Read Online Scott Roarke 03 - Executive Command by Gary Grossman - Free Book Online
Authors: Gary Grossman
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Speaker of the House, didn’t like at all. And he liked Morgan Taylor even less.
Taylor embraced Katie Kessler’s plan for establishing the office of president and vice-president-in-waiting. These positions would be held by presidential appointees and would serve only upon the death of both the president and his vice president. They would live outside the District and be afforded Secret Security protection and daily White House briefings. Taylor presented the idea to the public before the holidays. His aides were still selling it up, but the country seemed to be behind it.
The plan sought to guarantee the stability and sanctity of the executive branch should Washington be the target of a catastrophic attack that eliminated the heads of state, the Speaker of the House, the president pro tem of the Senate, and the cabinet. This was one of Taylor’s “unthinkables” that he’d acted on. But from Patrick’s point of view, and his power base, it bumped the speaker—it bumped him—way down the line.
“So when do I get into the debate?” Patrick asked. It was apparent the decision was less his. It belonged to the people with him in the sauna.
“Formally, after Taylor’s State of the Union. But you start tickling the tiger now. A few calls to the White House.
The
Daily Show likes you. You go there. We find the right news talkers to go on. You mention the concerns, never personal, of course. All for the benefit of the country. Then you’ll hit it hard.
“It will look personal, like I’m an opportunist just out for my own hide.”
“No, it won’t,” Williamson said in an even tone.
“How?”
“You’re going to offer to step down as Speaker of the House,”
“What?” Patrick was completely flabbergasted.
“You offer . It will diffuse any concern that this is self-serving. You won’t have to.”
“And if you’re wrong and I do?”
“That’s easy to answer,” Williamson said. He looked over at Aderly.
The powerful Washington senator smiled. It was the convincing, photo-perfect smile that helped him win elections. “You become a more viable, more honorable candidate come primary season in two years. You make a lot of money in speaking engagements, and then the nation elects you president of the United States.”
Patrick wasn’t so sure.
“Don’t look so worried, Duke,” the lobbyist added. “This will be very scripted, starting with a speech at the Jefferson Memorial. You’ll be, well, very Jeffersonian.
“Scripted? I write my own speeches,” Patrick blustered.
“Not any more.”
“But…”
Williamson was in total control. “Don’t worry. We’ve got someone to write it for you.”
“I always…”
“Everything must be carefully choreographed,” Aderly explained. The election is still three years out. We’ll take care of you.”
“Who?”
“Someone already in your office. A woman named Slocum.”
“Christine?” Patrick felt an immediate stirring at the thought of the attractive legislative aide. He tried to casually cover himself with his towel, but not before his problem was apparent.
“You’re not the first to notice her,” Aderly laughed.
Duke Patrick was clearly the most powerful man in the House of Representatives, but right now he felt like a pawn, played by two great masters. They were naked in the sauna, conspiring like old Roman senators. But once in the White House, he would remind them who was in charge.
“We’ll time everything. We’ll whisper in ears, plant op eds that raise your visibility, and get you all the airtime you’ll need,” Williamson said. “The blogs and the radio talkers will all be behind you. And TV. Then there will be real noise. Hell, maybe we’ll even have you switch your party affiliation. Now that’ll make news.”
“Put a bead in that,” the Democrat Aderly said.
Patrick pursed his lips and nodded. On some levels it was like the old days. Party bosses made the decisions and played puppet master. Mayors,
Taylor embraced Katie Kessler’s plan for establishing the office of president and vice-president-in-waiting. These positions would be held by presidential appointees and would serve only upon the death of both the president and his vice president. They would live outside the District and be afforded Secret Security protection and daily White House briefings. Taylor presented the idea to the public before the holidays. His aides were still selling it up, but the country seemed to be behind it.
The plan sought to guarantee the stability and sanctity of the executive branch should Washington be the target of a catastrophic attack that eliminated the heads of state, the Speaker of the House, the president pro tem of the Senate, and the cabinet. This was one of Taylor’s “unthinkables” that he’d acted on. But from Patrick’s point of view, and his power base, it bumped the speaker—it bumped him—way down the line.
“So when do I get into the debate?” Patrick asked. It was apparent the decision was less his. It belonged to the people with him in the sauna.
“Formally, after Taylor’s State of the Union. But you start tickling the tiger now. A few calls to the White House.
The
Daily Show likes you. You go there. We find the right news talkers to go on. You mention the concerns, never personal, of course. All for the benefit of the country. Then you’ll hit it hard.
“It will look personal, like I’m an opportunist just out for my own hide.”
“No, it won’t,” Williamson said in an even tone.
“How?”
“You’re going to offer to step down as Speaker of the House,”
“What?” Patrick was completely flabbergasted.
“You offer . It will diffuse any concern that this is self-serving. You won’t have to.”
“And if you’re wrong and I do?”
“That’s easy to answer,” Williamson said. He looked over at Aderly.
The powerful Washington senator smiled. It was the convincing, photo-perfect smile that helped him win elections. “You become a more viable, more honorable candidate come primary season in two years. You make a lot of money in speaking engagements, and then the nation elects you president of the United States.”
Patrick wasn’t so sure.
“Don’t look so worried, Duke,” the lobbyist added. “This will be very scripted, starting with a speech at the Jefferson Memorial. You’ll be, well, very Jeffersonian.
“Scripted? I write my own speeches,” Patrick blustered.
“Not any more.”
“But…”
Williamson was in total control. “Don’t worry. We’ve got someone to write it for you.”
“I always…”
“Everything must be carefully choreographed,” Aderly explained. The election is still three years out. We’ll take care of you.”
“Who?”
“Someone already in your office. A woman named Slocum.”
“Christine?” Patrick felt an immediate stirring at the thought of the attractive legislative aide. He tried to casually cover himself with his towel, but not before his problem was apparent.
“You’re not the first to notice her,” Aderly laughed.
Duke Patrick was clearly the most powerful man in the House of Representatives, but right now he felt like a pawn, played by two great masters. They were naked in the sauna, conspiring like old Roman senators. But once in the White House, he would remind them who was in charge.
“We’ll time everything. We’ll whisper in ears, plant op eds that raise your visibility, and get you all the airtime you’ll need,” Williamson said. “The blogs and the radio talkers will all be behind you. And TV. Then there will be real noise. Hell, maybe we’ll even have you switch your party affiliation. Now that’ll make news.”
“Put a bead in that,” the Democrat Aderly said.
Patrick pursed his lips and nodded. On some levels it was like the old days. Party bosses made the decisions and played puppet master. Mayors,
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