Election Day

by J. A. Armstrong

  Congressman Drury’s ears perked. “You did?”

  “Outside of the Intelligence Committee? Of course, I did.”

  “You’re admitting that you have shared classified information with parties not authorized to receive it?”

  “No.”

  “I don’t understand. You just told us that you shared classified information.”

  “Congressman, your question as I recall was whether I have ever shared classified information outside of the Intelligence Committee. The answer to that is yes. That is common protocol.”

  “It’s common to share sensitive information outside a secure environment?”

  Candace wished she could laugh. Congressman Drury’s intention was to catch her off guard, to trap her with her words. It was a familiar game. He’d yet to realize that she’d turned the tables on him. Rookie.

  “Governor?”

  “I’ve never shared classified information with anyone who was not already aware of that information.”

  “That contradicts your statement,” Drury responded.

  “I don’t believe so. You asked if I shared classified information outside of committee. There are numerous committees and people privy to that same information, Congressman. That includes the majority and minority leader of both houses, members and ranking members of committees on Foreign Relations, Homeland Security, Armed Services—among others. While not every member of the Senate or the House may have access to sensitive materials, I can assure you there are more than you might imagine.”

  “I don’t need a lesson in congressional protocol.”

  Candace nodded.

  “So, you’ve never shared classified intelligence with an unauthorized person?”

  “No.”

  Drury took a breath. “In all your years, you never once slipped up at a family dinner.”

  Candace chuckled. “Congressman, I have four children and six grandchildren. Between wiping up spilled milk, inspecting castles made of my couch cushions and changing diapers, I’m lucky if I get to finish a glass of wine at dinner.”

  Muffled laughter filtered through the chamber. Candace resisted the urge to gloat. She had expected Congressman Drury to test her patience. So far, he had amused her. And, Candace was “privy,” as the congressman had put it to much more information that he was ever likely to confront. She had no intention of sharing an ounce of it with the junior congressman. She was sure that he had no idea that just down the hall, Senator Blake Fitzgerald and Senator Pat Duncan were holding a press conference. What Candace was certain of, was that when Congressman Drury and his cohorts got the news, they would be both humiliated and furious. She found herself secretly hoping someone would come and whisper in the congressman’s ear.

  ***

  “Thank you for coming,” Senator Fitzgerald greeted the press. “Considering the decision made by the House Committee on Intelligence to conduct hearings regarding policy decisions made during the Merrow administration, Senator Duncan and I felt we should address the issue publicly.” The senator gestured behind him to a cluster of other senators. “Senators Wilcox, George, Abbot, and Burroughs are also present.” Blake Fitzgerald took a deep breath. “Represented here today is the bi-partisan leadership of the Senate Intelligence, Foreign Relations, and Armed Services committees. At this time, none of the Senate committees intend to conduct any hearings nor any investigations pertaining to policy initiatives nor covert actions taken during the Merrow administration with regard to Russia. Each committee has conducted a review of the pertinent documents and no Senate committee has found any indication of improprieties by any member of any committee nor of any surrogate of the Merrow administration. To be clear, our leadership consists of both senators who served during that time and who are new to these committees.”

  “Will you testify?”

  Senator Fitzgerald smiled. “We will testify at the request of the House Intelligence Committee. A couple of questions.”

  “Senators?”

  “Daryl,” Senator Fitzgerald acknowledged the reporter.

  “Do you believe these hearings are a witch hunt?”

  Senator Fitzgerald smiled. “I don’t think I would classify an inquiry as a witch hunt.”

  “Congressman Drury and Congressman Stevis have levied some heavy accusations in the press about Governor Reid’s relationship to President Merrow,” the reporter chimed.

  Senator Fitzgerald cleared his throat. “The House has the right to conduct hearings as it sees fit,” he replied.

  “How much of this is a ploy to hinder the governor’s chances in the fall?” another voice called.

  Senator Duncan stepped up to the microphone. “Look, folks, this is an election year. We all know that and a lot of things are said during campaigns.”

  “But it isn’t a campaign making the allegations, it’s two congressmen,” the reporter said.

  Duncan smiled. “As Senator Fitzgerald said, our partners across the hall have the right to conduct hearings and investigations as they deem necessary. We do not feel it is either necessary nor advantageous to hold hearings or investigations in the Senate, at least, not in these committees.”

  “Is that a unanimous decision?”

  “It is,” Senator Duncan replied.

  ***

  Candace remained determined not to show any signs of fatigue. She was facing the last “interrogation” of the day. Her opinion of Congressman Phil Stevis was dwindling by the second, and it hadn’t been high to begin with. He’d chosen to reiterate all of Senator Drury’s musings and questions albeit with a bit more flair. She had to give him that much, Phil Stevis possessed a strange magnetism. As it was with all magnetic personalities, the congressman either served to attract or repel anyone who crossed his path. Candace was his opposite and that was perfectly acceptable to her.

