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Ross Barkan

Columnist, Intelligencer

Ross Barkan is a novelist and essayist. He frequently covers local and national politics for Intelligencer and The New York Times Magazine. His work has appeared in The Nation, The Atlantic, and The Guardian, among others. His books include The Night Burns Bright and The Prince, and he writes a Substack newsletter, Political Currents.

  1. early and often
    Biden Is Right to Declare the ‘Pandemic Is Over’COVID is not killing like it once was, and that is worth celebrating — we can’t remain on a war footing forever.
  2. the city politic
    The YIMBY War Breaking Out on the LeftHousing fights are getting hot on the left as DSA lawmakers begin to embrace the cause of building and density.
  3. the city politic
    Who Cares About Hasidic Children?Pandering politicians react with a shrug to a damning exposé of yeshivas that miseducate and abuse students.
  4. early and often
    Democrats Need a Miracle to Keep the House. It Might Be on Long Island.After trying and failing to gerrymander themselves to safety, they need to win these key races.
  5. early and often
    Democrats Learn to Love the Culture WarWedge issues used to be the weapon solely of Republicans, but that’s changed with a push to force senators to vote to codify same-sex marriage.
  6. early and often
    Can Mandela Barnes Pivot His Way to Beating Ron Johnson?The race that may decide who controls the Senate.
  7. early and often
    Joe Biden Should Quit While He’s AheadA hot streak does not make a successful reelection, and he should allow a new generation of Democrats to emerge for 2024.
  8. covid
    America’s COVID Testing Regime Is Somehow Still a TravestyTests remain way too expensive, and nobody in power really seems to care.
  9. early and often
    It’s Not Good to Mock the Payroll Protection ProgramDemocrats have been delighting in Republican hypocrisy, mocking the GOP for taking PPP loans while opposing student-debt reform — a risky argument.
  10. early and often
    It Took Joe Biden, Career Centrist, to Cancel Student DebtProgressives forced him to make a previously radical campaign promise, and delivering on even some of it is a huge win for the left.
  11. early and often
    New York Progressives Actually Had an Excellent NightDespite high-profile defeats at the national level, the left continued to gain clout in Albany.
  12. early and often
    Dan Goldman Defeats a Splintered Field of ProgressivesIt was a nail-biter against Yuh-Line Niou, but the veteran prosecutor who put $4 million into his own campaign emerged victorious.
  13. early and often
    Jerry Nadler Wins, But How Long Will He Stay?Jerry Nadler won a huge victory over Carolyn Maloney. But one day, maybe soon, he will retire. A huge Manhattan battle will be waged to replace him.
  14. early and often
    The 4 Big Races to Watch in New YorkThe Democratic primaries will test the strength of the left, and a special election may determine how abortion rights will play in November.
  15. early and often
    Rage Against the Machine: Can Alessandra Biaggi Defeat Sean Patrick Maloney?The head of the DCCC is the epitome of moderation — and everything wrong with Democrats to the young progressive hoping to beat him next week.
  16. encounter
    Can Nasty Nestor Turn Around the Yankees?The pitcher has become an unlikely star for the Yankees. He’s just happy to be here.
  17. the city politic
    New York Times Sticks It to Progressives in New York’s Democratic PrimaryThe editorial board’s backing of Dan Goldman, Jerry Nadler, and Sean Patrick Maloney for Congress also shows a disdain for identity politics.
  18. early and often
    The Heir to Bernie?The career of America’s leading socialist has to end at some point, and he might have a worthy successor in Vermont’s own Becca Balint.
  19. early and often
    The GOP Is the Party of Insulin-GougingIn their quest for zero-sum victories — and Democratic defeats — Republicans are incapable of tackling popular issues that would benefit them.
  20. the city politic
    Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney Really Hate Each OtherThe liberal lions of Manhattan fight off extinction.
  21. foreign interests
    Nancy Pelosi Is Creating a Global Military Crisis for No Reason at AllShe’s going to Taiwan as a semi-rogue actor. At best, her trip will accomplish nothing. At worst …
  22. early and often
    Democrats Are Undermining Their January 6 Message by Boosting Fringe RepublicansVoters may doubt the project is serious when they learn Democrats want election-denying Trumpists appearing on ballots in November.
  23. the city politic
    Why Jessica Ramos Went After AOCThe spat reveals fault lines among seemingly like-minded progressive lawmakers.
