Girl Power (14 page)

"That's fantastic. What about candidates? You mentioned you had about

eighty, if I remember right."

"Correct. We currently have over two hundred, but we need a lot more."

Win took a deep breath. "How many more?"

Lindy shrugged. "How many political offices are there in the country? Ten

thousand, a hundred thousand, a million? If we want to make a difference, we

need our women in place to do it."

"You hear that ladies? If you want to help right the wrongs and think there may be a future for you in politics, get the information you need from their

website www dot safe dot gov."

Win switched her attention. "Sally, last week we didn't get into the benefits SAFE offers or is planning to offer its members. Would you like to tell us a little about what you offer, that the other political parties haven't even considered?"

"With pleasure." Sally rose. We think of SAFE as part of a movement—a

women's movement." Smiling she began to pace around the set, gracefully

swaying her arm around as she did. "Don't get me wrong, guys. We love you and you're welcome, but we're concentrating on a section of our society that has been ignored, held back, underpaid and underappreciated since the dawn of

humanity. Notice, I didn't say mankind. The term mankind—obviously sexist—

is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tools men use to hold women down."

A smattering of applause followed her pause, but she held a hand up and

continued, "That said, a women's movement should look after women. Not just privileged women, but all women. Ladies, we have a lot of ground to make up

and we intend to make it easier. SAFE has worked out a group health insurance

plan with a major insurer—headed by a woman, I might add—that costs at least

twenty percent less than you can get on your own."

Loud applause followed that line and Sally waited before continuing.

She smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you. Moreover, here's the good

part. The more members we get, the cheaper that insurance will get, so ladies,

what are you waiting for? It's time to join, join, join!"

Enthusiastic applause ensued. When it died down, Sally continued,

"Membership in SAFE isn't free like in the two other political parties, but it's cheap. I guess you could say pay to belong with benefits is sort of like a union. Is that bad? You tell me. Let me ask you, can you look for employment on the

Democratic website?"

A mixture of clapping and shouts of "No!" started, but Sally stalled it with an uplifted hand. "Let me finish. Can you get low cost health insurance and low cost child care from the Republicans?" The noise and clapping started again, but this time Sally hollered through it, "Hell no, instead of giving you things that would help you, they want to take away things that are meant to help you.

Things like Food Stamps and Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid. And for

what? To give billionaires more tax cuts. To keep thousands of unnecessary

military bases open across the world. They want to do this in the name of

spurring employment and reducing the debt to which mostly they contributed.

Well, I got news for them. They tried this and it didn't work. In fact it got us in the mess we're in."

When the applause faded, Sally went on. "And that's not all. As Lindy

mentioned, the Republicans have started yet another war—an undeclared war on

women. Oh sure, they deny it, but the evidence is there for all to see and it's

undeniable. However, this time they have gone too far. They want to take away a

woman's right to equal pay for equal work, their right to family planning,

contraception and abortion. They're not fooling me. Behind it all, I think they

would even like to take away a woman's right to have sex."

Having overdone her remarks in her mind, Sally glanced at Winfred

apologetically. However, the audience apparently didn't feel she overdid it. Sally received a standing ovation.

Win rose, approached Sally in the middle of the stage, and hugged her.

"That was very nice." Win turned to the camera. We have another dratted commercial break. We'll be right back."

When the red on the air light blinked out, Winfred grasped Sally's hand and

led her back to the rest of the guests, then sat in the host chair. When the light came back on, Winfred asked, "Sally, Do you really think Republicans are trying to take women's right to have sex away."

Sally took a deep breath. "Yes, at least worry-free sex. Why else would they try to keep insurance companies from covering birth control and morning after

pills?"

Lara Kane joined in. "I think you're right. I've seen men who resent the fact that I enjoy sex, and I think their resentment extends to all women in general."

Win nodded. "Yes, I've come across men who thought sex was beneath

their image of women."

Lara giggled. "What would men do for sex if women really didn't like sex

and abstained?"

Toby Hilton, the comedian between Lara and Lindy, quipped, "Go to gay

bars?"

The guests and audience laughed. "Okay, let's move on." Win shifted her attention to the newest member of SAFE. "Lee, you've been kind of quiet."

He smiled. "Just enjoying the show, Winfred. Just enjoying the show."

Win smirked. "Well, we really can't have you sitting there, looking pretty.

Tell me, is SAFE going to put up a presidential candidate this year?"

He nodded. "We hope to, if we can find the right candidate."

"You're an expert when it comes to campaigns. In your opinion, what

characteristics make for the best candidate?"

Lee uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, forearms on his thighs. "A

candidate doesn't have to have all these traits, but the more he or she—and in

our case she is given—has, the better.

"Number one, is intelligence. There's no substitute for being able to think fast and concentrate on multiple problems. Think of a chess master playing ten

opponents at the same time and you'll get the picture.

"Number two, is knowledge, what a candidate actually knows. As you can

imagine, knowledge combined with intelligence is a powerful quality.

"Third, a candidate can't have too much charisma. Charisma usually

transfers into likability and comfort. Voters are more likely to vote for the person they are comfortable with.

"Fourth, I'd say is eloquence, the ability to convey a message in such terms that it actually inspires and motivates an audience.

"Last, I'd say, humility. It's always good to remind people, even if you are an exceptional person that in God's eyes and your mind, you are no better than

they." Win nodded. "Thank you Lee. I agree with everything you said."

She turned to Lindy. "Lindy do the characteristics Lee outlined remind you

of anyone?"

Lindy nodded emphatically. "Yes. My friend, Sally."

"Sally, have you thought about what we talked about last night?"

