Spoiler Alert: There’s an election this year. Did I surprise you? I’m sure that since it’s never in the news you probably forgot that we’ll be picking a new president this year. Note: There is no sarcasm font, so I want you to read the preceding sentences in a voice fairly dripping with it.
For some of you I’m sure the last thing you want to do is think about the candidates, their positions, and the seemingly daily news items of EPIC PROPORTIONS that keep flooding your in-box/news feed/Twitter feed/Facebook posts. So today, let’s be a little old-fashioned. Let’s look at some new books about the electoral process that don’t actually name check either of the current candidates. In other words, bliss.
There is a strange comfort in knowing that as crazy as this year’s election is, it’s not as if “carnivals” of this sort are unprecedented. And why are they so kooky? Blame 1840. They called this election “the mother of modern presidential contests” and “the beginning of presidential campaigning as entertainment.” Mud, suffice to say, was slung.
Much along the same lines, this book examines how the methods of show business took over presidential election campaigns—and how political candidates have paid the price. As Kirkus said of this book in their review, “If you enjoy the TV show Veep, you’ll enjoy this book.”
Fun with campaign finance reform. Whee . . .
An alternate take on the same topic. The advantage of this title being, obviously, the fact that it tends to make me hungry for pork chop sandwiches.
I just had the pleasure of watching this documentary recently. In terms of looking behind-the-scenes at campaign headquarters, this movie offers an unprecedented glimpse at a successful mayoral campaign done in by its candidates personal failings. It is strange and funny and sad all at once. Particularly when you know the true ending of the story, as we do now.
Well, why not? It’s a great movie and a wonderful palate cleanser for our current times. And heck, there’s even a book!
