Villain of the Month Villain of the Month
Martin Shkreli, who raised the price of a life-saving drug 5,500 percent, takes the Fifth before a congressional committee. —News reports Whose smirk enraged us on the telly? Whose…
Feb 11, 2016 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Iowa: Sweet Relief Iowa: Sweet Relief
The pollsters now have all moved on. And café patrons needn’t fear A candidate just might barge in To plead his case and smear a peer. And now it’s safe to get the phone: One needn…
Feb 4, 2016 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Late-Night Comics Welcome Back Sarah Palin Late-Night Comics Welcome Back Sarah Palin
Oh Sarah, you are truly heaven-sent. For several years we’ve wondered where you went. We’ve missed your syntax, always weirdly tangled. We’ve missed the moose you shot, or maybe st…
Jan 28, 2016 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Cruz and Trump Neck and Neck in Iowa Cruz and Trump Neck and Neck in Iowa
To colleagues, one’s a nasty piece of work. His rival is, to quote Jeb Bush, a jerk. A party rarely sees its two top leaders As simply different kinds of bottom-feeders.
Jan 21, 2016 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Two Campaign Trajectories: An Analysis Two Campaign Trajectories: An Analysis
While the Carson campaign loses luster, Near the Donald the newsmen still cluster. If you’re peddling hooey, It comes off as less screwy When you coat it in boasting and bluster.
Jan 7, 2016 / Column / Calvin Trillin
‘New Bush Strategy: Attack Trump’—Newspaper Headlines ‘New Bush Strategy: Attack Trump’—Newspaper Headlines
They said that Jeb would now get tough. First shot: He said that Trump’s “a jerk.” If that’s a sample of his cuts, Jeb’s insult skills could use some work.
Dec 23, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Party Disarray Party Disarray
Republican factions are fighting it out. Who knows what the future will bring? But, meanwhile, which faction is calling the shots? The one-blowhard-narcissist wing.
Dec 17, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Dropout Remorse Dropout Remorse
So what was so bad about Walker? Was Perry that god-awful slow? And though Bobby Jindal Could see his polls dwindle, Just why did he give up and go? Yes, once I disdained all these…
Dec 3, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Trump Explains His Muslim Registration Project in Detail Trump Explains His Muslim Registration Project in Detail
Good management is what it’s called. No reason to be vexed. We’ll round up all the Muslims here, And then we’ll see who’s next.
Nov 25, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Ben Carson’s Past and Present Ben Carson’s Past and Present
When Carson claims he was a bad-ass youth, His tales and actual facts vary. But even if he didn’t wield a shiv, The man’s ideas alone are scary.
Nov 19, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin