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Headshot of Michael Tomasky
Michael Tomasky

Michael Tomasky is the editor of The New Republic and the author of five books, including his latest and critically acclaimed The Middle Out: The Rise of Progressive Economics and a Return to Shared Prosperity. With extensive experience as an editor, columnist, progressive commentator, and special correspondent for renowned publications such as The Guardian, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Daily Beast, and many others, Tomasky has been a trusted voice in political journalism for more than three decades.

All Articles
October 4, 2021
Michael Tomasky
The Reconciliation Bill Is About Saving Democracy
Democrats have to prove that the government can deliver for people. If they don’t, authoritarianism wins.
September 27, 2021
Michael Tomasky
This Is the Week for Democrats to Live Up to Their Stated Principles
After weeks of posturing, the party needs to come home, pass the Biden agenda, and honor its commitments to voters.
September 24, 2021
Michael Tomasky
How the Media’s Framing of the Budget Debate Favors the Right
They call it a $3.5 trillion spending bill. More accurately, it’s a $60 billion-a-year investment bill. Imagine how different the debate would be if the journalistic shorthand were that.
September 20, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Mitch McConnell’s Gang of Nihilists Can’t Be Trusted With the Debt Ceiling
When Republicans say they won’t vote to prevent default, Democrats had best believe them.
September 17, 2021
Michael Tomasky
“The Most Beloved Man on the Planet”: Ken Burns on Muhammad Ali
TNR editor Michael Tomasky talks with the acclaimed filmmaker about his new project, airing Sunday on PBS.
Video is available for this article
September 15, 2021
Michael Tomasky
“Amazon, I’m Lookin’ at You”: Elizabeth Warren on Paying for the Budget Bill
The Massachusetts senator asks: Are we really going to tell pre-K kids that billionaires can’t afford it?
Video is available for this article
September 13, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Why Moderate House Democrats Torture Their Colleagues—and Why They’re Wrong
They’re going to be smeared as socialists no matter what size the reconciliation bill is. The only option here is to pass the bill and play offense.
September 6, 2021
Michael Tomasky
No, Low-Wage Workers Aren’t Lazy. They’re on Strike.
Talking heads who blame government handouts for the labor shortage are missing the point. People are sick of crap jobs at crap wages.
September 2, 2021
Michael Tomasky
It’s High Time We Messed With Texas
From the way it entered the Union, right up through this week, the Lone Star State has been aggressively dragging the country backward.
August 30, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Be Glad Donald Trump Isn’t Running the Show in Afghanistan
The former president’s recent rhetoric over the U.S. withdrawal is a potent reminder of his lack of fitness for command.
August 27, 2021
Michael Tomasky
The First Treacherous Moment of the Biden Presidency Has Arrived
The president must master a period fraught with fear, doubt, cynicism, and uncertainty to keep his ambitious plans alive.
August 19, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Come On, Man: Drop the Tough Guy Act, Joe
The Afghanistan debacle has the president leaning in to a mode of leadership that neither suits the moment nor plays to his strengths.
August 16, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Afghanistan Is a Disaster. But It Was Always Going to Be.
It’s sickening to see the Taliban taking Kabul. But we could stay another 20 years, or 120, and nothing would change. We must learn the lesson of limits.
August 10, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Andrew Cuomo and the Line No Democrat Can Cross
His resignation proves that you can’t do what he did as a Democrat and expect to survive. This is a good thing.
August 9, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Infrastructure Week Could End the Era of Deficit Fearmongering
The public doesn’t care about deficits. It’s time for lawmakers to get with the program.
August 2, 2021
Michael Tomasky
“Dear Sarah, This Is God. Please Just Stay Home.”
Just when you thought the United States Senate couldn’t get any worse....
July 26, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Maybe Mitch McConnell Is Just an Evil Mediocrity
Should Biden get his infrastructure deal, it will be a rare defeat for the Senate’s master of nihilism.
July 12, 2021
Michael Tomasky
This Is an Important Week. Thank Rosa DeLauro.
Expanded child tax credit checks start going out to families this week. Finally, we have a government that is redistributing wealth in the right direction.
July 7, 2021
Michael Tomasky
How Stephen Breyer Is Helping to Destroy the Norms He Claims to Cherish
The Republican Party will use the justice’s sentimental beliefs about democracy against him.
June 28, 2021
Michael Tomasky
Why This Anti-Science Fanaticism Is Dangerous for Democracy
The blue versus red vaccine divide is troubling from a public health perspective—and terrifying from a democratic perspective.

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