Political Animal

the long version

"Ben Bergin doesn't want to be in politics or in love but he is, completely. When not penning half-truths for public consumption, Ben fantasizes doing something meaningful, heroic, pure. Instead he scripts spontaneous remarks for his candidate to utter on the campaign trail. Ben hates the endless compromises and deals and self-serving strategies. But he loves the action, and being near the power." "Because he's a talented speech writer, the campaign's managers put up with his wry irreverence and diminishing hygiene. He wants to change the world but can barely change his underwear." "Calliope Berkowitz is the 25-year-old den mother to the campaign's motley volunteers and is his closest colleague. Large in every way, Calli claps when she gets excited, sings in public as if she were in the shower, and floats through the office on bare feet, her loose clothing and wild hair trailing. She is forthright and beguiling, realistic and idealistic, and Ben is smitten. He doesn't necessarily want to be; he just is."--BOOK JACKET.