The Voices

This was the Campaign for America's Future's Big Afternoon at the Big Tent. CAF took over the Digg Stage (the entire upstairs floor of The Big Tent) for a series of four panels addressing some of the Big Questions we wrestle with here. more »

All eyes are on Denver and whether the Democratic party will unify around Barack Obama, healing rifts that remain from the protracted primary fight. But the focus should be on unity of values and purpose, not just candidacy. By now, we all know American voters want change. But what do they mean? more »

The issue of race in this presidential campaign is one we talk around, or whisper about, or don't discuss publicly at all. But AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka is taking the issue head on, confronting white union members who not embracing the idea of an African-American becoming president. 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 »

With all the hoopla at the Beijing Olympics, both press and public have missed one big issue. While we watched President Bush playing volleyball with bikini-wearing Olympians and posing for pictures with vacationing Americans, Russia invaded Georgia. more »

I would be utterly confounded, confused, upset, hopeless and most of all, hurting like hell. Even though I’m not a Democrat, I still feel all of these particular emotions. It feels as if the end of the world is coming and there is not a thing I can do about it, and unfortunately, nobody seems to care, especially the Democrats. 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 »

Americans are worried about the present and pessimistic about the future, a new poll by the Drum Major Institute finds. But we are not nearly so divided on issues of public policy as the typical media reports of a country divided by red and blue might lead us to believe. In fact, there’s broad bipartisan support for a range of progressive policies. more »