The White House-2017 Washington RP

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Bell was in perfect health as well..." Cal noted. "But realistically, I don't think the odds are that we would see another medical crisis so suddenly, sixties or seventies, so long as there aren't any serious problems, which we'll screen for."

Cal considered for a few moments, before commenting on a specific line in Denisevich's description of the potential candidate. "White House ambitions of her own, for Mondale...For commitment to the success of this administration, she may want to keep us up to keep her up, but that's not a motivation I would trust to hold. The possibility of jetting off at an opportune personal political moment is one that I would hope to minimize."

"Just spitballing Mr. President, other options are Governor Patton, her husband Armstrong.... Carrollton even... that'd be amazing just to watch the dems heads explode... I think Lee or Stevenson would be the best picks, Mondale is a bit riskier but she has serious potential."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Amazing to watch their heads explode?" Cal repeated back in a somewhat questioning, moreso implicatory tone. He shook his head, and returned to the list.

"Patton isn't interested in a foreign policy position, but her husband might be a decent choice. Carrollton...is worth consideration, I would not have thought of her off of the bat like that, but we could do much worse. The risk on Mondale, I'd like to detail that further. Lee would be the safest option, Stevenson, I'd need to learn more about."

He scratched the back of his neck with his right hand.

"There's also Bell's daughter, Susanne, as a possible option. It would be a...well, not symbolic, but a meaningful pick, with what's happened. It would not be just from the lineage-she's our Ambassador to Columbia right now, she has some experience."

"I think, if we're looking to expand the list, we would probably be better off looking at our options with Governors than Senators. I'm not sure what we have in the House."

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Amazing to watch their heads explode?" Cal repeated back in a somewhat questioning, moreso implicatory tone. He shook his head, and returned to the list.

"Patton isn't interested in a foreign policy position, but her husband might be a decent choice. Carrollton...is worth consideration, I would not have thought of her off of the bat like that, but we could do much worse. The risk on Mondale, I'd like to detail that further. Lee would be the safest option, Stevenson, I'd need to learn more about."

He scratched the back of his neck with his right hand.

"There's also Bell's daughter, Susanne, as a possible option. It would be a...well, not symbolic, but a meaningful pick, with what's happened. It would not be just from the lineage-she's our Ambassador to Columbia right now, she has some experience."

"I think, if we're looking to expand the list, we would probably be better off looking at our options with Governors than Senators. I'm not sure what we have in the House."

“If she wants it I think we should make Susanne the Deputy Secretary of State. With governors we could select Governor Stevens or Stephens off the top of my head.”

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Reed chuckled lightly at the confluence of names, before offering a pair of others. "Hotchkiss could be another option, though I don't know if she'd want to leave while running for re-election. Hayward, in Iowa, he could be another."

"When you said Deputy Secretary, was that meant as Deputy moving on to Acting, or as Deputy of whoever comes next?"

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Reed chuckled lightly at the confluence of names, before offering a pair of others. "Hotchkiss could be another option, though I don't know if she'd want to leave while running for re-election. Hayward, in Iowa, he could be another."

"When you said Deputy Secretary, was that meant as Deputy moving on to Acting, or as Deputy of whoever comes next?"

“Deputy to whoever comes next, as for Hotchkiss we can’t leave republicans in jersey hanging she would be an option for the full time position but not acting. Hayward might do it... honestly we have a strong Governor bench to pull from, maybe it’d be good to go over your wishlist for acting secretary?”

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"The names, or traits for the pick?" Cal asked.

"I'm open to input on what's most important for that second category."

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"The names, or traits for the pick?" Cal asked.

"I'm open to input on what's most important for that second category."

"I meant a wishlist for traits... I would say experience making deals, loyalty, and foreign connections as my personal top 3. Its also vital they have management skills, the foreign service is notorious for being difficult to manage the resources of. It also need to be someone you can trust and who's back you have, the more the secretary appears to be trusted and back by you the more clout they have in the world.

"Thinking back to Mondale, you mentioned her flying off the handle... Thats potentially an excellent tool for negotiations, Kissinger used the threat of walking out more than once to achieve success, so did James Baker. Feigning anger and threatening to walk is a good tool, if the person you are negotiating with believes it."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"I've seen that style of negotiating for contract disputes before," Cal concurred. "Sometimes it got you just what you wanted, sometimes it got you cut loose-but I'd have to say that I'd be more concerned about that possible downside in foreign policy than in looking for a payday."

