Deadline Poet / September 5, 2023

Ramaswamy

Calvin Trillin
vivek ramaswamy speaks at FOX news republican primary debate
Vivek Ramaswamy, 2024 Republican presidential candidate, during the Republican primary presidential debate in Milwaukee, Wis., on August 23, 2023. (Al Drago / Getty)

This Ramaswamy fellow in debate
Is like that kid in school who classmates hate.
No matter what the teacher’s question is,
This kid insists on showing he’s a whiz.
His hand shoots up. And you can feel his plea:
“Oh, please, just call on me, Teach, call on me.”

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Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

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