THE BUSHES, THE CLINTONS & SUPPORT CREW

PATHWAY OF THE RULER AS PATRICIAN PATRIARCH:
Storyline: The dynamic dynast brings his ruling class sensibilities to all he undertakes, allowing him to continually operate as an integral member of his society’s elite, albeit without the imagination to change things, much preferring his high status in the status quo.
Prescott Bush (1895-1972) - American businessman and political figure. Outer: Family claimed descent from English king Henry III (Jacqueline Kennedy). Father was a steel manufacturer, as well as a weapons contractor during WW I. Had a privileged upbringing, and went to private school, before matriculating at Yale. A skilled athlete, he played varsity golf, football and baseball there and was a member of the secret Skull & Bones society, a tradition he would pass on to his son and grandson. Supposedly was part of a group that violated renegade chieftain Geronimo’s (Jim Brown) grave in order to bring back the Amerindian leader’s skull for their society’s rituals. 6’4”, physically imposing and deep-voiced. Held a lifelong interest in singing, was president of the Yale Glee Club, and also identified heavily with his alma mater, maintaining a feeling of close association with his fellow grads, many of whom would be part of the establishment elite who ran both governmental and financial affairs. Served as a captain in WW I in the American Expeditionary Forces, where he did intelligence work, then was part of the European occupation force afterwards until 1919. Married in 1921 to Dorothy Walker, the daughter of an investment banker, 4 sons and a daughter from the union, including future Pres. George H. W. Bush, making him the patriarch of a political dynasty. Couldn’t abide his flashy in-laws, who disdained public service and thought only of wealth, power and pleasure, despite his similar affinity for the first two/thirds of that trinity. Both he and his wife were devout Episcopalians, reading the Bible every morning at breakfast. Worked in private industry before becoming v-p of his father-in-law’s banking firm, and later a partner, after it merged as Brown Brothers, Harriman. Director of numerous corporations, as well as being president of the U.S. Golf Association, while also continuing his covert connection to the intelligence establishment. Headed 2 agencies during WW II, and helped organize the USO, although also allegedly gave Nazis financial support through overseas banking. Had his hand in numerous corporate pies, becoming extremely wealthy, as well as influential, and from 1944 to 1956, he was a member of Yale Corp., the governing body of Yale Univ. Set the family precedent of becoming successful in business before entering politics, but also developed a serious drinking problem along the way. Lost his first election, then finally became a moderate Republican senator on his 3rd try, serving for 11 years, beginning in 1952, with an acknowledged expertise on finances. A golfing partner of Pres. Dwight Eisenhower, and member of the Eastern Establishment, he always operated with ruling class sensibilities, seeing himself as a champion of the overclass and its birthright for governance and control. Bravely stood up to Senator Joseph McCarthy (Ann Coulter), when few others in the Senate did, during the latter’s demagogic run in the early 1950s. Ill health finally ended his political career in 1962, although he remained active behind-the-scenes the last decade of his life. Died of lung cancer. Inner: Highly social, and an inveterate club joiner. Conservative, traditional, Republican and starchy, making all the right social and economic moves, without affecting his time, only perpetuating the powerhold of those born to rule. Strong identification with his alma mater, visiting it yearly, as well as the Skull & Bones tomb. Patrician lifetime of ruling class achievement and actualizing his sense of public responsibility in a highly traditional mode, before passing down similar principles to his son. Nicholas Fish (1758-1833) - American political patriarch. Outer: Descended from early Massachusetts colonists on his father’s side. Parents were well-to-do. Attended the College of NJ, although did not graduate, and entered a prestigious law office, forming a lifelong friendship with Alexander Hamilton (John F. Kennedy). In 1775, he joined a NY army regiment and was active throughout the entire American Revolutionary War. Ultimately became Hamilton’s 2nd in command during the Yorktown campaign, and was breveted a lieutenant colonel at the close of the war. Appointed adjutant-general for the state of NY in 1784, and in 1793, he was made supervisor of revenues in NY. In 1803, he married Elizabeth Stuyvesant, the descendant and heiress of the Dutch governor, Peter Stuyvesant. Served as the patriarch for a multi-generational political family, his son Hamilton Fish (James Baker) became a prominent figure. Executor of Hamilton’s will. Served as a NYC alderman for 9 years, and was a leading Federalist. Became chairman of the board of the trustees of Columbia Univ., a post later held by his son Hamilton. Inner: Large, handsome and dashing, but dignified. Competent in all he did, without standing out in anything. Privileged lifetime of serving as the patriarch and lynchpin of a multi-generational political family, a role he would repeat the next time around as well, with his progeny, once more, making a larger impact than himself. Lewis Morris (1671-1746) - American colonial official. Outer: Only child of the New World founder of the family dynasty. His father had been a merchant in Barbados who married a Barbadian woman of substantial fortune, although both died when their son was one. Left as a ward of his uncle, also a wealthy merchant, although he proved a recalcitrant, headstrong child, who was eventually forced to mend his ways. Rebelled against his uncle’s Quaker faith, and instead, embraced the Church of England, later becoming the first American member of its missionary arm. 6’ with a combative personality, which eventually earned him the nickname, “Goliath.” In 1691, he inherited large estates in both New York and New Jersey, and becoming a vast property owner sobered him. Eventually amassed a library numbering some 3000 volumes, giving him the distinction of one of the largest collections in the New World. Also owned 66 slaves, making him the largest slave owner north of Maryland. In the same year, he married Isabella Graham, the daughter of the attorney general of NY province. 15 children from the union, of whom 11 reached maturity, including Robert Hunter Morris, a noted jurist. In 1697, his estate in what is now the Bronx, was patented as Morrisania. Briefly arrested for sedition, after castigating the East Jersey governor for corruption, then, to his satisfaction, saw a mob demolish the gaol which held him. Traveled to England in 1702 to help bring about the fall of New Jersey’s proprietary government, after being disappointed in his desire to be the first royal governor of the province. A bitter opponent of Edward Cornbury (Newt Gingrich), the capricious governor of New York and New Jersey, he helped bring about his removal in 1708. Became chief justice of NY in 1715 but a subsequent struggle with the latest governor brought about his removal, thanks in large part to his unwillingness to allow anyone to question his authority. Ended his career by becoming the first governor of New Jersey when that colony separated from NY in 1738, and served in that capacity until his death. His contentious character was reflected in his rule, which was extremely unpopular. Wound up embittered, rich and totally isolated politically, after initially being deemed a hero by his fellow colonists for his eager willingness to stand up to corrupt authority. Inner: Stern and quarrelsome, with an inability to compromise. Active Churchman, vain but not without talent. Continued lifetime of bringing his bellicose character to the public forefront, only to suffer great unpopularity for it, necessitating a switch to more control over his overt emotions in his succeeding go-rounds in this series. Myles Standish (1584?-1656) - English/American soldier and governor. Outer: From an important Roman Catholic family, although he was fraudulently deprived of his inheritance. Short, red-bearded, plump and sturdy, with a fiery temperament. Began his career as a soldier of fortune in the Netherlands during the Dutch wars of independence from Spain. While in Holland, he met some exiled English Puritans who hired him to join their colonizing expedition to the New World in 1620, and he was one of the first parties to disembark from the Mayflower. Became the military leader of the Plymouth Colony and the chief negotiator with the Amerindians. Also the only one of the original crew to have camping experience. First of the colonists to learn the indigenous languages, he was the chief strategist of their defense, giving the colonies a foundation so that they had no trouble with the Amerindians for their first 40 years. Served as a colonial mainstay during the Pilgrims’ early problems with near-starvation and illness, losing his first wife during their first harsh winter in the New World. In 1624, he remarried, 6 children from union, 2 dying young. Returned to England in 1625 as an agent to secure new loan and purchase supplies. In 1627, he was one of a group of colonists to buy out the London merchants who had invested in them, allowing the Pilgrims to assume title to their own lands. The following year, he led the expedition that arrested trickster Thomas Morton (Newt Gingrich) for mocking the colony and trading firearms to the indigenous people, and sent him back to England. Along with John Alden (Marilyn Quayle), he founded the town of Duxbury in 1631, where he settled. There is no evidence that he asked Alden to serve as his intermediary in his pursuit of Priscilla Mullins (Dan Quayle), which entered popular mythology through a long narrative poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Robert Penn Warren). Served as assistant governor and treasurer of the colony from 1644 to 1649, while amassing considerable property, eventually dying a wealthy man. Left a considerable library in his wake. Inner: Great physical endurance and courage, albeit hot-tempered. Transition lifetime of being able to use his considerable military and business skills to best advantage in an entirely New World, one he obviously found to his liking in his continuing exploration of both power, influence and patriarchy in its favored embrace. Sir Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1443-1524) - English nobleman. Outer: Only son of John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk (JFK), who had been made an earl marshal and died fighting for Richard III (Evelyn Waugh), making his title attainted for his loyalty to the wrong royal house. Married Elizabeth Tilney, an heiress, and took abode at her house, where he lived as a country gentleman when not fighting. 8 sons, 5 of whom died young, including his successor Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk (Joseph Kennedy, Jr.), and 3 daughters. Like his father, he was a Yorkist supporter of Edward IV (Ethan Hawke), and was made steward of the royal household, and knighted in 1478. Captured while fighting for Richard III, he, too, was attainted and imprisoned in the Tower of London for 3 1/2 years, before being restored to his earldom in Surrey, but not his dukedom in Norfolk. Given back the lands of his wife, but not his own. Switched his loyalties to the royal House of Tudor, and served as a patriarchal progenitor who produced 2 Tudor queens among his grandchildren. Chief general in England during the mid-1490s. After 20 years of hard service, he was finally given back his full lands. As lieutenant-general of the north, he defended the borders against Scottish incursion, and was made lord treasurer, a post he held for over 2 decades, and a privy councilor in 1501. After the death of his first wife, he remarried her cousin Agnes Tilney, 3 sons and 4 daughters from 2nd union. Helped arrange the marriage between the daughter of Henry VII (Rupert Murdoch) and James IV (Kathleen Kennedy) of Scotland. Employed by Henry VIII (Maxwell Beaverbrook), but was ousted from power by his chief minister Thomas Wolsey (Henry Kissinger) in 1510, and stayed away from the English court. Also weakened by his opposition to the marriage of Henry’s sister Mary Tudor (Julie Christie) to Louis XII (Ferdinand Foch) of France. Distinguished himself commanding the army that defeated the Scots at Flodden, and he was elevated to Duke of Norfolk in 1514. Able to work with Wolsey in later years, and was guardian of England during Henry’s visit to France in 1520. Lord high steward at the trial of the father of his son’s 2nd wife, Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham (Whittaker Chambers). Passed the sentence of death on him with tears streaming down his face. Inner: Pragmatic survivalist, venerable warrior. Patriarchal lifetime of establishing a multi-generational noble house through his skills at both martial artistry and finance, a theme he would explore over and over again in the annals of Anglo-America.

