By Silent Majority Page 10

  Phil Taylor was excellent for politics. He had a law degree from Florida State University. He was tall, with Robert Redford looks—bright blue eyes and light blonde hair. His family had an estate on Long Island and also a house in the country in northern Florida.

  Strategically, about ten years earlier, Phil’s father shifted his son’s citizenship to the State of Florida to run for the Senate. Phil Taylor was a toy for special interests. If he won, he won on the coattail support of others. If elected, then so be it—but Peter had a trick or two up his sleeve before it would all be over.

  A wedding could easily be turned into a campaign event. So a wedding was held for Daniel and June. Daniel hoped for the best of both worlds. He would work in Washington and frequently commute to his constituency in Florida. At least that was the plan. In the meantime, he was pleased the Klan case was over. He finally did get to try a case. He got a real education on politics within the government while working for the Department of Justice. Daniel was glad that he had a chance to serve there.

  June ended up hating Florida. What woman with straight hair would? Wanted to spend most of her time in more sophisticated places like New York. The humidity is overwhelming. But she had accomplished something great. She planned to make Daniel Carlson great. Her ambitions ran high. In her mind, she was an idol-maker. Her lust for a powerful influence was intense. Every step down the wedding aisle was a step toward greatness, not a step forward but a step up.

  Because Daniel loved June’s children, he would continue to raise them as his own children even though their father wasn’t able enough to handle raising them. Their real father dropped the responsibility, dropped out on life. At least that is how June put it.

  June’s choice of a first husband was poor. He was a poor boy, with a rural upbringing. June said Tom Ware was killed in the war. In a sense he was killed by the war. He ran off after the Vietnam war; leaving all of the responsibility of the children with June. Daniel did not question her deeply on the subject. At this point in politics, he didn’t have to. Daniel was resolved, no matter where he would end up in the world of politics; he would always be a good father. Even though he hadn’t been there since their births, he felt blessed they were in his world. Connie was wearing a smaller version of the bride’s light-pink dress. Alan was wearing a tuxedo that matched the groom’s tuxedo.

  John Carlson, Daniel’s father, wasn’t completely satisfied with June as a choice for a wife. John Carlson convinced himself he was a good father, but it wasn’t true. He thought he looked out for the best interest of his son. He took Susan Carlson’s father’s small fortune from bootlegging, and developed it into a strong nest egg for generations of Carlsons to come. Susan Carlson was an only child whose mother died when she was a little girl. Daniel knew little about his grandfather’s illegal activities. John Carlson used the money as a weapon over Daniel. But Daniel gave up on the money after college. Daniel paid for law school himself, and that infuriated John Carlson—but got his father’s respect at the same time. Regardless of the family fortune, John Carlson made his living as a doctor. He was one of the only non-Jewish cardiologists on Miami Beach. John Carlson secretly resented his Jewish partners, but never spoke openly with Daniel about it. He never spoke with Daniel openly about anything. Once Daniel announced that he was running for the Senate, he was the father of a future Senator, and that was better than being Jewish.

  Peter wasn’t the only one nudging Daniel into the world of politics, Daniel’s father had a helping hand. All those years of financially supporting incumbents, John Carlson was happy Daniel was finally getting his turn for Party support. John Carlson didn’t like the fact June had children either. He didn’t have anything against the children personally. He didn’t really know them, nor did he make an effort to. He wouldn’t get close to children that were not his son’s. The family legacy shouldn’t go to mutts. It just didn’t seem right.

  Politically, it was acceptable, if not laudable—instant family. It’s American. If Daniel were divorced, that would be a different story. Politicians need to have a strong family life. To let a family fall apart through divorce was unacceptable. It was the ’70s—leaders had wives. It was radical enough that Daniel waited so long to get married in the first place.

  June’s children weren’t the only objection. June was a small town country girl, without an upbringing of any sort. The in-laws were almost embarrassing to be introduced to the distinguished guests. The father drove around with a pickup truck with a gun-rack, and went bowling twice a week. Not a total loss, John Carlson thought, they would probably be a hit campaigning upstate with the country folk.