"For traits, I think we mostly agree. There's the outside traits too, of course, reputation, any controversies, what Congress thinks. We want someone competent, but hopefully not someone who will kick up a firestorm."

"For experience or connections, I'd like to look into someone with some connections in the Western Hemisphere-not as a dealbreaker without them, but something to favor-the list does seem more slanted Eastwards in that area."

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"I've seen that style of negotiating for contract disputes before," Cal concurred. "Sometimes it got you just what you wanted, sometimes it got you cut loose-but I'd have to say that I'd be more concerned about that possible downside in foreign policy than in looking for a payday."

"For traits, I think we mostly agree. There's the outside traits too, of course, reputation, any controversies, what Congress thinks. We want someone competent, but hopefully not someone who will kick up a firestorm."

"For experience or connections, I'd like to look into someone with some connections in the Western Hemisphere-not as a dealbreaker without them, but something to favor-the list does seem more slanted Eastwards in that area."

"When life gives you lemons..." Simon says shrugging "We can't afford to be too picky, odds are you can't get everything on the list. You just need to decide which of those traits is most important."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal shrugged. "Like I said, not a dealbreaker. I would like to know what your take is on how the picks would go down publicly, or with Congress. You were concerned earlier about the number of Democrats we have in the cabinet, Carrollton's technically an independent now, but there is that history. I'd assume Armstrong is a Democrat as well, if that's going to be an area of concern. Any potential home runs or strikeouts in the reputation department that you're aware of?"

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal shrugged. "Like I said, not a dealbreaker. I would like to know what your take is on how the picks would go down publicly, or with Congress. You were concerned earlier about the number of Democrats we have in the cabinet, Carrollton's technically an independent now, but there is that history. I'd assume Armstrong is a Democrat as well, if that's going to be an area of concern. Any potential home runs or strikeouts in the reputation department that you're aware of?"

"Carrollton could be a potential threat in future elections, I know I threw out her name but think more on it the title of Secretary of State would greatly help her in the future. Same with Patton, it would further her ambitions. Armstong is a solider before he's a politician, we can trust him and he would be fine."

"Looking at popularity, I think Mondale, or Stevens would be the most popular with the party. Looking towards independents and moderates... Mondale and Thomas Stevenson would be the best picks. I think if we need someone reliable and unthreatening we should go with Lee, in fact we might just want to make him the acting secretary until we get a full time replacement. Someone who has a governorship or such now isn't going to resign to fill a temp role."

"Right now I think politically it's important to pick a strong conservative, maybe even a neocon to balance the party. The withdraw from Syria was publicly praised for the most part but most certainly made a few more hawkish members of our party a bit disgruntled, Rainden ruffled a few feathers. Picking a neocon in a foreign policy position could help matters. Hotchkiss would work if she loses her governorship, or someone like a Prejean."

Simon thinks a few moments as he continues to pace"Faulker... Governor Faulkner could work. Sorry i'm kinda rambling right now."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Carrollton is the one person on this list that I do know personally," Cal stated. "Non-politically. It could be some kind of brilliant long con, but I don't think she has any plans on going back for political office anytime soon, or using the position to fuel a run. We might have to worry about the Congress accepting her or matching policy priorities, but in that area, at least, I trust her, more than I do others that I don't know."

Cal nodded at the expanded list. "I think someone with neoconservative credentials, either in the party or former military, would be good for the spot, I agree there. It's a double-edged sword, though, we want someone who has that reputation and experience, but if that only leads to butting heads or spirals into a public feud, we would then have a serious problem."

"Which Stephens do you think would be most popular with the party?" Cal chuckled again. "Stevens, Stephens, and Stevenson. I could announce the pick on-air and watch the media try to figure out who I was actually choosing."

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Carrollton is the one person on this list that I do know personally," Cal stated. "Non-politically. It could be some kind of brilliant long con, but I don't think she has any plans on going back for political office anytime soon, or using the position to fuel a run. We might have to worry about the Congress accepting her or matching policy priorities, but in that area, at least, I trust her, more than I do others that I don't know."

Cal nodded at the expanded list. "I think someone with neoconservative credentials, either in the party or former military, would be good for the spot, I agree there. It's a double-edged sword, though, we want someone who has that reputation and experience, but if that only leads to butting heads or spirals into a public feud, we would then have a serious problem."

"Which Stephens do you think would be most popular with the party?" Cal chuckled again. "Stevens, Stephens, and Stevenson. I could announce the pick on-air and watch the media try to figure out who I was actually choosing."