*

PATHWAY OF THE RULER AS RULING-CLASS SERVANT:
Storyline: The gregarious salesman discovers to his dismay that his gladhanding style and business acumen are not enough to gain him the respect and admiration he craves, while, once again, learning little from his failures, through his inability at introspection.
George H. W. Bush (1924) - U.S. President. Outer: Mother taught him not to promote himself, creating a lifelong duality of fear of being boastful and a desire for recognition on a par with his ruling class progenitor, but she also instilled within all her children a keen competitiveness. Father was Prescott Bush, a highly successful Wall Street banker and later a moderate Republican senator, whom his son worshiped. Second of 5 children, with three brothers and a sister. Clearly his mother’s son, with her personality. Raised an Episcopalian, and had a patrician prep school upbringing. 6’2” athletic, with blue eyes. Became the youngest flyer in the Navy, flew 58 bombing mission, was shot down twice, rescued twice, and given the Distinguished Flying Cross. Like his father, he was Yale educated, where he was on the baseball team and Phi Beta Kappa, as well as a member of the secretive Skull & Bones society, despite a singular lack of originality or any depth of intellectuality. In 1945, he married Barbara Pierce, 5 children, including 2 sons who would later enter politics, most notably, George W. Bush, who would make the presidency a father/son affair, as well as a daughter who died of leukemia. Probably began working with the CIA in the early 1950s, opening offices all over the world for his modest oil companies, even in countries that did not drill, as a cover for garnering information and laundering money. Made his overt fortune through serving the needs of the intelligence establishment via the oil business in west Texas, while developing close working relations with the Saudi royal family, and later the Bin Ladens, although not black sheep Osama, before turning to Texas politics as a glad-handing Republican. Through covert operations, he became the Zelig of the latter half of the 20th century, seemingly involved with many of the pivotal incidents in the power his/story of America. Debriefed by the CIA on the Kennedy assassination, and may have been in Dallas the day it happened in 1963. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1966, but failed in 2 subsequent senatorial bids. Worked on his appointee resumé, instead, during the 1970s, and became U.S. ambassador to the U.N., U.S. liaison officer in China, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and finally, in 1977, head of the C.I.A., as reward for his long secret service to the agency, all the while helping make the Middle East the world’s primary destination for arms shipments. Also heavily involved in international banking, supporting much of the financial, intelligence and military weaponry that helped Saddam Hussein build Iraq into a rogue power. His family moved 28 times in 40 years to accommodate his search for credentialed titles. Rumored to have had many affairs, including a liaison with his executive assistant, Jennifer Fitzgerald, beginning in 1974. Became Ronald Reagan’s vice-president in 1980, after a failed bid for the presidency, and learned how to be better viewed by the voting public at the hands of an easygoing master, while altering his political stances accordingly. Ironically, he would be the reality of the Reagan fantasy - a genuine war hero from a world of wealth and power, but without the telegenic image that supported it. Known as the “Saudi vice-president,” during this stretch, but showed great loyalty to Reagan, despite the latter’s indifference to him. Assumed the presidency in 1988, beating Michael Dukakis, a weak opponent, by a 3-to-1 electoral margin, while riding on the vanishing rays of Reagan’s smiling political sunset. Code-named Timberwolf by the Secret Service. Felt a great need to prove his masculinity in office, after being labeled a ‘wimp,’ but his distracted, inarticulate style failed to impress the American public, despite earlier popularity through aggressive non-wimp actions in Panama and then the Middle East against Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, enjoying his finest hour in producing a multinational multibillion dollar TV spectacular of bombing Babylon back to oblivion in 1991, when Hussein was no longer useful to his interests. In the letdown afterwards, he paid for his predecessor’s legerdemain economic policies, and saw his popularity plummet as the economy went out to recess. Lost his reelection bid in 1992 to Bill Clinton by better than a 2-1 elector margin because of his indifference to the economy and retired. His mother died shortly after the election, so as not to let him exploit the loss during the campaign. Joined the Carlyle Group, which bought defense companies and multiplied their values, using his influence to attract investors. Puttered around, wrote some memoirs, and watched his 2 sons become governors of Texas and Florida, giving him a sense of dynasty. Went skydiving on his 75th birthday, and basked in the reflective glow, when his boy made it to the White House in 2000, the 2nd father/son duo to do so. Became a shadow adviser to his scion, as the latter achieved the same wartime presidential status, although the 2nd Gulf War would not go as quickly and smoothly as the first, and became a quagmire. Along with former Pres. Clinton, he figureheaded relief efforts for the tsunami and hurricane disasters which would mark his son’s second term, while suffering largely in silence over the latter’s failures, before ushering in some of his own people to try to salvage his presidency, as his son’s stewardship of state steadily spiraled downward into political pariah status. Prone to public weeping as he has aged, but still jumping out of airplanes into his 80s. Inner: Gregarious archetype of the invisible ruling class, and a dutiful operative in their service, benefitting handsomely from his covert connection to the intelligence community. Totally nonintrospective figure of surface actions, performing competently in all his pre-presidential tasks, carrying out his instructions from above without any distinguishing signature of his own, which would later serve him ill as chief executive. Adept businessman, rumored to have dealt in much contraband during his financial career, along with a host of other secretive activities. Perhaps the lessons of this life will open him up to his own abandoned interior, giving him the requisite depth he needs to adequately compete in the public political arenas towards which he unerringly gravitates, after proving himself in his singular area of aptitude, financial manipulations. Automatic pilot lifetime of overextending his own limitations and rising to a level way beyond his capabilities, as lesson to the American public on its hidden ruling elite and some of the mediocrity at its core. Thomas C. Platt (1833-1910) - American politician and businessman. Outer: Son of a successful lawyer. Raised as a Presbyterian, while his father wanted him to be a minister, despite his having little interest in the field. Tall, thin and cadaverous-looking. Attended Yale where he dutifully studied theology, but left for health reasons, and began his career as a druggist, working as such for two decades. Married Ellen Barstow in 1852, 3 sons from the union. His wife, who was a loyal helpmate, died in 1901. Started his political career in 1859 as a county clerk, before returning to the business sphere as a bank president, railroad president and timber speculator, proving himself successful. His political career came into full harness in 1870, under the guidance of his friend, Sen. Roscoe Conkling (Michael Dukakis). Elected to the House of Representatives in 1874, as a Republican member of the political Stalwarts. Became a N.Y. senator in 1881, with a totally undistinguished record in both houses, as a largely behind-the-scenes worker. Became known as “Me too” Platt for following the principled stands of his mentor, Conkling. Became political boss of New York, but tried to stop the rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Kathleen Kennedy), and lost his influence and power by choosing the wrong political freight train to stop. Remarried in 1903, but the union was unharmonious and the 2 separated 3 years later. Wrote his autobiography, which was both fiction and fact. Inner: Kindly, gregarious, tactful, industrious, patient and tenacious. Financial adept but with little political ability, as is his usual stance. Comeuppance lifetime of underestimating a political foe, and showing he was no match for patrician ambition, which he would address as the son in father/son fashion in his next go-round in this series. Lewis Morris (1726-1798) - American political leader. Outer: Grandson of Lewis Morris (Prescott Bush), father was 2nd lord of the manor, allowing him to be born into a family of both wealth and power. Older half-brother of Gouvernor Morris (Joseph Kennedy, Jr.). Tall, handsome and erect. His father carefully supervised his early education. Graduated from Yale, before returning to the family’s vast estate. In 1749, he married Mary Walton, who was from a wealthy shipbuilding family. 