Author: Norman Solomon

  • Democrats’ Deference to Biden Was a Disaster. They Still Haven’t Learned Their Lesson

    By Norman Solomon / The Guardian Joe Biden’s insistence on running for re-election was certainly disastrous. It kept credible contenders out of the Democratic presidential primaries and prevented the selection of a nominee who had gained momentum in the winnowing process. Even after his stunningly feeble debate performance on 27 June last year, Biden took several weeks before finally opting…

  • Can the Democratic Party Free Itself From the Biden Brand?

    By Norman Solomon / The Hill Former President Joe Biden “has told some Democratic leaders he’ll raise funds, campaign and do anything else necessary for Democrats to recover lost ground,” NBC News reported last week. Some prominent party supporters reacted with skepticism while insisting on anonymity, but Jane Kleeb, a new vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, voiced open enthusiasm. “If…

  • Why “Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace” Advocates Cling to Genocide Denial

    By Norman Solomon Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza comes several months after both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch issued reports concluding without equivocation that Israel was engaged in genocide. But very few members of Congress dare to acknowledge that reality, while their silence and denials scream out complicity. In a New York Times interview…

  • Has J Street Gone Along With Genocide?

    By Norman Solomon / The Nation Since its founding in 2008, the advocacy group J Street has had a consistent motto: “pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy.” In practice, this has meant resolute backing for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, and consistent criticism of the extremist policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Along the way, J Street has remained closely allied with…

  • How the Warfare State Paved the Way for a Trumpist Autocracy

    By Norman Solomon / TomDispatch Donald Trump’s power has thrived on the economics, politics, and culture of war. The runaway militarism of the last quarter-century was a crucial factor in making President Trump possible, even if it goes virtually unmentioned in mainstream media and political discourse. That silence is particularly notable among Democratic leaders, who…