  24. early and often
    Pete Buttigieg Could Make Air Travel Less Hellish. Will He Do It?Airlines are hitting travelers with price hikes, mass cancellations, and onerous policies. It’s time for the Transportation secretary to crack down.
  25. early and often
    Democrats’ Problems Go Beyond Joe ManchinThe West Virginia senator is more a consequence than the cause of the party’s failures.
  26. the city politic
    New York Can and Should Kill the Broker FeeNew York could defeat the real-estate lobby and join the rest of America.
  27. early and often
    Bernie Sanders Probably Won’t Run Again. Who Replaces Him?For all the speculation about Joe Biden’s future, there is no obvious socialist successor waiting to run in 2024, but there needs to be.
  28. early and often
    Liberals Have the Chance to Reshape a Conservative High Court (Not That One)New York’s most powerful judge is stepping down, and Democrats can rectify Cuomo-era mistakes.
  29. early and often
    Democrats Have a Biden ProblemJoe Biden might be the only Democrat who can give Donald Trump a second term.
  30. democracy
    Boris Johnson’s Downfall Should Make Americans JealousA parliamentary system such as the U.K.’s would be far more resistant to toxic figures like Trump and toxic ideas like rescinding abortion rights.
  31. sticker shock
    Why Don’t Democrats Care About the Housing Emergency?Once the domain of big cities, the surging cost of rent across the country is driving record inflation.
  32. the city politic
    What Happened to the Left in New York on Tuesday?Up and down the ballot, progressives couldn’t break through. The energy of the Trump years is gone, and it’s not clear what may replace it.
  33. early and often
    Does Lee Zeldin Stand a Chance Against Kathy Hochul?It’s shaping up to be a good year for Republicans nationally, but that may only go so far in New York.
  34. israel
    Is the BDS Movement Too Alienating to Make Real Change?Pro-Palestinian activists have more sway than ever. But social shaming and ad hoc boycotts only go so far.
  35. early and often
    The Future of American Socialism Is LocalDSA is a little quieter today than in the Trump years, but it’s racking up successes outside of New York thanks to a focus on housing reform.
  36. early and often
    The Backlash Has Begun in CaliforniaSan Francisco recalls its progressive DA and Los Angeles powers an ex-Republican into contention for mayor.
  37. feuds
    You Can Ignore Elon MuskThe world’s richest man lives rent free in too many people’s heads.
  38. early and often
    Chesa Boudin and the Limits of San Francisco LiberalismIf Chesa Boudin is recalled, it will be because his city has never been its left-wing caricature.
  39. early and often
    The 3 Democrats Who Could Save the PartyGretchen Whitmer, John Fetterman, and Tim Ryan could win in the Midwest, which is key to the Senate and a post-Biden White House.
  40. the city politic
    Kill the Commute for GoodTrekking into Manhattan five days a week never made sense for most white-collar workers.
  41. foreign interests
    The War in Ukraine Can Be Over If the U.S. Wants ItThe U.S. needs to broker a peace with Russia before the consequences become still more dire, even if that means letting Putin have Donbas.
  42. gun violence
    Why We Keep Letting This HappenA non-exhaustive list includes the filibuster, radical red states, the archconservative Supreme Court, and a toxic national tradition.
  43. early and often
    President Mike Pence Would Be Worse Than TrumpThe former vice-president is attempting to bolster his chances in 2024, but Democrats would be wise to beware any attempt to rehabilitate his image.
  44. the city politic
    Maybe Bill de Blasio Deserves a ComebackThe former mayor stooping to run for Congress is absurd, but a little less so when considering his record.
  45. the bottom line
    Nationalize Baby FormulaAnd other ideas to end the corporate stranglehold over mothers and children.
  46. early and often
    Trump’s Hold on the GOP Won’t Loosen Even If His Candidates FailHis cult of personality can withstand a few botched endorsements.
  47. the city politic
    Eric Adams Can’t Afford to Lose the New York PostWith crime surging, his brief honeymoon with the still-powerful tabloid appears to be over.
  48. encounter
    Pete Buttigieg Is Living His Best LifeHow billions of dollars in infrastructure funds turned the Transportation secretary into a D.C. power broker.
  49. politics
    A Gas-Tax Holiday Isn’t Great Policy. Democrats Should Do It Anyway.Right now, trying to avoid a midterm disaster takes precedence over everything else.
  50. politics
    The HoneymoonersUnlike their predecessors, Kathy Hochul and Eric Adams get along. Can it last?
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