10 children all told, including Richard Valentine Morris (George Bush, Jr.). Spent 16 years as an aristocratic land owner, although showed himself not to be as acquisitive as his ancestors. On his father’s death in 1762, he became the 3rd and last lord of the manor of Morrisania, the family’s large estate in Westchester County, NY. Became prominent in his opposition to British policies in the colonies, largely because he felt he should have been treated better by the British authorities. Served a term in the provincial assembly in 1769, and was active in the political sphere during the outset of the American Revolution, taking a seat in the Constitutional Congress, and putting his signature on the Declaration of Independence, although consistently showed himself far more interested in business transactions than public policy. Made a brigadier general, although his duty was limited because of his business and civic responsibilities. During the war, his estate was burned to the ground and plundered, and following the conflict, he busied himself restoring it. Active in NY politics during the aftermath of the revolution, as an intermittent member of the state legislature from 1777 to 1790. Although he garnered a full resumé of public posts, his pride and joy remained his estate, where he ultimately retired. Pursued his agricultural interests there, and died surrounded by his family. Outer: Gregarious, with strong self-interest motivating his various political stands. Silver spoon lifetime of literally being to the manor born, and taking great pleasure in its upkeep and resurrection, while feeling little need to extend himself into the political sphere, other than to aid his own self-interests. James Craggs the Elder (1657-1721) - English businessman and politician. Outer: From a modest background. Eldest son, his maternal grandfather was a rector. Went to a free grammar school, and at 21, helped his father sell the family property. Came to London in 1680, and worked for two noble families, becoming steward to the young duke of Norfolk, in 1684, unconsciously hooking up with a karmic root of his. The same year he married Elizabeth Richards, the daughter of a corn chandler, who was a maidservant to the Marlborough household. Three sons and three daughters from the union, with only one son surviving infancy, James Craggs, the younger (George W. Bush), and he put his dynastic ambitions into him. It would be his connection with the Marlboroughs (JFK & Jacqueline Kennedy), that would allow him to steadily advance, thanks to an innate financial acumen. Served as private secretary to the duke, and became an army clothier, but was imprisoned in 1695 for irregularities in his financial affairs, when he refused to allow a parliamentary commission access to his books. Later released through high contacts, although it was revealed the governor of the East India Company had paid him to help it maintain its monopoly. Continued his association with the Company, serving as a director. while being part of the negotiations in its restructuring. After its old and new versions united, he became a manager from 1702-1704. On the accession of Queen Anne (Princess Anne), his prospects brightened even more, thanks to the Marlborough’s close association with her, and he wound up an MP for 11 years, compiling an undistinguished political record, although playing an important role as liaison with his ongoing benefactor. Lost his seat after Marlborough’s fall, but with the advent of the House of Hanover in 1714, he regained is political traction, despite losing his next election, and served for 5 years as joint postmaster general, beginning in 1715. Accumulated a considerable amount of wealth in his various dealings, to the tune of £1,500,000, although he was involved in the South Sea Bubble scandal, comparable to an early stock market crash in 1720, and his son died soon after, to compound his losses. Passed on of apoplexy shortly before being brought to trial, although his demise may have been a suicide over his dual grief of losing his son and falling into disgrace. Served as a convenient scapegoat afterwards, when his greed and profiteering were held to blame in part for the financial catastrophe. Inner: Good financial abilities, but totally unscrupulous, while milking his contacts for all they were worth to him. Self-made lifetime of ambitions thwarted through ongoing dishonest dealings, while playing with power at the highest levels, without the political acumen to do anything more than increase his estate and get caught doing so. Thomas Howard, first Earl of Suffolk and first Baron Howard de Walden (1561-1626) - English admiral. Outer: Eldest surviving son of Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk (Richard Nixon), who was executed for treason when he was 11 years old. Mother had been the daughter of a baron and his father’s second wife, and died when he was three, allowing him to inherit the estate of his maternal grandfather. Educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, then, on his father’s advice, married his step-sister, Mary Dacre, an heiress and daughter of the duke’s third wife, who died without issue in 1578. In 1583, he married another heiress, Katherine Knyvet, the widow of Lord Richard Rich. His wife, a remarkable beauty, had total control over him, and was extremely avaricious, with a reputation for looseness. 7 sons, including Edward Howard (George W. Bush) and 3 daughters from the union, including Frances Howard (Grace Kelly), who the family manipulated into marriage with the devious Robert Carr (Bob Hope), helping nullify her first union, in order to do so. She, however, ultimately wound up in the Tower, for helping to poison Thomas Overbury (Bing Crosby), further sullying the family name. Had his title restored in 1584, after his father had the family’s name attainted. Distinguished himself against the Spanish Armada in 1588, then commanded in an attack on the Azores fleet, losing the ship ‘Revenge,’ in an irony on his ongoing desire to clear his family name. Made an admiral of the third squadron in the Cadiz expedition in 1596, and the following year he added to his titles, while continuing to hold naval commands. Served as marshal of the forces against Robert Devereaux, the 2nd Earl of Essex (Ethan Hawke), then was made constable of the Tower of London in 1601. Received an MA from Oxford and Cambridge, and ultimately became chancellor of Cambridge Univ. Created an earl in 1603, and added a host of posts to his resumé over the next decade, before becoming lord high treasurer in 1614, a post he held for 4 years. Ultimately heavily fined and briefly imprisoned for embezzlement in 1619, effectively negating his life’s work. His wife also stood trial, for taking bribes from Spain, although she was given karmic recompense by contracting smallpox in 1619, which marred her legendary beauty. Ended his career as high steward of Exeter., died at one of his homes, while his widow lived in obscurity for another dozen years. Inner: Greedy, extravagant and acquisitive, despite evincing modest competence in the various tasks assigned to him. Spent heavily on his offspring to insure their social standing in order to make advantageous matches for them, continually leaving him in debt. Egg-on-his-face lifetime of exhibiting his habitual over/reach, leaving his name ultimately besmirched, as has been his pattern in most of the go-rounds in this series.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS WEAK SEED:
Storyline: The second-rate scion sails in on his family’s long coat/tails to act out a destiny designed to stretch his limited abilities, and bring him up to the memorable level of his longtime mixed crew of accomplishers and embarrassers.
