Deadly Justice
Page 20
Jackson 'Jack' Alexander was a man of high standards. As governor of Alabama, he led the state with integrity and justice. He demanded his team treat those under them with equality. If he discovered any one of his staff was dishonest, he demanded their resignation.
In the third year of his administration he was informed of a sizable fiscal discrepancy in the office of the Secretary of State. It led back to Madam Secretary and took immediate action insisting she resign or face prosecution.
He kept it quiet and allowed her to leave with her dignity after securing her promise to repay the funds.
When he announced his candidacy for president there was both jubilation and sadness.
The citizens of Alabama where excited to have him as president yet upset to lose him as their governor.
At the convention, he won almost all the states, coming in shy by only a few votes. Against his better judgment a committee of delegates convinced him against his better judgment to team up with Jerald Robbins and run for vice president.
During the campaign, unless it was to his benefit Robbins seemed to ignore him.
By the middle of October according to the polls, they were running 15 points behind. Jackson resigned himself to returning to his small law practice.
Then amazingly, Senator Ross, the opposing candidate committed suicide. Ross’s running mate stepped in and failed miserably. The Republicans squeezed through with a two percent margin, although to hear Robbins tell it one would think they won by a landslide.
Jackson's wife, Candace, should have been happy. Yet something kept nagging at her soul. Committed Christians, she and Jackson spent a few minutes together in prayer each morning. When away from her, he would call each morning at precisely 6:45 D. C. time. Even if he was rushed or if heads of state were waiting, they prayed together assuring each other of their love.
In their day-to-day operations, Jackson tried to become close to the president. Robbins resisted, sending him off on useless trips as a pawn in the game of politics.
This morning he prepared his presentation to congress on the situation in Libya. He waited outside the Oval Office for 20 minutes until Robbins had time to review it with him. He felt like a snake oil salesman in the waiting room of a doctor's office.
He barely sat down before the president started his tirade.
“I tell you, Jacky.” Jackson gritted his teeth. He hated being called Jacky. It made him feel like a child in the principal's office. “We ought to send some bombers over there and wipe them out. Every last one of them. Start all over again.”
“Congress would never stand for that Mr. President, let alone the world.” Under his breath he added, “Nor would I.” “That's the problem. This country is run by a bunch of wimps.”
Ten minutes later Jackson left the Oval Office with no clear directive for dealing with the crisis.
“Guess I'm on my own again.” He sighed with resignation.