by Carsen Taite
“Who would you pick?”
“That’s a hard question. There are a lot of capable people who would do a decent job of protecting his legacy on the court, but I guess it’s not really about that, is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“The tide goes in, the tide goes out. New president, new ideas about what’s good for the times.” She paused, considering whether to share what Julia had told her. “I heard a rumor that Garrett was going to nominate a moderate. As for who it might be, the list is endless. Seems if you want to get confirmed anymore, you can’t make waves.” Addison cocked her head. “Why all the questions?”
Connie’s expression was unreadable. “Just curious. I have a feeling we’ll be getting a list of possible nominees soon, and I just wonder what makes them tick.”
“Your guess is as good as mine. When I was at the court, the justices were all unique in their approaches and ideals. Maybe that’s the key—a good mix. Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have your job. I can’t imagine having to make the call on whoever the president nominates.”
“If Garrett nominates the right person, we’ll do the right thing.”
Addison couldn’t help but hear the ominous tone in Connie’s voice. She raised her glass. “Here’s to doing the right thing.”
*
Julia surveyed her office in the West Wing. She would’ve preferred using her own office on Capitol Hill for this assignment, but Garrett had insisted she remain as close as she had during the election.
She’d agreed to the concession, but only because he’d agreed to comply with her one, deal-breaking demand. Her phone buzzed and she rushed to answer, hoping this was the call she’d been waiting for. The secretary who’d been assigned to help her spoke softly into the intercom. “Ms. Scott, Gordon Hewitt is on the line.”
“Excellent, thanks.” Julia waited for the call to connect, and when she heard Gordon’s voice, she practically shouted into the phone. “Gordon, where are you? I’ve got meetings set up for tomorrow and I need you here. And I’ve been trying to reach Barb, but she’s not answering any of my texts or e-mails.”
“Probably because she’s on vacation, which is exactly what I was packing for when you left a dozen nine one one messages on my phone. I thought you’d be in Bora Bora by now. What’s up?”
For a split second, Julia felt guilt. Gordon Hewitt and Barb Lowry were two very accomplished public relations consultants, and she hired them to assist every time she’d worked on a major campaign. They’d both worked hard on the Garrett campaign and, like her, had planned on taking some well-deserved time off. She’d wanted them both, but one would have to do.
“I’ll explain when you get here, but it’s important. Trust me—I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need you.”
“Fine. Meet at your office?”
“Actually, no. West Wing. I’ll have a pass waiting for you. See you tomorrow.” She hung up before he could ask any more questions. Explaining that she’d talked the president into letting her hire a PR consultant to serve on the Supreme Court appointment committee was a conversation better had in person. She just hoped she’d piqued his interest enough that he’d hear her out before realizing he’d have to postpone his vacation. Garrett had already given her a list of advisors who would be at her disposal, but she wanted someone she trusted on the team, not just the hotshots around here who thought they knew everything.
Now that Gordon was squared away, she buzzed the secretary and asked her to come into her office. Seconds later, the young blonde stood in her door. Her bearing said timid, which was surprising since she’d held her current position for several years. The advisor she’d been working for had gotten an offer from a big law firm in L.A. and had given notice as soon as the election was over, so she’d been assigned to Julia. Julia suspected she didn’t have a clue about her future fate in the administration, and it was time to set the record straight.
“Susan, I think we need to have a talk.”
“Cindy. Excuse me, ma’am.”
“Sorry?”
“My name. It’s Cindy. Cindy Tinsley.” She shuffled in place, apparently uncomfortable about correcting her new boss.
“I’m sorry, Cindy. Have a seat.”
As she sat in the one of the chairs across from Julia’s desk, Julia stood and came around to sit in the other one. “Cindy, do you like working here?”
“Here in the White House?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“Well, I don’t. I’m only staying on as a favor and, if all goes well, I’m not going to be here long past the inauguration.”
“I understand. I can have my things cleared out by the end of the day.”
Cindy started to stand, but Julia motioned for her to keep her seat. “I’m not making myself clear. Over the next few months, I’m going to be dealing with a really delicate issue, and I’m going to need a strong right-hand person to be a gatekeeper.”
Cindy nodded and Julia continued. “I can’t promise you longevity, but I can promise that if you’re up to the task, I’ll give you an excellent recommendation, and I know a helluva lot of people.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Julia cringed at the word ma’am, but plowed forward. “I have a few rules or special conditions, whatever you want to call them.” She ticked off each item on her fingers. “If it has to do with furniture, office supplies, et cetera, you handle it. Don’t even ask me. I’ll deal with whatever you decide. I’m only picky about a few things, and I’ll tell you what they are right now: pastrami not turkey, scotch not vodka, and when I say I don’t want to be disturbed, that means no one comes through that door, not even the president.
“I’ll be heading up the search team for the next Supreme Court justice. There will be several other people working with me, some I know well, some I don’t, but I’m in charge and I make the calls on who is interviewed and when. No one will go around me, even if it’s the president or his chief of staff.”
By now, Cindy was scribbling notes onto her steno pad. Julia stopped and waited until she looked up again.