George W. Bush, Jr. (1946) - American president. Outer: Born the same day as actor Sylvester Stallone. Father was future President George H. W. Bush, mother was Barbara Bush. Oldest of 5, and the family charmer, with an ongoing desire to make people feel better, from the death of his younger sister onward, which left him with nightmares for years. Descended on his mother’s side from former president, Franklin Pierce (Eugene McCarthy). Grew up in west Texas, then was educated privately at Andover in Mass. Very competitive with his sire throughout his life. Hated to lose at games, often changing the rules when he did, to give himself a second chance. Like his father, a member of Skull & Bones at Yale, where he proved himself a gentleman ‘C’ student, then served as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard in lieu of Vietnam duty, thanks to his father’s pull, with some question lingering about whether he even attended meetings or not. 5’11”, 195 lbs, with blue eyes. Spent 5 years in various pursuits, including flight school in Georgia, a year as an agricultural-supplies salesman and a year as a youth adviser in Houston’s inner city programs, all the while drinking, using drugs and partying hard, before going to Harvard for his MBA in 1975, and then following his father into the oil business, with a west Texas oil exploration company bought on trust fund money and family support in 1977. In 1976, he was arrested for DWI. Converted to Methodism after his marriage to Laura Welch, a librarian in 1977, who he had met at a barbecue, twin daughters from the union. Took his company public in 1982, a move that failed badly, but survived through a merger. Later had some ethical questions surrounding its inflated price, as well as offshore-drilling concessions the purchaser received in the Persian Gulf. Able to overcome his drinking problem cold turkey in 1986, thanks to a reemergence of his sense of Christian faith, and settled down through self-discipline and exercise, to seriously pursuing a career path at the age of 40, although reputedly continued ingesting cocaine. Took advantage of his father’s name in parlaying his business ineptitude with insider trading and loans to gain enough money, some $800,000, to be part of a group in 1989 that purchased the Texas Rangers baseball team. Later sold the team in 1998, garnering some $18 million. In 1994, he was elected Republican Governor of Texas, and proved a popular state executive, easily winning a 2nd term and positioning himself as a primary candidate for the presidency in 2000, under the banner of “compassionate conservatism,” as the latter half of the 2nd father/son tandem to be elected chief executive, over Al Gore, in a battle of ruling class scions. His unclear victory demanded a recount in his brother Jeb’s state of Florida, before finally being awarded office by the Supreme Court. Code-named Tumbler or Trailblazer by the Secret Service. Served as frontman and salesman of the government line, catering to conservative isolationist positions, from his own view of absolute self-certainty, while his v-p Dick Cheney called the shots via the hidden ruling elite behind both of them, in a unique co-presidency. Despite a shaky start, he came into his own after the World Trade Center bombing in the fall of 2001, and proved to be the fatherly, compassionate figure the nation needed in the months of healing afterwards, rising to unprecedented heights in the public opinion polls. Subsequently invaded Afghanistan and deposed the Taliban regime there, which he held responsible for the bombing. A financial scandal later that fall, with the collapse of the Enron corporation, which had helped finance his career, began to tarnish his golden image, as his administration contended to retain the at-war atmosphere that had successfully deflected growing criticism of his stewardship of state. Guilty of all the economic malfeasances that his fallen CEO confreres were subsequently brought to trial for, he, nevertheless, rallied the country to war against Iraq in the spring of 2003, despite a subsequent no-show of weapons of mass destruction there, which was his main rationale for attacking the one country in the Mideast which did not harbor terrorists. Successfully toppled its dictator Saddam Hussein, while riding a great wave of popularity. Continued to maintain an isolated presidency where all dissent was viewed as treasonous, and civiil liberties were suspect, making himself virtually inaccessible to the press, save for highly controlled situations. Subsequently parlayed terror into a multibillion dollar windfall for his corporate backers, with continued fear-mongering as his ongoing rationale for his subsequent antidemocratic presidency. Also oversaw a deliberately dysfunctional government, so that its services could be privatized and put in the for-profit hands of his allies in private industry. Won a subsequent 2nd term against Senator John Kerry, in 2004, in another highly questionable election, along with the first second term congressional majority since William McKinley (Richard Nixon), in 1900. Subsequently saw his popularity erode, thanks to the ongoing Iraq occupation, as well as a failed attempt to privatize Social Security. In 2005, he had 9/11 bookended by Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed the poorer sections of New Orleans and put the weaknesses of his presidency on display - his focus on the haves, his disdain for government and legal processes, his cronyism, his neglect of the country’s have-nots, and his energy policies. Reluctantly shouldered the blame for the government’s slow response to the disaster but suffered a great public loss of faith in his abilities, although was able to bend the Supreme Court rightward with his two ultimate selections for it. Lost both houses of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections, where his policies were soundly rebuked, despite a seemingly vibrant economy, and immediately accepted the resignation of his controversial Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, replacing him with a figure from his father’s era, Robert Gates. Sent a further surge of troops to Iraq, against the advice of many of his generals, while eying an escalation of the conflict into Iran and Syria. More scandals in 2007 would further sully his rule, and in the fall, he lost his architect, Karl Rove, as well as his Attorney General, Alberto Gonzalez to resignation, to further isolate his presidency. Gave a revealing series of interviews in “Dead Certain,” in which he admitted any expression of doubt would make him seem weak, while disclosing his desire to maintain America’s high-profile presence in Iraq for the rest of his administration, no matter the consequences, and leave its resolution to his successor. Later claimed to given up golf for the duration of the war, although was seen playing several months afterwards. Saw the economy weaken considerably in 2008, although throughout his ongoing travails, continued to feel he would be vindicated by his/story, only to be undercut by his former press secretary, Scott McClellan, in a bestseller, by the first of his longtime Texas inner circle to turn against him, as his lame duck status continued to make him more and more irrelevant, save on his pet issue of national insecurity. In what would be a final negative indictment of his presidency, the stock market tumbled precipitously during the last months of his administration, revealing the exploitative greed behind the trickle-down economic philosophy driving it. Remained a hidden and largely morose figure during the Republican electoral disaster in 2008 that saw the nation overwhelmingly reject both him and his party. Nevertheless, he was far more gracious and conciliatory in the transition than he ever was as president, while focusing on his legacy, rather than his ongoing job-at-hand. As the country staggered economically, he offered excuses and denials for his time in office, while showing little desire to act as anything other than a figurehead at the end of his co-presidency. On his final visit to Iraq, during a press conference, an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at him, the supreme Arabic insult, in an ultimate valedictory from that country. At the end, he gave a defiant final press conference defending his administration, while showing a great need in his last round to congratulate himself on a heckuva job, before riding off into the sunset, leaving an unimaginable mess behind on virtually every front for his successor. Ironically on the day of his final public appearance, there would be a plane crash in NYC into the Hudson River, although miraculously none of the 155 passengers aboard were injured, thanks to the spontaneous reaction of the ordinary citizens around it, in an odd counterbalance to the twin disasters of his term of office, and the governmental foul-ups which followed them. Despite all, he signed a $7 million book deal, over his 12 biggest decisions, and has spent his post-presidency slowly trying to rehabilitate himself. Inner: Gregarious, unpretentious, with a great love of human contact. Self-confident, smug, highly competitive, forever mugging for cameras, albeit testy in private. Known for his clean-desk approach to work, little sense of his/story, although harbors a great desire to ultimately be seen as the defeating force of Islamic extremism. Evangelical in his beliefs, with a black’n’white view of the world. Never forgets a slight, sharp judge of people, always viewing them in terms of his basic duality, are you with him or against him. Prizes loyalty above all other traits, and loves routine and familiarity. Addictive personality, be it alcohol, drugs or God, with a sense of divine mission. Probably a believer in the Rapture, which sees no future for the damned, only the saved, who, in turn, will not have to deal with the problems they created. Very much interested in his/story’s judgment of him, and would love to be seen as someone who made big, bold decisions. Ride ‘em Cowboy lifetime of rising from a secure family base to become a major political player on the American landscape, and, per his secret wish, a wartime commander-in-chief, while acting out his own lessons of illusions and realities on a giant, worldwide scale. Stuyvesant Fish (1851-1923) - American railroad executive. Outer: Father was Hamilton Fish (James Baker), privileged upbringing, educated at private schools. Older brother of Hamilton Fish (Jeb Bush), and younger sibling of Nicholas Fish (Condoleezza Rice). Entered Columbia College at 16, and became class president. After his graduation in 1871, he became a clerk. Appointed secretary to the president of the company, he worked as a banker for the next 5 years. In 1876, he married Marian Graves Anthon, a socialite, 3 children from the union. Made a director of the Illinois Central in 1877, and a decade later, rose to president of the company, serving in that capacity for 2 decades. Also a vice-president and director of the National Park Bank of NY for many years, and a trustee of the NY Life Insurance and Trust Company. Successfully expanded it, while a good part of the company was held by small investors. Because he took part in a state committee that investigated the Mutual Life Insurance Co. of NY, he antagonized powerful financiers who were allies of rival railroad magnate E.H. Harriman (Henry Ford II), and he was ousted from his position in 1906. Also president of the American Railway Association from 1904 to 1906. In 1896, he married society leader Marion Graves Anthon, who maintained homes in Newport and NYC. 3 sons and a daughter from the union. Spent the latter part of his life in retirement, and as an adjunct to his wife’s busy social schedule. Inner: Easy charm, good-natured, enthusiastic outdoorsman. His position was more through his influential family than any innate skills on his part. Railroads are symbol of communications and communication skills, and proved to be a requisite spur for many who would either continue in the business sphere in their next go-rounds, or enter the political and entertainment domains. Privileged lifetime of power politics in the business realm, proving himself adequate to the job in an expanding era, although ultimately no match for the heavyweights who coveted his position. Richard Morris (Richard Valentine Morris) (1768-1815) - American naval officer. Outer: Member of the multi-generational Morris family. One of 10 children, and youngest son of Lewis Morris (George Bush). Mother, Marry Walton Morris, was a member of a prominent shipbuilding family. Grew up in wealth and privilege, and was already an experienced seaman when he was given a captain’s commission in the navy in 1798. The year prior he married his cousin, Anne Walton, 3 children from the union, the eldest dying at the age of one. After gaining some naval experience, he was appointed in 1802 to command a squadron of ships attempting to blockade the port of Tripoli, and also to try to negotiate a peace that would end the Tripolitan War. Arrived in the Mediterranean with his own squadron of 5 vessels, but his fleet was still too small to effect his aims, and he was also forced to deal with hostility from Morocco, Algiers and Tunis. Lifted the blockade prematurely in 1803, after some losses by his fellow officers, while Morocco declared war over his refusal to grant certain concessions. Recalled and relieved of his command, he was brought before a court of inquiry, which found him, somewhat unjustly, to be insufficiently diligent in maintaining American prestige in the Mediterranean, and in 1804, he was dismissed from the navy. Wrote a pamphlet in defense of his actions and retired to his estate to lick his wounds, ultimately dying there. Inner: Probably over his head in the duties given him. Scapegoat lifetime of misjudgment and bearing the brunt of his young country’s first martial failure, necessitating a return at some future point for further engagements with the Muslim world to try to erase this blot from his ongoing escutcheon. James Craggs the Younger (1686-1721) - English politician. Outer: Father was James Craggs (George Bush), mother had been a maidservant in the Marlborough household. One of 6 children and the only son to survive infancy. Enjoyed a privileged upbringing, thanks to his sire's political connections and financial acumen, as well as his desire to found a dynasty through him. Traveled, and then entered Parliament in 1713. Had a swift political rise, due to his father’s influence, serving as secretary of war in 1717 and secretary of state the following year. Handsome and charming, but viewed by his political contemporaries as empty, although he was friends with the poet, Alexander Pope (Evelyn Waugh). Never married. Like his father, he became involved in the South Sea Bubble scandal, which brought down his progenitor’s financial house. Died of smallpox shortly thereafter, precipitating his sire’s subsequent suicide. Inner: Charmingly superficial, based his entire brief career on family connections. Brief bubble lifetime of tasting power through his progenitor, before being forced to pay the piper for his sire’s acquisitive actions, in his ongoing role as scion of different versions of the same rich and powerful family, looking to establish his own name in their wake. Edward Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Escrick (?-1675) - English Parliamentarian. Outer: 7th and youngest son of Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk (George H.W. Bush) by his 2nd wife. In 1623, he married Mary Butler, the daughter of a lord, 4 sons and a daughter from the union. Made a peer in 1628, and was one of 12 petitioning peers in 1640, during the period leading up to the English Civil War. After the abolition of the upper house in 1649, he represented Carlisle. The following year, he was made a member of the Council of State. Convicted of taking bribes from delinquents in 1651, but escaped imprisonment on a plea of ill-health to live out the rest of his life in obscurity. Inner: Corrupt lifetime of bringing shame to his house’s name, in his ongoing odd dance in the annals of power, where things never quite seem to work out the way he wants them to.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS THE COMPETENT SCION:
Storyline: The second son engages in the same questionable dealings as the rest of his family, and finds himself with the legacy of his peer and his predecessor blocking his ultimate ambitions, as well as curtailing his superior gifts.
