Us News

Salon: News & Politics

Original, independent news coverage of top U.S. and world stories, with an emphasis on investigative reporting.

When is a plot not a plot? A group of armed "meth heads" reportedly discussed shooting Barack Obama, but the feds opted for lesser charges. Biden's mission All signs are that Joe Biden won't back away from the job ahead of him -- combat with John McCain. Isn't she lovely? In her prime-time speech Monday, Michelle Obama foiled her harshest detractors and perhaps even won over Middle America. Angry PUMAs on the prowl in Denver They don't care if they make Chris Matthews happy, or if they make Hillary Clinton look bad. They don't even care that she wants them to stop. ¡Viva Obama! In Denver, a group of Latino voters show why they may hold the key to power for Democrats in the West. Is change "scary" or is change "hopeful"? As the Democratic convention opens, with a speech by Michelle Obama and an in-person appearance by Ted Kennedy, undecided voters wrestle with their feelings about change -- and the nominee. Joe Biden steps up for Obama The energized vice-presidential candidate uses Saturday's rally to chain John McCain to George W. Bush and propel the Democratic ticket toward the convention. Nobody's yes man By picking Joseph Biden as his running mate, Barack Obama chooses experience over hope. GOP: Here's to Hillary's big party! Nothing would delight Republicans more than for the Clintons to upstage Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention. How Obama can be the un-Kerry in Denver Three veteran Democrats game out the Democratic and Republican conventions. Beware of PUMAs! Pushing right-wing American politics -- in Israel Are Israeli politicians increasingly beholden to conservative Americans who lavish them with financial support and political pressure? American credibility on trial Was one of the youngest prisoners at Guantánamo rushed to court by the Bush administration for political reasons? Debunking anti-Obama e-mails Error-filled chain e-mails designed to scare voters away from Barack Obama are circulating widely on the Internet. Salon deconstructs a pair, one smearing the candidate, the other his wife. Sunday morning at Saddleback Church Most of Rick Warren's churchgoers still back McCain, but praised Obama's "values." The weekend's big winner was Warren. The sacrifice-free election strategy Neither candidate speaks with much candor about solving the energy crisis. But the GOP will use U.S. oil drilling as a weapon against Obama. Barack Obama's purpose-driven gamble The Democrat wanted to show he could compete for evangelical votes, too. Will he succeed? Get Rielle The life of John Edwards flame Rielle Hunter has been a novel, literally, with Bolivian marching powder, movie scripts called "It's All About Uranus" and electrocuted horses. The Democrats get religion Will the political mission to fashion an evangelical glow around Barack Obama lead to the White House? A hint of freedom for Iraqi women Cultural repression by the Muslim militias has waned slightly, but women still miss freedoms they enjoyed under Saddam Hussein. John McCain, Internet dunce Why the Arizona senator, who can barely Google, is not the chief that an increasingly technological world requires.