Blogs: Making Sense

Do you remember the "misery index" that became an iconic feature of the economic debates in the late 1970s and 1980? Well, it's back and it's bad—worse than it has been in more than 17 years. Progressives need to talk about the misery index and argue for bold economic policies. Let's talk about it. more »

Do you remember the "misery index" that became an iconic feature of the economic debates in the late 1970s and 1980? Well, it's back and it's bad—worse than it has been in more than 17 years. Progressives need to talk about the misery index and argue for bold economic policies. Let's talk about it. more »

The political attitudes and values of Indian American voters tend to be more progressive and Democratic than their non-Indian American counterparts, according to the first-ever focus group of likely Indian American voters conducted in Fairfax, Va. this summer by the Campaign for America’s Future. 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 »

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 »

The outlook for prescription drug costs, and for health care costs generally, continues to be ominous. Price increases of more than 100 percent for certain prescription drugs means it is more important than ever to give the Medicare program the power to bargain with drug companies for the best price, so that seniors and taxpayers don't bear an unfair burden because of these price hikes. more »

While the public is profoundly disenchanted with the state of the economy and have soured on conservative economic policies, progressives still have the challenge of coming up with the right message that convinces voters that progressive solutions are better. In this podcast, pollster Celinda Lake and Emory University psychology professor Drew Westen discuss that challenge, which is being tackled by the Making Sense 2008 economic "war room." more »

As we fight over individual issues in this election season, let’s not lose sight of the big picture. Unlike partisans, persuadable voters are not much interested in candidates’ specific issue positions. Issues don’t matter to them unless they are illustrative of a larger theme. Barack Obama has already telegraphed the only theme that John McCain can employ. What's the winning theme we can use? more »

A close reading of poll data shows that support for coastal drilling is not terribly deep, and pales in comparison to support for investment in clean energy and energy-efficiency. more »