Jeb Bush (John Ellis Bush) (1953) - American politician. Outer: Parents were Pres. George and Barbara Bush. 2nd of 6 children, including brother George W. Bush. 6’4”. Graduated the Univ. of Texas, where he majored in Latin-American studies. Fluent in Spanish, he met his wife, Columba Gallo, a Latina, on a student-exchange program in Mexico. The duo were married in 1974, 3 children from union. Worked in banking in Houston, but felt he would be overshadowed by his father’s name and moved to Florida in the early 1980s. Established a real estate company in Miami and formed a partnership with a Cubano developer. President and CEO of the Codina Group, which were real estate developers, he became a millionaire. Defaulted on a 4.6 million loan, which led to his bank’s collapse. Repaid 1/8 of the debt, and the government made restitution for the rest. Dealt with a shady Colombian who ultimately went to jail for fraud. Also supplied “non-lethal” support to the Nicaraguan contras. From 1984 to 1987, he was chairman of the Dade County Republican Party. Discouraged by his father in running for Congress in 1987, instead he became Secretary of Commerce for Florida. In 1994, he ran an ultraconservative campaign for governor of Florida but lost by less than 2 % of the vote. Called himself a ‘head-banging’ conservative, with obvious emphasis on his potential caucasian constituency. In 1995, he converted to Catholicism, his wife’s religion, which he claimed made him more compassionate and allowed him to give his brand of conservatism a much more humane face. Became involved in a school for poor African-Americans while evincing a greater sense of humanity. In 1998, he was elected governor of Florida. Proved to be a competent chief executive, with an eye for detail and arcane law, although was embarrassed by his state’s confusing role in the election of his brother to the presidency in 2000. Code-named Tripper afterwards by the Secret Service. Ended affirmative action in the state’s school system and government, which caused a huge controversy, but proved himself a hands-on administrator and true to his conservative principles, with the help of a predominantly Republican legislature. Later embarrassed by his daughter Noelle’s arrest for drug prescription forgery, as well as an unproven charge of an adulterous affair with his appointed head of the Fla. Dept. of Management Services, although was able to win re-election, and remain popular throughout his second term, despite some gaffes. A favorite of conservatives, he repeatedly disavowed a future presidential run, while remaining an attractive figure to his potential larger national constituency. Following his second term, he started a small consulting firm, while running two foundations and giving speeches, and to his delight, seeing a lot of the legislation he proposed finally passed several years after retiring from the political trenches. Inner: Harbors ethical conflicts, as well as tunnel vision, although is willing to change and compromise in order to make himself a more fully effective administrator. Private and highly political. Voracious newspaper reader and hand’s-on in all he does. Second banana lifetime of trying to be a more compassionate and feeling executive, as a member of a longtime, albeit lesser, ruling family with numerous ethical problems of its own. Hamilton Fish II (1849-1936) - American politician. Outer: 3rd son of Hamilton Fish (James Baker), and younger brother of Nicholas (Condoleezza Rice) and Stuyvesant Fish (George W. Bush). Had a privileged upbringing in a multi-generational family of public servants. Went to private schools in the U.S., and Switzerland, then graduated from Columbia College in NYC in 1869. Served his Secretary of State sire as a private secretary, before graduating Columbia Law School and passing the bar in 1873. Entered politics the following year, as a Republican member of the NY state assembly, holding the same seat for the next 22 years, and serving as speaker for the last 2. Married, his son Hamilton Fish, the IVth in the line, became an ultraconservative politician. Served as a longtime Republican boss of Putnam County, during which time he was appointed asst. treasurer of the U.S. in NYC in 1903 by Teddy Roosevelt (Kathleen Kennedy), and also served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1909, although he was defeated for re-election. Retired and returned to his local arena, feeling far more comfortable there. Died while on a visit to South Carolina. Inner: Big fish in a small pond lifetime of taking full advantage of family connections to etch an extremely modest career in the arena of state politics, while dealing with the pressures of being from a high profile family. Lewis R. Morris (Lewis Richard Morris) (1760-1825) - American politician. Outer: Father was Richard Morris (Dick Cheney). Grew up in wealth and privilege in a multi-generational family of political power. Had a common school education, then became an aide to Philip Schuyler (Robert McNamara). Saw action in the early part of the American revolution, and was assistant to the secretary of foreign affairs in the first 2 years after its conclusion. Married Mary Dwight, the daughter of writer and clergyman Timothy Dwight (Philip Berrigan) in 1786, but left her soon afterwards. His 2nd marriage was to Theodotia Olcott, the daughter of a minister. Later, married a third time to Ellen Hunt. Separated himself from his family dynamic by establishing a manor in Vermont in 1786, and becoming active in state politics. Served in the state assembly for numerous terms, and was its speaker for his first 2 terms there. Became a brigadier general of the militia in 1793 and was made a major-general in 1795, holding that post until 1817. Also held numerous other political posts. Had an undistinguished career in the U.S. House of Representatives, and through his non-voting helped give Thomas Jefferson the presidency. His was the last active generation of a longtime powerhouse family. Inner: End-of-the-dynasty lifetime of establishing his own separate identity, while carving a career built mostly on his family name.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS WORLD-CLASS DIPLOMAT:
Storyline: The stately secretary switches sexes, but retains her longtime familial sense of loyalty, while raising her game to the next level to the plaudits of some and the carping of others, in a nondiplomatic administration that forced her to stand up for herself.
