Author quietly supports John McCain: Jen Lancaster explains

Jen Lancaster's third book, "Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer" hit the NY Times  and USA Today bestseller lists this summer. She writes sassy, funny memoirs -- she's also the author of "Bitter Is the New Black" and "Bright Lights, Big Ass." Lancaster, who lives in Chicago, wrote to tell Jacket Copy that she supports John McCain and that she's "a staunch Rush Limbaugh-listening, Ann Coulter-reading, Sean Hannity-watching, National Review-loving Republican," whose "one regret is that I was never old enough to cast my own vote for the Gipper." So I wanted to know more.

Jacket Copy: Many of the authors who have come out for Obama write fiction; you write memoir. Do you think that writing fiction insulates authors from being judged on their political views? In other words, if your creative work wasn't connected to your personal life, would you feel freer about expressing your political ideas?

Jen Lancaster: Expressing political opinion can be a powerful way to establish a character's voice when writing fiction. For example, in "Bridget Jones's Diary," there's a scene where Bridget argues pro-Labour politics with her conservative dining companions. I can't imagine any British reader, regardless of party affiliation, who didn't find what Helen Fielding wrote utterly charming. And Jennifer Weiner, one of my favorite American writers, seems to infuse her characters with a left-leaning bent. Her viewpoint subtly defines her characters, and her skill in quietly advancing this philosophy makes me feel like I'm getting valuable insight into the other side. In short? Including bits of her worldview works.

As a reader, I notice political views regardless of whether or not the book is fiction. What annoys me is when said views do nothing to advance the narrative. For example, I read a celebrity diet memoir recently, and I found myself identifying with the author. That is, until apropos of nothing the author went off about the evils of conservatism. All I could think was, Honey, unless the president himself forced you to eat all that fried chicken, I don't want to hear it.

For me, my party views don't advance my narrative. Until I can find a way to write political satire like my idols Christopher Buckley or P.J. O'Rourke, I'll simply say what team I play for and leave it at that.

JC: If you were asked to join a group of authors speaking out in support of McCain, would you? You wrote in an e-mail that you admire Reagan -- if he were back and running in this election, would you help fund-raise or organize in support of him?

Jen Lancaster: I've done what I can as a private individual to help McCain's campaign; I've donated money, put up yard signs, coordinated with others on Facebook etc. However, I'm not sure my public support of McCain would be helpful. I'm a humor writer, so I don't always present myself in the best light. The person who accidentally gets high on Ambien and then orders Barbie heads off the Internet may not be who McCain wants as an ad hoc campaign mouthpiece.

However, if Ronald Reagan were alive and running, that's another story. I'd put my career on hold to work for him. It's a question of passion -– I like McCain, but I loved Reagan.

JC: Do you think your readers would judge you differently if you were more vocal about your political views?

Jen Lancaster: I guarantee being more vocal would have an impact. I started blogging about politics in the last election cycle (before I was published), and according to my stat counter, I lost half my audience. I'm noticing a lot of the big bloggers who've posted about politics are experiencing an ugly backlash. Readers are angry because they went to the bloggers' sites for a laugh, not a lecture. Again, it's a question of being appropriate for the audience.

Now that fans have read my books, maybe they'd have a better understanding of who I am and they'd be OK with some political dogma. Maybe they even want me to weigh in with my opinions; maybe they wouldn't. Regardless, I have too much at stake to find out.

I've never been shy about expressing my views, but if I'm going to inadvertently alienate fans, I'd prefer to lose them over causes I'm really passionate about, such as pit-bull rescue and not a pit bull wearing lipstick.

Jen Lancaster writes more about keeping politics and writing separate at her blog, Jennsylvania, where she calls herself the governor.

--Carolyn Kellogg

Photo credit: John Fletcher

Comments

[TKP13]

I love you Jen, even though I am a die hard Democrat...because you are educated in the political issues, not just spouting what you hear on TV.

[Jocelyn]

I LOVE Jen Lancaster - and her politics!

[Sara]

Jen is amazing! Great photo, too!

[Bethany]

VERY well said! It is a delicate issue and I think that being mean and forceful alienates people, while being descrete makes people think.

[Sam]

Love Jen, and as a life-long liberal, I have appreciated the way that she alludes to her preferences in her memoirs without, as she puts it, giving us a lecture. Hearing about a bus passenger's reaction to her reading an Ann Coulter book is funny; being told to read Ann Coulter because she's the bestest EVAH and anyone who doesn't like her is stupid? NOT funny. Unlike the person I know who said that latter bit, Jen knows and understands the distinction, and that (combined with the sheer hilarity of her works) is what keeps me a huge fan.

[Molly]

Jen's approach to readership/politics is utterly refreshing. Her mention of politics is through her person story and never gets pushy (on this topic).

And if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have educated myself about Pit Bulls.

[kristin]

I agree with Sam above, I don't agree with her politics, but I love her writing and can get a laugh out of her experiences without having to be on the same team.

