James Q. Wilson is a longtime policy-wonk and associated with conservative intellectual circles. I learned of him only because his association with The RAND Corporation. I have not read any of his books, though I have read a few articles and addresses he has made over the years.

It's no biggie. One heard more about him during the Reagan years.

The shock, I think, is that as a politician running for President you need to immerse yourself in who's who of the policy-wonks, because these are the folks who are batting either for you or against you when you seek to win the support of the intelligentsia. Being able to throw a few quotes around from such folks, when addressing such a group, is part of the game of appearing like you are a deep political thinker.

Edwards not knowing who he is, is not that surprising either. Edwards probably can name a bunch of successful trial lawyers that Jonah Goldberg is completely unfamiliar with.

;-)