An American Journey - Crisis of Confidence - Update

[sentinel]

An American Journey - Crisis of Confidence

Disclaimer: None of this is true (minus the November 1996 election night quotes) I want none of this to happen. I just enjoy writing dystopian timelines.

" Four years ago Bill Clinton won the Presidency with an outsized agenda and an underwhelming mandate, and the gulf between the two left him struggling in the first half of his term simply to establish his legitimacy. By the midpoint, the President had been reduced to proclaiming his own relevance.

Last night Mr. Clinton won re-election with a larger margin but with a manifesto both smaller and less clear. And if the promise of achievement glistens, potential pitfalls abound, from the ancient feuds of Bosnia to the paper chase of special prosecutors at home. " - New York Times, November 6, 1996

"WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Nov. 5) -- President Bill Clinton, who talked about "a bridge to the 21st century" and brushed off charges about Whitewater pardons and fund-raising abuses, easily beat Republican rival Bob Dole tonight to capture a second term.

Clinton, 50, put together wins in several battleground states, including Ohio, Florida and New Jersey, to break the 270- electoral vote barrier, according to CNN projections.

Clinton picked up 49 percent of the popular vote, to Dole's 42 percent and Reform Party candidate Ross Perot's 9 percent, according to partial returns.

The president finished a frenetic final campaign swing by returning to Little Rock, Ark., where he voted and awaited the returns. Confident, in his final campaign appearances, Clinton turned his attention to electing a Democratic Congress" - CNN, November 5th 1996

"Tonight, we proclaim that the vital American center is alive and well. It is a common ground on which we have made our progress. Today, our economy is stronger, our streets are safer, our environment is cleaner, the world is more secure and, thank God, our nation is more united … We must make our democracy stronger by enacting real, bipartisan campaign finance reform. Talk is no longer enough. We must act and act now. And the American people will be watching the leaders of both parties to see who is willing not just to talk but to act. I am willing to act, and I ask others to join me." - Bill Clinton, November 5, 1996

"Al, are you ready for the next four years?"

"Yes, Mr. President."

"Great. Me too."

They weren't. No one was.


An American Journey - Crisis of Confidence - The First Chapter

[MadmanMotley]

Go on...

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Go on...

[DKrol]

Go on...

[TX Conservative Dem]

Want to see how Clinton's 2nd term ends up

[sentinel]

Will continue. Tomorrow.

[Pessimistic Antineutrino]

If Death of a Nation is any indicator:

[sentinel]

November 20, 1996

“Fresh off the heals of his big election victory, President Bill Clinton will be traveling to the Phillipines for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. The Chinese froze relations with Washington a year ago and now seem willing to talk trade.”

Saturday November 23rd 1996 – President Bill Clinton’s Public Schedule

Subic Bay, Phillipines

…
8:35am: The President departs the Manila Hotel via motorcade en route Luneta Park Landing Zone
8:40am: The President arrives Luneta Park Landing Zone
8:50am: The President departs Luneta Park Landing Zone via Marine One en route Subic International Airport, Subic Bay, Phillipines
9:40am: The President arrives Subic International Airport Landing Zone, Subic Bay, Phillipines
9:50am: The President departs Subic International Airport Landing Zone via motorcade en route Holding Villa
…

Friday November 22rd 1996 – Vice President Al Gore’s Public Schedule

Washington, DC
…
8:40pm: Vice President departs meeting w/ White House Council of Economic Advisors via motorcade for meeting with Congressional Leaders at White House
8:50pm: Vice President arrives at White House for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit update with Congressional Leaders. Dinner will be served.
   Participants:
   Speaker Newt Gingrich
   Republican Majority Leader Dick Armey
   Republican Majority Whip Tom DeLay
        Democratic Minority Leader David Bonior
   Democratic Minority Whip Dick Gephardt

9:50pm: Vice President Departs for Naval Observatory
…

November 22nd 1996 – A conversation

”Are you ready?”
”I have been ready for a long time.”

August 1996 – The Middle East

“…there is no more important duty than pushing the American enemy out of the holy land…”

[sentinel]

November 21nd, 1996

New York Times Breaking News: Secretary of State Warren Christopher hospitalized after fall in Department of State Office Building...Doctors say Sec. Christopher suffering bleeding in brain and potential skull fracture…President gives his best wishes to Sec. Christopher and family…hopes to see him back on the job soon.

