More than two years into his presidency, many of Barack Obama’s supporters still ask themselves what happened to the candidate they elected. What happened to the candidate who promised to transform the nation? On April 20th, the Brennan Center for Justice welcomed Eric Alterman, author of the new book Kabuki Democracy: The System vs. Barack Obama. In his book, Alterman provides an answer, detailing how the political system forced Obama to abandon his ideals and compromise on the progressive change he promised in 2008.
Alterman is a Distinguished Professor of English and Journalism at Brooklyn College and CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. He is a columnist for The Nation, Moment, and The Daily Beast, a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Fellow at the Nation Institute, and the author of seven books, including the national bestseller, What Liberal Media?