in line. Warner was the key to his success. He rubbed his stomach.
The aggravation was worth it, though, he thought with a smile. These little episodes served a purpose. They kept Warner off balance and caused further estrangement between him and Carolyn. They weren’t problems: they were opportunities. Young reminded himself. Opportunities to shift the balance of power to himself. Richard knew how to exploit the exercise. If he shut off his support of Warner, Warner’s campaign would deflate like a punctured balloon.
Richard gazed out the window of his senatorial office in Washington. D.C. Sitting back, he interlocked his fingers on his stomach. If only he’d known how quickly his son was going to recover, he’d never have dropped out of the primaries. The presidential nomination would have been his. Fucking doctors. They always painted the worst scenario to make themselves look like heroes.
He closed his eyes, visualizing the vice-presidency and beyond. He’d simply adjust his strategy. By the time the election came, Warner would be convinced he couldn’t function without him. Carefully he plotted to make himself indispensable to Warner and ingratiate himself with Carolyn. Considering the friction between them, the challenge lay in showing loyalty to one without revealing dedication to the other.
An interesting match, Richard reflected. A loveless marriage brought together by one man. Edmund Lane, and held together by one cause, the White House. He’d done his homework and realized that Warner and Carolyn’s estrangement was to his benefit. They were both damaged goods, yet possessed the skills to present themselves as the perfect couple.
They had to get elected! Nothing was going to stop that process. Nothing.
Carolyn’s insistence that she be the vice presidential running mate could not be tolerated. Warner would act, or he would call upon the Council. The deal was done and Richard intended to hold them to it. He was the vice presidential candidate. This was his shot at power, real power, and he would win.
Warner hung up the phone, Richard’s angry voice still ringing in his ears. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his fists. A cluster of pain pounded behind his eyes. Damn Carolyn! Her insistence on running as the V.P. had thoroughly pissed off Richard, and they couldn’t afford to lose his support. Unfortunately, Carolyn had no idea that Richard was even a factor, nor could she be allowed to find out.
But, Warner thought, Richard needed to understand that she had to be handled carefully. Her national profile was too strong. The safest way for them to deal with her was to make her candidacy someone else’s concern. Nick was the perfect messenger.
Warner pressed a button on the intercom. “Call Stan Braunson, and get him in here pronto,” he said to his assistant.
Ten minutes later the campaign pollster stood in the doorway of Warner’s office. “Stan, hi. We need some information. I want a current read on the public’s perception of Carolyn’s reform ideas and my economic policy. See how it compares to President Washman’s policies and try to pinpoint the areas where people are most dissatisfied with Washman.”
Stan looked surprised. “Nick and I have already discussed this. I suggested we do a dial group.”
“Run that by me again.”
“It’s a group of people who represent a cross-section of the population. They each hold a dial while being exposed to various information on video. When they like something they turn the dial up, and when they don’t they turn the dial down. The information is compiled and broken down into age, gender and race. It can be pretty specific.”
“Can we do it quickly? I want the information now.” Warner realized he’d stepped into the consultants’ territory, but he didn’t care.
“Sure. Nick already has me on it.”
“Right out of the starting block, I want to hit these areas hard.” Warner stood and leaning across his desk, handed Stan a handwritten list. “And run some potential running mates by these guinea pigs. Include Carolyn. Let’s see what the feedback shows.”
“Nick’s already approached me.” Stan said. “He wants numbers on Richard Young.”
“Good.” Smart man, Warner thought. Nick knew where victory lay.
“Oh, and Stan, I want to see the numbers first. Give me the original papers, and don’t make copies. Understood?”
Stan shrugged. “Am I to assume this conversation never happened?”
“You know how to stay employed.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
“Get the numbers to me as soon as possible, but be thorough,” Warner ordered.
“I can have results to you-” Stan started to say over his shoulder.
“How about Wednesday at two o’clock?” It was a directive. Warner moved past Stan and headed in the direction of the conference room. The daily two o’clock meeting was about to begin.
Warner’s political savvy told him that he couldn’t afford to anger Carolyn. She was too strong and too popular. He’d have to manipulate her carefully. Warner knew that maintaining Carolyn’s loyalty and support could make the difference between winning and losing.
Warner was the first to take his seat for the dissection of the dial group data. Carolyn was absent, speaking at a Women In Politics caucus. Preliminary numbers showed the Lane economic policy as well received, and Carolyn’s war on drugs as their strongest suit. President Washman’s foreign policy stance remained his best asset.
The voters, however, were disillusioned by Washman’s lack of concern about the sluggish economy. Even though people respected his foreign policy, the data showed that they no longer cared about world affairs. Their concerns had shifted to their own economic needs and job security.
The voters wanted change; they no longer had faith that the current administration could improve their lives. Thank God for the bad economy, Warner thought. It was the best front on which to attack the other party.
“Well,” Nick said taking charge as usual, “my sense is that we can kick the pants off Washman if we stick to economic reform by virtue of tax relief. This recession is killing his approval ratings. We emphasize supply side economics and stimulate the marketplace by cutting taxes, both individual and corporate. Simple concepts, just hit the highlights, include the environment, and keep Carolyn in the limelight with her war on drugs. Focus on her consistent record against drug dealers.”
“Let’s hear it for the recession,” Matt cheered. The group laughed.
Warner sat back, gauging the interaction. He allowed them to run the meeting as long as his agenda dominated.
Nick continued. “Washman’s camp will keep trying to replay his foreign policy successes. The only way to address that is to demonstrate that we’re more concerned with the people in this country than the plight of others around the world. Stress domestic issues. Change versus more of the same.”
Everyone was quiet; some were taking notes.
“What else do you have?” Nick asked, looking over at Stan.
“I asked Stan to run some numbers on potential vice presidential running mates.” Warner interjected. “I feel Richard Young would boost our campaign.” He’d already reviewed the numbers in private, and had made a few adjustments to the original figures.
“Has there been discussion with Senator Young?”
Warner sensed the anger in Nick’s question. Nick didn’t like being outside the loop. “Richard and I go way back. Let’s leave it at that.”
“What about Carolyn?” Nick asked.
Warner turned to Stan. “Why don’t we concentrate on the numbers for now?”
Stan handed out additional data sheets illustrating the dial group’s response to various V.P. candidates. The top page showed Carolyn’s profile; the numbers were high. Her national popularity had increased dramatically. Charismatic, gracious, and an eloquent speaker, Carolyn had won over the public. Her one woman war on drugs
