Campaign Trail

by J. A. Armstrong

  “Senator Keyes?” Barr turned. “Your response.”

  “Governor Reid voted twice in the senate for bills that tightened restrictions on immigration and agreed to amendments that increased health care deductibles for middle-class Americans in order to get a piece of legislation she sponsored passed. There are two clear examples of compromising what she espouses as her value on people, even breaking with our party in the process. In my estimation, that is compromising one’s values. On the hot button issues, the governor makes impassioned pleas. People look at her life rather than her voting record. It’s her voting record that reflects her values and what she will do if elected. That is decidedly holding up the establishment’s views, not her values.”

  “Governor Reid?”

  Candace took a deep breath. She needed to banish the sarcastic response she heard taking shape in her head. She looked at Senator George Keyes and smiled. Opportunistic son of a bitch. “Senator Keyes is correct. I’ve often found myself in the difficult position of weighing whether to abandon my support for a piece of legislation. What I think is disingenuous about his assertion is that I have compromised my values to placate the establishment. Senator Keyes has offered two examples of instances when he believes my vote has betrayed my values. Let me address those specifically.”

  “Please do,” Senator Keyes spoke.

  Candace grinned. Be careful, George. “I will,” she said. “The first you are referring to I believe is a bipartisan bill that sought to balance the issuance of certain types of work visas. As I recall, that piece of legislation sought to create more opportunities for foreign corporations investing in our job force. Claiming I abandoned my principles because I supported a bill with intricate and specific limitations is a gross over-simplification.”

  “Correct me if I am wrong, wasn’t it you that just said politics is not complicated?”

  Candace nodded. “I did say that. I didn’t say that legislation was not intricate.” She took a deep breath. “I’m not going to defend my decisions to vote for those bills.”

  Keyes gloated. “That bill resulted in less opportunity for middle-class immigrants.”

  “Arguably—it did,” Candace conceded.

  “And, yet you espouse that you believe this country was founded by hard working immigrants?”

  “It was,” Candace said calmly. “It also is not the 1800s,” she said. “Or even the 1900s. In 1960, when my grandfather was first elected Governor of New York, the population of the United States was just over 180 million people. Today, it surpasses 325 million, and it continues to grow. By the year 2025, there will be more than 345 million people living here. There are over 40 million American citizens living beneath the poverty rate, Senator Keyes. I’m not opposed to immigration. In fact, immigration is a key component in sustaining and growing our economy. I am in support of creating as many opportunities for our citizens as we can through a variety of initiatives. Those initiatives include smart immigration laws. I don’t want to deny honest, hardworking people from coming to America to pursue the American dream. I do want to make sure it is done sensibly.”

  Keyes bristled.

  “And, on health care?” Barr inquired.

  Candace sighed lightly. “I don’t think there is any secret on where I stand on healthcare. In my view, we fail if we do not provide for the health of our nation.”

  “You say universal,” Keyes interjected. “You vote differently.”

  “There’s never been legislation presented to provide universal healthcare,” Candace replied evenly. “If I had ever believed we could pass it, I would have introduced it myself when I was in the senate. It would not have passed, and you know that as well as I do.”

  “So, hiking prices is your alternative?” he asked.

  “Not one I enjoy—no. Again, you boil down a two-thousand-page bill to the size of a pinhead,” she said. “The amendment you’re referring to was not an amendment that sought to increase deductibles; it did limit restrictions on carriers. As I said, there’s a case to be made that could have led to an increase in deductibles for some middle-class families.”

  “Hardly reflecting your values,” he muttered.

  Candace smiled. “That bill helped insure millions of people who had no coverage prior to its inception. I wish there were no compromises to be made. There are. And, when I’m elected; I can assure you that refining and revising our healthcare system will be one of my administration’s top priorities. Doing that, I believe, will dramatically impact the economic outlook for many of the families struggling today. By doing that, we will be able to revisit and retool our immigration laws. Everything impacts everything else,” Candace explained. “Every decision I have made or will make in the future is steeped in that understanding. I’m blessed,” she said. “I enjoy the rights I have as a woman and as a lesbian because people fought and risked, and yes, even compromised from time to time so that I might enjoy the same rights as others. I’ve had the opportunity to get an education, access to medical care, and even the privilege to serve because people were willing to sacrifice along the way; people who held to their convictions while understanding the need to listen and compromise to create change. Compromise is not at odds with conviction. A leader has to know when compromise undermines her conviction and when compromise compliments it. I’ve never voted for a piece of legislation that diminished a woman’s right to choose, that placed undue hardship on poor communities, or that was laden with racial bias. I never will.”

  Barr nodded. He turned to Keyes. “Interesting exchange,” he said. “As a follow-up, have you ever wished you could have a vote back? With hindsight, have you ever wished you’d voted against a bill you supported? Senator Keyes, you first.”

  George Keyes nodded. “Of course. I try to limit those regrets,” he continued. “That’s where I believe conviction, as the governor put it, is an asset.”

  “Governor Reid?” Barr directed Candace to answer.

