This makes Bush’s “my favorite philosopher is Jesus” answer look positively Lincoln-esque:
When asked his favorite novel in an interview shown yesterday on the Fox News Channel, Mitt Romney pointed to “Battlefield Earth,” a novel by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. That book was turned into a film by John Travolta, a Scientologist.
A Romney rep has since pointed out that it’s one of the governor’s favorites: “He said Huck Finn was his favorite and has also said everything from Theodore Rex to Looming Tower are also good books.” What’s more, says spokesguy, “It’s just a book.”
Ask L. Ron Hubbard if it’s “just a book.”
I’m personally more offended that the first science-fiction book to work its way into a presidential conversation is just so… bad. Ender’s Game? The Foundation Triology? Anyone?
UPDATE: I can’t believe no one’s gone for the “and W’s favorite sci-fi book is ‘Snow Crash,’” joke. Anywho, I’m reminded that while straight-up science fiction hasn’t really been a part of our national political dialog recently (though word has it that Nixon was a huge Heinlein fan), fantasy has been making policy at least since 2002. (Yes, that’s a Moyers joke. More on that later.)