November 22nd  1996, Reagan International Airport, Virginia

”American Airlines Flight 11, please come in.”

“American Airlines Flight 11, please come in.”

The Air Traffic Control officer turns to his colleague

“We don’t have contact with AA Flight 11.”

November 22nd, 1996, Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia

“American Airlines Flight 77, please come in. Looks like you’re going to have a little bit of inclement weather…”

“AA Flight 77, please confirm.”

“AA Flight 77, please come in…”

Meanwhile, November 23rd, 1996 – Manila, Philippines

“Alright, Bamboo is rolling out. Eagle is secure.”

November 22nd , Washington Dulles International Airport

“Flight 77 is heading towards Washington.”

“Aren’t they going to Los Angeles?”

“Yeah, they’ve turned around”

“Do we have radio communication?”

“We lost it 5 minutes ago”

“Oh my god”

November 22nd , Reagan International Airport

A voice comes through on the Air Traffic Controller’s headset

“Nobody move. Everything will be okay. If you try to make any moves, you'll endanger yourself and the airplane. Just stay quiet.”

“sh**t”

November 22nd…not long later NORAD Central Command

“Sir, we have reports of a plane hijacking out of Washington Dulles International Airport…the plane is heading to Washington, DC.”

“You mean Reagan International?”

“No sir, Washington Dulles.”

“I just had Lt. Bentwinter in here, he said Reagan International Airport”

“Sir, I just got a report indicating that there is a possible hijacking occurring from Washington Dulles International Airport”

“You or Bentwinter screwed up, go find out where the hell the plane came from. I doubt we have two hijackings in one evening. In the meantime, lets get two fighters scrambled”

“Yes sir.”

November 22nd – two people in Arlington, Virginia.

“Huh, that’s moving pretty fast and pretty low, isn’t it?”

“Wow, yeah it is. Probably some sort of military exercise.”

“Yeah, probably, oh I saw Independence Day for the first time the other day.”

“Yeah? What’d you think”

“Great movie man. Great movie.”

A loud explosion stops the conversation

“What the hell was that?”

“I don’t know man, you think it was that plane?”

A second loud explosion leaves the two men speechless

[sentinel]

November 22nd, United States Pentagon – Dispatch

“We have reports that a huge explosion just went off at the United States Capitol…”

“Another report coming in that a huge explosion at the White House…”

“Confirmed, two explosions in Washington DC – one at White House, one at the Capitol…”

In another room at the Pentagon

Secretary of Defense William Perry picks up his phone

“Sir, there are reported explosions at the US Capitol and White House”

The call is interrupted as Perry drops the phone when US Servicemen rush into the room. They grab Perry and “escort” him from the room.

“We need to get you out of here, now.” one service-member says to him as they rush towards their destination

CNN Breaking News – November 22nd

“There were just two large explosions in Washington, DC. One reportedly at the White House and another at the Capitol. Some reports are coming in of seeing two large objects fly into both buildings…it is unclear what happened at this time. The Vice President was supposed to be in the White House at the reported time of explosion…we have been told that Defense officials are responding to the situation…”

Home of Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin

A secret service agent walks into Rubin’s bedroom.

“We have to go, now.”

“What? Why?”

“The Capitol is under attack, we need to leave.”

November 22nd – Pentagon War Room

“Where is the President? Do we have contact with the President?” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili looked down the conference room’s table.

“We have not been able to reach him yet General.”

“That’s not good enough, have we been able to reach anyone on the ground?”

A young Lieutenant runs into the room

“Sir, we have a report from Philippines intelligence saying that there was an explosion near the President’s motorcade…British intelligence has confirmed. We can’t get a hold of any of our guys on the ground”

“sh**t, I want all cabinet secretaries’ underground right now. Lets put all troops on high alert. Do we know where the Speaker of the House is?”

“He was at the White House.”

“Goddamnit, who is next?”

Silence fills the room

“Do I work with a bunch of goddamn fools?”

“I think the next person is Senator Strom Thurmond.”

“God help us. Get him underground, lets go.”

