John Nichols

National Affairs Correspondent

@NicholsUprising

John Nichols is a national affairs correspondent for The Nation. He has written, cowritten, or edited over a dozen books on topics ranging from histories of American socialism and the Democratic Party to analyses of US and global media systems. His latest, cowritten with Senator Bernie Sanders, is the New York Times bestseller It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., left, answers a question for the media following his announcement that he is nominating Kimberly Teehee, right, as a Cherokee Nation delegate to the U.S. House, in Tahlequah, Okla., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.

One of the Oldest Broken Promises to Indigenous Peoples Is for a Voice in Congress One of the Oldest Broken Promises to Indigenous Peoples Is for a Voice in Congress

A treaty commitment to seat a delegate representing the Cherokee Nation in the House has gone unmet for two centuries.

Nov 14, 2023 / John Nichols

President Joe Biden walks after arriving on Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, in Washington.

They Helped to Get Biden Elected. Now They’re Demanding That He Back a Cease-Fire. They Helped to Get Biden Elected. Now They’re Demanding That He Back a Cease-Fire.

The president cannot afford to lose the generation of young political activists who are telling him he is flat wrong when it comes to Gaza.

Nov 11, 2023 / John Nichols

US President Joe Biden speaks during an event at the Community Building Complex of Boone County in Belvidere, Illinois, US, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

Forget the Polls—Here’s What Actual Election Results Can Tell Us About 2024 Forget the Polls—Here’s What Actual Election Results Can Tell Us About 2024

There are far more insights to be found in this week’s elections than in theoretical surveys about a vote that won’t happen for a year.

Nov 10, 2023 / John Nichols

Andy Beshear delivers his victory speech to a crowd at an election night event at Old Forrester’s Paristown Hall on November 7, 2023, in Louisville, Ky.

Democrats Are Supposed to Be in Trouble. Tell That to Andy Beshear. Democrats Are Supposed to Be in Trouble. Tell That to Andy Beshear.

Kentucky’s pro-choice, pro-union governor just beat the combined power of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and the Republican money machine.

Nov 8, 2023 / John Nichols

Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley speaks to reporters during a campaign stop on November 6, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi.

Can Elvis Presley’s Cousin Beat America's Most Scandal-Plagued Governor? Can Elvis Presley’s Cousin Beat America's Most Scandal-Plagued Governor?

Politics / November 7, 2023 Can Elvis Presley’s Cousin Beat America’s Most Scandal-Plagued Governor? Tuesday’s elections will decide a lot of questions, including whether…

Nov 7, 2023 / John Nichols

Marjorie Taylor Greene/Rashida Tlaib

Rashida Tlaib 1, Marjorie Taylor Greene 0 Rashida Tlaib 1, Marjorie Taylor Greene 0

Greene’s failed attempt to censure Tlaib united Democrats, divided Republicans, and energized ceasefire activism.

Nov 4, 2023 / John Nichols

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear responds to a question from the moderator during the Gubernatorial Forum at the 2023 Kentucky Chamber of Commerce annual meeting dinner in Louisville, Ky., Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Backed the UAW Strike, and It’s Paying Off Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Backed the UAW Strike, and It’s Paying Off

It used to be that Democrats in tight races downplayed their union ties. Not anymore.

Nov 2, 2023 / John Nichols

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Capitol Hill on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

Mike Johnson’s Creed Does Not Extend to Saving the Lives of Innocents in the Holy Land Mike Johnson’s Creed Does Not Extend to Saving the Lives of Innocents in the Holy Land

While Pope Francis and religious leaders of all backgrounds call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the new speaker of the House is all in for war.

Oct 31, 2023 / John Nichols

Representative Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) outside the US Capitol, in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

Biden’s Primary Challenges Are Much More Serious Than DC Insiders Think Biden’s Primary Challenges Are Much More Serious Than DC Insiders Think

There’s an ongoing debate about when Biden backers should panic. But with new opponents and new issues, it’s time to start paying attention to the nomination contest.

Oct 27, 2023 / John Nichols

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) takes the oath of office.

Concerned About Democracy? House Republicans Invite You to “Shut Up!” Concerned About Democracy? House Republicans Invite You to “Shut Up!”

The message from Mike Johnson’s election is stark: it is not possible for a defender of democracy to serve as a Republican speaker of the House.

Oct 26, 2023 / John Nichols

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