A President Who Listens To a Higher Authority

deadline poet

By Calvin Trillin

This article appeared in the November 8, 2004 edition of The Nation.

October 21, 2004

He can't remember one mistake.
He'll stay on course till Hades freezes.
How can he be so certain still?
Because he's got the word from Jesus.

In meetings of his White House staff,
Unquestioning commitment pleases,
Since human doubts mean nothing to
A man who's got the word from Jesus.

He treats his critics in the press
As if they're yapping Pekingeses.
Reporters deal in mundane facts;
This man has got the word from Jesus.

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About Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation's "deadline poet." He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1963 and has written the syndicated weekly column "Uncivil Liberties" since 1986. He has authored many, many books, including Tepper's Not Going Out and Deadline Poet: My Life as a Doggerelist. more...
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