[sentinel]

George Washington University Hospital – November 22nd 1996

“I have orders to move Secretary Christopher to another location.”

“Look, Secret Service or not he’s too frail to move right now, he’s critical. If you move him he may die.”

“It is not safe here, we are moving him. You can either help us move him or get the hell out of my way.”

Reluctantly, the doctor succumbed and began to help the Secret Service detail move Secretary Christopher.

Simultaneously…United States Marines at Barracks Row, Washington, DC

“Yes General. We’ll have a team at GW Hospital immediately. It will be more secure than Fort Knox.

Across the Atlantic Ocean – 10 Downing Street

“This is John.”

“Mr. Prime Minister. I regret to inform you that our intelligence operatives in the Phillipines are reporting an attack on the American President. It appears his motorcade was bombed while passing over a bridge. Our operatives presume that President Clinton was killed in the attack.”
“Is this related to what’s happening in Washington right now?”

“Our intelligence does not know but your Minister of Defense advises that you react as if the two are linked.”

“Disgusting. Who is in charge over there?”

“I don’t know. I will find out for you sir.”

Pentagon War Room

“Secretary Perry is on the line.”

“Yes, sir.”

“They can’t find Thurmond, they think he was at the Capitol.”

“Then Warren Christopher is…?”

“President, yes.”

“He’s been unconscious since the fall. We’re working on security for him right now. Is Robert Rubin Acting President?”

“I’m in charge here. Rubin is being moved to a secure location.”

“Sir?”

In the Secret Service convoy leaving George Washington University Hospital

“sh**t, we’re losing him.”

“Do something”

“I am”

Two doctors in the ambulance work frantically as the heart rate monitor flat lines

The Secret Service agent begins to yell at the doctors to do something

“You’re – not – helping” one of the doctors yells back as he grabs a defiblirator and rips open Secretary Christopher’s gown over his chest.

The doctor yells clear as he slams the pads down onto the Secretary’s chest. Nothing.
The secret service agent screams at the doctor again.

The doctor yells clear and slams the pads down onto the Secretary’s chest again. Nothing.
The other doctor looks at his partner and shakes his head. The agent screams for the doctor to do it again. One doctor begins to refuse. Suddenly, the agent’s gun is out and pointing at the doctors head. “Again.” The doctor obliges. This repeats three more times, until one doctor yells “This is cruel, we can’t do this, he’s gone, we lost him.” The agent yells and hits the doctor. The other one fights back.


Two gunshots go off in the ambulance. Then a third.

[Enderman]

Continue!

[OnlyAlb]

WOW! What a great timeline. The sequence of events has me on the edge of my seat.

By the way, anyone else hoping that Colin Powell leads a military coup due to the fact that there in no government in place?

[sentinel]

November 22nd, 1996…continued…the home of Strobe Talbott, Deputy Secretary of State

“Honey, I can believe whats on TV…This is horrible.”

“Do you need to go into the office?”

“I do, but I don’t know if I can get there. By now they would have Washington completely shutdown…maybe I can go to the cutoff point and get a ride in with the military from there.”

“Well, be safe okay sweetie?”

“I will, let me get going.”

George Washington University Hospital

A convoy of Marines pulls up to the hospital and immediately takes their position. Some rush in to the hospital. The commanding officer goes to the front desk and demands to be taken to Warren Christopher, as his men begin going floor by floor.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but he’s not here.”

“What do you mean he’s not here?”

“Secret Service took him out of here about 30 minutes ago.”

“What? Who the  is in charge here?”

Mount Weather

The motorcade for Secretary Warren Christopher pulls into the facility. Immediately, Secret Service agents open the back door of the ambulance carrying the Secretary. As they open the door, an agent’s body falls out onto the ground. The agents outside draw their guns and quickly realize that everyone in the ambulance is dead. The driver, who seems completely aloof of what has occurred, is immediately taken into Secret Service custody.

As military officials and personnel join the Secret Service at the unloading bay in Mount Weather, word quickly goes up the chain of command that the motorcade showed up with three dead bodies including the person who was presumed to be the new President of the United States, an order is given to put all in the motorcade into detention until further notice.

War Room – Pentagon

A phone rings. An aide answers it and hands it to the Chairman.