Condoleezza Rice (1954) - American cabinet officer. Outer: Of African/American descent, with slave ancestors. Grew up in Titusville, a secure black enclave in Birmingham, Alabama. Named after an Italian musical term, meaning ‘sweetness.’ Only child of a high-school guidance counselor, to whom she was very close. He was also a Republican, since the Democratic Party did not register him to vote, and taught his daughter not to deny race, but not to be defined by it either. Raised a Presbyterian, and has always held religion as an extremely important element in her life. Prim and proper, even as a child, when she much preferred the company of adults to her peers. Groomed for greatness, she was always either studying or practicing the piano for hours. Could read music before she read words, taking piano lessons from the age of 3. In 1963, when she was 8, a Baptist Church was bombed while she was sitting in her own church, in an infamous incident where 4 young black girls were killed, one of them a schoolmate of hers, and suddenly the civil rights movement exploded right nearby, although it did not immediately affect her, despite her whole neighborhood suddenly being under direct threat. The family moved to Denver when she was 15, so her father could complete his education at the Univ. of Denver, which she entered the same year as a music major, with the lifelong desire to be a concert pianist. Met some fellow prodigies, however, and saw she was not in her league, thanks to her emotional detachment, so she switched over to studying about power, another longheld fascination of hers. Sped through the education system, thanks to a prestigious fellowship, while attracting noteworthy teachers to her, including the father of future secretary of state, Madeleine Albright. 5’ 6 1/2”, and slim. Graduated the Univ. of Denver at 19, and after getting a Master’s at Notre Dame, she got her Ph.D.. in International Relations at her original alma mater, before joining the Stanford Faculty at 26, with an expertise in Soviet relations. Tapped by the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell, to work for him at the Pentagon. By her late 30s, she was handling Russian affairs for George H.W. Bush’s administration, impressing everyone on her way up as respectful and astute, a team player to the core, who added immeasurably to whichever group she was with. By the time she hit 40, she had an oil tanker named after her, and was on the board of Chevron, as well the youngest-ever provost of Stanford Univ., having left the Bush administration in 1991 to take the post. Held that position from 1993 to 1999, although proved to have an oddly white male consciousness in the job, blocking the advancement of minorities and women as tenure rate fell for both, and less of their number was ultimately represented on the faculty. After attending a foreign policy seminar for Texas Gov. George W. Bush, in 1998, the two immediately saw the possibilities in one another, and she quickly became a member of his pre-election team, covered up for his foreign policy gaffes during the campaign, then following him to the White House as a close adviser, often being the first to see him in the morning, and the last at night. Never married, amidst speculation about her true orientation, but probably largely asexual, and wedded passionately to her career. Ignored threats of an imminent Al-Qaeda attack, although later denied it under oath. Recognized immediately after 9/11 that terrorism was a global affair. Although she faithfully followed the president’s hardline against terror, she privately sided with the more diplomatic Colin Powell, then Secretary of State, and found herself repeatedly blunted by the power duo of vice-president Dick Cheney, and Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. Always remained loyal, as National Security Adviser, even as the policies of the administration proved more and more faulty. Rewarded for her staunchness, by being made Secretary of State for the second Bush administration in 2004, and began putting far less of a bellicose imprint on the president’s second term, continually looking for diplomatic means to resolve world tensions, while remaining ever steadfast and loyal to the president, whom she has accidentally called, “my husband,” while remaining totally blind to his faults. Always gave him what he wanted to hear, rather than what he needed to know. Proved to be far more effective than her predecessor, thanks to an administration somewhat stunned by its failures and unpopularity, and willing to give her the leeway to act in accordance with her overall vision, trusting her abilities far more than they did Powell’s. Largely stuck in a thankless role, thanks to a recalcitrant administration that saw muscle as the answer to every problem, and diplomacy as a decidedly secondary solution. Able to sidestep hardliners because of her close bond with the president, although ran into a snag during the Israeli-Lebanon crisis of 2006, thanks to her desire to completely alter the dynamic of the Middle East, rather than employ stopgap cease-fires. With the fall of her rival Rumsfeld in late 2006, she suddenly became the target of administration criticism, tarnishing her carefully wrought image, as one of America’s most admired women, whose approval ratings always vastly outpointed those around her. After Cheney’s eclipse in early 2007, however, she was able to return to negotiation as a means of problem-solving, and impose her diplomatic will on a White House that had long viewed it as a sign of weakness, making deals with North Korea, and easing her way into a potential for the same with Iran. Following her run of office, she signed a $2.5 million contract with Crown to publish three memoirs. Inner: Chillingly disciplined, rises at 4:45 A.M. to work out and ends each day with a prayer. Very well socialized, moving from assertive to deferential and eager to calm, while always being, above all else, reassuring. Stubborn and loath to admit to mistakes. Decisive and impatient with intimates, but far more unobtrusive in the political realm. Never challenges superiors, quite the opposite with subordinates. Perfectionist, meticulous, optimistic and his/story obsessed. Prim and proper lifetime of combining deference and determination, in a unique, and so far successful, run through the highest halls of American power. Nicholas Fish II (1846-1902) - American diplomat. Outer: From a multi-generational powerful political family. Grandfather was Nicholas Fish (Prescott Bush). Eldest son of Hamilton Fish (James Baker), and brother of Stuyvesant Fish (George W. Bush, Jr.). Went to Columbia and then got his law degree at Harvard Law School. Married, with his son Hamilton Fish II, dying in 1898 in the Spanish-American War as one of the first Rough Riders to fall. After practicing law in in NY, he entered the diplomatic service. Made second Secretary of Legation at Berlin in 1871, then Secretary 3 years later, while acting as charge d’affaires, in the continued absense of the delegation’s chief. Served in the same capacity in Switzerland from 1887 to 1881, and then was minister to Belgium from 1882 to 1886. Returned to NY the following and through the auspices of his brother, became a member of the banking firm Harriman & Co., while also serving as president of the NY branch of the Society of Cincinnati. Assaulted outside of a saloon and died of a fractured skull later in a hospital with his wife by his bedside without regaining consciousness. His attackers and the reason for it would remain a mystery. Inner: Higly competent, although probably harbored some crypto-violence via his forced premature exit. Prepatory lifetime of getting ready to move up to the next level through his/her longtime association with the same powerfhouse family, as one of its secondary, albeit extremely able members.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS UNCOMPASSIONATE IDEALOGUE:
Storyline: The behind-the-scenes bureaucrat gets along by going along and not ruffling feathers, rising through the ranks through chumminess rather than charisma, and proving himself adequate, if not inspiring, in his repeat personal drive to be at the center of American power, from a hidden vantage-point, only to dip deep into his darkside once there.
Dick Cheney (Richard Bruce Cheney) (1941) - American politician. Outer: Of English, Irish and Welsh ancestry. Father was a soil-conservation agent for the Dept. of Agriculture, and a New Deal Democrat. One of 3 children. Grew up in Casper, Wyoming, where he was co-captain of his football team and senior class president. Went to Yale Univ. on scholarship, but was out of his element there, and was forced to leave because of poor grades. Became a high voltage telephone lineman, and picked up 2 DWIs, while remaining largely unfocused on his life. His future wife and high school classmate, state-champion baton-twirler Lynne Vincent, however, insisted he make something of himself if he wanted a life with her, and he wound up getting his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from the Univ. of Wyoming. In 1964, he married LV, who went on to forge a noticeable career on her own as a conservative ideologue, 2 daughters from the union, one of whom, Mary, would go against the perceived ‘normal’ sexual grain. Both did doctoral work at the Univ. of Wisconsin, but only his wife received her advanced degree, and all 3 members of his family would become his closest advisors. Able to avoid the Vietnam War through his ongoing status as a student with 5 deferments. Came to Washington on a congressional fellowship in 1968, and wound up working under a key Richard Nixon aide, Donald Rumsfeld. Became deputy to the latter when he was named Gerald Ford’s chief of staff, then succeeded him in 1975, becoming a key Washington player at 34, despite being a total electoral unknown. Returned to Wyoming on Ford’s subsequent defeat the following year, and after suffering his first heart attack at 37, began his own public political career in 1978 as a U.S. congressman for the next 12 years, easily winning all his subsequent elections, despite having little facility as a politician, benefiting, instead, from being from a sparsely populated and strongly Republican state. Established an extremely conservative voting record, while his affability ingratiated him into his party hierarchy, allowing him to become minority whip in 1988. Became Secretary of Defense for George H.W. Bush in 1989, showing himself to be unflappable during a period when the Pentagon budget sank, as did military morale, while his coalition building was central to the brief TV-fought Gulf War in 1991. Also began the process of privatizing some aspects of the military, which would come to full flower during his later vice-presidency. After Bush’s defeat for reelection in 1992 by Bill Clinton, he entered the private sector as chairman and CEO of a Dallas-based engineering and construction company for oil companies because of his international connections, although at the same time, he also began fashioning, along with Paul Wolfowitz and others, a war plan for taking over Iraq’s oil, and establishing American supremacy throughout the world. Reaped some $40 million in salary and stock options for 5 years on the job, despite his total lack of knowledge of the petroleum business when tapped for the position and the precipitous decline of its stock by the end of his tenure because