He figured something big had to be brewing if the General asked for the entire team to be present.
All the new founders would be back together that evening as Faulk had concluded a business and diplomatic visit on behalf of Walters to London, Paris, and Tel Aviv. Though he was turned down for face-to-face meetings by the heads of state due to diplomatic protocols, he did meet with their senior advisors and the heads of the conservative movements in each country. Faulk achieved his goal by making sure they understood that Walters was a serious contender. The influential publisher convinced his European counterparts that their candidate was a trusted ally in the global fight for freedom.
It had been several weeks since the New Founders had assembled in the same room and there was a feeling of anticipation as the men, accompanied by Rader and Pepper, sat down over dinner to discuss the future of the campaign and what lay ahead.
Mr. Walters got right to the point as he surveyed the table and watched his men dine on his twenty-first century favorite meal of hamburgers, corn on the cob, and french fries. He informed them that Rader had received feelers from the Republican Party about designating him the vice-presidential running mate to whomever won the nomination at the Republican convention. Frank explained that he was not interested in the offer but he wanted to get the team’s thoughts on the idea. A resounding “No” followed as the new founders collectively let their leader know how they felt. Walters was pleased with the response as he sipped his red wine.
Pepper took an additional sip of wine and then reached behind his chair for his briefcase. He placed it in front of him on the table and opened it. He pulled out a stack of envelopes and proceeded to pass them to each person at the table. As Pepper went founder to founder around the oak table, Walters explained that the men were receiving paychecks for their work on the campaign. The checks would be the first in a series of payments to be made to each person through Election Day.
Murray opened his envelope and gasped. His eyes were wide as he viewed the six figure dollar check. He took a deep breath as he pocketed his newfound wealth. It took a few seconds to dawn on him that he had just earned his yearly teaching salary and more for just over a month’s work. He looked around to see the looks of satisfaction on the faces of his fellow patriots.
Murray could get used to working in politics. He looked up to see Walters smiling with satisfaction. Then Walters tapped his glass with a fork.
“Gentlemen, let’s get back to business. Now that the idea of the second spot is off the table, let me elaborate on what I have in mind.”
He then asked Josh Anders to take a leave from his radio show and hit the campaign trail with the team. Anders protested that this would spur rumors of Anders as the VP candidate, something that was already being spoken about in certain circles.
“Besides, it would mean the end of my radio show and the public disclosure of my finances.”
Walters agreed but said that if he was going to be the presidential candidate, Anders was destined to be his running mate. Anders was unsure.
“Vice-President has to be the worst job in government. I would not be able to speak my mind publicly. I would be the president of the senate, but with no vote. As John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson upon becoming George’s VP in 1787, ’My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived. And as I can do neither good nor evil, I must be borne way by others, and meet the common fate.’”
Walters let Anders think about the words he just stated. He waited for clarity in Anders’ reasoning as the number one radio talk show host mulled over the idea. The rest of the table sat silently. Anders took a deep breath and turned to the head of the table.
“But then again, like Adams before me, how could I turn it down?”
Perhaps he would learn to like being vice-president as he had learned to love being a radio host. Anders recalled early in his tenure on the Josh Anders Show what he penned to an old friend.
“I said I hated speeches, messages, addresses. I told him that I couldn’t stand speaking to one thousand people or ten million people, listening to them blather on and on about anything political. Yet all of this I can do. In the end, it became my second true love after my family. We said that we would do anything to achieve the goals we set out to accomplish at the outset of this journey. So the answer is yes. I accept wholeheartedly the position of your vice-presidential running mate.”
The New Founders had come full circle with their original counterparts. Anders and most of the men felt there was elegance in all of this.
However, this elegance didn’t sit very well with Hahn. Although he was not eligible to be president or vice-president due to his youth and place of birth outside the United States, the ambitious Hahn still felt slighted that he should have been at least part of the discussion.
Walters turned to Hahn to reassure him and everybody in the room that there would be a place for all in the new administration if elected. To ease his fears, he offered Hahn the post of Treasury Secretary in his potential cabinet. He stressed that there was still work to be done as his senior policy advisor on the campaign trail before any White House appointments could be officially designated. Hahn dutifully and graciously accepted Walters’ words and took them to heart. He even seemed slightly embarrassed at his behavior and directed his attention back to his dinner.
Anders again focused on his radio show. He asked the men if they had any thoughts on his replacement since a decision needed to be made soon. As names were bandied about around the table, Walters sat back in his chair and interjected.
“Anders, you know who the perfect candidate to replace you is and you won’t have to look far.”
As if Anders read his leader’s mind, he turned and looked directly at Jenson. A big grin on his face appeared and he nodded in agreement. Anders, as majority owner and president of the Josh Anders Network (JAN), offered Jenson the permanent replacement slot on the spot.
