Chapter 5

Leo explained, "I had just finished winning my second bid for reelection when Clark's flunky, Mr. O'Dell came to me to ask for my help.

Before I continue, I didn't want to interrupt you before but I now remember who you are, I believe you were my mother's aid when my father was president." Stunned Phillip asked, "You are Rebecca’s son? You are that Leo, the son of former President Jack Kane?" Leo nodded and said, "Yes, you are correct, but don't say it so loud, there may be Democrats in this establishment. As you know, my father was not always beloved by everyone."

Leo made a scan of the restaurant before he paused a moment to collect his thoughts. Phillip needing Leo to continue with the story said, "Leo, your father and mother were great people. Your father, God rest his soul, always made every decision as president in the best interests of the American people. The same may not be said for our current president. Your mother is a saint. As you know, she gave me my start in politics as her aid. She taught me many positive lessons that shaped me into the person I am today. As you were saying, how did O'Dell and Clark insult you?"

Leo explained, "The president was making a swing through Florida pitching a retirement stimulus package to the voters. He flew down in Air Force One with all the pomp and circumstance of the office. O'Dell called beforehand asking me to be a part of the reception committee. He told me the president wanted to have a private meeting with me on the plane after his speech. When I met with the President of course, O’Dell was there with him. They came with a story, truth or a lie, I could not tell. O'Dell said, “Since my father had died I could be his legacy to lead the moderate Republicans to vote for President Clark. They played on the love I had for my father and my own ambitions to persuade me to work within the reelection campaign for President Clark. They told me that Vice President Sloan due to health reasons would resigned from the ticket. I was lead to believe if Clark won the nomination I would be his Vice Presidential running mate.

I worked for a year behind the scenes, then a year in the forefront of President Clark's reelection campaign. When President Clark won the nomination, he chose Bill Trager as his running mate instead of me. They did not even have the common courtesy to tell me of their decision. I first heard the news watching CNN.

I was totally beside myself. I called the president on his direct line. He would even take my call. O'Dell came on the line to give me a line of crap about how Trager fared better in the Nielsen polls and would give the president the needed California electoral votes. Enraged, I cursed him with all the curses that I knew. I let O'Dell know that I felt they had robbed me of the Vice Presidency.

O'Dell is usually not one to have a sharp tongue however; in this case, he became indignant. He said to me, "My young Congressman Kane, you are still newcomer. You have been sitting down in Florida whining election after election on your father's coattails. You judge the president and me too harshly. You have one little disappointment in your young career and you cannot keep a civil tongue? Making Trager the Vice Presidential nominee was the smartest move towards the continuation of this administration. We thank you for your help. Your help on the campaign trail was most beneficial. You need to be thankful for what you have and go back to Florida. You need to be content with what you have before you ruin your career with your bellyaching.”

From that point on O’Dell froze me out of the campaign. With my tail between my legs, I took my yacht, and left Washington in my wake, both figuratively and literally.”

Suddenly becoming angry Leo said, “Mr. O’Dell is the bastard of all bastards. I blame him only slightly less than the President and his advisers. Bad decisions come from bad advice."

Phillip reached out, patted Phillip on the shoulder and said, "It is clear to me that you have just cause for your anguish. Your sheer grief almost matches my own. What you have told me is consistent with my experiences with O'Dell and Clark. Those two would do anything to win the election. I know that O'Dell would say or do anything with no thought of conscience. Still, it amazes me that Alex Templeton, seeing these things, would not advise the president to do the right thing."

Leo said, "Alex resigned last year and went back into the private sector. Having been my father's closest friend and political adviser, he would never allow Clark and O'Dell to double-cross me."

Phillip mused, "So, Alex is gone as well." Leo, replied, "Yes, that's true after 12 years on the cabinet." Phillip said, "Alex being gone saddens me. He was the moral compass of the whole administration. O’Dell and his lackeys most likely drove out him. It is terrible that he's gone and O'Dell is still there having the presidential ear."

Leo agreed, "Alex's resignation was a tragedy."

Phillip asked, "What about my own friends Wessler and Pane? Are they still with the administration? With their law degrees and sense of fair play they usually were able to keep O'Dell in check."

Leo said, "Wessler became a lobbyist and Pane resigned to run for governor of his home state."

Phillip suddenly felt more dejected commented, "That hurts my chances of ever getting another job. Those three were the last to believe in me. I cannot believe that they are all gone. It seems impossible to me the only ones left in the original administration from my time is O’Dell."

Phillip thought for a moment and said, “Tell me Leo how is old Pat Rojas your father's most beloved friend?"

"I am sorry to say," Leo said, "He died last summer with throat cancer. Sometimes it seems the bad are never taken early only the good ones."

Phillip asked, "How about that worthless piece of horse dung, yet cunning and smart with his beautiful words." Leo asked, "You ask of O'Dell?" Phillip replied, "No, not him, I mean Terry Shiite, Clark's speech writer? You know, the one that is never content, although no one allows him to speak his view of any issue. Does he still work for the president?”

Leo said, "Terry is still with the President. None of the other idiots that work for him have left so why should he? O'Dell and the President have run off all the good staffers and aids who brought to the President common sense and dignity out of the administration. How can anyone make sense of what goes on in the White House? I guess, I should feel lucky to be finished with them before their backhanded senseless actions rub off on me."

Leo finished his drink. The bartender came over to see if he needed a refill. This time Leo ordered a beer. Leo asked, "Phillip may I buy you another soda?" Phillip replied, "I am okay, maybe next time."

Leo continued, "In the future, Phillip, I will be more cautious. I am going to stay in Pensacola and watch Washington from afar. I will have no part of the Clark machine, were the worst is stronger than the better man is, were noble men feel forced to leave, and cowards rule. I will not bow to such men ever again. I will be content to stay home to take care of my family and my constituents.

Phillip, may your life be long and happy. I must be going now to prepare to sail in the morning."

Phillip said, "You are leaving already." Leo replied, "I need to get home, I have been gone too long and my family misses me."

Phillip said, "I've been on this island for two years. I have been simply bored out of my mind. I beg you; do not leave me here to live on with such suffering. Please do not leave me here alone. You know my skills and level of expertise in politics. I have been sober for years and paid my debt for my sins. I can be helpful to you. You will never find anybody of my caliber so cheap to help you gain your political objectives. I know I would be troublesome for you however; my skills and knowledge far outweigh any problem I may produce in the beginning.

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