The Observer’s Best Longform Stories of 2020
We rounded up some of our hardest hitting longform stories from this unprecedented year.
2020
He May Not Be a Candidate, but Beto O’Rourke is Rebuilding His Texas Organizing Machine for 2020
O’Rourke’s 2018 Senate campaign was fueled by an organizing network of 20,000 volunteers. Can he harness that energy again without being on the ticket?
Trump Harvests Support in America’s Farmlands
At a farm convention in Austin, the nation’s agriculture sector warmly welcomed a president who has hurt them in the past.
A Radical Proposal Calls for a Moratorium on Deportations
The Migrant Justice Platform also offers a simple solution to address the tension between native-born and foreign workers: Protect immigrants’ right to organize.
The Internet Broke Democracy. To Fix It, Design for Human Rights.
Author Samuel Woolley argues that a slew of new technologies will further degrade political life unless we rein them in.
The Return of Karl Rove
Political strategist and pundit Karl Rove was an architect of the GOP takeover of Texas in the 1980s. Now, he's come home to ensure Trump doesn't unravel his legacy.
A Radical Idea: Vote Your Conscience in the Presidential Primary
Democrats spend a lot of time thinking about what Democratic voters might be thinking about. Columnist Christopher Hooks argues that this focus on electability isn't how primaries are supposed to work.
Questions About Politics in 2020 That Aren’t ‘Will Texas Turn Blue?’
Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for a clash in Texas. Here’s the context you need to understand the coming year in politics.
Julián Castro’s Bid May Be Over, But His Influence on the Presidential Race Will Continue
The son of San Antonio’s presidential campaign never quite took off, but he still left an indelible impression.
5 Texas Criminal Justice Stories to Watch in 2020
“Progressive” prosecutors, bail reforms, and increased calls for accountability will all likely be in the news next year.