  Starting out running for Senator was incredibly ambitious. Daniel had a young distinguished career, but was only approaching his mid-thirties. Luck can play a part in politics. With Bratton out and the opposition also fielding a young candidate, there would be opportunity for Daniel to succeed. His father’s money and contacts in the business community would help Daniel. Republican or Democrat it’s good to have the purses backing you.

  Daniel’s mother was Susan Carlson. She was also a protective woman in a passive-aggressive way—a soft-spoken lady. Her job in life was that she served in her community doing service-oriented projects, an active community member. She was a lovely looking woman. Daniel had only good memories of her. But a long life for her was not meant to be.

  Susan Carlson died of breast cancer when Daniel was in his third year of college. He was called home at an out-of-town track meet. Their home on Miami Beach was never the same without her. In her death, Daniel deified her. She was the woman that protected him against her father. She was the floor. The thin blue line of protection from the emotional abuse meted out by John Carlson.

  Daniel remembered asking his cousin, when he was young, what it meant to be dead. Years later, when his mother died, he remembered what she said, “You don’t eat. You can’t brush your hair. You just lie there and don’t move.” But it was much more than that. The things that annoyed Daniel about his mother, when she died, endeared her to him. She was his refuge from the judgmental world symbolized by his father.

  Susan Carlson would’ve liked June. Susan Carlson liked everyone. If Daniel picked her, she would’ve loved her. June’s children would’ve had another grandmother too. Susan never did any harm. Her love for her family was deep and seemingly endless. The male Carlsons would remember it for a lifetime. Perhaps that’s why Daniel waited so long to get married; or, perhaps he just waited. For sure that is why John Carlson never remarried. Susan was a tough act to follow. And, John Carlson was difficult. All plutocratic, high society standards of John Carlson removed, John Carlson looked at June and didn’t see Susan. Since she wasn’t, she was subject to the criticisms of John’s insurmountable standard.

  June dreamed about getting an apartment in Georgetown for all four of them. She wanted to send the kids to boarding school, but Daniel overruled, and would enroll them into a local private school. The children weren’t props to him even though he knew he would be criticized for doing exactly what he was doing. And, they weren’t British. There was real and unreal in Daniel’s world. He wouldn’t be an unreal father. So his idealistic self said.

  Peter was the best man and Melissa was June’s matron of honor. Daniel and June were both happy that they were at their sides. Peter was happy for Daniel. He was satisfied that Daniel was finally getting married. Politically, it was good to be married. There was only one President in history that was single. Irrelevant it seemed, but Peter was particularly sensitive to the relevant irrelevancies in politics. Nonetheless, still believed that Daniel had to stay on track with the profile of a sharp political man of the future. Peter would be responsible for Daniel’s future, and vice versa. Symbiotic relationships can be dangerous, however. Emotionally, one will be hurt when the other doesn’t meet the first’s expectations. Such was the risk, but both were willing to take the chance. In politics you dance with the one th
at brought you. That’s why picking who you brought to the dance was critical to a career. They enjoyed working together. Daniel and June grew to be friends. Peter and Daniel grew to be true friends.

  The ceremony was special. Connie was the flower girl and Alan was the ring bearer. John Carlson’s estate was decorated lavishly. A cool breeze helped make the outdoor wedding a pleasure. Many of the guests were strangers to June, and some even to Daniel. Somehow even weddings can be politicized. The right people need to be invited in order to feel like they were intimate with the candidate. These people were judges, businessmen, and other politicians, all with big purses. They were always known as, the purses. Democrat or Republican, though it was a rule that Daniel would try to evade, override, and circumvent a truth in politics. He who controls the purse of the leader, controls the leader. Only the deft leader could control the purses. It’s called power.

  As the minister recited the matrimonial vows, Daniel looked into June’s eyes. At that moment, and for the first time, he fell in love with June. He took her hand and held it. For all his faults she accepted him. It was seemingly unexplainable why it appeared that Daniel sought acceptance of any type. She was willing to put their differences aside for a lifetime. Daniel liked to believe that she meant she had an unconditional love for him.