  “All the time,” Candace chuckled. “Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20,” she said. “No one can predict the next minute. There are a million variables that change outcomes. So, yes; there’ve been times when I have looked back and wished I’d forecasted the outcomes better. There’ve also been times I’ve withheld my support and been surprised at the success a piece of legislation has enjoyed. It goes both ways. Senator Keyes is correct.” She saw George Keyes smug grin. “Conviction matters. You can’t change the past. That includes your vote. I don’t dwell on the decisions I’ve made. I learn from them.”

  “On that note, I want to thank both the candidates for their time this evening. The next debate is February 23rd at The University of Pennsylvania. Thank you, and good night.”

  Jameson shook her head. “Not going to be an easy battle; is it?”

  “Nope,” Michelle said. “I’d like to know who’s holding his leash.”

  Jameson watched as Candace accepted Senator Keyes’ hand. “I wonder what she’s saying?”

  “Not what she wants to,” Michelle quipped.

  Jameson laughed. She walked with Michelle toward the right side of the stage. “Safe bet. What do you think?”

  “About Iowa and New Hampshire?”

  Jameson nodded.

  “We need one. Both would be better.”

  Jameson exchanged a smile with Candace who was shaking hands with the crowd along the front of the stage. Candace gestured for Jameson to join her. “I hope I don’t have to talk to him.”

  Michelle snickered.

  “Jameson,” George Keyes extended his hand.

  “Senator,” Jameson offered him a contrived smile. “Nice to see you again.”

  “You must be very proud of her,” he said.

  Jameson glanced over at Candace. Candace was laughing with what appeared to be a few college students. You have no idea. “I’m always proud of her,” she said.

  Keyes winked. “You remember my wife, Dorothy.”

  Jameson shook Dorothy Keyes hand. Maybe if she click
s her heels a few times, you’ll both disappear.

  “How are you, Jameson?” Dorothy asked sincerely.

  Jameson smiled. “Can’t complain,” she said. “No one listens anyway.”

  “Isn’t that the truth,” Dorothy agreed.

  Jameson was relieved when she felt Candace’s hand press into the small of her back. She turned and was surprised to receive a light kiss on the lips from Candace.

  Candace kept her hand on Jameson’s back, sensing that Jameson’s protective streak had kicked into high gear. “Well,” she looked directly at Keyes. “Thanks for the spirited conversation,” she raised her brow.

  “I thought it went well,” he said.

  “I guess we’ll see how well it went for both of us on Tuesday,” Candace offered with a wink. “Best of luck, George.”

  “And you, Candace.”

  “Dot,” Candace addressed Keyes’ wife. She took a step away from Jameson and embraced the woman. “Good to see you.”

  Dorothy smiled at Candace. She had fond memories of conversations with Candace Reid over the years. She preferred that scenario to the current one. “Good to see you, Candy. By the way,” she said. “That little boy of yours is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Candace glowed at the compliment. “Thank you.” She took Jameson’s hand. “We think so too.”

  “See you soon,” Keyes said.

  “Soon enough,” Candace quipped. She chuckled when Jameson’s grip on her hand tightened. “You okay?” she whispered to Jameson.

  “I used to like him,” Jameson muttered.

  Candace laughed. She led Jameson off the stage.

  “I don’t know how you do it,” Jameson said.

  “Do what?” Candace asked.

  “Make nice with assholes.”

  Candace kissed Jameson on the cheek. “Years of practice.”

  “Governor Reid!” voices began to call for Candace’s attention.

  “Go on,” Jameson said.

  “Meet you at the car,” Candace promised.

  Jameson nodded.

  “And, so it begins,” Glenn came up beside Jameson.

  “Begins?” Jameson asked.

  “This is the beginning, JD,” Candace’s campaign manager said.

  “How do you think she did?”

  “Real-time polling looks good,” he said. “Doug and Grant will meet us at the hotel. We’ll have a better idea in a few hours.”

  Michelle caught up to Jameson. “Hitch a ride with you and mom?”

  “Sure. Do you think that SUV has a stocked bar?” Jameson asked.

  “Need a drink already?” Michelle teased.

  “No.”

  Michelle was confused.

  “More like several.”

  Michelle put her arm around Jameson. “Tell you what; when we get to the hotel, I’ll buy you a stiff milk to share with me.”

  “You had to be pregnant now?”

  “I’m kidding. I’ll buy you a drink from the mini bar.”

  Jameson rolled her eyes. “Big spender.”

  “On your dime? You bet.”

  Jameson shook her head. Michelle’s teasing lightened her mood. She searched for Candace in the distance. Candace was answering reporter’s questions good-naturedly and stopping to sign autographs for volunteers as she went, occasionally posing for a picture—smiling along the way. Candace’s good mood was genuine. Jameson continued to be amazed by Candace’s strength. She was sure that the tenor of the debate had irritated Candace at points. There was no evidence of that frustration now.

  “What are you thinking?” Michelle asked Jameson.

  “How much I love her,” Jameson said truthfully.

  Michelle smiled. She waited a beat and whispered in Jameson’s ear. “Just be careful how loudly you profess that during Bible Study later. Keyes is staying on the same floor.” Michelle climbed into the car.

