BEGALA AWARD NOMINEE 2001

It’s a tight field so far, crammed with hyperbolic inanities worthy of the man this award is named for. But an early entry goes to Michael Chabon, a lovely fiction writer, whose politics comes off the shelf marked NPR. Here’s his take on W’s first day in Slate, debating with that perky contrarian Frank Rich: “So, right off the bat, pretty much the first thing G.W.B. does on settling back in that big black chair … is get to work on abortion. Did you catch that? The first thing! He’s going to block funding to international family planning organizations that offer abortion and abortion counseling. I suppose that in a way, as a message, as a deliberate indicator of future intentions, it’s as significant as Clinton starting right in with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. But far more accurate, I’m afraid, and, God help us and the 7 billion other people on this planet now under the stewardship of the world’s most powerful Eric Carle fan, far more consequential. Maybe it’s just because I find it such a reprehensible and contemptible act that it strikes me as so much more significant than Clinton’s move, which was, taken on its own terms, far more equivocal and ultimately pointless.” A point of information. Clinton’s first move in 1993 was not lifting the ban on gays in the military. It was ending the ban on overseas abortion funding that Bush has just reinstated! Duh. But when one side, representing around half the country, does this, it’s political courage. When the other side, representing around half the country, does it, it’s “reprehensible and contemptible.” Earth to Chabon. You write wonderful short stories. Stick to them.