  Clarence Terrell, a friend of Daniel’s, packed him some pornographic tapes as the couple entered the limousine bound for Miami International Airport. The new couple were bound for a two week tour of Europe sponsored by Daniel’s father. The support was necessary based on, Marksman, Daniel’s accountant’s assessment of Daniel’s financial outlook.

  On the way to the airport Daniel continually kissed June on the cheek. She smiled and said she enjoyed every moment of the ceremony. She, like Melissa, would be suitable and ready for a life of politics. The only difference between June and Melissa, is that Melissa would tolerate Peter’s life in politics, and June would thrive on it. June slid his hand up her wedding dress and moved up her inner thigh. She then said: “We’re going to have a great time.”

  Back and refreshed from a honeymoon in Europe. Daniel walked into his new office, Campaign Headquarters. Signs and posters were already made. A photograph of him was perfect, and was somewhere on every piece of campaign literature and propaganda. He greeted everyone. Many were working hard to spread the name recognition of Daniel Carlson. He smiled and waved. He told everyone they were doing great and he was about to join them in their efforts.

  Peter beckoned Daniel into his office to discuss strategy.

  “Hello, Daniel. How was the honeymoon?”

  “Fantastic. I had a wonderful time. June really enjoyed France and Italy.”

  “Wonderful. I’m so glad. You’re going to have a great life together. So let’s get going.”

  “Great,” Daniel said recognizing small talk and fun time was over.

  “Early strategy is our puppet propaganda. Taylor is made for taxes. We have everyone coming up with colorful slogans. Taylor made for . . . I mean we have cartoonists working at the Herald, at the St. Pete Times, all over. We gave them a lot of food for thought. We start with lofty goal outlining. Until we come up with concrete support and plans. We put him on the defensive. We’ll talk about Space, how we’re really the ones who are tough on communism and crime. We’ll say that while he was smooching special interest butts, we were fighting crime with the Justice Department. When he finally turns around and attacks us, it will be too late. He will look like a last minute whiner. Trust me, I know the campaign firm he hired. While we’re making solid proposals to rectify these ills, he’ll still be saying your Senator Bratton’s boy. Since Bratton is stepping down, everyone will still like him. We kind of deny that you are a Bratton boy, and then we get the best of both worlds. That, along with a mini-scandal or charge late in the campaign and I’ll say we’ll be taking the next flight to D.C. Lastly, I believe we should hire Roger Rock as a campaign consultant. He really has a handle on polls and all that statistical stuff. He would be an asset,” Peter concluded.

  “I don’t know. What about his reputation? It’s not the best. I don’t think we should risk it,” Daniel said. What Daniel was really concerned about was Rock’s reputation as a negative campaigner. Rock was the grand-master of opposition research also known as the smut peddler.

  “We’re going for the progressive campaign, right? I think it should all start today. Listen, the guy’s business is his own. Not for us to pass judgment,” Peter responded.

  “I don’t know. Image is everything. We have to with Bratton’s coattails. I don’t think our image can handle—” Daniel said.

  “Daniel, Bratton told us to try and sever ties with him as best as we could.”

  “He’s supporting us publicly.”

  “Daniel, you’re being naive. I love the guy personally. But let’s distance ourselves from him okay. We have to sell you as a person with his own mind and own ideals. Otherwise we’re going to lose major support in the party and we’ll have to fight for the nomination. That’s just what we need: a weakling in the primaries. We have one. Bob Fielding is very close to running. I want to concentrate on Phil Taylor; we’re going to attack Phil for being a pawn of the special interests. You must have solid ideals, which Terrence did, and we share. But we have new ideas, and a separate agenda. Okay?”

  “I hope you won’t sell me down the river, if I mess up, Mr. Prosecutor.”

  “Don’t you think you’re being a little sensitive?” Daniel replied.

