If hypocrisy is the funniest behavior, then politicians who campaign publicly on values they betray privately are the funniest natural comedians. “Wriggly Rex” Wrigley is a study in hypocrisy, “With affection beaming in one eye and calculation shining out of the other,” as Dickens put it.
The story viewpoint is of Ernst, an idealistic young Midwesterner, who tries to reconcile Barry Goldwater’s Conscience of a Conservative with the real world of politics. He joins a self-serving politician in a preposterous crusade. He meets a free market entrepreneur and his captive think-tank philosopher wo want to roll back democracy.
Rex’s campaign captures cynical religious support from fundamentalists who scorn Rex’s private behavior. “Campaign strategists” overwhelm real issues with fabricated smears and money. And Rex’s opponents, who believe that “God helps those who help themselves,” supply snares and traps.
As the author, I found that the characters expressed their personalities in completely unexpected ways. Wheelchair-bound Bunny and Rex’s long-suffering wife Blanche were two of my favorites. I could never keep them under control.
I loved writing about Rex, the self-serving hypocrite, and the other characters trapped with him in his world. Political hypocrites have an endless capacity for fooling themselves. I hope Wriggly Rex gives readers a few more tools to keep from being fooled.
But, of course this book is a work of fiction, and the characters bear no resemblance to actual politicians, who are much worse.
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