Page 52 of Presidential Bargain
“And now, if you’ll please give our two candidates a round of applause. Governor Lamar Huntley and Senator JamesonMartin.”
The moderator’s voice was loud and filled my ears. Fuck, I was beyond nervous. I felt sweat prickle on my upper lip and I quickly wiped it away. I buttoned my suit jacket and turned back toward Georgie. She stood on tiptoe, her hands resting on my shoulders for balance, and kissed me quickly butfirmly.
“Good luck,” shewhispered.
I turned, ready to walk out on stage, but Georgie stopped me before I had the chance. The moderator had already introduced me and I could see Governor Huntley walking out on stage, waving and smiling. I had only the briefest of moments before things gotweird.
“I want to tell you something. I know you’re not even remotely ready to say this and maybe you don’t even feel it. Maybe you never will, but…Iloveyou.”
Then she kissed me again. It was hard and firm and full of so much conviction. She was so sure of herself and her feelings, sure enough to take a risk and tell me something as profound as ‘I love you’. And I couldn’t respond, because she was pushing me toward the stage and the production assistants, who were frantic, their arms flailing wildly while they waited for me to shake myself out of the haze Georgie’s declaration created. But when I finally walked out onto the debate platform, I had the biggest fucking smile onmyface.
Ihad never seenJamesonso nervous. I knew he needed quiet and his music, and the moment I pulled out his iPod, I instantly saw the relief in his expression. We sat quietly in a moment that I could only describe as surreal. While people hustled around us, Jameson and I sat there, unnoticed. Our hands were clasped tightly together and I willed all of my positive energy to somehow flow from me and into him. It didn’t work because when he was called, when it was time for the candidates to be announced, he looked positively green, and that was why I told him. Jameson needed to hear that I loved him, and I needed to tell him because I didn’t want him todoubtme.
Ruth, Sam, and I were all ushered to the front of the auditorium, where we took our seats in the first row. Jameson was shaking hands with the two moderators and Governor Huntley, and he looked more relaxed, confident even. I watched as he took his place behind his lectern, arranging his notes and pens. A carafe of water and a single glass sat on a small table next to him. I was sure Governor Huntley was doing the same things, but my gaze was trained onJameson.
He looked dashing in his crisp, fitted navy blue suit. His shirt was a brilliant white that was heavily starched and his tie was a bright scarlet red that popped against his shirt. He had a small American flag pin affixed to his lapel and when I looked down at his feet, I noticed his favorite pair of brown leather Oxfords had been recently polished. Jameson glanced casually at his Rolex, which he told me had been a gift from his father when he graduated from West Point, before reaching down to fill the emptyglass.
And then hefoundme.
Through the blinding lights of the stage, his pale blue eyes managed to lock on me. He grinned and winked, causing my cheeks to flush withembarrassment.
“Thank you, gentlemen. I am honored to serve as your moderator tonight, but this evening is really all about you and your vision for our country. I want to begin tonight, however, by asking you both about recent events that have plagued Senator Martin’s campaign. You both have promised to run positive campaigns, preferring to focus on your different leadership styles and your diverse visions for our country. Yet, Governor Huntley, advertisements, paid for by super PACs that support your campaign and from which your campaign has received donations, have started to run what some might call personal attacks on Senator Martin’s fiancée. How do you respond to the accusations that your campaign is allowing these super PACs to do yourdirtywork?”
The boldness of the moderator’s question shocked me. I hoped I’d only be mentioned in passing because this entire campaign was so much bigger than just me. I also hadn’t paid much attention to the news or to the pundits because, at times, being with Jameson was just as torturous. I didn’t need to know what they said about me; Jameson’s moods told me what I needed to know. I had picked up on this after the pictures from the clambake were released. If the media was particularly cruel, then Jameson preferred to brood and he often pushed me away until his head was clear. He felt this was his way of protecting me, but it only created problems for us. Jameson needed to realize that protecting me meant equality. I needed to be his partner rather than hissecret.
When the moderator finished his question, I looked up to see Jameson grip the podium, his knuckles practically white. His jaw was tense and I could see the muscles begin to tick with anger. He wasn’t expecting this line of questioning either. I glanced over at Governor Huntley and his expression said something entirely different. It said that he wasannoyed.