“Mr. Chairman”

“Yes, Colonel, have you secured Secretary Christopher?”

“He’s not here. Secret Service moved him 30 minutes ago.”

“What? They moved him? Where?”

“They didn’t tell the hospital. Doctors didn’t want him moved so two went with them.”

“Find him – now. He is POTUS now.”

“Yes sir.”

Not long later…

“Chairman, Sec. Perry is on the phone for you.”

“Yes, Mr. Secretary?”

“What the hell are you doing there? Why didn’t you put military protection on Cohen? Secret Service just showed up here with him – dead –and I have a dead secret service agent and two dead doctors who showed up with him.”

“What?”

“We’ve taken all of them into custody. Christopher is dead.”

“Sir, have you told Robert Rubin yet? That means he is President.”

“I told you I’m in char—“

“Sir, I take orders from the President. And now we have one.”

The line goes dead.

“Lieutenant, get Secretary Rubin on the phone.”
…
“Yes? Mr. Chairman?”

“Mr. President”

“What?”

“Warren Christopher is gone, you are President.”

“I need to get a federal judge here, are you sure?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

November 23rd – Slightly After Midnight

“My fellow Americans…many of you may not know me. I am Robert Rubin, and earlier today I was Secretary of the Treasury. As you have seen, today our nation was attacked…President Clinton and Vice President Gore, Speaker Gingrich, Senator Strom Thurmond were all killed in the attacks on our nation. Unfortunately, it seems that in the aftermath, Secretary of State William Cohen also passed away…
 
…This path of death and destruction has led to now…not long ago, I was sworn in by a federal judge as President of the United States. It broke my heart to say those words in the face of all the lives lost today, however; now we must move forward. I will seek those who attacked us today, and they will pay.

We don’t have all the information right now…but in the coming days we will…our nation is still strong, and together we will stand.” – President Robert Rubin, address to the nation

Department of State – After the Presidential Address

“Strobe, aren’t you Acting Secretary of State?”

“Yes, with the Secretary’s death, yes.”

“Strobe, you are the President of the United States.”

“Acting Secretary’s aren’t in the line of succession.”

“No, you were confirmed by the Senate…get our Counsel in here, Strobe, you are the President.”
Strobe doubts his friend at the Department of State but he calls in their general counsel. The general counsel enters a few minutes later and Strobe’s colleague repeats his allegation. The counsel leaves and says he doubts it but he’ll look into it.  The two work and the general counsel comes back within an hour.

“Well…you may be right…the language in the current Presidential Succession Act is less clear than that of the 1886 Act with respect to Senate confirmation. The 1886 Act refers to “such officers as shall have been appointed by the advice and consent of the Senate to the officer therein named....” The current act merely refers to “officers appointed, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.” Read literally, this means that the current act allows for acting secretaries to be in the line of succession as long as they are confirmed by the Senate for a post.”

“So?”

“So, you have a legitimate claim for the Presidency.”

[TX Conservative Dem]

Strom Thurmond getting whacked ?

No surprise there.

[sentinel]

Strom Thurmond getting whacked ?

No surprise there.

Killed in the attack, not really "getting whacked"

[Enderman]

Bumping because of JoMCaR's polls

[Cranberry]

This is amazing! Please continue!!

[sentinel]

Morning of November 23...9am...Press Conference

"Thank you for coming everyone. What happened last night was a despicable attack on our country, and I know our hearts are with the victims...I've called this press conference after consulting with counsel at the Department of State...upon the death of Secretary of State Christopher, Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin took the oath of office, however; Secretary Rubin was not the next in line for the Presidency. I am.

Upon the succession of Secretary of State Christopher to the Presidency, I became Acting Secretary of State.  Upon the death of President Christopher, I became President.  According to the Presidential Succession Act, those who have been appointed by the consent of the Senate are in the line of succession. I am now asking Robert Rubin to step aside, and for the American people to stand behind me as we move forward together." - Nelson Strobridge "Strobe" Talbott III, President of the United States

Moments later...an undisclosed location.

"Mr. President."
"You know just to call me Rob"
"Sorry sir, did you see the Press Conference?"
"I did...its an absurd claim to the Presidency. We have work to do and this guy is taking State on a tailspin. Get the current or Acting Secretaries of all cabinet level executive departments on a conference call with me. Get met the Attorney General."

