01.20.09

If you were not one of the 2 million people watching the inauguration on the Mall in Washington, you could watch the spectacle on any number of television channels. Flipping between ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS would have yielded different commentary but largely the same mood: euphoria, awe at the magnitude of electing the first African-American president, and somber urgency about what confronts our financial system and the world. Yet, even as Obama warned of a difficult road, the crowds were wildly enthusiastic, and millions were moved. Main Street has turned a corner. Read more…

09.02.08

The near-miss of Gustav and the laughable (but effective) spin of the Republicans to foreswear politics and put on their “American hats” means that we can now resume watching our regularly scheduled show of politics. Obama’s acceptance speech last week was long on pocketbook issues, and short on foreign policy, and McCain will need to do the same. Indeed, his pick of Palin - who has zero foreign policy experience - highlights that this election is revolving around economic issues. Read more…

08.21.08

The recent polls showing a dead-heat race between Obama and McCain also indicate that economic issues are the single most important concern for voters, by far. And few people seem to feel that either candidate is doing much to address the underlying problems.

McCain has sidestepped the issue by attacking Obama and calling for more off-shore drilling as a panacea for higher gas and energy prices. It isn’t, but it has the virtue of simplicity, and higher gas costs are something almost all Americans - except those like me and my 8 million neighbors who live in New York City - can relate to. Obama has had a more nuanced approach and a very specific tax plan, but to date, his agenda hasn’t fully connected on a national level. Read more…