  “Thanks for the tip.” Jameson laughed. “Maybe Keyes will wake us up with his…”

  “Gross!” Michelle smacked Jameson.

  Jameson was pleased with herself. “Never know.”

  “JD,” Michelle grimaced. “I’d rather hear you and Mom.”

  “That can be arranged.”

  Michelle groaned. “I give up.”

  Jameson shifted to make room for Candace in the back seat when the door opened again.

  “What are you two up to?” Candace asked suspiciously.

  “Nothing. Shell was just wondering if Senator and Mrs. Keyes might find the Bible in the bedside drawer.”

  “I was not!”

  Candace chuckled. “Lunatics.

  ***

  Tuesday, February 4th

  Iowa Caucus Day

  “Momma?” Cooper looked up at Jameson. Jameson offered him a smile. “Where’s Mommy?”

  “Mommy is upstairs with Shell.”

  Cooper played with the fries on his plate. “Is Spence coming?”

  “No, buddy, not today. But, tomorrow we’re all going home,” she told him.

  “Mommy too?”

  “Mommy too,” Jameson promised.

  Cooper picked up a fry and ate it happily. Jameson had taken away from the hotel room for a swim at the indoor pool and then for some dinner in the hotel restaurant. The commotion upstairs was too much for Jameson. Cooper had seemed content coloring in the bedroom while watching a movie. Jameson could hear the voices in the common area as people milled about. Everyone was making calls trying to discern where Candace stood in the polling. It was making Jameson nervous. Candace had stepped into the room to check on the pair and immediately detected Jameson’s discomfort.

  “Why don’t you two go down and take a swim; get out of here for a couple of hours,” Candace suggested.

  “I don’t want to leave you when…”

  “It will be hours before we know anything.”

  “You’re so calm.”

  “Nothing I can do now,” Candace said. “Except wait and hope what I have been doing were the right things.”

  “What do you think?” Jameson asked.

  “I think,” Candace said as she placed a kiss on Jameson’s lips. “That you should take Cooper downstairs to the pool and get away from here for a while.”

  “Is that going to look like…”

  “It will look like you are taking our son to do something fun because that’s what it is. Jameson—go. Take a swim, get a bite to eat. Spend some time with Cooper out of this room for a bit. By the time you get back, he’ll be ready for a nap.”

  Jameson laughed. “No offense, you probably could use one.”

  “Do I look that bad?”

  “Just tired,” Jameson replied.

  “I’m okay.”

  “What do you think?” Jameson asked.

  “I’m trying not to,” Candace laughed. “I think the crew out there is doing enough thinking for all of us.”

  “What’s the news say?”

  “What they always say,” Candace said. “You know how it is; it’s hard to tell, Governor Reid has been leading in the polls, but Keyes has closed in—it’s always the same. They have 24 hours to fill.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with me stepping out?”

  Candace kissed Jameson softly in reply.

  “Okay. Call me if you need me to come back.”

  “I will, but I won’t. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  “Momma?”

  “Yeah, Coop?”

  Cooper pointed to an advertisement on the table for ice cream sundaes.

  “You want a sundae?”

  Cooper nodded. “Can we bring one to Mommy?”

  Jameson smiled. She doubted Candace would be in the mood for ice cream. Fortune cookies—definitely. Cooper’s hopeful expression made it impossible for her to say no. It gave her an idea. “I’m not sure ice cream will make it all the way upstairs,” she said. “What about if we send her something she really likes.”

  “Chicken wings!” Cooper squealed.


  Jameson laughed. “You’ve certainly got Mommy’s number,” she said. “I think chicken wings would be perfect.”

  ***

  Shell answered the door to the hotel suite. “Can I help you?”

  “Sorry, to disturb the governor,” the bellman apologized. “But, Ms. Reid asked us to deliver this.” He handed Michelle two large brown paper bags and a card.

  Michelle immediately recognized the smell wafting in the air. JD, you are too much. “Thank you,” she said. She turned to the room. “Anyone have some cash?” Glenn scurried over and handed Michelle a twenty-dollar bill.”

  “That’s not necessary,” the bellman told Michelle.

  “Trust me; it’s more than worth it,” she said. Michelle shut the door and went in search of her mother.

  Candace was sitting in the small kitchen area sipping a cup of tea. “What’s that?” she asked Michelle.

  Michelle set the bags on the table. “Smells like Chinese take-out. Read the card,” she suggested, handing it to her mother.

  Candace opened the card.

  Thought you could use an escape. In lieu of Genie’s lamp or knowing where the back door to this place is, this is the best I could do.

  Candace smiled.

  Thanks for making me take a break with Coop. He wanted to bring you a sundae. I thought this might be better. I asked for extra cookies.

  “Of course, you did,” Candace chuckled.

  We’ll be up soon. Cooper wants to check out the bowling alley.

  Candace shook her head. I’m sure that is all about Cooper.

  And, the gift shop.

  I know it’s not much. I wish I could do more. I love you.

  “Mom?”

  Candace closed her eyes.

  “You okay?” Michelle asked.

  “Better than okay,” Candace replied. “Care to share my poison?”

  Michelle took a seat beside her mother. “I thought you’d never ask. One question, though.”