Time Capsule #58: IRS Audit
In a press conference right now, Donald Trump says that he’d be happy to release his tax returns but can’t…
Obama Endorses Hillary as America’s Best Hope
The president took the DNC stage on Wednesday, showing why he will be his one-time rival's best advocate this fall.
America's Cities Fight Trump
Liberal mayors see the Republican nominee’s rhetoric as a threat to their diversity and inclusivity.
Diversity Takes Center Stage at the Democratic National Convention
Delegate Anthony Woods, a former congressional candidate and veteran, is familiar with the DNC’s narratives of inclusion.
Bill Clinton's Lapse Into Trumpism
In his convention speech, he suggested that Muslims need to earn the rights that all other Americans enjoy.
The First Lady to Become the Nominee
Hillary Clinton made history on Tuesday night—and her husband reintroduced the first woman to secure a major-party nomination to America.
Bill Clinton Repays His Debt
Four decades after he asked his wife to set aside her own ambitions, he asked Americans to return her to the White House in her own right.
Bill Clinton Gets It Right
His convention speech re-introducing his wife to the country was an uneven, but ultimately effective, performance.
‘We Are Preparing to Shatter the Highest Glass Ceiling in Our Country’
The women who cheered Hillary Clinton into her official nomination showed why this moment in American history is so important—and fragile.
Discord Among Democrats in Philadelphia
Bernie Sanders told his supporters to get in line, but some aren't buying it.
Donald Trump's Threats Against Minorities Are Unifying Democrats
Identity politics loomed large on the first night of the Democratic National Convention.
Trump Time Capsule #57: Russia, and Taxes
When something goes wrong, I start with blunder, confusion, and miscalculation as the likely explanations. Planned-out wrongdoing is harder to…
A Party at War With Itself
Hillary Clinton is running as the candidate of continuity—but Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and most white Democrats think America is headed in the wrong direction.
Michelle Obama's Speech for the Ages
The First Lady took to the stage at the Democratic National Convention, and united a divided hall.
The Streets of Philadelphia Are Anti-Hillary
The majority of Democratic voters, however, are with her.
A Bernie Voter, From Ukraine, on the Putin Story
I think this is very interesting: a reader who knows Russia and Ukraine, on how he reads the unfolding “Putin…
Bernie Sanders Supporters: ‘People Are Going to Protest’
A call from the Vermont senator urging support for Hillary Clinton was met with boos from delegates in Philadelphia.
Trump Time Capsule #56: Russian Quids and Quos
Suspicions about foreign interference in U.S. politics have arisen before. In 1980, the Ayatollah’s Iranian government may have delayed the…
Bernie Gives In to Hillary
The Vermont senator closed the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with a show of unity, but his supporters weren’t necessarily with him.
A 93-Year-Old Democratic Delegate Who Has Seen It All
This will be the Ruby Gilliam’s eighth national convention—and she says she has a few more left in her.
Selling Fear and Anger: The Why and How of Trump
In response to recent items on what Donald Trump is doing, four readers offer views on why. 1)…
Trump Time Capsule #55: 'Unique Threat to Democracy'; Russian Role?
The editorial page of the Washington Post, though chronically hawkish in foreign policy, usually ends up endorsing the Democratic candidate…
Another Clinton Email Scandal
As the Democratic National Convention prepares to kick off, a massive leak of hacked emails renews old questions about how the Clintons and their associates operate.
Trump Time Capsule #54: 'Total Time Spent Applauding'
When I saw this online video last night, I assumed it was a parody, perhaps a less fantastical version of…
A Family Affair at the Democratic National Convention
Meet the Clinton and Sanders delegates attending this week’s gathering—with their children, parents, and siblings.
On Tim Kaine's Debut (Special-Edition Time Capsule #53)
There’s a special “debut” category for vice-presidential selections who very suddenly find themselves in the world’s media glare. VP…
Trump Time Capsule #52: Hobgoblin of Little Minds
Donald Trump sent out the second tweet, saying people should never be mocked for their heritage, thirteen minutes after the…
Trump Time Capsule #51: The Tax Returns
For three days now, Donald Trump has been the official nominee of the Republican party. For many decades now,…
The Democrat That Republicans Really Fear Most
Delegates in Cleveland answer a nightmare question: Would they take four more years of Barack Obama over a Hillary Clinton presidency?
Donald Trump's Weird and Wild Post-RNC Speech
The morning after he accepted the Republican nomination with a serious, long speech, Trump dredged up old feuds, praised the National Enquirer, and had his fun.
Do Republicans Think Trump Can Win?
Nonpartisan prognosticators and party officials seem bleak about the GOP’s chances in November. But delegates in Cleveland were at least somewhat more optimistic.