Contributing Writer Robin Sears opens our cover package with an overview of the American political landscape, and how the remaining three candidates, McCain, Clinton and Obama represent a turning of the page from the failed presidency of George W.Bush. John McCain is an authentic maverick. With strong appeal for independent voters, he suddenly in 2008 became the choice of the Republican establishment, and represents whatever hopes the GOP has of retaining the White House. Hillary Clinton represents continuity as well as change, continuity with her husband’s presidency and change as a woman in the Oval Office. But it is Barack Obama, Sears writes, who represents America’s renaissance of hope. “Obama has changed everything,” he writes. “How did this happen?” Read on.

America’s renaissance of hope in this month’s issue of Policy Options.