by Joe Nobody
Mrs. Clifton tidied up her papers, a sign she was about to conclude her astounding presentation. “My fellow Americans, I want to make a commitment, right here and now on this national stage. If I am fortunate enough to be elected your Commander in Chief, I will bring together the best minds available to study this option. I do this because I love my country and countrymen. I make this pledge to reassure all Americans that I want to fix our problems and improve your lives. Genuinely, from my heart, I want to see all of the people have the opportunity to pursue liberty and happiness. May God bless America.”
The crowd erupted in applause, many standing to show their appreciation and respect. Heidi waved and smiled, walking from one side of the stage to the other, mouthing the words, “Thank you,” over and over again.
Just when it appeared she was about to exit, another bolt of excitement shot through the throng as her husband appeared from behind the curtain, apparently anxious to congratulate his wife with a hug.
Just over 24 hours later, CNN was the first to call Heidi Clifton’s victory, the other networks quick to follow. For the first time in recorded history, a woman was now the most powerful person on earth.
Chapter 10 – Madam President
President Clifton wasted no time.
Within a week of her swearing-in ceremony, she began avalanching Congress with a series of initiatives, bills, and budgets. Less than 30 days passed before she had signed her 10th executive order.
One Republican senator called the White House’s barrage a “Salvo of Liberalism,” and he was one of the more polite politicians on the hill.
All the while trumpeting a theme that touted, “Get something done for America,” Heidi’s staff opened with an appetizer of raising the minimum wage. The second course was immigration reform, quickly followed with an entree of reenacting the Assault Weapons Ban, complete with sides of universal background checks and limits to magazine capacities.
For dessert, she offered up a revamping of the Affordable Care Act, teasing those on the right with offers of accepting compromise and including Republican ideas into the revision. The White House tried to make political hay, claiming they were reaching out to the other side of the aisle and trying to avoid the inaction of the previous administration.
The effort, for the most part, was ignored.
With a Republican-controlled Senate, not a single one of her introductions reached the floor. The world’s most exclusive club instead concentrated on a rash of hearings surrounding Abe Hendricks’s death and the activities of the IRS. While it was all for show, the nearly continuous clamor did manage to keep the issue of big government in the forefront.
The media took great pleasure in the gridlock, the airwaves and print brim-full of mudslinging, finger pointing, and name-calling.
While the rest of America seemed to lose interest, it was the Texas representatives in the House that began to pressure President Clifton, using every opportunity to remind the chief executive of her campaign promise regarding the secession of the Lone Star State.
The NRA, fearing the Clifton anti-gun legislation, joined a small but growing chorus, applying its significant influence to remind Heidi of her commitment.
Several grassroots organizations in Texas, bolstered by Heidi’s pre-election speech, were being taken more seriously. After all, if the president of the United States had entertained the possibility of an independent Texas, why shouldn’t the residents do the same?
“This Texas thing isn’t dying down, Aaron. I want your input on how to handle my scheduled call with Governor Simmons this morning,” the president began, spreading a napkin across her lap and eyeing breakfast. “I was hoping our initiatives would capture the headlines, but they’re not. I don’t feel like we can procrastinate any further.”
Aaron finished buttering his muffin before answering. “It’s not a concern, ma’am. The latest poll numbers show that only 34% of registered Texas voters would support such a move. Let them schedule a referendum and get it over with.”
“And if the polls are wrong? What happens then?”
Flashing a foxlike smirk, the White House chief of staff responded, “Remember Scotland’s recent vote back in 2014? London got a little smug on that one… almost let it get away… but it didn’t happen. We can do the exact same thing their senior officials did… scare the hell out of everyone, and then offer a few worthless concessions. We’ll have a few of your supportive bank presidents drop predictions of runaway inflation, massive unemployment, and hyperinflation. They’ll whisper gloom and doom into the Wall Street Journal’s ears so it won’t look like it’s coming from us.”
“And?”
“Then you swoop in, telling Texans that you don’t want them to go. You flash patriotic, pleading that the country is better off staying together. We’ll write up some stump speeches where you recognize the great contributions that state has made to the union. Then, you can promise them some high-sounding changes the federal government will implement so they can decide against the secession and still save face. Once the issue is shot down with a vote, hopefully, we can get a few concessions from the right and move on with our agenda.”
Heidi nodded, consuming the remainder of her meal in silence.
After they had finished, Heidi pushed a button on her telephone and was answered immediately. “Yes, Madam President?”
“Get me the governor of Texas, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Aaron couldn’t help but feel a bit coy, eager to watch Heidi manipulate the hard-right buffoon over the phone. He didn’t know Simmons personally but had watched highlights of the man’s campaign. Setting aside the stark differences in political philosophy, he could tell that the governor just wasn’t in the president’s league, not that many were.