of an ill-advised merger, and began getting an overinflated sense of his power. Thought about running for the presidency in 1996, then was tapped by George W. Bush as his running mate in 2000, after first being asked to oversee the choices for that role. Suffered a 4th heart attack during the campaign, while subtly underscoring the real force behind the younger Bush’s presidency, and its lack of heart. Also suffered from gout. In both 1994 and 2000, he announced the folly of going after Saddam Hussein, correctly assessing exactly what would happen if America did, although he was just voicing the political sentiments of the time, since he had every intention of toppling him. Subsequently viewed as prime minister to Bush’s boy king, becoming the most active vice-president in the country’s his/story, and, in essence, co-president, while secretly serving the hidden ruling elite as their political pointman. Code-named Angler by the Secret Service. Convened a secret energy task force, in his pursuit of Iraqi black gold, awaiting the proverbial smoking gun for the go-ahead, which came on 9/11/2001, with the destruction of NY’s twin financial towers. Largely went into hiding to supplement his war plans, while serving as the substance behind the surface of Bush, in his aggressive orchestration of response to the attack, while continually making a public case for the connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, despite no proof of such a link. Announced that America would have to “work the dark side,” in response to terrorism, and held to his word, while continually obsessing about doomsday scenarios. His actual strategy was frontloading the Middle East and Central Asia with as many military bases as possible, in order to insure a steady supply of oil to the U.S. in the wake of a far more competitive world for that precious resource. In addition, he oversaw the privatization of the government, and made secrecy standard policy, in his expansion of executive powers at the expense of American democracy. Became ever more the zealot in going after Hussein, and a prime force in invading Iraq in 2003, all the while issuing false rationales by the score for its failed aftermath, although later admitted the governance of the country should have been left up to the Iraqis. Once there, never intended on leaving, building huge billion dollar bases for the long run. Also came under fire for his close connections with Enron, a thoroughly discredited energy company which had dictated energy policy, as well as the government awarding huge contracts to Halliburton, in the rebuilding of Iraq. Increasingly seen as a tunnel vision puppetmaster, and the apotheosis of self-interest disguised as national security, but, nevertheless, handily won a second term with Bush in 2004, while successfully pushing a policy of permanent war on the American public. During the Hurricane Katrina aftermath in 2005, he suffered aneurysms behind both knees for which he was operated on, after touring devastated New Orleans in a gas-guzzling humvee, in his ongoing disdain for conservation of energy, while, ironically, at the same time, buying a 2nd multimillion dollar home, just as the hurricane was rendering thousands homeless. Saw his chief of staff, I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby, indicted afterwards for leaking the name of a covert CIA agent, but remained adamant in his steely certainty that his policies had America’s best interests at heart. In early 2006, he accidentally shot a former member of the Texas Board of Corrections in the face with birdshot, then did a public mea culpa, in a symbolic display of shoot first, cover-up, and then finally take responsibility for your actions, his ongoing modus operandi. His approval rating sank to 18% afterwards. As a coda to the drubbing his party took in the 2006 mid-term election, his gay daughter announced she was pregnant, as a final slap to his natural constituency, and their unnatural inclinations to turn on their own. 2007 would see a distant assassination attempt by the Taliban while visiting Afghanistan, and then a blood clot on his lower left leg from too many frequent flyer miles, just before his former chief of staff, Libby was found guilty on 4 of 5 counts of perjury and obstruction of justice, in the fallout over disinformation surrounding the buildup to the Iraqi War, although he would later have his sentence commuted by the president. Continually pushing for attacking Iran, although found himself outflanked by Condoleezza Rice, thanks to the failures of his policies, and the ongoing loss of influence of his hardline faction within the White House. Further besmirched his standing by declaring his office beyond the reach of conventional presidential laws, in an effort to avoid any close scrutiny of its documents. Remained defiantly protective of his legacy til the end of his co-presidency, while his relations with George Bush became more and more strained, particularly after the latter refused to pardon Libby. Pulled a muscle in his back while moving, and was forced to attend the inauguration of his successor in a wheelchair. Backs are always about support, adding a curious symbolic element to the end of one unsupported administration, and the beginning of its replacement. Became a harsh critic of Obama’s foreign policy afterwards, while trying to cement his reputation as an unflaggingly vigilant protector of America during his run of office. In early 2010, he suffered his fifth heart attack, albeit a mild one, then had a small pump installed in major surgery to stem his increasing heart failure. Inner: Affable on the exterior, steely on the interior, low-key, stoic and loyal, with a conservative agenda, and the ability to get things done. Monotonic speechmaker, but more and more the crusading zealot as events unfolded on the “war on terror.” Probably heavily influenced by his wife, who played an extremely important, albeit hidden, role in the Bush administration, making them the crypto-power couple of the 00s. Harbors a facility for not being there, disappearing into his own thoughts, putting him at a remove from all realities other than his own, even with his own family. His heart vulnerability indicates a far different and more wounded interior than the stoic public image he projects. Electric lineman lifetime of garnering unprecedented power by serving the needs of the planet’s hidden elite, only to be at such a remove from the realities around him, as to endanger the entire world with his failings of judgment and his inability to operate within ordinary lines of communication. James Sherman (James Schoolcraft Sherman) (1855-1912) - American vice-president. Outer: From a 7th generation Massachusetts family. His grandfather became wealthy as a glass manufacturer, while his father was a newspaper editor and Democratic holder of several appointed offices. His mother’s maiden name was also Sherman, while he was a distant relative of Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman (Vo Nguyen Giap). Educated at Whitestone Seminary, then Hamilton College, where he was only an average student but won debating honors, and proved quite popular with his classmates for his affable nature. Got an A.B. in 1878, and his law degree the following year. After passing the bar, he entered the law firm of his brother-in-law in 1880, and the following year he married Carrie Babcock, 3 sons from union. Practiced in Utica, with businessmen as his primary clients, while involving himself in Republican politics, contrary to his sire’s political affiliation. Elected mayor of normally Democratic Utica in 1884, and, although a nondescript politician, he had the state’s political machinery behind him and went on to serve 10 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1887 and 1909, voting according to party lines. Known as “Smiling Jim,” for his glad-handing affability and ease with people. Loyal to his cohorts in Congress and an accomplished parliamentarian, he ultimately became chairman of the House Committee on Indian Affairs, although was accused of corruption in diverting campaign funds for his own re-election and setting up dummy corporations to exploit Indian lands, despite showing an overt sympathy to Amerindians. While serving, he became president of his family-owned New Hartford Canning Company after his father’s death in 1895, and also organized and ran the Utica Trust and Deposit Company, starting at century’s turn. Played a pivotal role in Republican party politics, and actively sought the vice-presidential nomination under William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton) in 1908, as a non-threatening subordinate. Suffered a kidney ailment, a symbol of an inner sense of impurity, and was diagnosed with Bright’s disease, as well, after the two were elected. Able to execute his duties of office, but the re-election campaign in 1912 overtaxed him, and he died of uremia less than a week before the Republicans were defeated by Woodrow Wilson. Inner: Good social graces, loyal and competent, without any real spark. His ability to get along was his greatest asset, while evincing strong self-interest in his manipulation of his position for his own personal gain. Affable lifetime of employing his greatest asset, his sociality, to best possible advantage, and rising as far as he could possibly go with it, while showing an equal affinity for corruption and misuse of public trust. Richard Morris (1730-1810) - American justice. Outer: 3rd son of Lewis Morris (Prescott Bush), brother of Gouvernor Morris (Joseph Kennedy, Jr.) and Lewis Morris (George H.W. Bush). Enjoyed an upbringing of wealth and prestige, in his multi-generational powerhouse of a colonial family. Graduated from Yale College, and followed family tradition, reading the law. Admitted to the bar in 1752, he gained a reputation for his legal learning. Married Sarah Ludlow in 1759, and had 3 children, including Lewis Richard Morris (Jeb Bush). Followed the same path as his father and became a judge of the vice admiralty court in 1762. Tried to resign in 1775, but was told to stay until the political disturbances of the Revolution passed. Turned down the provisional government’s desire that he be the first judge of the new high court of the admiralty in 1776. In 1779, he was appointed chief justice of the New York state supreme court, where he showed little enthusiasm for the Revolutionary cause, but did his duties competently. Served inconspicuously in the NY state upper house from 1778 to 1780. Deliberately missed the final vote on the ratification of the Constitution. Retired in 1790, and spent his last 2 decades as a country gentleman on his estate in Scarsdale. Inner: Dignified, portly and knowledgeable aristocrat who was a loyal Federalist, but showed little flair for politics and was unoriginal in all he did. Far more into the past than his revolutionary present. Like father like son lifetime of allowing his strong heritage to mold and create him in the projected image of his ancestors, while all around him the world was crying for revolution from the past.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS PRAGMATIC PHLEGMATIC BUREAUCRAT:
Storyline: The colorless problem-solver serves as a political mr. fix-it for his longterm crew, without evincing a shred of the charisma it would take to get him to centerstage, and out from under the mixed talents and taints of his karmic family.
