Lethal Trajectories - Michael Conley [68]
Recognizing his digression, and embarrassed by it, he quickly became the president again. He apologized for his rambling—although it was by far the most touching part of the news conference—and turned the microphone over to Vice President McCarty. Like the reporters, Clayton was choked up by the president’s honest vulnerability. He focused hard on his prepared remarks before throwing it open for questions.
The early questions were directed at the president, but Clayton sensed the turning tide as he answered more and more of them. Reporters were glancing less often at the president for corroboration of his answers before committing them to their notes. It was astonishing to witness this visible shift in power in real time as reporters accepted the authority of his answers, and Clayton grew more confident in his replies.
The reporters hammered away on the exact timing of the succession and the contingencies that could move it to an even earlier date. Somewhat exasperated, Burkmeister said, “Look folks, this really isn’t rocket science. I plan to resign my presidency no later than twelve noon on Saturday, October fourteenth. Now that’s the latest it will occur. If, for health or other reasons, it seems advisable to move the date up, then that’s what I’ll do. That’s as specific as I can get, and we’re not going to take any more hypothetical questions on it.”
The Beltway obsession with winners and losers became the next focal point. While both men were committed to answering the questions in a forthright manner, it was hard to feed the hungry beast.
“My entire cabinet,” Burkmeister declared forcefully, “has agreed to continue to serve at the pleasure of the McCarty administration, and there will most assuredly be complete continuity in government to mitigate any challenges in the transition to new leadership. I am proud of my cabinet and know the vice president shares my same high regard.” Clayton gave a solid nod of affirmation.
“My long-time personal friend and chief of staff, George Gleason, has agreed to stick with me until I leave. He will then retire to get reacquainted with his beautiful family.”
“Mr. Vice President” asked an overeager reporter, “have you made a decision yet on your chief of staff, and can you comment on your nomination for your vice-presidential replacement?”
Clayton mused, Here I am, only one day into this thing and I’m already confronted with the nepotism issue. What the hell, I’ll have to answer it sooner or later, so why not now?
“Yes, I have made a decision on my new chief of staff, and no, I have not decided yet on my recommendation for my replacement.”
“Care to elaborate on your chief of staff, Mr. Vice President?”
“Sure,” Clayton declared, “I have asked one of the smartest people I know, and a person I’ve known all my life—my brother, Jack McCarty. I’m still working on my vice-presidential replacement and have nothing to report at this time.”
Burkmeister, obviously sensing Clayton’s discomfort, chimed in, “Folks, you can’t imagine how difficult and lonely the president’s job can be or the number of hours the chief of staff spends with the president. I was blessed to have my good friend George Gleason by my side, and I advised the vice president he should keep that in mind in selecting George’s replacement. I believe he made a great selection.”
Clayton was surprised there were no follow-up questions to that at all, but he suspected it would become news fodder later. The next question was surprising only in being asked so late in the conference.
“Mr. Vice President, you are in the unique position of not being a member of either major political party. Do you plan to align with one of the parties, or do you hope to hold a coalition together as an Independent? Can you comment on the direction you will be taking?”