Pundit Collage - 10am November 23rd

"Anderson, we have a legitimate constitutional crisis here. Both of these men have legitimate claims to the Presidency. We have never been in this situation before, there is no precedent for this."

"Strobe should step aside. He can play this out in court, but our country needs a leader right now and we have one."

"The line of succession is clear...Strobe was Acting Secretary of State...the President died, Strobe is President."

"They better resolve this before the House of Representatives picks a new Speaker."

[TX Conservative Dem]

Would Bush 43 run in 2000 ?

[sentinel]

November 23rd - The Day After the Attacks

"Janet -- these two fighting over who is President and we have serious threats springing up around the world. They sense that America is weak..."

"I know, I've been briefed but -- we're leaderless in this situation. If one was to give conflicting orders --"

"If these threats get any worse, then I'm going to have no choice -- "

"You can't do anything until we have a President."

The line goes dead

Secretary Reno turns to one of her aides

"Get me the most senior members of the House and Senate. "

---

November 23 - Oval Office - President Robert Rubin

"Mr. President, you need to call for the Governors to immediately appoint Senators and call for special elections to the House. Call Congress into a special session so they can elect a Speaker."

"What I need is for you and every other cabinet member to back my claim to the Presidency."

"I can't do that Mr. Pres --"

"You can and you will Janet."

November 23 - State Department - President Nelson Talbott

"Why can't I talk to Secretary Cohen?"

"He's on the phone with the President."

"I'm the President."

"Yessir."

Minutes later[/b]

"Nelson."

"You mean Mr. President?"

"Wish I could say that.

"I'm calling for a Cabinet meeting -- today. You'll be there. In the meantime, move our defenses to DEFCOM 2. Today is not a day for our enemies to doubt our strength."

"Nelson, to be frank, I'm more inclined to take action on my own than have a 50/50 shot of picking the correct President."

CNN Report - Hours Later

"Both President Talbott and President Rubin have called for Cabinet meetings as a sign of strenght and legitimacy. It is unclear as to which Secretaries will attend. In the meantime, Secretary of Defense William Perry has announced that US forces will be on high alert around the world. A Defense Spokesman said that "no one should ever doubt the strength of the United States."

"Simultaneously, an emergency meeting of the House and Senate is expected to convene later today at an undisclosed location."

"Internationally, Iran and North Korea have both called the past day's events the "end of the American Empire. Leader of al Qaeda Osama Bin Laden has called for "a continued Holy War on the United States. It is unclear if these threats are legitimate."

[sentinel]

MSNBC Report

"Attorney General Reno was the only cabinet member to attend both President's cabinet meetings today. She urged both President's to work together to find an amiable solution to avoid a constitutional crisis. Both declined.

"Secretary of Commerce Kantor has backed former Treasury Secretary Rubin's claim to the Presidency along with Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman and Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O'Leary."

"Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has backed former Acting Secretary of State Nelson Strobe Talbott as well as Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit and Secretary of HHS Donna Shlalala."

"Jesse Brown, Secretary of Veterans Affairs opted out of the meetings saying "Secretary [William] Cohen is the only one who is right here. Henry Cisneros, Frederico Pena and Richard Riley all also opted out of going to either meeting."

[sentinel]

November 23 - Undisclosed Location

"Colleagues, we must elect a new Speaker. It is the only way to end this absurdity."

"What about the Electoral College? Who are the states going to elect as President? The winners are dead."

"We cannot handle these issues without a President."

"Congress can act on its own."

"Lets get back to the point. We act now -- elect a Speaker, who will ascend to the Presidency. Strobe or Rubin --it doesn't matter, they are merely Acting President."

"I ask my colleagues to put aside party identity, and vote for the person who can lead us out of this mess most adeptly."

"I nominate the Gentleman from Texas, Dick Armey."

"I nominate the Gentleman from Illinois, Dennis Hastert."

"I nominate the Gentleman from Missouri, Dick Gephardt."

"I nominate the Gentleman from Massachusetts, Joseph Kennedy III."

[Senator Cris]

Great TL!

[sentinel]

I will continue this. I realize its been slow, or not moving at all, but I will continue this.