“Good morning, Madam President,” greeted a southern drawl over the speaker.
“Good morning, Governor. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you concerning the potential secession of your state from the union. I feel like the time has come to dig deep and explore this option.”
“I agree, ma’am. What do you have in mind?”
Heidi shook her head, wondering how the man had been elected to such a vast and powerful state. “I’m willing to support a binding referendum, open to all eligible voters in your state. I think the sooner we schedule this event, the better.”
There was zero hesitation in Simmons’s reply. “Madam President, I’m afraid I can’t support that plan. We’re not going to make the same mistakes as Scotland and Quebec. If I may, I would like to offer an alternative suggestion.”
For the first time that morning, Aaron grew concerned. Rising quickly from a nearby couch, he moved closer to the phone and his boss. A puzzled Heidi responded, “Go ahead, Governor; I’m open to ideas.”
“We would suggest a special commission to study the issue. They would be charged with forming an outline of the process, including specifics on currency, taxes, banking, and commerce. We agree on the state-wide referendum, but firmly believe our citizens should understand exactly what they’re voting for.”
“I’m not sure I agree with your reasoning, Governor,” Heidi replied. “I ran on a platform of efficient government, and it sounds like your proposal would be not only wasteful, but a distraction from the more important issues facing both of us.”
A grunted laugh came through the speakerphone, not enough of an outburst to be offensive, but still potent enough to send a message. The governor wasn’t buying Heidi’s argument.
“President Clifton, let’s be blunt with each other. Before the election, you knew this initiative didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding. It was a brilliant move; I’ll give you that, but there was… and is… a minuscule risk that the union will divide. My party is still stinging from being outmaneuvered, and the last thing I’m going to agree to is a less than honest effort. Yes, you’ll have to work a little harder… pay a higher price to shoot the thing down. But you will still accomp
lish the same result and won’t have our side of the aisle screaming to high heaven that we were screwed over in the process.”
Heidi smiled, the governor’s little sermon reminding her of southern politics at its finest – something she’d watched her own husband refine over the years. “Okay, Governor, let’s say I agree to your plan. Who is on this Blue Ribbon panel? How do we select the members, and what is the composition?”
Aaron was close to being physically ill. He, more than anyone in the world, wanted the entire “Texas thing” to go away.
As Heidi and the governor hacked out the details, the chief of staff had to return to the couch and take a seat, fearing the excellent breakfast was about to come back up.
“Aaron? Aaron, are you okay? Your face is pale,” Heidi gently checked.
“Something at breakfast didn’t agree with me, ma’am. I apologize.”
“No problem,” the Commander in Chief responded, concern for her friend and subordinate sounding in her voice. “Why don’t you go rest for a bit? I’ll have the recording of my call transcribed, and we can review it later.”
Too embarrassed to let his boss know he hadn’t been intently listening to the entire conversation, Aaron nodded his agreement. “I’m sure I’ll be fine soon, ma’am.”
“Ranger Bass, I’m assigning you to the governor’s security detail. You are to report to the Austin office first thing in the morning.”
“But, sir, I…”
Major Alcorn didn’t let the protest leave Zach’s throat. “Son, your actions in Houston have caused a shit-avalanche of Texas-sized proportions. I’ve had everyone from the DOJ to the FBI’s Washington office calling for your head. This all may boil down to our governor pulling strings, or perhaps even making it known he’ll pardon you if it comes to that. Go guard the man, and make damned sure you befriend him. You may need it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’ll bring you back here when this all blows over. Make sure it does.”
“Yes, sir.”
Stunned, Zach ambled out of his boss’s office, thinking seriously about resigning. The FBI was crooked. The DOJ was worse. A man who surrendered to Zach personally was dead, and there was little hope of the killer facing justice.
While Perkins denied any knowledge of who the shooter had been, Zach didn’t think the feds had put forth an honest effort to find the killer.
According to the official reports, several officers manning the perimeter had heard the shot but hadn’t paid much attention. There had been a lot of gunfire around the Hendricks neighborhood, so one more shot from a noise-canceled weapon wasn’t anything new.
The so-called investigation had been complicated further by the number of out-of-town policemen. It was simple math. The larger a perimeter’s circumference, the more manpower that is required to keep the inquisitive public out and the criminals in. The city of Houston and its surrounding counties had contributed dozens of officers, but it still wasn’t enough. Zach had heard reports of cops being sent in from as far away as Arkansas, but somehow the official logs and records of visiting officers had been erased. Imagine that, Zach mused. How convenient.
