by Claudine Zap

They've Got Words for You
It's almost a pre-requisite to run. For a candidate to be considered seriously, he or she has to have a book. And since the Democratic National Convention kicked off this week, viewers have been turning from their TVs to e-booksellers for copies of the candidates' musings. The search box has been flooded with lookups for "joe biden biography," "joe biden book" "barack obama biography," "barack obama book excerpt father," and "barack obama books."

Write On
Fortunately, these candidates are quite prolific. Barack Obama's personal and critically acclaimed memoir "Dreams from My Father" catapulted up the best-seller lists after he delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. The moment didn't just launch his national political trajectory, but his successful writing path, as well. Both "Dreams" and his second book, "The Audacity of Hope," remain on the New York Times best-seller lists.

Interest in Barack Obama is spilling over into Joe Biden. After Biden was selected as Obama's V.P., booksellers were unprepared for the sudden rush on Biden's autobiography, published last summer. According to the New York Times Caucus Blog, Biden's book, "Promises to Keep," is being rushed into print with a whopping 100,000 paperback copies.

Advice Fit for a President
There are also recommendations for the Oval Office bookshelf. "Physics for Future Presidents," by UC Berkeley scientist Richard A. Muller, is a primer on the scientific issues of the day. And don't forget Madeleine Albright's, "Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership." The former Clinton administration Secretary of State is sure to have some helpful tips for the president-to-be.

Finally, while she doesn't have a book (yet), "michelle obama thesis" searches are on the rise. Frustrated academics must want to delve into the Princeton University undergraduate mindset of the wife of the presidential candidate. We have to admit, you certainly are a thorough bunch.