Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

The Lament of John Kasich The Lament of John Kasich

In polls your announcement should give you a
 bump. But mine was drowned out by that blustering
 Trump. The timing of this has me really quite vexed. Will I be upstaged by Kardashi…

Jul 30, 2015 / Calvin Trillin

Donald Trump

Republican Contenders and Immigration Republican Contenders and Immigration

They talked about immigrants sort of in code That signaled the nativist crowd. The code is now broken with Trump on the scene. A loudmouth will say things out loud.

Jul 16, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Antonin Scalia

Judicial Temperament Judicial Temperament

When he dissents, he’s so enraged He can’t leave out the nasty bits. We hope for more decisions that Bring on Scalia’s little snits.

Jul 2, 2015 / Calvin Trillin

Jeb Bush

A Shaky Start for Jeb Bush A Shaky Start for Jeb Bush

“He has been torn between defending and distancing himself from George W. Bush.”           —The New York Times Jeb’s path was thought an easy stroll, But George has made it steeper…

Jun 17, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Martin O’Malley Announces Martin O’Malley Announces

So Martin O’Malley will no longer dally. He says he will sally right into that valley Where Hillary Clinton assuredly strides. Emboldened, O’Malley believes he can rally Enough troops to tally a winning finale And vanquish Ms. Clinton—and Bernie besides.

Jun 2, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Fiorina Talks. Iowa Swoons. Will It Last? Fiorina Talks. Iowa Swoons. Will It Last?

—Front-page head, The New York Times

May 27, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Solving Jeb Bush’s Last Name Problem Solving Jeb Bush’s Last Name Problem

The name that got you everything so far May leave your presidential quest destroyed. So change it! Just pick any name at all— Though Cheney is one name you might avoid.

May 20, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Joe Biden, Undiscussed Joe Biden, Undiscussed

Now, nobody talks about Joe. Remember when those in the know Said Joe had the mojo to go To primaries where he might slow The Hillary Clinton Big Mo, Despite how well she gathers dough? Now, nobody asks if he’ll throw His hat in the ring—yes or no. He’s treated as if he’s Joe Blow. Now, nobody talks about Joe.

May 13, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

One Christie Aide Pleads Guilty, Two Are Indicted in Bridgegate Case One Christie Aide Pleads Guilty, Two Are Indicted in Bridgegate Case

The Christie camp says that this isn’t a loss: With Chris in the dark, aides tried pleasing the boss. One reason that doubts about Chris haven’t eased: What was it that made them believe he’d be pleased?

May 5, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Bush as Bigfoot Bush as Bigfoot

“Bush’s considerable assets so far have done little to reshape the early polls or keep others out of the race. If anything, it’s the opposite.”            —The Washington Post When Jeb’s bid was starting to kindle, The field was predicted to dwindle. Now most pols agree: How tough can he be? He can’t even scare Bobby Jindal.

Apr 29, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

x