This election cycle was so absurd that celebrated political satirist,
journalist, and die-hard Republican P. J. O'Rourke endorsed Democratic
candidate Hillary Clinton. As P.J. put it, "America is experiencing the
most severe outbreak of mass psychosis since the Salem witch trials of
1692. So why not put Hillary on the dunking stool?"
In How the Hell Did This Happen?, P. J. brings his critical eye and
inimitable voice to some seriously risky business. Starting in June
2015, he asks, "Who are these jacklegs, high-binders, wire-pullers,
mountebanks, swellheads, buncombe spigots, four-flushers, and animated
spittoons offering themselves as worthy of America's highest office?"
and surveys the full cast of presidential candidates including everyone
you've already forgotten and everyone you wish you could forget.
P. J. offers a brief history of how our insane process for picking who
will run for president evolved, from the very first nominating
convention (thanks, Anti-Masonic Party) through the reforms of the
Progressive era (because there's nothing that can't be worsened by
reform) to the present. He takes us through the debates and key
primaries and analyzes everything from the campaign platforms (or lack
thereof) to presidential style ("Trump's appearance - indeed, Trump's
existence - is a little guy's idea of living large. A private plane! A
swell joint in Florida! Gold-plated toilet handles!"). And he rises from
the depths of despair to come up with a better way to choose a
president. Following his come-to-Satan moment with Hillary and the
Beginning of End Times in November, P. J. reckons with a new age:
"America is experiencing a change in the nature of leadership. We're
getting rid of our leaders. And we're starting at the top."
