Anonymous novel, "O", suspected to be by wingnut author, Mc5planes' aide

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http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/guessing_at_who_behind_NVu7lpFsPCsxA8SbxrgskI

Guessing at who's behind 'O'

Like a stripper at Scores, publisher Jonathan Karp tantalizingly unveiled pieces of Simon & Schuster's latest political novel, "O," an anonymously written fictional account of President Obama's campaign for reelection in 2012 that hits stands Jan. 25.

After wild speculation about the author's identity, Karp blasted an e-mail early yesterday with the subject line "O," asking political reporters and DC staffers to keep quiet. He said, "It would be great if you refrained from commenting, in solidarity with the principle that a book should be judged on its content and not the perceived identity of its author."

He added in a letter inserted in preview copies: "The author is someone who has been in the room with Barack Obama and knows this world intimately." He boasted, "By choosing anonymity, our author is following in the tradition of Jane Austen, the Brontes, 'The Federalist Papers,' 'The Story of O' and, of course, 'Lemony Snicket.' "

But we're hearing buzz that Mark Salter, John McCain's closest aide and speechwriter on the 2008 campaign, is the ghostwriter. Salter co-authored McCain's biography, "Faith of My Fathers," and continues to work as a speechwriter. His adjective-filled style is similar to the "O" author's.

The book isn't flattering to characters loosely based on Obama's inner circle and other political figures. In a nod to Sarah Palin, "The Barracuda" is described as a "lusty librarian" with "thick hair piled up high, chin out, defiant, taunting, flaunting that whole lusty librarian thing, sweet and savory, mother and predator, alluring and dangerous." O himself is suspected of having a split personality -- "Good O and Bad O."

When asked if Salter was the author, one former McCain aide told us, "I wouldn't put it past him." But Salter coyly responded, "I've been asked by the publisher, as apparently many other people have, not to comment. So, no comment."

Others who have been speculated to be the writer include Robert Gibbs, Joe Klein -- who authored "Primary Colors" anonymously -- Rahm Emanuel or even Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

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