Poet Calvin Trillin on the year in politics

Writer Calvin Trillin, who goes by "Bud," writes topical verse from a decidedly liberal point of view.  He has written for "New Yorker," "New York Times," and public radio.  His thoughts on the presidential campaign of 2008 are now collected in his new book of verse, "Deciding the Next Decider: The 2008 Presidential Race in Rhyme."  It’s a look back at the whole, long presidential campaign of 2008.

With the election now over, and no oft-skewered Republican party in the White House, what will Trillin do?  "I was thinking maybe becoming an insurance claims adjuster, or some other form of livlihood.  I don’t know.  I think we’ll be okay.  (Barack Obama) is difficult to joke about.  Partly because he is so steady and calm, and ususally someone who has a pretty steady personality.  Demeanor is obviously harder to joke about, but I’m willing to give it a try."

"There was a great moment in the campaign when Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" said ‘Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate,’ and then he looked up and said, ‘And Godsend.’  Palin did provide some great material.

"There was plenty to make fun of in the Clinton administration.  I have been doing the "Deadline Poet" since 1990, so I started with George H.W. Bush and then went through eight years of Clinton, and I didn’t have any problem finding subjects in those years.  I don’t think I’ll have a problem with Obama."

Support PRI when you purchase Calvin Trillin’s latest book: "Deciding the Next Decider: The 2008 Presidential Race in Rhyme"

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