Chapter 44

It seemed like the entire White House staff was on hand to welcome me and Jennifer. They parted as we approached and many offered greetings, well wishes and a host of kind remarks. Sam had a great bunch of people working for him and I intended to keep many of them, but it was also my intention to move people around and see if being in other jobs motivated them to do better.

My first time through as President taught me an awful lot about managing the government and how to avoid depending on a small group of people so much that I forgot to examine them for failings, dishonesty, or treachery. I had no intention of falling into that trap on my second chance at being president.

Jennifer moved like a queen through the throng of staff and appointees. It seemed like Sam invited his entire administration to be with him as he made his retirement official. Just thinking of losing his leadership and intelligence caused a pain in my stomach. The Cabinet was inside the big ball room, awaiting Sam’s entrance and I stayed far away from that area so no one could accuse me of attempting to steal his spotlight, jumping the gun, or failing to give Sam the space he needed to stand up, say his piece and walk away from the White House on his terms.

The press already had the substance of Sam’s speech and everywhere you looked, up and down Pennsylvania Avenue, the area was choked with TV trucks, satellite dishes and news people trying to say something new and different from everyone around them. To say it was a big news night was a massive understatement.

Every Vice President has a suite of offices in the Executive Office Building, which is separate from the actual White House, but connected via a hallway. Jennifer and I went there to await events. My Residence staff was already present by the time I arrived. We had to make our way through their well wishes to get to my private office. Everyone seemed to be so happy about what was happening, while it hurt my soul to think of Sam, sick and maybe very sick, somewhere upstairs, waiting to quit the best job in the world. Their behavior hurt me even more, so I picked up my phone and asked for the White House Chaplain to be sent in immediately.

The Right Reverend Jacob Pressner was a pastor from Lawrence, Kansas and an old friend of Sam’s. He didn’t keep me waiting and was shown in by a very solicitous Secret Service duo. He came to me and without preamble, said, “Mr. Vice President, it is my honor to be asked to be here tonight, but I will be heading back to Kansas tomorrow. It was a thrill for me and my parishioners but it time to go back to my home, my church and my ministry. I hope you won’t think ill of me, Sir.”

My smile was enough to calm him down. “Reverend Pressner, I understand completely. Go home with my thanks and my respect, Sir. Have a wonderful life and think kind thoughts of us back here in Washington, from time to time.

“But, Sir, before you do, please lead my staff and me in prayers for President Brownbock’s health and healing. He needs our prayers and our support as he faces tough times with his heart condition and I want us to be properly solemn in his honor tonight.

“Will you please do that for me.”

He was extremely happy to do that for us and we all joined hands, bowed our heads and let the Reverend leads us in a meaningful, quiet prayer for God’s healing touch and for the protection of Sam and his family as they transition back to private life.

Kansas is a nice place. People tend to be respectful and generally kind. Sam was almost a legend there and I expected him to be allowed to go back to being Sam Brownbock, from Topeka, Kansas.

It was my very fervent hope that he find health and peace for the rest of his life. After Reverend Pressner departed, my Chief of Staff suggested a toast and we all lifted a glass to Sam Brownbock and his remarkable political career. It was a good way to end my Vice Presidential career.

Rather than lock ourselves away in my office, we joined in the chatter and enjoyed a few light moments before the weight of the world dropped on my shoulders. Jennifer sat on my lap and held my arms around her waist as we chatted, laughed, wondered what the future held and generally waited to be called. “Ladies and Gentlemen ... The President of the United States...” The band played ‘Hail to the Chief,’ one last time for Sam Brownbock, as he was escorted to the podium to address what looked like the entire United States Congress along with a huge swath of reporters, officials and guests invited by Sam to be with him for his final act as President.

Me, Jennifer and my staff watched from my suite as Sam thanked the White House staff, the musicians and his appointed administration for their support, courage and faithfulness over the eight years as Vice President and seven as President. He was kind, clear eyed and sincere as he briefly covered his list of highlights and several of those present shed a tear in his honor.

When it came time for his announcement, Sam smiled at the assemblage, paused for just a bit and then said, “Folks, you must know that my heart is not in good shape. Kathy and I are hoping for a donor organ, but that also means some undeserving man, or women has to die for it to be possible. It also means another family has to hurt and grieve for a loved one, taken far too soon and we don’t wish that pain on anybody.

“My doctors are smart, well-educated and backed up by some of the best technology known to modern medicine. I understand that, just as you do.

“Sometimes life takes a turn that isn’t on the agenda and all we can do is our best. Kathy and I have been doing our best since I first ran for congress in nineteen-ninety four. When Senator Bob Dole resigned his Senate seat to concentrate on campaigning for President, I chose to seize the day and run for his vacated seat. Along the way Kathy and I decided that I should run for Governor and use that experience as the executive to see if I had what it took to make a run for the White House.