"Yes, sir.", she replied. "Who will be attending?"
I looked at some notes I had made. "I want the head person, director or Cabinet secretary, for the following departments: State, Defense, Justice, Treasury, the FBI, the CIA, National Security Adviser, and the FAA. I also want their deputy, whoever their number two is, or if that person isn't in town, somebody else. Oh, and we'd probably better bring in the Secret Service, too. FEMA, we'll need them."
She was scribbling faster than I could without even looking. When I was done she said, "Sir, those planes, how could ... how could somebody do that?!"
I simply shook my head. "I don't know, Mrs. Lowenstein. There are some things I just can't understand. Explain Auschwitz to me some day. That will be your answer."
She nodded and left.
At 7:00 I was reviewing the latest edit on the speech when I got a call I had to take. It was from George H.W. Bush, Bush 41, George's father. "Good evening, Mister President.", I said when we were connected.
"Good evening, Mister President.", he responded, although it sounded like his voice was cracking at that.
"I am only the Acting President, sir. Search and rescue operations are underway as we speak. We are all hoping and praying for George's safe return."
"That's very kind of you to say, Carl. Can I call you Carl?", he asked.
"Of course, Mister President."
He continued, "I wanted to thank you for sending the plane. With everything shut down, I wasn't sure how Barbara and I would get to Laura and the girls."
"I am placing it at your command until this is resolved, sir. Could I ask a favor of you, sir?"
"How can I help, Carl?"
"Sir, would you come here tomorrow, when you get a chance? I need to speak to you about a few things. I understand your family obligations could get in the way, but it would help me a great deal.", I asked.
"Of course, Mr. President. Whatever I can do to help." He paused for a second, and then asked in a heart wrenching tone, "Is there any hope? Have you heard anything?"
What was I to say to that? "Sir, there is always hope."
I'm sure he heard the pause in my response. He sighed and thanked me, and then hung up.
I hung up as well. What could I say to the man? That I was the cause of his son's death, because his son was a disaster in the making?
Ari grabbed me and pulled me into a small room next to the Oval Office and they slapped some makeup on me. As they did so, I saw Josh Bolten out of the corner of my eye. "Josh, I am going to need to see the leadership of the House and the Senate tonight, after this. We can do it here or at the Capitol, their choice, but I don't want them to think I am snubbing them. Can you make it happen?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good man! I know this is tough, but we take it one step at a time. Pass that along. I have faith in you guys. We are going to make it through all this, and the payback is really going to be a bitch!"
"Yes, sir!", he said feelingly.
At that, Ari tapped his watch and said, "Show time." I followed him into the Oval Office and made my way around the camera and lights and sat down at the President's desk. I didn't have enough time to contemplate the enormity of my actions. I had to straighten up, find the teleprompter, jot a couple of sentences into my speech, and look into the camera. I couldn't be fumbling when this began. The director gave everybody a two minute warning, then a one minute warning, and then another at thirty seconds. I looked into the camera, where a light would come on when we were broadcasting. At ten seconds, he began a countdown. " ... three ... two ... one!" He pointed at me silently.
"Good evening. I am Acting President Carl Buckman.
Earlier today our citizens, our freedoms, our nation, and our very way of life were assaulted by terrorists in a series of deadly attacks. In acts of unimaginable mass murder, an attempt was made to drag our country into chaos. That attempt failed. Our country remains strong.
By now everyone in America, and probably the rest of the world as well, knows what happened. This morning two planes hit and destroyed the World Trade Center in New York, destroying the Twin Towers. A short time later a third airliner was crashed into the Pentagon, which while suffering some damage was not destroyed. Finally, a fourth airplane crashed into a rural area in Pennsylvania, apparently when the heroic passengers tried to take back control of the plane from the terrorists who had captured it.
Immediately following the start of these attacks, Secretary of Transportation Mineta ordered the grounding of all airplanes throughout the nation, an unprecedented action. He is to be commended for his quick thinking and action. Likewise, Secretary of Defense Powell and Secretary of State Cheney immediately realized what was happening and raised the defense readiness state of our nation to deal with any possibilities. Because of their quick action, a second set of attacks will not occur, and they are also to be thanked.
The full extent of the destruction is not yet clear, but it is evident that the death toll will be great, far greater than any of us can imagine. The bulk of the destruction is in one of our greatest cities, New York. I have spoken to Mayor Giuliani and assured him that whatever is needed in the rescue operation will be made available. I have also spoken to Secretary Powell and said the same thing about the crash at the Pentagon. There is hope that survivors will be found at both locations. Unfortunately, there were no survivors of the crash in Pennsylvania.
By now, you have all heard that President George Bush was visiting New York, and was in the North Tower of the World Trade Center when it was hit by the first airplane. He was trapped with many other people, and we lost contact with him when the building collapsed. There is, however, hope that he and others may have survived the attack and will be rescued. I have spoken to his family and to former President Bush, and I have assured them that all available resources will be used in the rescue.
The Founding Fathers of our nation provided us with a Constitution, a document laying out a system of government that all these years later still provides us with wise guidance and robust protection. Over the years we have refined that Constitution with amendments designed to adapt to changing times, but to still safeguard our liberties and way of life. Earlier today, at an emergency Cabinet meeting, provisions of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment were put into place when it became apparent that President Bush was no longer in contact with us. This amendment clarifies various policies and procedures to be taken when the President is not capable of discharging his duties. Attorney General Ashcroft, our nation's leading attorney, explained to the Cabinet what was involved, and then led a unanimous vote to name me as Acting President. His services were greatly appreciated by all of us. Once the President is rescued and is capable of discharging his duties, I will revert to Vice President. Later this evening I will be meeting with Congressional leaders to further discuss this.
As Acting President, I have full executive authority to defend our nation against any and all foes. Let no nation or group think that this would be an opportune time to attempt to take advantage of us. I can assure them that any such attempts will be met with the full force of our military.
My first order to the Cabinet was that all our strength and effort should be put towards the rescue of anybody still trapped in New York and Washington. The American people expect that of them, and they all promised to do their utmost. Likewise, while many buildings in Washington were closed today because of the emergency, they are already reopening and will be fully staffed tomorrow.
Because of the temporary grounding of all airplanes, we currently have thousands of passengers stranded far from home. I promise you that as soon as practical we will begin flying again so that you can return safely to your loved ones. I have been told that overseas, many stranded passengers have been temporarily adopted by host families. I thank you, and our nation thanks you, for this extraordinary generosity in our hour of need. It will not be forgotten.