“And I have direct access to the president. You will face other gatekeepers, ones that have more experience, but you must not be deterred. My calls always get through. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“One more thing. Stop calling me ma’am. I’m Julia, Ms. Scott if someone important is in the room, but ma’am adds ten years to my age and I don’t need any help. Deal?”
“Yes, ma—I mean, yes, Julia.”
“Great.” Julia handed her a list of names. “This is my team. The top name on the list can have full access to me. The rest will have to earn it. We’ll start meetings tomorrow. Make sure we have a conference room on the main floor with as much visibility to visitors as possible.”
Cindy wrote furiously. “Right. On it.”
“Tell whoever you need to that we need the room available for the next three afternoons. Don’t take no for an answer. That’s all for now.”
“Yes, thank you.” Cindy stood and strode out of the room with purpose. She’d either work out or she wouldn’t, but Julia liked the idea of sculpting a secretary out of a lump of clay. Whoever Cindy had worked for before had beaten her down with filing and insipid tasks. She wasn’t in the business of underutilizing skills. Treating someone like they were capable was the first step in making them so.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed and she heard new confidence in Cindy’s voice when she announced that Noah was waiting to see her. Julia smothered a smile of amusement. Noah Davy wasn’t used to being kept waiting. She told Cindy to send him in.
He entered the room with his signature swagger. “Nice office.”
She assumed an air of nonchalance as she looked up and met his gaze. “Not as big as yours, but it’ll work for my needs.”
He didn’t wait for an invitation before settling into a chair. “I would’ve bet you’d turn him down.”
�
��The president’s a persuasive man.”
“I suppose that’s true, and you do like to make history, don’t you?”
Should she call him on his barely-veiled accusation of influencing the president to get this position, or should she ignore him like she always did? She’d never understand why Garrett had picked Noah to be his chief of staff, but it didn’t look like he was leaving anytime soon. It was no secret he’d resented her influence during the election, and he’d probably counted the days until her job was done. That she was still here was likely a source of annoyance. She may not have to work with him, but she’d be working around him for a bit longer. May as well make the best of it.
“Guess we all have the chance to make a mark, although Judge Landry isn’t likely to make a big splash in the history books,” she said.
“You have a problem with the president’s choice?”
His tone was aggressive, challenging. Telling. He was bucking for a fight, but he wasn’t going to get one from her. “I commended him on it. Low profile, low risk. Good choice, considering.”
His expression showed a trace of surprise that he quickly hid behind a fake smile. “Looks like we agree. That’s good. What will be even better is if you realize you can place your trust in the people assigned to help you. Have a good day, Julia.” He made long strides to the door and was gone in seconds.
None too soon. Once the door closed behind, him, Julia picked up the list the president had given her of people who would work with her to help select the next chief justice of the United States. She’d meet with them this afternoon to set the agenda for the next few weeks. She read the names and quickly realized Noah had selected the people who’d made the list. She’d met most of them during her work on the campaign. They were all capable, dedicated, but they were also all type A individuals who had something to prove.
That’s okay. She and Gordon would be the real team. The rest were window dressing. She may not have wanted this job, but now that she’d taken it, she’d give it her all. She’d get President Garrett’s choice vetted and confirmed. With no distractions, she’d get the job done in record time.
Chapter Nine
The next day, Gordon showed up thirty minutes before the first meeting. Cindy, following her instructions, let him into Julia’s office without question.
“It’s about time you got here.”
Gordon gave her a big hug. “You do realize I don’t actually work for you, right?” he said in a teasing tone. “I was packing for Paris. Whatever you need better be more important than a pain au chocolate and the Eiffel Tower.”
“There’s a bakery around the corner with decent pastry, and the guy who works the counter has a French accent. Quit your bitching and have a seat.”
Gordon settled into a chair. “One day I’m going to ignore your call, but since I’m already here, tell me what you’ve got.”
Julia glanced at her watch. “In a few minutes, we, along with a group of White House staffers, are meeting with several members of the Democratic Judiciary Committee to go over what we will tell them is the president’s short list to fill Justice Weir’s seat.”
“Whoa.” Gordon shook his head. “I figured when you said you needed me ASAP, there was some lurking scandal, but a Supreme Court nomination? Isn’t that the kind of thing a bunch of lawyers sit around and cipher out? This place is full of them. Even if you needed my help, you won’t need me until you’re ready to spin the final choice for a smooth Senate confirmation. Plenty of time for me to cruise down the Seine and be back in time for the battle.”
Julia waited, confident Gordon would figure it out. Didn’t take long.
“Oh, wait a minute, you said ‘what we will tell them is the president’s short list.’ In other words, he’s already vetted someone.”
Julia nodded. “Close. No vetting yet, but he does have a name in mind. You’re the fourth person to know. It’s Judge Landry, from the Fourth Circuit.”
“Never heard of him. That’s why you want me, right?” Gordon said.
“Bingo, but it’s a tightrope. We’ll want to raise his profile, but not so much that he’s polarizing for either side.”
“Deal. What do you want me to do first?”