Funny, Jenson thought, that when all this began, his ambition was exactly the job Anders just offered. But somehow, with all that had transpired, this incredible opportunity seemed almost trivial. He wondered if the candidate had a position in the administration in mind for him too. After all, wasn’t he the embodiment or reincarnation of one of the greatest minds in American history, Thomas Jefferson?
Still, Walters was the one who suggested Jenson as Anders’ replacement so it had to be part of the overall master plan. The men saw the thought process in Jenson’s eyes as he hesitated briefly before gladly accepting Anders’ offer. A slight weight lifted off Murray’s head, knowing that one of the main concerns in his personal life looked to be headed 400 miles north to Boston.
The next item on his agenda was Walters’ debate challenge to the president. In his most recent press conference, the president had offhandedly dismissed the challenge chuckling that he had no time for a debate with a nobody, like what’s his name? Washington or something.
The president and his loyalists in the press had all gotten a good laugh at the candidate’s expense. Mainstream news reports and articles called the challenge nothing more than a stunt by a desperate amateur. Walters chalked up this disrespect to old-fashion politics.
“In all free governments, contentions in elections will take place, and while it is confined to our own citizens, is not to be regretted.”
Anders and Jenson had taken it more to heart as it seemed to be the continuous topic of discussion on their respective shows. Ironically, in his most recent show, Anders unleashed a direct verbal attack on the president, deeming him a coward for ducking Walters. Anders went on, saying the president was afraid to take on a man that did not need rehearsed lines or a teleprompter to get his message across. Jenson echoed Anders’ sentiment as he explained that Walters’ strength of character exuded conviction, constitutional principles, and core values which would trump the teleprompter’s stale rhetoric, no matter how flowery the presiden
t dressed it up.
Rader had arranged for Mr. Walters to call into Anders’ show, where the candidate announced he would be on the steps of Federal Hall on the corner of Broad and Wall Street in New York City the following Monday evening, regardless of whether the president showed or not. He outlined the premise, half joking that the president had repeated the same old clichés, rhetoric, and catch phrases for so long that Walters could debate his previous quotes to the point that the audience would not be able to tell if the president was actually there or not. Anders jumped right on it, saying the JAN network would be there to cover this unique debate.
Jenson, having heard the exchange live, now put two and two together.
“I guess my first assignment as permanent replacement for Anders will be to cover this unique event for the network. Now I’m excited!”
The serious nature of the discussion lifted with Jenson’s exuberant exclamation. As dinner plates were cleared and dessert served, Faulk reported his successful mission in Europe and the Middle East, saying that he believed our closest allies would welcome the change in leadership in the US.
“I believe they will wholeheartedly endorse a Walters’ administration policy of ‘temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies’ and ongoing support for our staunchest allies. Assuming, of course, the majority of their goals coincide with those of the United States and none conflict to the point of injury to our nation.”
Walters nodded his agreement. Faulk concluded his summary by providing the team with a rallying cry for the rest of the campaign.
“It will not be easy, but you must see it through. Without pain, Mr. Walters, there is no gain. No pain, no gain.”
The dinner adjourned with Walters, Anders, Hahn, Rader, and Murray in preparation for a campaign stop on the Green in Morristown, New Jersey. Then, a visit to George Washington’s headquarters. The team would conclude their New Jersey swing with a visit to nearby Jockey Hollow, where the Continental Army spent the most severe winter, 1779 -1780, of the revolution.
“Why is it that the history books go on and on about Valley Forge but hardly mentions Jockey Hollow?” Mr. Walters continued his lament to Hahn. “Over six feet of snow fell that year as the soldiers nearly starved in the frozen meadows and forests of New Jersey. It was just as bad as the winter at Valley Forge, maybe worse.”
Walters leaned in to whisper in Jack’s ear. “Mr. Murray, in our travels near Morristown, maybe we could visit the old oak tree that I rested under with my troops. It was on the basking ridge of those low lying mountains, if I remember correctly.”
Then it would be on to New York City, scenes of some of the general’s greatest victories and worst defeats. Rader scheduled morning visits to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, concluding with Walters paying his respects at the World Trade Center site in the early afternoon. The team would then retire back to their hotel to complete Walters’ preparation for the Monday night debate, with or without the president.
Chapter 28
The light from the setting sun still shone bright over the New York Stock Exchange. The scene had taken on a carnival atmosphere, a crowd of wall to wall people stretching from the police barricades in front of the Federal Hall steps, down Broad Street toward the Staten Island ferry depot. The west end of Wall Street had become a pedestrian walkway after 9/11 but right now there was no place to walk. The mass of humanity swelled past the entrance to the Exchange and onto Broadway in front of old Trinity Church, temporarily closing the lower part of Broadway in the downtown financial district. The throng stretched in the opposite direction as well, as smiling faces could be seen as far as Water Street, practically in the East River.