After throwing a few clothes in a bag, Zach filled up the truck and headed east. Austin would be okay, he figured. The food was excellent, the music great, and the people interesting. Besides, this assignment would be like a mini-vacation. After all, how hard could it be to guard one man?
“Why Texas?” the senator from Georgia asked President Clifton.
“Because geographically, it makes sense. Also, its history, culture, and size make it a viable option,” Heidi responded.
Sipping his cup of exceptional White House coffee, the gray-haired gentleman peered over the rim of his cup at the newly sworn-in chief executive. “I have to hand it to you, Madam President; that was one crafty political play. Risky, but obviously worthwhile.”
“It wasn’t as political as you might think, Senator. I intend to keep my campaign promise and see this through. That’s why I’ve asked you here for breakfast, to gauge your interest in joining our Blue Ribbon Commission and explore the concept.”
Arranging his cup and saucer on the coffee table, the Senate Majority Leader sighed. “I have to tell you, ma’am; I’ve got a lot of extremely envious constituents. I’ve heard from thousands of voters who are asking ‘Why not Georgia?’ along with Texas. There have been many voices calling for the Old South to rise again. You’ve opened a huge can of separatist worms.”
Heidi was smooth, “So I’ve heard. We anticipated such reactions and sentiment, but believe this will be limited in scope. One method to make sure we don’t split the nation in half is to state clearly that there will be open borders between the two countries if there is secession. At any time the people on the right want to relocate, they’ll be free to do so. Same goes for those on the left living in Texas. Remember, Senator, they have Democrats and liberals down there - millions and millions of citizens with progressive leanings reside in the Lone Star State.”
“You sound like you really want this to happen. I’m surprised,” responded the life-long Republican. “You know some in the press have started calling you the ‘Anti-Lincoln.’”
Heidi laughed, “I’ve been called far, far worse. However, that just reaffirms the point. If you stand back and look at our system, the interaction of the parties, and the polarization of our citizens, there is logic to this madness. But even beyond that, I made a promise to the American people, and I’m going to keep it.”
“I’ve got to admit, after the initial shock of your announcement, I found myself tempted to relocate. I probably wouldn’t, being a Georgia boy through and through, but there is an appeal to living in a place inhabited by like-minded people.”
Nodding her understanding, Mrs. Clifton continued, “We envision a relationship much like the European Union. Open borders, free trade, mutual defense packs… that sort of arrangement.”
The senator extended his hand, “I’ll agree to be a member of your Blue Ribbon panel. I’ll enjoy the ringside seat for this show.”
“Thank you,” Heidi responded, accepting his handshake.
Aaron stood in the Oval Office, facing his Commander in Chief while he waited for her to complete a phone call.
“I’ve got to hand it to Governor Simmons, he sure is taking this game seriously,” she said after disconnecting. “That was the Israeli Ambassador, requesting my personal approval for him to visit Austin. It seems the people of the Lone Star State are seeking Israeli expertise in establishing a new country.”
“Makes sense,” Aaron replied, shrugging his shoulders. “Other than the Soviet Bloc states that broke free, Israel is the last major country created out of thin air. If anyone knows how to do such a thing, it will be them.”
Heidi stood, stepping from behind the desk. She settled at the window, crossing her arms and staring outside. “I thought this would be over by now. I thought common sense would prevail, and everyone would agree that this is a stupid and unnecessary exercise.”
“It’s only been a few months since your inauguration, ma’am. Give it time to fade away.”
Heidi turned, her pivot just a little too fast, her body language a smidge too tight. Aaron knew instantly she was stressed over the subject. “I’m not going to go down in history as the president who destroyed the union. That’s not going to happen,” she declared.
Aaron held his ground, “Madam President, I just don’t see it occurring… it’s just not feasible. Please keep in mind why we announced this in the first place – it was to pull in undecided voters from the middle, and perhaps a few on the far right as well. It worked. All we’re seeing right now is a bunch of blowhards trying to make political hay. Even that is fading. The amount of stumping on the subject, in Congress, is in decline.”
The president shook her head, “I went along with this because I thought it would bring the two sides together. I had expectations that the right and left would see how ridiculous their partisan po
sitions were and meet in the middle. But that’s not happening. If anything, it has divided the country further – made the chasm deeper.”
“You remember the budget stalemate from just a few years ago? How both sides took the government shutdown to the brink of disaster? Washington has seen this sort of gamesmanship for 200 years. Texas seceding from the union is no different, ma’am. Sabers will rattle until the last possible moment, and then the matter will die quickly.”
“And in the meantime,” Heidi responded with frustration, “Nothing is getting done. We’ve not even managed to push one single piece of legislation through committee, let alone signed into law.”