  “I’m sure you’re tired, Governor Reid,” Congressman Stevis said.

  Of you. “I’m used to long days, Congressman.”

  “I’m sure. Before we wrap up today, I am curious about your relationship with President Merrow.”

  Candace remained stoic. Be careful, Congressman.

  “You spent quite a bit of time alone with the former president.”

  “We were friends for years.”

  “Yes, you served in the Senate together.”

  Candace did not comment.

  “And, he extended an offer originally to you, didn’t he?”

  Candace waited.

  “A cabinet appointment?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “No. We had discussions about cabinet appointments during his transition. He never offered me a position.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Did that surprise you?”

  “No.”

  “So, one of your closest friends and allies becomes president and he doesn’t extend you any gratitude. That didn’t irritate you?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I see. That didn’t stop him from sharing information with you.”

  “Not if he thought it was something I needed to know.”

  “Or?”

  “Or if it was something he wanted an opinion on.”

  “I see. And, was any of that classified?”

  “I’m certain it was.”

  “So, the President of the United States chose to share classified information with you.”

  “As a senator, of course.”

  “And, you didn’t find that inappropriate.”

  “Not in the least.”

  “Because it was information you would have already been given in your capacity?”

  “In most cases.”

  “In most cases?”

  Candace nodded. “Yes.”

  “What about in other cases?”

  “Those would be a privileged conversation.”

  The congressman bristled. “The president isn’t here to assert executive privilege.”

  “No,” Candace agre
ed. “Nor would he need to.”

  “You won’t share that information with the committee?”

  “What’s the question?” Candace asked.

  “Did President Merrow confide classified information to you at any time that you were not already aware of?”

  “Yes.”

  “And, would you share that with the committee?”

  “No.”

  “Why is that?”

  “It isn’t germane to the topic at hand nor have you been authorized to hear it.”

  “As a matter of course…”

  “As a matter of law, the President of the United States has the right to share information as he or she deems in the best interest of the execution of his or her duties.”

  “But you cannot share that with us now?”

  “I’m not the President of the United States.”

  Congressman Stevis offered Candace a sly grin. “Earlier you said that President Merrow never extended an offer to nominate you to a cabinet post.”

  “That’s right.”

  “But you were extended an offer later, isn’t that correct?”

  Candace took a deep breath. It was common knowledge throughout these halls that President Wallace had extended Candace more than one offer to join his team. She’d always publicly denied the rumors that she had been his first choice as a running mate. She had been his first choice. She had not been the party’s first choice, and she had made it clear that she had no desire to be Vice President. After his election, President Wallace had courted Candace repeatedly, almost aggressively to join his team. She was sure she could have picked her post had she been inclined to accept. The president’s desire to nominate Candace to serve as Attorney General or Secretary of State had become a talking point since Candace announced her candidacy. She had not weighed in. President Wallace made no denials repeatedly telling anyone who asked that he would have loved to have Candace Reid on his team. For months, Candace had known she would eventually be forced to comment. She had not expected it to be in this forum.

  “I was,” Candace acknowledged.

  “And, you declined?”

  “I did.”

  “Why?”

  “Personal reasons.”

  “Personal reasons?” Congressman Stevis scoffed at the reply. “Would any of the ‘personal reasons’ be related to your conversations with John Merrow?”

  “No.”

  “So, you expect us to believe that as an aspirational senator you turned down a cabinet post for personal reasons?”

  “I don’t expect you to believe anything. That doesn’t change the truth. It was my decision to accept or decline. I chose to decline.”

  Stevis’ eye twitched perceptibly. “President Merrow was a personal friend to you.”

  “He was.”

  “He confided in you.”

  “I’d like to think we confided in each other,” Candace replied dryly.

  “Might those confidences have compromised you in a different administration?”

  Candace shook her head. “I don’t know that answer. I can’t imagine how that would be. It certainly was not part of the equation in my decision.”

  “I see. President Merrow had close ties with some Russian actors. His administration sanctioned multiple covert missions that arguably emboldened Soviet era militant groups, one of whom is believed to have engineered the attack on our embassy in Moscow—an attack that claimed the lives of twenty-two people including Ambassador Russell Matthews.”

  “I would call that speculation, Congressman.”

  “Which part?”

  “That any of the Merrow administration’s policies or any of the intelligence operations conducted during that period emboldened the groups you reference. Those groups were emboldened long before President Merrow took office.”

  “That’s your opinion.”

  “I suppose it is.” Candace noted the smug look on Stevis’ face. Think I’m done? “It’s an opinion based on years of intelligence information, military assessment and political wrangling. And, it’s an opinion shared by the majority of military leaders, diplomats, and senior members of Congress.”

  “So, you would mitigate your role as a surrogate for the Merrow administration in the embassy bombing?”

  “I hardly think President Merrow would have deemed me a surrogate.”

