“Hail to the Chief” is a near future piece of political science fiction, which seems a fitting choice now that the presidential race is heating up. The concept:
What if the best choice for an elected office were someone too boring for the voters to elect?
Garrett’s style in this story seems to me to have been inspired by Allan Drury’s political thrillers, at least in its careful refusal to name parties. (A very shrewd move by Drury and Garrett, as it enables anyone to enjoy and profit by their stories, and removes the authorial temptation to get partisan.)
So, ripped not from the headlines but from the pages of the February 1962 Analog, get ready to enjoy “Hail to the Chief”!
Part 1: An unconventional nomination.
20:44.
