A hilarious new book- Homo Politicus- The Strange and Scary Tribes that Run Our Government

Dana Milbank a writer for the Washington Post has written a book from the point of view of a cultural anthropologist in order to understand the rituals and culture of Potomac Man.

Here are some examples:

Human sacrifice: the ritual immolation of Scooter Libby, Al Gonzalez, Colin Powell et al.


The art of war: Hillary's campaign seen as a revenge killing.


The yearly cleansing ritual known as the Correspondent's Dinner where the president has to undergo humiliation at the hands of comedians (see Steven Colbert 2006 on You Tube).

The real players in Washington are not the president and his cabinet but political strategist known as the shamans- Rove, Carville etc.

The warriors such as the "Hammer" Delay, the Amazon Pelosi etc.

The real Big Men of course are the lobbyists. And every Senator or Representative worth his salt aspires to be a lobbyist. Because the Potomac - meaning 'where the goods are brought in' in the native Indian language is their kingdom. A case in point is Abramoff who could deliver on his gifts such a golfing trip to Scotland. He is sorely missed in Potomac-land.


Obviously this book is a satire but a very droll one. He worked in London for a little while so maybe that explains some of it. Even in this interview on CSPAN he manages to come across in a serious manner. You should watch it, it is hilarious! (not your typical CSPAN):

Interview on CSPAN