Executive orders - Tom Clancy [175]
Sir, Vice President Kealty-
Former Vice President, Ryan interrupted. He resigned. Let's get that right.
But he says he didn't, the Chicago Tribune pointed out.
If he said he had a talk with Elvis, would you believe that? Ryan asked, hoping that he'd delivered the prepared line properly. He scanned faces for the reaction. Again, all forty-eight seats were filled, with twenty more reporters standing. Jack's scornful remark made them all blink, and a few even allowed themselves a smile. Go ahead, ask your question.
Mister Kealty has requested a judicial commission to ascertain the facts of the matter. How do you respond to that?
The question is being investigated by the FBI, which is the government's principal investigative agency. Whatever the facts are, they have to be established before anyone can make a judgment. But I think we all know what is going to happen. Ed Kealty resigned, and you all know why. Out of respect for the constitutional process, I have directed the FBI to look into the matter, but my own legal advice is absolutely clear. Mr. Kealty can talk all he wants. I have a job to do here. Next question? Jack asked confidently.
Mr. President-Ryan nodded fractionally at hearing the Miami Herald say that-In your speech the other night, you said that you're not a politician, but you are in a political job. The American people want to know your views on a lot of issues.
That makes good sense. Like what? Jack asked.
Abortion, for one, the Herald reporter, a very liberated woman, asked. What exactly is your position?
I don't like it, Ryan answered, speaking the truth before thinking about it. I'm Catholic, as you probably know, and on that moral issue I think my Church is correct. However, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land until such time as the Supreme Court might reconsider the ruling, and the President isn't allowed to ignore the rulings of the federal courts. That puts me in a somewhat uncomfortable position, but as President I have to execute my office in accordance with the law. I swore an oath to do that. Not bad, Jack, Ryan thought.
So you do not support the right of a woman to choose? the Herald asked, smelling the blood.
Choose what? Ryan asked, still comfortable. You know, somebody once tried to kill my wife while she was pregnant with our son, and soon thereafter I watched my oldest child lying near death in a hospital. I think life is a very precious commodity. I've learned that lesson the hard way. I'd hope that people would think about that before deciding to have an abortion.
That doesn't answer the question, sir.
I can't stop people from doing it. Like it or not, it's the law. The President may not break the law. Wasn't this obvious?
But in your appointments for the Supreme Court, will you use abortion as a litmus-test issue? Would you like to have Roe v. Wade overturned? Ryan scarcely noticed the cameras changing focus, and the reporters concentrating on their scribbled notes.
I don't like Roe v. Wade, as I said. I think it was a mistake. I'll tell you why. The Supreme Court interjected itself into what should have been a legislative matter. The Constitution doesn't address this issue, and on issues where the Constitution is mute, we have state and federal legislatures to write our laws. This civics lesson was going well. Now, for the nominations I have to make to the Supreme Court, I will look for the best judges I can find. That's something we will be addressing shortly. The Constitution is sort of the Bible for the United States of America, and the justices of the Supreme Court are the theologians, I guess, who decide what it means. They aren't supposed to write a new one. They're supposed to figure out what it means. When a change in the Constitution is needed, we have a mechanism to change it, which we've used more than twenty times.
So, you will select only strict-constructionists who are likely to overturn Roe.
It was like hitting a wall. Ryan paused noticeably before answering. I hope to pick the best judges I can find. I will not interrogate them