“First, I want to thank Boston College for hosting tonight’s event. There are a few cities in this country that truly symbolize democracy and Boston is one of them. I’m sure that Senator Martin is enjoying his home field advantage tonight as well. As for the question that was posed to me regarding the advertisements bought and paid for by a handful of super PACs that support my campaign, I have one simple response. It’s their money and how they want to spend it is up to them. I have no control over how they run their organization or over the advertisements they produce. My personal campaign has promised to focus solely on the issues and to run a positive campaign. And we have done that. However, my campaign cannot control that the senator chose to publicly engage in matters that should be private. Louise and I have prayed for Senator Martin and Ms. Washington because these are difficult times and we are hopeful their relationship will only growstronger.”
Governor Huntley stepped away from the podium as if to signal that he was finished answering the question. I noticed Jameson looking down at his notes, hiding his anger. He was gathering himself, calming himself, before it was his time toanswer.
“Senator Martin, your turn. How do you feel about the negative advertisements targeting Ms. Washington that have been bought and paid for by super PACs that support GovernorHuntley?”
Jameson looked up at the same time Ruth and Sam reached for my hands. I was sandwiched in between them, and their gestures provided me with an instant sense of relief. Jameson’s eyes searched the audience, and I knew he was looking for me, but we were unable toconnect.
“First, thank you, Boston College, for being a gracious host and welcoming us onto your campus. I do enjoy being back in my home state, in my hometown, but I don’t feel like I have home field advantage tonight. I did, after all, graduate from West Point and I spend most of my time in Washington, working hard for the people who live not only in this amazing city, but in the great Commonwealth ofMassachusetts.”
Jameson paused before reaching down to pick up the glass of water next to him. I knew that every move he made tonight was calculated and was probably approved by Sean or Lewis and Jenkins. “Second, I truly appreciate the opportunity to address this topic. I have argued, from the moment I entered this race, that my personal life in no way qualifies me to be the next president, but since my nomination to be the Democratic candidate, I have been held to a higher standard. And I still believe, engaged or not, that I am the better candidate. However, that is not the issue. The issue is that my relationship receives an unfair amount of criticism and attention. The super PACs that support my opponent do not attach my record or my military service. Instead, they are vicious and relentless in their quest to destroy my relationship with Georgie. The scrutiny that I have faced, that Georgie and I have faced together, since we announced our engagement, has been unprecedented. There seems to be a double standard in this campaign. It’s okay to attack my fiancée, to question my personal life, but the governor’s personal life is off-limits? I thank the governor and his wife for their prayers, but what I would really like is for the governor to give back every cent he’s received from the super PACs who have maligned myfiancée.”
There was a definitive gasp from the audience and Jameson looked directly at Governor Huntley when he made his challenge. The moderator spoke up when it seemed that Jameson wasfinished.
“Governor Huntley, how do you respond to Senator Martin’s challenge? Would your campaign be willing to return funds to super PACs that have attacked Ms.Washington?”
“My campaign will look into the organizations that have paid for these advertisements. If they truly are malicious, then I will gladly give back the funds. My campaign doesn’t support organizations that run blatantly slanderousadvertisements.”
Jameson wasn’t pleased with the governor’s answer; I could tell by the way his jaw was still tightly clenched, but the moderator was satisfied and moved on to another line of questioning. Thankfully, it had nothing to do with me, so I relaxed and listened to Jameson’sresponses.
For the next few hours, I sat in awe of the man on the stage. Jameson was smart, but on stage, he was brilliant. His rebuttals every time the governor challenged him on something were thought-out and articulated. He wasn’t flustered; instead, he was calm and cool, and the governor appeared agitated. There were times when Jameson’s responses left Governor Huntley stuttering and stumbling, and I smiled, knowing that Jameson was winning. Pride swelled in my chest; the powerful politician up on stage was mine and he was going to be the next President of the UnitedStates.
At the close of thedebate, Jameson brought me onstage, along with his parents. The moment his hands circled my waist, I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed himtightly.
“Oh my God, Jameson. You were absolutely amazing!” Igushed.
He pulled away slightly and his grin told me everything. He was confident he won and I was his prize. To celebrate this ‘victory’, he pressed his lips against mine in a firm,chastekiss.
Jameson’s parents interrupted the moment and I stood back to let them congratulatetheirson.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Governor Huntley approach. A prickle of unease shot through my body. I had yet to meet the governor but decorum mandated that Iacknowledgehim.
