Who is Gene Skinner from Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the '80s and what is their importance?

Gene Skinner is a friend of Thompson's and a political analyst. Thompson frequently calls Skinner to discuss the odds of different candidates winning elections. Skinner tries to get Thompson and himself into Haiti after Baby Doc Duvalier is deposed, but this proves to be impossible as Duvalier's private army, the Tonton Macoute, murders all of Skinner's contacts. Near the end of the book, Skinner drunkenly calls Thompson and tells him that George Bush is actually a very intelligent rebel who listens to rock and roll and recites poetry, but Thompson refuses to believe Skinner.