Calvin Trillin

Verse Columnist

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

Ted Cruz and Donald Trump

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 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 ‘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

Donald Trump

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 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 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 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

Rubio Cuts Down His Mentor

Rubio Cuts Down His Mentor Rubio Cuts Down His Mentor

If Jeb had just remembered Shakespeare’s play, He would have had the insight that it took To notice long before the last debate That Marco had “a lean and hungry look.”…

Nov 5, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Sure Thing

Sure Thing Sure Thing

June It’s all but decreed: Because of his breed, Jeb Bush is the steed Republicans need. This Bush guaranteed A fat-cat stampede. Most pundits agreed That soon we would read, “Jeb’…

Oct 29, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

One Possibility

One Possibility One Possibility

To those whom Trump does not enthuse With bombast and his racist views, Some pundits say, “Don’t sing the blues. The Trump campaign will soon defuse. His nutcase voters then will c…

Oct 22, 2015 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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