Thu 7 Feb 2008
It’s odd and delightful to me when I discover an intersection between two of my interests that I had thought of as disparate. In this case, the interests were reading great novels and politics, as I discovered that my favorite living writer has written an op-ed for the Washington Post in favor of Obama. I was already an Obama supporter, but even if I weren’t, Michael Chabon’s astonishing writing skill would make me take another look. No one will ever accuse him of being wishy-washy:
“So I have nodded and looked into their eyes and hummed sympathetically as people gave their reasons and made their excuses and generally offered up, as if they were golden ingots of profound wisdom, the handful of two-penny nails with which they plan to board up the windows of their hopes for themselves, their families, their country and the world.”
Yeah, what he said! The article is here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/03/AR2008020302526.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
(Drop me an email if you would like to use my Washington Post login.)
My only question is…umm…Mr. Chabon, can I vote for you?
7 Responses to “Chabon on Obama”
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February 7th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
If Chabon is your choice for President. Who would you choose for the cabinet?
February 8th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
What an exasperating little essay. It starts from the assumption that Obama is obviously the best candidate for the job and doesn’t even attempt to make that case. It reminds me of letters from the CMU alumni association that start with — “What are the reasons you’ve been putting off donating?”
These days I support Clinton because I think she is the smartest candidate in the bunch and would probably do a better job. (Though I’m sure Obama would also be fine.)
As for the phobocracy, there’s something to that, but let’s save those salvos for the targets who deserve them, in the general election.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I knew that in posting a political post I would likely run into some difference of opinion, which is part of the richness of our salon. To me it seemed that, rather than making the entire case for Obama, Chabon is specifically attacking the (in his and my opinion) intellectually weak argument that Obama is “too optimistic.” I think the issue of our national, collective jadedness is a fascinating one, and Chabon raises it eloquently.
“Exasperating” is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but I can’t concede “little.” :) Huge idea, huge essay, huge Pulitzer-prizewinning mind.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Attacking Obama as “too optimistic” is indeed an intellectually weak argument — but also an irrelevant straw man. That’s my beef.
And the phobocracy is, as you say, a huge idea, but hardly a novel one. Kudos to Chabon for a felicitous harmony of words, I suppose.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
On a lighter note: The Onion on Fear
February 15th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I strongly disagree that it is an “irrelevant straw man,” but as we’ve discussed, I’m perplexed by and uncomfortable with your tone and would prefer to let it go. I think I miscalculated in thinking the general rule against discussing politics socially might not apply to the salon.
What does intrigue and delight me is Iain’s question about the cabinet. Of course, President Chabon would get to select his own cabinet, but here are my picks. I assumed I had to choose exclusively from living authors, but then realized the silliness of being “realistic” about such an exercise in fantasy. So, here goes.
Sec’y of Labor – John Steinbeck
Sec’y of State – Gore Vidal
Sec’y of Transportation – Jack Kerouac
EPA Administrator – Rachel Carson
Sec’y of Education – Umberto Eco
Sec’y of Drug Control Policy -Allen Ginsberg
Sec’y of Housing & Urban Dev. – Charles Dickens
Sec’y of Homeland Security – Salman Rushdie
Sec’y of Defense – Kurt Vonnegut
Secy’ of Health & Human Servs – Dr. Khaled Hosseini
Sec’y of Veterans’ Affairs – Ernest Hemingway
Secy’ of the Interior – Ralph Waldo Emerson
White House Chief of Staff – Jane Austen (close tie with Tolstoy for being able to manage a cast of thousands, but Austen’s social aplomb is bound to be better)
Although this is not a cabinet position, I appoint Gabriel Garcia Marquez press secretary due to his talent for magical realism. I’m still missing a Vice president, Attorney General, Sec’y of Agriculture, Sec’y of Commerce, Sec’y of the Treasury, Management & Budget, and Trade Representative. Suggestions welcome. :)
February 18th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Awesome!
Of course, for Vice President you should pick the person you would want to take charge if Chabon were assassinated.
I was trying to think about Science Fiction authors… but then I realized that my cabinet should consist of film makers! Stay tuned.
How about:
Sec’y of Agriculture – Pearl S. Buck
Attorney General – Harper Lee