  “No, I don’t. If you want to know the real truth, and I’m going to tell it to you straight.” Daniel shut the door on the campaign workers. “Since we’re breaking each other down psychologically what would you say to the idea that you’re compensating for your scar.”

  “What! What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Hear me out.”

  “This is personal bullshit,” Peter yelled.

  “Man, you’re my friend. I got to clear this in my own mind if I’m to know you’re with me.”

  “I’m your best friend. I’m going to be your campaign manager. We’re going to win this election. Then you’re going to make me your special counsel. Understand? I’m with you!”

  “Tell me what happened. Since Bratton cut the legs out from under your career, you haven’t been yourself. You’ve had the scar since I’ve known you. How bad could it be? Did your mother hit you with an iron or something?” Daniel asked. Peter smiled. Daniel had no idea. Peter wasn’t the type of man who would get a scar like that as a child—or worse doing something childish.

  “No. My mother never touched me. What I’m going to tell you is personal. I wouldn’t exactly call it a skeleton, but I wish you wouldn’t repeat it, ever. In fact, after I tell you I don’t want to discuss it, okay?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Fine, Daniel. After I tell you, you decide whether you still want me running your campaign.” Daniel gave a quizzical look, but nodded to continue. Peter’s state changed immediately to a somber state and he spoke in a solemn tone.

  “When you were hoping to join and instead started counting canned fruit, stateside, I was in Saigon. I was with the Naval Intelligence Service. To make a long and sad story short, I got cut by a piece of exploding glass and shrapnel. One of my buddies was killed in the explosion. He was covering a drop for me. You know, an intelligence drop. Well, it was a set up. It was meant for me. I ran to the site when I heard. Right after I saw he was blown to bits, a second device went off. For the rest of my life I have guilt on the inside and guilt scratched down the side of my face. I guess it cost me a career in politics. You’re lucky you never went, Daniel. It changed everyone who did.” In the speed of a thought, Daniel believed it was Peter who was the lucky one to avoid the career in politics. Daniel dismissed the thought and went back to the conversation.

  “I never knew you were in the war.”

  “No
t something I talk about.”

  “So, is your real name Spark?” Daniel asked.

  Peter laughed. “Yeah, it is. But once you’re in an Intelligence service you’re connected for life.”

  “So that’s what Bratton was talking about in his office,” Daniel just pieced together, and then out of self-preservation and ambition dismissed it. Peter didn’t respond. “We’re going to win this election. Then in the near future we’re going to show the American people what progressive thinking is all about. You’re going to be a powerful politician. Americans are going to love your scar.”

  “Wait, Daniel. I just want to help you. I’m not looking for any growing kumbaya experience from this.”

  Daniel took a moment to think.

  “Okay, I’ll be the front man in this two-man band. And since we’re rapping about skeletons, I think we better talk and decide whether you want to continue to help me.” Peter raised his eyebrows. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  “Whoa. I thought I had sensitive stuff. This really must be sensitive stuff.”

  “Well, you have experience in it. What I’m about to tell you should never be talked about, and nobody else knows. But if it ever came out, I’d be finished permanently. It would bring you down too, if you’re with me.”

  “Unless you were Adolf Hitler, I’m always going to be behind you. We’re a team, right?”

  “Right. Let’s go for that walk then.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Primary Education

  Daniel Carlson sulked on the inside as he delivered the same speech over and over. He had to deliver it with the same gusto each and every time. He had to sell the same speech, with day-to-day modifications. It was the stump speech. It was boring. What he had to do to become Senator, made him forget why he was doing it. Daniel felt he was losing himself in the process. He felt he was being handled by Peter, by Senator Bratton, and by the party. It wasn’t about Daniel Carlson being the best man, it was about him being the man who fit the position. The man who fit the role. The man the Silent Majority wanted on election day. Daniel Carlson pounded Phil Taylor with the criticism Taylor was a puppet of his party’s powerful. At the end of the campaign, Daniel Carlson felt the same. With the victory, however, came benefits, if Daniel Carlson wanted them.