Star Trek does more than just clog your DVR. It also sometimes determines the leader of the free world. In 2004 Barack Obama ran for US Senate in my home state of Illinois. For those of you who, like me, own his books but haven’t read them, he had previously been a thrice-elected state senator, having lost one contest in between when he ran for the House against Bobby Rush (and giving Michelle Obama a million told-ya-so points). After sailing through the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, where he slew many foes with his 18 for charisma, he entered the larger contest against Republican opponent Jack Ryan, who used to be married to Jeri Ryan, who you all know as Seven of Nine. Ryan’s campaign fell apart over the summer when certain spicy details about their sex life (definitely worth looking up) came out in their divorce papers. After losing Ryan, the Republicans called up notable old crank Alan Keyes, who it turns out wasn’t busy and offered to step in. Obama went on to trounce Keyes, which is basically like beating your Dalmatian at Scrabble. I realize it’s silly to think that Jack Ryan’s crappiness alone led to Obama’s victory, because a month after Ryan dropped out, Obama gave that kickass speech at the DNC. You know, the one that made everyone believe again. But still, any chance to mention Star Trek while talking about the presidential election works for me, because nothing is more fun than alienating people at Manhattan cocktail parties.
