by David Chapman
Staff Writer
From eight years of Bush to the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, business in general or child rearing, everything will be in play for the humorous criticisms and insights of P.J. O’Rourke.
The best-selling author, political satirist and longtime journalist will entertain and educate Florida Forum attendees on Thursday as the latest personality to speak for the series that benefits Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
O’Rourke said he will be discussing quite a few topics during the engagement including the relationship between business and politics – in his own way, of course.
“I think we’ve all kind of had enough of things as they’ve been, so I want to help offer a little relief,” he said during a recent interview with The Daily Record. “It’s going to be a good time.”
His career includes writing more than a dozen books, frequent appearances on National Public Radio and “60 Minutes” and penning a plethora of articles for National Lampoon, Rolling Stone and Playboy magazines among others.
Recently, he has been a correspondent for “Real Time with Bill Maher,” a weekly talk show on HBO that features a panel of guests who discuss politics, the media and current events.
“It’s fun,” said O’Rourke, on his participation in the show. “You never know what’s going to pop out of his (Maher’s) mouth. The producers give everyone the script but it usually gets off track in a hurry.”
A libertarian with a conservative viewpoint, O’Rourke’s political affiliation doesn’t mean he’ll hold his tongue – he has critics on both sides of the aisle.
“I’ve got my share of them (critics),” he said. “Even people I have agreed and disagreed with before. It depends on the topic.”
On a President’s Day meant to honor presidents and in a presidential election year, O’Rourke poked fun at a couple of former presidents when asked how to celebrate the holiday.
“Well, I guess it depends on the president. For (Bill) Clinton, I think we all know how to celebrate it but I don’t think our wives would appreciate it too much,” he said. “For (George W.) Bush I don’t know he’s worth celebrating but I guess we could give up beer.”
Not all humor though, O’Rourke turned serious when asked which president he’d most like to have dinner with.
“Hopefully our next one and one I have already have sat with, John McCain,” he said. “I know John quite a bit.”
Though he said he’d hate to speculate on McCain’s opposition in November, O’Rourke did say that Obama had momentum and was a new face, a far cry from what he said politics could look like if Hillary Clinton were to be elected.
“I don’t know if America is ready for or wants a Latin American form of government . . . Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton,” he said, then laughed.
Even with all the television and radio appearances, speaking engagements and travels, O’Rourke said his favorite thing to do is still writing.
Now a father of three, his next book will step away from the political landscape and delve into the topic of children and parenting – something he wasn’t accustomed to for most of his adult life.
“It’s quite a big shock to the system,” he said, on being a parent, “But it really is ok. I’ve got a lot of material now.”
Parenting to politics, foreign affairs to domestic disputes, O’Rourke has seen much in his professional life and he’s ready to share some of his insight on his return to Jacksonville, if for nothing more than the weather.
“I haven’t been there (Jacksonville) in a couple of years,” he said from his home in New Hampshire. “It’s disgusting here. I can’t wait to get back down.”
Tickets for the program are $75, $125, $175, and $600 (includes two tickets and invitation to private reception), with the lecture starting at 7 p.m.
For tickets or information on the Florida Forum, call the Women’s Board at 202-2866.