Chairman of Large Bookstore Chain Cribs from Disgruntled Bookseller!

Len Riggio, the chairman of Barnes and Noble wrote this op-ed yesterday in the New York Times about the plethora of political books this year and the problems that plagued booksellers as a result.

Here is a choice quote:

Indeed, the right seems convinced that booksellers and publishers are trying to influence the election by publishing and prominently displaying books that attack President Bush. In stores across America, angry citizens can be found poring over book displays and tallying up the number of titles according to their political persuasion. If they don't like the mix, they run to their phones and complain to their favorite radio talk-show host. Pity the poor bookseller who gets caught in the middle.

Damn, I like that guy.

(By the way, I just want to pat myself on the back for continuing to obfuscate the issue of precisely which large bookstore chain it is that I work for.)