[Louise Kearn]

Jen Lancaster make me want to be an American.
You go girl, love from Canada

[Lori Tindall]

Jen Lancaster is the voice of the well groomed, well educated sassy woman of today. After picking up very vague hints in her hilarious books, the fact that her politics mirror my own are a bonus! I hereby nominate her as the female version of Ronald Reagan for our generation! Pearl wearing, quality shoe lovers unite!

[marie s]

Ugh, lancaster's a republican, lamentably. found this out while reading her 2nd book. disappointed, i am. I want my money back. Now I like her even less. it kind of makes sense, though, when you figure that she's a materialistic narcissist.

[marie s]

"not getting pushy"???? Ha! Any righty with her agenda to push IS pushy...definitely too republican-leaning in her 2nd book. no way will i ever pay for her books -- glad i got it from someone else. yuck lancaster.

[Revolvergal]

You go Jen! Don't let the turkeys get you down. Your books are hilarious. BTW, the pearls? are SO you.

[Jeanne L.]

Marie S. - Shows the logic of the left. She wants her money back for Jen's book, yet later admits that she received it free. Classic liberal entitlement.

[HockeyMomGA]

Great picture, Jen! You rock - i have loved all of your books and cannot wait for the next one. Marie S. had every opportunity to NOT read your political opinions, yet still read this article and HAD to contribute her 2 cents. Interesting. Yet not.

Go Jen!

[JenniferS]

I find Marie S comments amusing. "I want my money back" yet got the book for free - handouts and freebies.. Need we say more? I love when lefts call Rights "pushy" because as we all know its only ok to call names and be pushy when you are a left. Then its perfectly acceptable to slander, lie and vicously attack.

[Jessica]

I love all of Jen's memoirs--LOVE them--and I thoroughly enjoy reading her blog. However, as a progressive liberal I do find her political views disappointing and a little distracting. To be honest, I don't have any politically conservative people in my life who I like (I live in liberal Madison, WI), so it is difficult for me to reconcile my love of her with her having political views that are diametrically opposed to mine. I think Jen Lancaster is forcing me to grow a little. She won't ever change my mind, but she does humanize the other side for me.

[Todd Lancaster]

I'm finally proud of you little sis — you made the Ann Coulter site (That's bigger than the NY Times as far as I'm concerned. I found it by checking Ann's site and not yours though.

[Amy O]

I love Jen Lancaster's books and her blogs... even though the fact that she likes Ann Coulter wants to make me barf.

[Amy Brewer]

Jen Lancaster is one of the most hilarious and true to life WOMEN I've ever had the laugh out loud pleasure to support by purchasing her books as well as meet, twice, and I couldn't give a flying f*@! what her politics are. You have a choice, people, with what you read! That's the beauty of having so many great authors to choose from. If you chose her, it was most likely because a friend you trust told you about her and by reading her books, you've at the very least perhaps gained perspective and maybe even learned something about yourself and YOU SHOULD BE THANKING HER FOR THAT INSTEAD OF INSULTING HER! Leave her the hell alone and vote for who you think is going to represent YOU. She is here to entertain us by sharing her experiences and she has never apologized for who she is nor should she. GROW THE F*@! UP PEOPLE! JENNSYLVANIA FOREVER! All my best, Amy in NYC (Creator of the Big Asstini)

[Michelle]

Jen,

I totally agree with your views politically....on the Barbie heads.....not so much!

Can't wait for your next book!

***GO McCAIN**** ****WOMEN FOR McCAIN*****

[Heather]

Hey Big Brother Todd, lil' sis has made Ann Coulter's site before--that is how I discovered her books!
All humorists (at least the funny ones) are conservative! Liberals are hand-wringing downers. They truly do not recognize the small enjoyments in life--and refuse to laugh at themselves. Poor them.

[Jessi Ann]

Looks like Jen's next book could be about jealous siblings! Todd sounds like a piece of work.

[Barbie Resendiz]

With no side overbearing the other, I could appreciate what Jen had to say. By keeping an open mind and a positive outlook, I got to learn a few things I didn't know. So thanks! Nicely done and keep up the good work :D

[DodiM]

That is so funny, Michelle, because I'm exactly the opposite... Not so much on the McCain - but totally with it on the Barbie heads!

I am a democrat and I love Jen Lancaster! Yes, she has mentioned her politics in her books, but she doesn't lecture, she doesn't condescend, and she is funny as hell. You can't go around hating ALL the Republicans, just a certain few!

[HollyG]

"I'm finally proud of you little sis — you made the Ann Coulter site (That's bigger than the NY Times as far as I'm concerned. I found it by checking Ann's site and not yours though." ~~Todd Lancaster

OMG, Jen's right! Todd IS an ass! ... I was giving him the benefit of the doubt until now. Apparently, she's not using creative license. ;-)

Personally, as for Jen's political slant all I can say is, "It's about damn time!" It is so comforting to know that I can totally submerge into her entertaining prose without fear of being utterly pissed off. Her quote, "I like McCain, but I loved Reagan," is simply beautiful. Jen is not the loud-mouthed liberal zealot; she is the loud-mouthed ME! (And I vote, too, with ballots AND book purchases!)

Thanks for this article, Ms. Kellogg. It made my day.