August 19th: Politics and Laughter

Guest Speaker Robert L. Haught

Political Humorist and author Robert L. Haught will be the Guest Speaker at MCRW's Augut 19th meeting, 6:30-8:30 PM, at the Madison Presbyterian Church. Haught will be sigining copies of his new book, The POTUS Chronicles: Bubba Between the Bushes.

Robert L. “Bob” Haught has a background of more than 50 years in journalism, government and politics. A former UPI correspondent in Oklahoma City, he was a top aide to two Oklahoma governors – Republicans Henry Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett. He went to Washington, D.C. in 1969 after Bellmon was elected to the U.S. Senate. He served as Bellmon’s press secretary and later administrative assistant for his two terms, then headed the staff of Sen. Charles “Mac” Mathias of Maryland for eight months before returning to writing.

As founder of Haught Associates, he published two newsletters and provided editorial services to a wide variety of clients. In 1987 he became the first Washington-based editorial writer for The Oklahoman, his home state newspaper. He created “Potomac Junction,” an op-ed page political humor column, in 1989 and continued writing it until December, 2007. His observations of three presidential administrations during that 18-year period provided the material for a timely election year book, “The POTUS Chronicles: Bubba Between the Bushes.”

Haught describes the 320-page book as “a merry romp through some of the most eventful times in the nation’s political history – ‘prudently recreating’ with George H. W. Bush, wondering what’s next for ‘Bubba’ Bill Clinton and his co-president wife, and ‘misunderestimating’ George “Dubya” Bush.” Haught also is the author of “Now, I’m No Expert on Cats and Other Mysteries of Life.”

The retired but still active writer was recognized for his achievements by induction into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2001. He is an officer and member of the board of directors of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Haught is a Korean War veteran, a Presbyterian Church elder and a Madison County home owner since 1986. He and his wife Mary live on a 40-acre farm in Madison County.

Madison Presbyterian Church is at the intersection of Rt. 29 and Rt. 722 (Fishback Road) at the north traffic light in Madison. Everyone who likes to have their ears tickled is invited to attend this meeting. Dinner $7. Menu: Bratwurst sausage, rolls, chili, slaw, watermelon, ice cream sundaes, lemonade, iced tea. Members please bring a side dish.