By Peter Dreier and John Atlas

For the first time in American history, a major political party devoted a substantial portion of its national convention to attacking grassroots organizing.

Speaking Wednesday at the Republican National Convention, former New York Governor George Pataki sneered, "[Barack Obama] was a...

In my day job, I've worked with thousands of people directly, helping tens of millions of Americans with basics like jobs and housing. People are trustworthy and good, and get a lot done when organized at the grassroots level. Good people helping each other out, that's a great expression of...

Veola Carter reported on a McCain Watch Party held in Easley, South Carolina. Veola is an Obama supporter and fellow, and hosted the small party for "undecideds" and Independents. Her report was filed in response to the latest OffTheBus Special Ops assignment requesting members to report on Palin Watch Parties....

Veola Carter reported on a McCain Watch Party held in Easley, South Carolina. Veola is an Obama supporter and fellow, and hosted the small party for "undecideds" and Independents. Her report was filed in response to the latest OffTheBus Special Ops assignment requesting members to report on Palin Watch Parties....

It was nice to see Bristol and Levi sitting together looking happy at the Republican convention.

Only Nixon could go to China. Maybe only the Republican/Religious Right can dispel the Christian-based shame of unwed teenage pregnancy. I've been telling evangelicals that if they're serious about stopping abortions, they ought to...

In 2001, Sarah Palin drove from her Wasilla home, through the downtown streets of Anchorage, to a large home near the bluffs of muddy Cook Inlet. The home belonged to Bill Allen, one of the most influential businessmen and Republican donors in Alaska history. Allen ran the state's largest oil-contracting...

CHICAGOLAND -- On a pleasant Sunday afternoon in late August in the suburbs, I approached a handful of folks who were attending a backyard barbecue and asked if I could chat with them for a few minutes about the presidential contest.

It so happened that all...

It would be a miraculous feat for John McCain to win San Mateo County in November, where about 70 percent of the vote is Democratic. But a hodgepodge of voters - half stalwart Republicans and half only there out of spite for Obama - found a common cause in John...

I went to J&M Café and Cardroom on First Ave. to watch the speech, where Peter Cowman of MoveRed.org (a G.O.P. youth organization based in King County hosted a watch party. There were about 32 people there, generally very focused on the speech and enthusiastic about it. 


There...

The last time I felt this objectified, there were wolf whistles and halter tops involved. Leave it to the Republican party -- after spending the last eight years taking my money to fund a war I don't agree with, murdering and torturing people in the name of my homeland's "security,"...

Giants Won, McCain Zero

NORWALK, Conn. -- In the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center, self described as a Country Inn located in the suburbs of New York City, I expected to see a core group of people watching the final night of Republican Convention. The Inn is across the street...

OffTheBus asked me to report on people's reactions to the McCain speech. So I cut out of work early to watch it, which meant I had to look for a place close to where I work in the downtown Financial District of San Francisco. I went to eight different bars/restaurants...

In his acceptance speech for the Republican party nomination for the presidency, a mild-mannered John McCain promised to, for one, "change everything."

It was like watching an old relative, one who shows up at the local library to read at kid's hour. He cracks a few jokes, tells a...

Brainerd, Minnesota -- Brainerd is located just north of the geographical center of Minnesota. Perched on the banks of the Mississippi river, it was founded by Zebulon Pike as he searched for the river's headwaters and viable trade routes. Former railroad and mill town, the city center has faded with...

On a balmy September afternoon, Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve as US Secretary of State, addressed an overflowing crowd at Bryn Mawr College. The line of students and guests waiting to hear Albright stretched across the sweeping campus lawn. The room filled so rapidly that students sat on...

Over recent weeks we've watched Sen. John McCain dabble at being a "candidate for change" to counter Sen. Barack Obama. From attempts to seek any distance available between himself and Dubya and establish that yes, he's still a "maverick" to flip-flopping, McCain's trying it all. While some of his moves...

Each presidential race has its controversies. While the past two were marred by questions of voting accessibility and vote counting, however, this race is plagued with gossip about...

The Democratic Party celebration at INVESCO field was only a week ago tonight, but it seems like a season past. It was supposed to be a hard act for the Republicans to follow. Barack Obama was supposed to get a Mile-High bounce from Denver. Bush and Cheney were going to...

After the Democratic Convention last week, Obama is again on a good trajectory to win in November. A CBS poll found Obama leading McCain by eight points, although other polls have a closer race. But Obama and the Democrats shouldn't get too cocky. The next two months will be...

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was widely lauded for her speech Wednesday night attacking Sen. Barack Obama's lack of "real" decision-making experience. She has been touted from the beginning as somebody who has made real decisions, has more decision-making experience than Obama and Sen. Joe Biden combined, and a person who...