Julia glanced at her watch. “I’ve got a meeting in fifteen minutes with the Democratic leadership. A bunch of White House staffers who think they’re in charge will be there. You will be my wingman, a nice distraction for everyone involved. All I need you to do at this point is gauge reactions. The real work will start in a few days. Shall we head to the meeting?”
Gordon hesitated for a moment, but Julia knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the exposure he would get from working on another high profile assignment so close on the heels of the presidential campaign.
When they arrived at the meeting, she greeted the staffers and introduced Gordon, but offered no explanation of his presence. While the rest of the group contemplated the new addition to the team, she sat at the head of the table and consulted the notes on her laptop while waiting for the Democratic leadership to arrive. The senators would be expecting to meet with Noah, with whom they had a solid working relationship. Well, they were in for a few surprises.
Senators Connie Armstrong, Lance Jones, and Maria Juarez entered the room, each with a staffer of their own. Thankfully, the room was big enough to accommodate them all. Julia made the introductions and accepted their congratulations on the hard-fought election.
Seconds later, Armstrong said, “Is Noah going to join us?”
“No.”
A few beats of silence passed while Armstrong stared at Julia, apparently sizing her up.
“Interesting. Would have been nice to know who we were going to be dealing with.”
“The president has asked me to be the point person and, as you can see, we have a full team assigned to make this process as expeditious as possible.” She didn’t bother trying to hide the cocky tone. The amount of ego in the room was off the charts, and the only way to stake her claim as the person in charge was to act like it was a given.
“Well, let’s start over then. Julia, it’s good to see you. We’ll look forward to helping out with the process of selecting a new justice.”
Nice pivot. Julia didn’t bother to set her straight by pointing out the nominee would be the president’s choice and no one else’s. Armstrong knew she owed the president loyalty. Without his big win and the down-ticket victories that rode on his coattails, she would’ve lost her precious majority in the Senate. “We have a preliminary list for you to consider.” She pushed a piece of paper toward the senators and waited.
Armstrong picked up the paper and held it at arm’s length. She read the list and then passed it to her fellow senators. “Not a lot of imagination. President scared to go out on a limb?”
“These are all very qualified candidates that should garner full support.”
“You mean easy confirmation. I get it. He doesn’t want any waves.”
Julia refused to be baited. No way would she concede that Garrett wasn’t willing to do battle on this front. “I’m sure we can count on your support.” She stood to indicate the meeting was over.
Connie Armstrong stayed seated. “Not so fast.” She reached over to her assistant, took the sheet of paper handed to her, and pushed it across to Julia. “Don’t you want to see our list?”
Julia glanced down at the table. As the head of the Judiciary Committee, Armstrong had a lot of pull. She might not get to select the candidate, but she could make the process arduous at best. Good strategy dictated that Julia should at least make a display of deference.
She picked up the paper and read the names out loud. There were three. “Clausen, really? Isn’t he a Communist? And Taylor? I thought he was working for the ACLU. Let’s see who else. Look. It’s Gibbons. She’s the poster girl for left wing nuts everywhere.” Julia let go of the paper and let it float back to the table. “You’re kidding, right?”
Connie smiled. “Never hurts to ask.”
She looked at her colleagues. “Every one of these candidates is as qualified, or more, than the names on the president’s list. But I understand your guy being a little reluctant to go to bat for these folks.” She paused, and Julia swore she did it for effect. “I do have another name for you. In fact, we’ll put her at the top of our list.”
“Whoever she is, she couldn’t possibly be more controversial than these three. Who is it?”
“Addison Riley. She’s a former solicitor general and she’s dean of the law school at Jefferson, and…”
Armstrong kept talking, but Julia didn’t hear her. She knew the high points of Addison’s background, but just hearing her name in this setting sent her into a tailspin. Taking a deep breath, she struggled for control. Armstrong very likely expected her to point out that Addison was an out lesbian. If it were any other potential nominee for Supreme Court justice they were talking about, that would definitely be the first thing out of Julia’s mouth. But she held back, lying to herself that it was because she didn’t want Armstrong to see she was caught off guard.
“I know who she is.”
“Then you must admit she’s well-qualified for the job. Weir was her mentor. She was his favorite clerk. No better person to take his seat. Unless you have some other reason for not wanting to put her on the list.”
Julia ignored the bait. “With all due respect, it’s not Justice Weir’s seat. It’s just a seat. You know as well as I do that nominating a federal judge at any level is the president’s purview and the choice will reflect his vision. Certainly you don’t think if Justice Falco retired, President Garrett should nominate another conservative textualist, do you?”
Armstrong shook her head. “Of course not, but the president should be proud to nominate Dean Riley or any one of these other candidates, and I’d like to think he cares enough about the advice and consent function of the Senate to take our suggestions seriously.”
This was a game of chess, and Armstrong had just called check. The senator had the power to either stall the process indefinitely or ram this nomination through. The path she took would set the tone for the entire first year of the president’s second term. Julia could stand firm or she could acquiesce. The smart thing would be to go along and at least interview these potential candidates before finding a reason to take a pass.
