Elections are upon us and our Facebook pages are filled with political commentary. Did you really want to know your friends’ political points of view? Are you ready for arguments at the family table?  David Mamet’s “November” doesn’t make you choose between donkeys and elephants, but will have you laughing at the foibles of the political system that is all about numbers instead of principles.

It’s November  and the incumbent president, Charles Smith (Ed Begley, Jr.), is asking his adviser Archer Brown (Rod McLachlan) for advice. “How bad can my numbers be?”

Plainly, Archer replies, “You fucked everything you touched.”

Smith hasn’t quite given up hope for re-election, but if Smith can’t be re-elected, there’s one thing he wants–enough funds for a presidential library. There’s also one thing his unseen wife wants–a couch for his presidential library. She’s even chosen one in the White House and has to be reminded that the presidential residence is only on loan to them from the American people.

Everyone seems to want something from the president, but he’ll have to bargain to get what he wants. Smith isn’t good with words, but he has a wordsmith on his team, Clarice Bernstein (Felicity Huffman). She’s sick, just returned from China with an adopted child.

Into this mix, comes an unnamed man (Todd Weeks), a representative of the National Association of Turkey and Turkey By-Products Manufacturers. He wants the president to give the chosen two turkeys a presidential pardon in return for a small donation.

The president attempts to raise money for his library by bargaining with this rep for the pardon. He sets Clarice to re-write history and threaten the dominance of the turkey on the American Thanksgiving table, thus gaining a bargaining chip to raise the turkey industry’s contribution. Any excess a president raises for his re-election campaign, he can keep and for President Smith, the money will be the means for establishing his presidential library.

Clarice has issues of her own. She is a lesbian and wants to be married in a very public way. We never see her partner nor do we see the First Lady. Women might wince at the portrayal of women as needy of decorative details and white dresses.

Scott Zigler directs with spot-on timing. Begley is at his befuddled best with Huffman pitch-perfect as the sharp-thinking counterpoint, the brains behind this political operation.

Otherwise, this is a funny, foul-mouthed satirical look at men who rise via the Peter Principle to be the president and how special interests and lobbyists influence public policy.  This play may take the pain out of the current mud-slinging, political contest or allow friends and family supporting opposing parties to come together and have a good laugh.

“November” continues until Nov. 4 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012.. For more information, call 213.972.4400 or visit the official website.