  “Are you saying you never used your influence in or out of committee to further his agenda?”

  “Of course, I used my influence—when I believed it was appropriate. That’s part of the job, Congressman. There’s no point in accepting a leadership position if you are unwilling to lead.”

  “And, President Merrow? Did he listen to your counsel?”

  “Most of the time.” Candace laughed. “He wasn’t always keen on my opinions or advice.”

  “What was he keen on, Governor Reid? Would lining his pockets with profits or maybe the pockets of the DNC from ASA be one of those things?”

  Candace took a deep breath to control her temper. ASA or Advanced Strategic Applications was a Russian energy company. At least, that was its front. ASA dealt in weapon development, arms sales, and almost every unsavory venture imaginable that could earn a profit. The company lined the pockets of the Russian government while empowering oligarchs across the region. Candace didn’t doubt that ASA played some role in the tragedy at the embassy. What that role had been remained cloudy at best. She did know that John Merrow had no illusions about what ASA engaged in, and no affection for it nor its efforts. Sometimes, things were not as they appeared. The Merrow administration had done business with ASA. It was not her place, nor was this the forum to discuss the reasons why. She had only just begun to gain a clearer understanding of the intricacies involved in the bombing. Convoluted didn’t begin to cover it. The layers of deception, the hundreds of operations, and the numerous assets still deployed across the globe were not pieces of intel that a congressman the likes of Duncan or Stevis would be entrusted with. Beyond that, Candace resented the innuendo the congressman’s question held.

  “Congressman,” Candace addressed him calmly. “I’m not sure I understand what it is you hope to achieve here today.”

  “How about the truth?”

  “The truth? The truth is that I’m not ‘privy’ to as much as you seem to believe. The information that I do have in no way supports the notion that President Merrow was lining his pockets from any corporation anywhere on the planet.”

  “The DNC certainly was enriched after his assassination.”

  Candace reached her limit. “That tends to happen when a party loses its leader in a senseless, violent, reprehensible act.”

  “The upside to assassination?”

  Candace’s expression darkened. Too far, Congressman.

  “Perhaps I should rephrase that.”

  “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. I certainly don’t believe the death of a human being has an upside. I’ve been at this a long time.” Candace glanced around the room and let her eyes meet with several people. “These halls, these chambers—they see their share of discussion and debate—and, in the interest of truth, they also see a good deal of divisiveness. That’s part of our political process. Occasionally, that all falls away. There are moments when rhetoric takes on depth and divisiveness gives way to attentiveness. Partisanship has no place in safeguarding this nation. Behind the closed doors of offices and meeting rooms, that’s the part the public doesn’t see.”

  “I don’t see what that has to do with this hearing.”

  “It has everything to do with this hearing. John Merrow served this country with distinction long before he ran for office. You are free to disagree with his policies. You have the right to question his decisions. To suggest in any way, implicitly or explicitly that President Merrow acted in his best interest before the interest of this country is out of bounds.”

  “I’m not suggesting anything. I’m merely trying to get to the truth.”

  “Truth is a funny thing,
Congressman. Two people can dissect a fact and come up with drastically different perceptions about its meaning. In the end? Facts fade in the light of the meaning we give them.”

  Stevis narrowed his gaze. “So, you are telling this committee that you don’t believe your actions in any way hindered or compromised the security of this country or any of its allies or assets?”

  Candace sighed. “No. I’m sure I’ve made decisions and cast votes that have resulted in negative consequences. I doubt there is anyone here that can truthfully claim otherwise. Hindsight is always 20/20, Congressman. An embassy bombing, a mass shooting, a railway accident share one major thing in common.”

  “What’s that?”

  “With hindsight, we can always find things we should have noticed, could have changed—mistakes, missteps, but none of us has the benefit of hindsight. We make the most informed decisions we can and when we suffer the inevitable tragedies, we learn from them.”

  “Congressman,” Chairman Vasquez spoke. “That’s your time.”

  “I just have one more question,” Stevis said.

  “The Governor has been kind enough to…”

  “It’s fine,” Candace offered.

  “Very well. Last question, Congressman Stevis.”

  “Governor Reid, looking back, would you change any of the recommendations you made while serving on the Intelligence Committee?”

  “Looking back, there are many things I would change,” Candace admitted. “I’m not sure that any recommendation our committee made—that any action the committee approved or for that matter, any legislation either house passed during my tenure would have prevented the attack in Moscow. I do know that had John Merrow lived to see the embassy destroyed, it would have torn him in two. Hindsight teaches us, Congressman. It does not give us guarantees nor absolution.”

  Congressman Vasquez stepped in. “Thank you, Governor, for taking the time to appear here and answer our questions. We all know how busy you are these days.”

  Candace smiled.

  Vasquez continued. “This hearing is adjourned. A note for my colleagues, we are due in general session for a vote at 2:30 P.M.”

  Candace slid her chair back and grabbed her briefcase.