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.
Around the world, nations and peoples have sent messages of support and assistance, condemning those who would attack innocent people going about their business in such a horrific manner. The civilized world is united in its horror at what has occurred today. That support will also not be forgotten. Further, all civilized peoples were shocked by the actions of some who consider the death and suffering of our citizens a cause for celebration. That behavior will also not be forgotten.
Finally, I say to those who perpetrated these unspeakable crimes, we will find you. Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies will track you down, you and those who harbor and assist you. Our retribution will be swift… and final.
I close now with the following thought. America is more than its buildings and America is more than its people. America is an idea, a symbol, a belief. We are a beacon of freedom and opportunity to the world, and the evil of madmen will not shutter that beacon. The price of freedom is never cheap, but it is a price that we must bear, and a price that we will gladly pay. Our nation will emerge from this dark day even stronger and more committed to the ideals we believe in.
Thank you, good night, and God bless America.”
I kept looking into the camera and waited until the director said we were done and the lights went out. Even then I kept my mouth shut until after they had the microphones turned off and out of the way. The last thing we needed was an ‘Ooops!’ moment where I said something stupid while something was still live. The technology wasn’t quite at the point where anybody with a cell phone could catch you being an idiot, but it was fast approaching that point. As soon as possible I headed out of the room and went into a bathroom to clean off the makeup. I really needed a shower for that, but just didn’t have the time. I think the worst part is the stuff they put on top of my head to keep the glare off my bald spot! I mean, like, thanks a lot, I really needed to be reminded of that!
I came out feeling a little more human, and found Ari and Josh waiting for me, along with some of my own people from my Vice Presidential staff. Frank, Carter, and Mindy were waiting for me. It was obvious Mindy had been crying heavily, and Carter whispered in my ear that her mother had been on Flight 93, which had gone down in Shanksville. I sat her down and told her to take some time off. She nodded and I motioned for an agent to take her home. Then I looked at Frank and Carter. “Guys, this is a bit weird, but we are going to somehow merge our staffs together. If President Bush is rescued, I go back to being the VP, and you come back with me. Otherwise, we are going to have to figure this out.”
“Yes, sir,” they both agreed.
I looked at Josh. “Are we lined up to meet Congress? Were you able to set something up?”