Chapter 6

We chatted for several minutes so Charles could give me the long and short of it. "Val Buena is on his way here, now, and knows he's in deep trouble. I hope he had the presence of mind to bring along his resignation, but he's gone, either way. I picked him, I can fire him. Well, not exactly fire him, but I can force him out, and that's what's going to happen.

"We need to move you someplace out of sight for the rest of the day, while I will firm up support from our friends in the Senate, to get you an emergency confirmation vote. I've got this all wired, but need to make sure it plays out exactly the way I need it to, and that includes having key members of congress and the senate virtually demanding I appoint you as Val Buena's replacement.

"My staff will take over and handle your needs for the time being, and they'll move you to the VP's residence at the Naval Observatory, after we clear out Val Buena, which should be very, very, soon.

"John, thanks for giving up your life and joining me up here. We need to discuss your role, but it will be very broad, and include lots of responsibility, so don't think this is a four year, golfing vacation." He laughed when he said that, and I found myself laughing with him.

Samantha looked at us like we just arrived from Pluto, for laughing at such a solemn time, but Charles and I knew just how big a joke he'd made. Dick Cheney worked in the shadows, non-stop. Al Gore never really jelled with the public, just like Cheney. George H.W. Bush, was a hands on VP, that had exceptional foreign policy experience, that made his invaluable to Ronald Reagan. Hubert Humphrey was totally ignored by LBJ, just as LBJ was ignored by JFK. Joe Biden served a Vice Presidency that was overshadowed by events, more than anything else. He was popular with his peers in the Senate, but the public ever really fell in love with him, so he was free to try to stay out of trouble. I knew I'd be in for non-stop, twenty-hour days, and nights, but that was Ok. Charles intended me to be a working member of his team. Not ceremonial, or insurance, but a full time employee.

Charles ushered us out, and four Secret Service officers met me at the Oval Office door, saying, "This way, Mr. Vice President," which shook me up. That was the first time I heard it and that made the whole thing, suddenly real.

Charles was right behind me when it happened, and clapped me on the shoulder, saying, "I know just what you felt. The first time I heard the Service say, 'Good Morning, Mr. President, ' was the same for me, except that I nearly choked. Even though it is not Mr. Vice President until both houses of Congress vote to confirm, later tonight, I thought you would enjoy hearing it the first time, and frankly, I wanted to see how you reacted when it happened."

Samantha and I were led away to a limousine, and driven to Camp David, the Presidential retreat, in the mountains, where I was greeted by several people sent by Charles to get me acquainted with my new job. Our departure was covered by Marine One, the President's helicopter, making a landing. No one noticed our car slip away, because they were all waiting to see who got out, or into, the chopper.

Very clever way to keep a secret.

As the modest motorcade arrived outside the big lodge, at Camp David, a young man approached and held out his hand, "Mr. Vice President. I am Jason Whittaker, assistant to President's Chief of Staff. The President has asked me to be your temporary Chief of Staff, until you sort out things and make decisions on key people.

"I have assembled briefing personnel from the State Department, Defense, Treasury, DHS, and congressional affairs. We will be briefing you for some time, and the President asked me to include Miss Young, should you wish her to be kept up to date. The briefers know that they will remain as guests at Camp David, to keep things quiet, until after the President handles your announcement. We think we have this contained, at least for the time being."

"Mr. Whittaker, Miss Young will be my Press Secretary, and as such, shall be included at all times. Thank you for thinking ahead on this, and I will be sure express my appreciation to the President, later.

"Now, who's first?"

For three hours as I plowed through the briefings. Having only been in John ray's body for short time, I hadn't had more than a cursory exposure to daily briefings, and these were full, no holds barred, briefings. They covered everything from the swearing in ceremony, to my responsibilities as President of the Senate. My briefer was quite taken with himself, on this subject. "The vice president is the President of the U.S. Senate and has the power to cast a tie-breaking vote. In practice, this has rarely occurred in modern times. The Senate elects a president pro-tempore to act in the vice president's stead on a day-to-day basis. The vice president usually presides over the senate only on ceremonial occasions."

Right at ten P.M., and just as we finished the last briefing, another staffer interrupted and invited us to another room to view the exit speech of Vice President Val Buena. It was mercifully short, and given from the press room in the Naval Observatory, the Official Residence of the Vice President. Citing personal health issues, Val Buena easily lied about his reasons for leaving office so soon.

When he thanked the press and departed, President Thornton took the podium in the White House briefing room and gave this address. "After hearing of the Vice President's decision to retire, earlier today, I asked leaders of the House and Senate to meet with me and discuss a replacement.

"We agreed unanimously on Governor John Gray, recently retired from Kansas, to be nominated by me, to become the next Vice President of the United States.

"John, as you all know, saved my daughter and granddaughter's lives, earlier, during the campaign, and was badly injured. I met with Governor Gray and he has agreed to serve, so it is my distinct pleasure to announce to you that I have placed his name before those who will vote to confirm him as Vice President.