"Jim Webb, elected by Virginia to the United States Senate in 2006, is the finest novelist ever to serve in Congress."
So says my colleague Craig Lerner in his engaging review of Senator Webb's literary output.
He adds, however, "One must temper this praise by adding that he is the only novelist of any note ever to serve in Congress."
I guess Craig Lerner doesn't think much of Newt Gingrich's writing.
As to novelists in American politics, let's not forget Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur and governor of Indiana (though he never served in Congress).
The only one I can think of off the top of my head (besides Webb) is S.I. Hayakawa, the former California Senator, who wrote Language in Thought and Action long before he ever entered politics.
We are represented by those from the barrel bottom who can talk but not do. Palin will fit right in as their leader and may even teach them some hunting skills, who knows?
There may never have been any mathematicians in the Senate, but at least one has been elected to it. James A. Garfield, who had come up with an original proof of the Pythagorean Theorem while serving in the House, was elected to the Senate and the Presidency simultaneously, but naturally turned down the lesser job.
I am trying to think of other politicians who were writers first--and not their own adulatory autobiographies. I mean serious books, whether fiction or not.
Woodrow Wilson? (Not a Senator, of course, but IIRC his magnum opus was titled Congressional Government . ..)
Even the titles sound terrible.
With writing like that, I'm surprised Newt didn't clobber him.
Malthus, by the way, there is a physicist in the House (since last year).
/nerd
Senator Holt only served one term, breaking with FDR, and more importantly, the United Mine Workers. As a result, he lost his re-nomination bid in 1940.
I thought his "Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery" was sound, but the character development lagged.
Well, that helpful fellow from Ockham will be along shortly to suggest that one explanation is, "He does."
Actually, 1966 was the year that Douglas was defeated for re-election (by his former student, Chuck Percy).
How about John Edward Sununu, Senator from New Hampshire, who earned degrees in mechanical engineering from MIT. His father, former governor of New Hampshire earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from MIT.
Did Newt write any fiction before being elected?
How about John Edward Sununu,
"Of note" is the key phrase - what were his notable scientific accomplishments (or his dad's)?
Why does Webb always look like soneone has his privates in a vice?
His wife is Vietnamese? =)
It is clear that there was a fair degree of conscious deception by the Administration in leading us into Iraq.
Easy Pickin's
Following the Harvest.
Our family read out loud, Coyote's Revenge. It's a good historical mystery.
http://www.nerowolfe.org/htm/neroaward/awardees_chron.htm
My great great-uncle Waddy Thompson wrote "Memoirs of Mexico," which is considered an important document in Texas history, before being elected to Congress from South Carolin.
Henry A. Wallace was one of the most important scientists (plant breeding) of the 20th c., and although he never got elected to Congress, he was vice president.
I'm glad that Mr. Webb in in his office, though I am not one of his constituents. He's one of the few people in Washington who has first hand experience of both sides of the aisle, and I feel his judgment will prove sound.