The streets behind Federal Hall and Chase Plaza were cordoned off for security. The expected route of the debaters resembled a ghost town as the line of limousines made their way through. The NYPD received word from the secret service earlier in the day that the president would not attend. That was the good news. The bad news was that they did not anticipate the tens or hundreds of thousands who did attend. The crowd affected many downtown workers’ commutes home and officials did their best to accommodate local businesses. Many workers decided to stay and witness the debate from office windows.
While the mainstream media announced early on that they would not waste their time or money covering the so-called debate, they had a change of heart. Every cable news network and local television station had coverage. Their platforms lined down the sidewalk along the stock exchange on Broad Street. As expected, analysts and television personalities mocked the candidate while in agreement it was newsworthy enough to be there. One reporter in the crowd compared the scene to Times Square on New Year’s Eve, with thousands of people crammed together in anticipation of a transformative event.
One media personality who would not miss this was William Fredericks. He was on the air telling his audience of the sheer absurdity of a candidate debating his own shadow and how the conservatives were lapping it up like dogs. While deep into his pre-debate diatribe, his wife Sophia sat nearby on the platform, just off camera, offering encouragement for her excited husband. They exchanged winks as the eight o’clock hour approached.
“I don’t believe it. Man, you see this? There must be half a million people out there! You sure you’re ready for this, Frank?”
Anders watched the limousine television in amazement. Hahn was to his right and Faulk was to his left. Rader and Murray were opposite him but leaning forward to watch the screen. Walters sat between them, leaning back while examining the downtown skyscrapers. The driver was given a pre-determined route by the police that he followed to a T. As the car weaved in and out of the maze of narrow streets of lower Manhattan, the new founders began to question their leader. Walters’ calm in the face of the craziness actually unnerved rather than calmed the men.
Faulk turned to Walters. “How can you be so composed right now? I’ve traveled the world but have never seen anything like this.”
Walters, turning his attention back to the inside of the car, ignored Faulk’s comment and addressed Ken the Builder.
“Mr. Rader, I commend you on the fine job you did in preparing this event. I tip my cap to you, sir.”
Rader didn’t know whether to thank him or jump out of the moving car. He was afraid if he didn’t bail, Walters’ cabinet members may throw him out for arranging the insane setting. Instantaneously, the columns of the rear entrance of Federal Hall were ahead of them. So was a living and breathing wave of humanity that made the expanse of Broad Street ahead look alive. The sun had now set over the buildings, yet the television lights ensured the street was as bright as midday.
The car pulled to the curb and the team exited to a military-like police escort. They were ushered through a covered walkway along the side of the Hall. As they approached the debate lecterns set on the top step, Walters paused. The new founders halted with him, expecting a prayer.
Instead, the candidate motioned for secret service agent Michelle. He wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her close. He looked like he was about to kiss her but instead, whispered in her ear and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. He handed her the folded paper, which she promptly put in her jacket. Murray turned to Hahn.
“I’m glad we’re out of camera range. Who knows how that exchange might have been construed?”
Walters looked out at the crowd. His team silently wondered if the candidate was having second thoughts.
“Men, before we begin, I would like to say a quick prayer of thanks for allowing us this opportunity to address the nation in this setting.”
Walters led the prayer. Amen was hardly out of their mouths before their leader spun on one heel and strode onto the debate stage to a thunderous roar from the crowd. The team followed, taking their places to the side. Walters walked across the set to his podium. Even though everybody involved knew his debate opponent was not coming, a second podium sat empty across from him. The irony of the situation was not lost on the new
founders. Faulk said that he figured someone would have been smart enough to get rid of the second podium. Rader leaned in, smiled and slyly responded.
“I wouldn’t let them. I kept telling city officials that the secret service had heard the president had reconsidered. They may not have really believed me, but they didn’t want to take the chance and remove it and then have him show up.”
Walters stood behind the podium and looked over his shoulder at the massive statue behind him. It was the first time he had ever seen this particular depiction of himself and he liked what he saw. Turning back to the crowd, he introduced himself and stated that he was running for President of the United States. The crowd erupted again, a foreshadowing of things to come.
However, a small group along the front barricade heckled loudly causing a stir. The candidate noticed them right away. He removed the microphone from the stand and walked to the far end of the platform where the cement steps began. He descended the steps until he was within a few feet of the spectators, out of sight from the left side of the scaffold. He towered over them and looked down upon the protesters, who were shocked into silence.
“My dear ladies and gentlemen, I ask that you have the common decency and respect to allow me to say a few words this evening. You must have been here for hours to attain such a fine vantage point. Please show my opponent and me a modicum of courtesy. Thank you.”
As the General climbed the steps back to the stage, the once vocal protesters stood in silence, humbled by the personal lecture.
Faulk put his hand to his forehead. “He’s going to give me a heart attack before it’s all done.”
Mr. Walters stood at the podium. He looked directly at Jenson. The new national talk show host sat at a desk in the first platform to the right. Each man exchanged a nod as the candidate began.
“My fellow Americans, in 2009 our president infamously said that ‘We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Muslim nation, but rather, a nation of citizens who are bound by a set of values.’
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