(part 3)
Jack sorted through the issues and began assembling a list. He searched the social media, newspapers, and
polls for the hot topics. He wanted to
research each one. If he didn’t know an
issue how could he defend or debate it effectively? Jack wanted to be prepared. He built a case for and against each
topic. When he felt he could argue both
sides he made his decision based on facts.
On his list were the following items: Foreclosures, troop withdrawals, more jobs,
Pro choice, environmental protection, religious freedom, school vouchers,
border control, drug wars, Social Security, debt reduction.
There were other issues but this was his main list. He couldn’t let others tell him how he felt
or what he believed. Jack had to be
honest because that was the only way he wanted to be. He wanted to be known as the Presidential
candidate who took a stand and stood by it.
He also wanted to be the candidate who was well informed and wanted to
help. Jack hoped it wouldn’t matter that
he was crooked. It did matter to him
that he was compassionate and honest.
Jack had several slogans that he used. “If you’re not doing your best you’ve failed
the rest.” “If you’re not helping
others, then who are you helping?” “I
may be crooked, but I’m honest.” Every
day he would quote at least one of them before he started off to work.
The schedule for the primaries was tough. At the Iowa caucus he was barely noticed
except for a few remarks about a crooked lawyer trying to squeeze into the
party. N.H., S.C., Fla. In the early going the primaries flew by.
There were a few debates but he was left out because he
wasn’t in the top four. Slowly he gained
ground as candidates dropped out of the race.
Some of them were caught in scandals while others made ill advised
comments about Pro Choice or foreclosures.
One of them said, “I think banks need to be more aggressive and chase
these deadbeats out of their homes. What
if businesses were allowed to skip payments?”
Another candidate said, “Pro choice?
I think players should be able to go on strikes.”
Jack shook his head.
How had these men gotten elected in the first place? Then he remembered the big man and the group
behind the candidates. Had these
candidates been selected to drop out or were they just careless?
Jack practiced his speech and refused to use the one written
for him. He was determined to give his
honest opinions.
His speech: Our
country says all are equal, yet we are often intolerant. We say we love nature but we destroy our
beautiful environment. I think we are the
greatest country because we are a generous people and we stand up for freedom,
but we cannot rest on our past performance.
We will continue to prove what we are made of. We are proud to serve those who need a hand
up. At the same time we expect and deserve
respect.”
Super Tuesday rolled around and Jack surged in the polls when
his straight talk stood out. The big
prize was proclaimed in a large headline which read, “Crooked Lawyer Takes
Texas by Storm”.
The big man paid him a visit.
“It’s getting time for you to drop out.
Our man wants this race to be decided before the convention. A crooked man will never be President. We
appreciated your honesty but enough is enough.
The American people are stupid and we have to guide them. I’ll give you a call when you do your dive.”
The big man was right about one thing. Voters had noticed Jack’s odd way of smiling
and the strange way he walked. But more
importantly they had listened to him as he talked. His physical appearance had only been a slight
distraction. Each person had come away from a speech thinking, “Jack, the
crooked man, was talking to me”. Each
one felt a connection. Each one felt
important.
The national party committee was disturbed when Jack refused
to drop out of the race. They were very
upset when the polls indicated a larger interest in politics than ever
before. They were counting on apathy to
get their candidate elected.
On June 5, Jack swept California’s primary. His campaign manager and staff had expected
Jack to drop out long ago but now they were caught up in the enthusiasm of this
election phenomenon. They began writing
new slogans and soon slogans were posted everywhere. “A vote for the crooked man will straighten
the country!” “Honesty is the crooked man’s way!” “Show the world some love!” “Love
Our Country!” “Be proud to serve!” “I
need you, our country needs you!”
Straw polls were taken and the results were unbelievable. Jack’s rapid ascension put him in a strong
second place. The front runner was
annoyed that Jack was still in the race.
The national committee dropped all pretense of support for Jack and
began a mudslinging campaign. “He’s a
small town lawyer who was crooked.” “Would
you trust a crooked man?” The attacks
didn’t work. These and other remarks only made Jack work harder. His followers rallied behind him.
Jack’s comments on an early morning national television were splashed
across the internet and repeated often. “We, the people,” Jack said, “have a mission
to get this country back on track. In
order to form a more perfect union we all need to help each other. Each person is unique and what you do is
important. Because of you America is
strong and will continue to be strong. I
want you walking alongside of me as we face new challenges.”
At the convention big money was clearly evident and backing the
national committee’s man. But Jack My
love had stolen hearts and convinced the public that reasonable plans can work.
The delegates were abuzz with excitement. It was the old guard facing off against a new
honest candidate. It was the straight
laced versus the crooked. It was old
money against grass roots. It was a
proud moment in history.
On the first official vote of the convention the front runner
had the lead but could not muster enough votes to win. On the second vote the voting was even
closer. Defectors moved over to the
crooked lawyer’s camp. On the third vote
Jack took control of the convention.
It was time for the
crooked lawyer to challenge the opposing party’s smooth talking incumbent. It
was a chance for an honest crooked man to become President and live in the
biggest crooked house.
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