“Careful you’ll get the reputation as comedian in chief...” simon said with a chuckle, “Doug Stephens is too dovish on foreign policy for the party. Stevenson I think personally would do the best job of the three but would mainly be popular with the moderate wing, Stevens with the new cons and more conservative members. Overall I think Stevens would be the most party pleasing, but I think we should pick a top 3 do some interviews and then decide. I vote we hurry up and pick an acting then take our time with a full timer.”

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal laughed lightly. "You did it again, Simon. I'm guessing that that last Stevens reference was for Thaddeus, but we might want to switch over to first names for them for now just for efficiency's sake."

He shifted slightly in his seat.

"Now, Stevenson, I have some concerns over. From everything I can tell, he seems to be very heavily tied in with Breckenridge, and I would not call that a good sign for anything going smoothly-it's a warning light, at least. Add that to the fact that he just ran for President last cycle, and we have a bad combination for someone we want to be in sync with, and not have to worry about trying to use the spot for their own gain, or worry about getting into loggerheads. I don't know much about his background, but unless we think he'll be excellent above any other choices we have in other categories, I would not put him near the top of the list."

"I don't know much about Stev-about Thaddeus, but he seems like a good choice from what you've said. I wonder if we could take a look at Brennan and see what he would be like for the spot. Possibly a little frisky, but he seems like the type that would work well in a cabinet role. I'd assume you know him a little more than some of the others, or Buck might."

"I do think that it is in our best interests to make the Acting-Secretary choice the permanent choice...if it comes to that. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but if continuity is possible, I would go for it."

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal laughed lightly. "You did it again, Simon. I'm guessing that that last Stevens reference was for Thaddeus, but we might want to switch over to first names for them for now just for efficiency's sake."

He shifted slightly in his seat.

"Now, Stevenson, I have some concerns over. From everything I can tell, he seems to be very heavily tied in with Breckenridge, and I would not call that a good sign for anything going smoothly-it's a warning light, at least. Add that to the fact that he just ran for President last cycle, and we have a bad combination for someone we want to be in sync with, and not have to worry about trying to use the spot for their own gain, or worry about getting into loggerheads. I don't know much about his background, but unless we think he'll be excellent above any other choices we have in other categories, I would not put him near the top of the list."

"I don't know much about Stev-about Thaddeus, but he seems like a good choice from what you've said. I wonder if we could take a look at Brennan and see what he would be like for the spot. Possibly a little frisky, but he seems like the type that would work well in a cabinet role. I'd assume you know him a little more than some of the others, or Buck might."

"I do think that it is in our best interests to make the Acting-Secretary choice the permanent choice...if it comes to that. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but if continuity is possible, I would go for it."

"Brennan, I knew i forgot someone" Simon says a bit miffed at himself, "Like I said lets get a top 3 and do some interviews, I'd like for the acting to become the permanent if possible I just don't want to rush into a vital decision like that and the candidates we are discussing are unlikely to resign from their current elected positions for an acting position."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Making it known that the acting position may become a permanent position could help with that reluctance," the President commented. "Though I hope it does not have to come to that."

"I think we've scratched the surface enough-let's settle on that top three. Try rating your top five in order, just roughly. We can cross-check that with my rough list, and then pick out three from the intersection, unless you prefer a different method."

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"Making it known that the acting position may become a permanent position could help with that reluctance," the President commented. "Though I hope it does not have to come to that."

"I think we've scratched the surface enough-let's settle on that top three. Try rating your top five in order, just roughly. We can cross-check that with my rough list, and then pick out three from the intersection, unless you prefer a different method."

"In no specific order..." Simon thought a moment

"Mondale, Thomas Stevenson, Thaddeus Stevens, Lee... Hotchkiss if she loses."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"A rough order would be helpful, just to get a sense to cross-check better. Nothing even vaguely final or to be held to, just a very tentative ordering," the President recommended.

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"A rough order would be helpful, just to get a sense to cross-check better. Nothing even vaguely final or to be held to, just a very tentative ordering," the President recommended.

“That’s actually a fairly accurate order already”

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal mulled over his thoughts for well over a minute, clearly thinking with his hands half-folded before him and his thumbs occasionally twiddling.

"I'm overthinking something that's rough, aren't I?" The question was rhetorical. "All right, let's say, in a rough order....ah....Brennan, Carrollton...ah, Stevens, Thaddeus Stevens, that is, Susanne, Bell's daughter, and....l suppose Mondale. Actually, switch Thaddeus and Susanne. Let's put Mondale in front of him, too-yes, that'll work."