Sally fidgeted in her seat. "Yes."

"And?"

"I'm very flattered, Winfred, but I don't think so."

"Hold on, I need to tell our audience what we're talking about." Winfred stood and angled toward the camera. "My friends, last night I had dinner with our friends from SAFE. I suggested to the co-founder of Stand Aligned For

Equality, U.S. Representative, Sally Cummings, that she should consider running

for President instead of the Senate."

The studio audience clapped and said, "Yeah."

"She told me she'd think about it. Now, you heard Lee Casey's list for the

ideal candidate and you heard Sally speak earlier about SAFE. Did she seem

intelligent?"

The audience began to clap.

"What about knowledgeable, did she seem to know a lot?"

The applause grew louder and a few in the audience stood.

"Was she eloquent? I thought she was quite articulate."

The clapping grew more intense, more stood, and some in the audience

shouted approval.

"How about charisma? I find Sally eminently likeable."

Sally received a standing ovation.

Winfred turned to Sally and motioned for her to come up by her. As Sally

arrived, Win put an arm around her and quieted the audience with her free

hand. "What do you think my friends? Would you like to see Sally Cummings

run for president, as our President?

The audience stood clapping and yelling and whistling until Winfred

quieted them.

"You don't really know Sally that well, but I can tell you she is humble,

ethical and loyal to the people that elect her. That's why I suggested she run for president. She turned her head and spoke to Sally, "I can see you need a little more convincing so…" Winfred waved to someone off stage and like the

previous week, the same a man and woman rushed over carrying a six foot

replica of a check. Only this time, instead of the check being for a $100,000, it was for a hundred times as much—10 million dollars. "This check, I give to you to kick off your campaign for President of the United States of America. Do you

accept it? Will you run?"

Sally asked Win, "Do you remember last night when Lee said women have

more tenacity than men?"

She laughed. "Yes, I do."

Sally wiped a tear from her eye. "Well, Ms. Winfred Opry, you are the most

tenacious person I've ever met."

Win eased closer and said under her breath, "I hope that's good," then asked, loudly, "Will you run?"

"I will run…on one condition."

"What condition is that?"

"You'll see." Sally stepped forward and addressed the audience. "I am overwhelmed. Are you sure you want me?" Another round of applause ensued.

"All right, I will run for President on one condition." Silence came over the crowd.

"I will run for president if Winfred Opry runs with me as my vice

president."

With broad smiles on their faces, lengthy and deafening applause met her

condition. Sally scooted back to Winfred and with a mischievous grin said, "Let's see you get out of this one."

Winfred bumped her with her hip. "You know, I have no political

experience."

"Something tells me you are a fast learner."

Winfred must have given some kind of signal because all of a sudden, Pink

balloons and streamers fell from the ceiling. Then the man and woman who'd

brought the oversized check returned with a cart of plastic champagne flutes and bottles of champagne.

Sally said, "You stinker. You were sure I'd agree."

"Yep. Let's see you get out of this one."

Sally bent over laughing. "I think I picked the best Vice Presidential

candidate ever."

After they poured and passed champagne to Winfred and the rest of the

guests, Winfred invited the audience, a majority of whom had signed up with

SAFE, onto the set for some bubbly and celebration.

~ * * ~

"We now take you to Chicago, where Jenna Kenner is standing by with a

breaking news story. What's going on Jenna?"

"Thank you Jeff. I'm here in downtown Chicago where Congresswoman

Sally Cummings, from Maryland, one of the original founders of the new

women's party, SAFE, just made a historic announcement. Ms. Cummings

declared her intention to run for the President of the United States. Although

many women have run for president over the years, Sally Cummings is the first

woman of a credible party to run for president."

"Wow, that is some big news."

"I know, but that's not all. Ms. Cummings made her monumental

announcement on The Winfred Opry Show, then turned around and asked the

host, Winfred Opry, to be her Vice Presidential running mate. Jeff, she accepted.

In addition to the Cummings/Opry team being the first ever female presidential

team, that makes the Opry only the third female candidate of a major party and

first ever African American vice presidential candidate."

"Thank you Jenna. We now take you to Tim Allen, in Cornville, Iowa, where

Democratic frontrunner Clovis Taylor is about to host a town hall meeting. Tim,

any reaction to the third party announcement from the Taylor camp?"

"Good evening, Jeff. We couldn't get anyone to comment, but

approximately fifteen minutes ago, a Taylor spokesman handed us a statement.

The statement reads, "Mr. Taylor is aware that as a former democratic

congresswoman, Ms. Cummings is an astute politician and campaigner.

Nevertheless, we welcome her to the presidential race and may the best man

win."

"Hmm, may the best man win? A little sexist sarcasm, I'd say."

"It would seem so."

"Well, thank you Tim. Ladies and gentlemen, we just received an official

statement from the Presumptive Republican Presidential candidate, Cooper

Richardson III's campaign headquarters. It reads. "Despite the inability of previous third party candidates to mount viable campaigns, we welcome, Ms.

Cummings to the fray. Good luck to Ms. Cummings and her inexperienced

celebrity vice presidential choice. They're going to need it."

Chapter Eleven – Later

In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman. -
Margaret Thatcher

Republican National Committee – Chairman's Office

The intercom buzzed as Crowe Magnon returned from a long lunch. "Yes?"

"Sorry to bother you, sir, but Mr. Rogue is calling you again."

"What do you mean, again?"

"He called for you at three and again at three-thirty."

Fuck, I could be in deep shit. Something big must've happened
. "I'll take it."

Rapidly, he grabbed his handset. "What can I do for you, Boss?"

"You can start by telling me how long you take for lunch breaks?"