Book Report: Yes, Politicians, We Know You Love The Bible. What Else Have You Read?

Rob Boston at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

"Please, members of the media, stop asking candidates to name their favorite book. It is meaningless because we know they’re going to say the Bible.

"It’s time to ask a better question: Aside from the Bible, what is your favorite book? Or maybe this: What is your favorite work of fiction?

"The latter question has the potential to tell us something useful. For example, if a politician can’t name even one novel that has informed his or her life, that’s a sign we’ve got a person on our hands who doesn’t read fiction. I realize that literature is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you hope to lead this nation, you would do well to be informed by real literature that presents thorny issues and complex moral dilemmas – you know, books that make you think.

"Please don’t fall into the trap of thinking only out-of-touch eggheads read the Great Books. Sure, we all like a beach read every now and then, but anyone who aspires to lead the Free World should be able to meet the challenge of real literature."