Cal mentally reviewed the list, then brought Denisevich's own order back to mind.

"Not as much convergence as I would have thought. Mondale, she's first on yours and fourth on mine, so she can definitely advance. Thaddeus is third and fifth, and he's the only other one we both have in common."

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal tapped his fingers on the desk. "I might put Armstrong over Stevens, but I know less about the two of them than others. Yeah-I'd put Armstrong in his spot."

"Thaddeus, that is," Cal clarified, a slight grin again emerging at the simple silliness of the homophones.

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Cal tapped his fingers on the desk. "I might put Armstrong over Stevens, but I know less about the two of them than others. Yeah-I'd put Armstrong in his spot."

"Thaddeus, that is," Cal clarified, a slight grin again emerging at the simple silliness of the homophones.

“Brennan has consistently voted against this administration and the republican line in the House, I don’t know how popular he’d be. Armstrong would be on my list too but he’s married to Claudia Patton and I don’t think we can trust him, same with Carrollton, they’d be great if we could trust them. As for Susanne I honestly don’t think she’s qualified for such a position, that’s why I favor her being deputy she can learn the ropes and prepare for the office.”

“Mondale and Stevens however I think we can work with those two.”

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"My hope for Brennan is that he'd be a better fit, personally and politically, with what we're going for in a cabinet position than in Congress. We shouldn't have to worry about a vote on gun control with the Secretary of State. But, you're right that the voting record should raise a red flag or two. At best, I would put him as the top choice out of credibility with neoconservatives and the establishment combined with loyalty and working within the system, but if his running for Senate and acting different is a trend instead of a blip, I can see the worry. You and Buck would know him better than I do, if your personal assessment of him is in the negative, I can defer to that."

"Carrollton, from the list we have, I would trust more than our other options. Stevenson likely has his ambitions, Mondale, you noted that from her, Armstrong, I can see the marriage and dual loyalties ending up being a problem, Thaddeus, I guess I don't have any issue with him, but I would still rate her at least near the top. If the party would reject her, though, I can understand that being a disqualifier. We've had more than our fair share of that problem already."

"For Bell's daughter and experience-do Thaddeus and Mondale have any ambassadorial slots on their resume? Or do you think this just comes down to dealmaking, rating a Governor more highly than an Ambassador off of that factor?" Reed questioned.

[Dentali]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

"My hope for Brennan is that he'd be a better fit, personally and politically, with what we're going for in a cabinet position than in Congress. We shouldn't have to worry about a vote on gun control with the Secretary of State. But, you're right that the voting record should raise a red flag or two. At best, I would put him as the top choice out of credibility with neoconservatives and the establishment combined with loyalty and working within the system, but if his running for Senate and acting different is a trend instead of a blip, I can see the worry. You and Buck would know him better than I do, if your personal assessment of him is in the negative, I can defer to that."

"Carrollton, from the list we have, I would trust more than our other options. Stevenson likely has his ambitions, Mondale, you noted that from her, Armstrong, I can see the marriage and dual loyalties ending up being a problem, Thaddeus, I guess I don't have any issue with him, but I would still rate her at least near the top. If the party would reject her, though, I can understand that being a disqualifier. We've had more than our fair share of that problem already."

"For Bell's daughter and experience-do Thaddeus and Mondale have any ambassadorial slots on their resume? Or do you think this just comes down to dealmaking, rating a Governor more highly than an Ambassador off of that factor?" Reed questioned.

“Forgive me but Brennan does not have the temperament of a deal maker, I can say that from experience. Thaddeus and Mondale both have senate experience where they handled foreign policy, plus dealingmaking as governor. Carrollton, we could get her she’s a good choice but we have plenty of dems in the cabinet already.” Simon is quiet for a few moments “she’s technically an independent now, if we could flip her to republican....”

[Prolieum]

June 10, 2017

Oval Office

Reed mused over a thought briefly, before setting out his suggestion.

"All right, I think we can make this work. Mondale, Thaddeus, and Carrollton can be our three. Brennan, I'll see if Buck is willing to take a crack at Brennan-if he's not convinced, we'll axe him. Bell's daughter can get the deputy spot, and Armstrong can go off the list too. Too bad Patton didn't take the UN job-that would have been a good combination. Anyways, that gets us our three, and since you've already run by Patton, you can put in Stevenson as the third if you're bullish on him. Does that all sound workable?"