James Baker (James Addison Baker 3rd) (1930) - American cabinet officer. Outer: 4th generation Texas lawyer. His grandfather, ‘the Captain,’ helped turn Houston into an oil citadel. His family was largely apolitical and pragmatic, viewing business and money as their end-all. His father was known as the ‘Warden’ to the family and would occasionally get him out of bed in the morning by dousing him in cold water, while teaching him the 5 P’s, “Prior preparation prevents poor performance,” while his mother was from a prominent oil family. Went to a Pennsylvania prep school, then matriculated at Princeton Univ., where he was a classic major, writing his senior thesis on the post-WW II British Labor party. Spent 2 years in the Marine Corps, then got his law degree from the Univ. of Texas. Nominally a Democrat, he showed a facility for making money through shrewd investment, and as head of a real estate firm and a brokerage house. Married Mary McHenry, an active Republican, in 1953, 4 sons from union. Began practicing law as a high-powered corporate attorney for a Houston law firm. Met George H.W. Bush on the tennis court when his wife campaigned for him. After his wife died from leukemia in 1970, he became active in politics as county chairman at the suggestion of Bush to ease the pain of the loss. Ran Bush’s first Senate campaign in 1970, switching from Democrat to Republican. Although his candidate lost, he evinced excellent organizational ability, and became Texas state Republican finance chairman. Remarried Susan Garrett Winston, one of his wife’s closest friends, and the daughter of a rancher, in 1973, 1 daughter and 3 stepchildren from union. Appointed undersecretary of Commerce for Gerald Ford in 1975 and the following year, he managed his losing presidential re-election bid, although was credited with making the election closer than it should have been through his tactics. Rejoined his law firm in 1977, but remained active in politics. The following year, he made an unsuccessful run for Texas attorney general, then managed George Bush’s equally thwarted bid for the Republican presidential primary in 1980, before persuading him to step aside for Ronald Reagan’s juggernaut and accept the vice-presidential nomination. Became senior adviser to the Reagan campaign team, then served Reagan as White House chief-of-staff during his first term, proving a steadying influence and a good bridge with Congress through his organizational abilities, although serving as bete noir for the hard right for putting pragmatism over conservative principle. For his 2nd term, he became Secretary of Treasury, where he was far more effective in the international, rather than the domestic arena, before leaving the post in 1988 to manage Bush’s successful presidential campaign. On the latter’s election, which was based on relentless attacks on his opponent, rather than any clear-cut political vision, he was appointed Secretary of State, where he had a mixed record, facilitating the break-up of communism in Eastern Europe, but also showing poor judgment in guaranteeing loans to Iraq, which were used to support its nuclear weapons program. Resigned that position in 1992 to become Bush’s chief of staff and manage his losing re-election campaign, for which he was largely blamed. Extremely bitter about the second loss, he returned to his law practice, with the Washington law firm of Baker and Botts, which had been founded by his grandfather. Harbored his own presidential ambitions, although ultimately decided not to run on his own. Viewed by Bush as “my little brother,” although in his later presidential memoirs, was given little credit for his tenure as Secretary of State. Joined a Texas-based international law firm, and returned to the public eye as consigliere for George W. Bush, during his contested manipulations around the pivotal Florida vote in the 2000 election, and then served as an envoy to help clean up the international financial disarray created by his Iraqi invasion. Wrote his autobiography, “Work Hard, Study....and Keep Out of Politics,” in 2006, and the same year was made co-chair of the Iraqi Study Group, after asking Bush permission. The group’s refutations of the administration’s strategy, and pragmatic alternatives, would be largely rejected by the White House and earn him the label of ‘surrender monkey,’ by the hard right, in their ongoing disdain of him. Inner: Colorless but competent manager. Workaholic, with few political convictions, preferring pragmatism to principle. Functionary lifetime of bringing his bureaucratic skills to bear on a national level, although without any unifying vision behind his passionless competency. Hamilton Fish (1808-1893) - American politician and diplomat. Outer: Son of Nicholas Fish (Prescott Bush). Named for his father’s close friend, Alexander Hamilton (JFK). Graduated from Columbia Univ. with highest honors and was admitted to the bar in 1830. Became active in politics as a Whig, although lost his first election to the NY State Assembly in 1836. The same year, he married Julia Dean, a descendant of the 1st governor of NJ, who was an effective hostess and helpmate. 3 sons and 5 daughters from the union, including diplomat Nicholas Fish (Condoleezza Rice), railroad executive Stuyvesant Fish (George W. Bush, Jr.), and politico Hamilton Fish (Jeb Bush). Elected to the House of Representatives in 1842, and served one term, before being elected lt. governor and then governor of NY in 1848. Became a U.S. Senator in 1851 for one term, serving on the foreign relations committee. A moderate on the antislavery issue, he opposed extremists of both sides, and deplored the breakup of the Whigs as a national party. Because he was slow to embrace the new Republican Party, he lost his national standing, and became active in civic activities in NYC instead during the Civil War. Lauded Gen. U.S. Grant (Omar Bradley) after the war, and was appointed Secretary of State in 1869 after the latter won the presidency, proving to be the one bright spot in an otherwise sordidly corrupt administration. Despite reluctantly accepting the office under the proviso he stay but a few months, he wound up serving through both of Grant’s administrations, proving so adept at his duties that his advice was often solicited in domestic affairs as well. Able to secure treaties and indemnities with foreign powers, while tempering his own expansionist philosophies with his duties at hand. Twice failed to have an inter-oceanic canal built. Defender of American interests, while skillfully avoiding military conflicts, although he was indifferent to Reconstruction and unwilling to use his moral authority against his corrupt fellow cabinet officers. Following his retirement as a gentleman of means, he was active in many literary and philanthropic activities, and like his father before him, served as a trustee of his alma mater, Columbia Univ. Inner: Respectable, but undistinguished as a politician, far more suited to diplomacy and statesmanship. Moderate, modest, self-controlled, an aloof aristocrat whose true calling was tactfully dealing with the world-at-large. Passionless lifetime of privileged beginnings, and the ability to transcend an otherwise hopeless administration with his particular pragmatic skills, while keeping his moral sensibilities to himself in favor of getting his own job done. Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex (c1525-1583) - English nobleman. Outer: Eldest son of the 2nd Earl of Sussex. Educated at Cambridge, then was a member of Gray’s Inn. Served on several royal missions, before being made a baron. Helped suppress the Wyatt rebellion and assisted in the marriage negotiations between Felipe II (Adolf Hitler) of Spain and Queen Mary I (Rose Kennedy). In 1556 he was appointed lord deputy of Ireland by the latter. Attempted with little success to subdue a major Irish chieftain and his Ulster allies, but was able to restore an Irish loyalist to the crown to his lands. In 1557, he succeeded his father to the earldom of Sussex, then when Elizabeth I (Mae West) came to the throne, he was made lord lieutenant of Ireland in 1560. Introduced English settlements in the province of Leinster. Resigned his position 6 years later, leaving behind him a reputation for competence and statesmanship, and returned to England, where he became one of the governmental faction opposed to the devious Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Bob Hope), a continual enemy of his for his ongoing negotiations for matches for the queen. Continued as an influential courtier, negotiating an Austrian match for the queen that never came about and was appointed lord president of the north in 1569, where he put down several rebellions, although the queen found him too lenient. Supported further matches for the queen in the 1570s, which never came about. Inner: Competent and colorless lifetime of showing his martial and political leadership at the highest levels of government, although his ultimate legacy was as a failed royal matchmaker.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS POLITICAL JOKE:
Storyline: The geriatric youngster finds himself way over his head, when he seriously steps into the national spotlight, only to wind up stepping all over himself and becoming the object of derision, rather than purpose, despite a contrary desire.
James Danforth Quayle (1947) - American vice-president. Outer: Father was a successful businessman, whose company produced Lincoln Logs, the building toy. Mother was from a newspaper publishing family. Both parents were John Birch society members. Oldest of 4. His beliefs mirrored the sentiments of his family, in a highly political household, giving him an innate desire for power, as a means of impressing his kin. Attended DePauw Univ., where he received a B.A. in political science in 1969. 5’10”, 178 lbs. A mediocre student with little interest in studies, he held fantasies of becoming a professional golfer. Using his family’s pull, he joined the National Guard to avoid duty in Vietnam, despite being hawkish on the American role there. Later attended Indiana Univ. Law School at night, while using family connections to work for the Indiana attorney general and governor. In 1972, he married Marilyn Tucker, a fellow law school student, 3 children from union. The pair would be closely intertwined in their ambitions and beliefs. Both passed their bar exam on the same day and opened a law practice in the upstairs office of his mother’s family’s newspaper building. Also acted as associate publisher and general manager of the Huntington Indiana Herald-Press for 2 years. Impressed by actor Robert Redford’s role in The Candidate, he decided to enter politics. Won an upset victory in his 1st race for the House of Representatives by attacking his opponent’s liberality. Despite his totally undistinguished run of office, he was re-elected by a monster margin, even though he was known as ‘Wet Head,’ in the House. In 1980, he was the youngest senator ever elected from Indiana, once more attacking his opponent’s relatively liberal record. In 1986, he was re-elected by the largest margin ever up to that time, proving that superficiality and negativity were his most important political attributes. Tapped as George H.W. Bush’s vice-president in 1988, he acted like an overeager puppy when introduced to the nation, then humiliated himself in subsequent televised debate trying to pass himself off as another JFK. Code-named Scorecard by the Secret Service, a name previously assigned to Pres. Dwight Eisenhower because both spent so much time on the golf course. During his term in office, he proved himself to be a ‘deer-in-the-headlights’ bumbler who became a national joke through his own continual gaffes. Tried to present himself as spokesman for family values, taking on Hollywood and its fictional characters as his amoral foils. Failed along with Bush to win re-election in 1992, and returned to civilian life, trying to rehabilitate himself through writings and speeches. Wrote Standing Firm in 1994, and co-authored The American Family. Declined to run for the governorship of Indiana, staying out of elective politics for the rest of the decade, until his children were old enough to leave home, while moving with his wife to Arizona. Suffered a life-threatening blood clot in his lungs in 1995, but recovered after the removal of a benign tumor. A continuing need to rehabilitate himself in the public eye, however, made him enter the 2000 Republican primary race, although he failed to gain much support and was one of the earlier drop-outs. Continues his public career as a syndicated columnist, global chairman of the hedge fund Cerberus Capital Management and president of a political action committee, while also serving as president of an Arizona newspaper consortium in his ongoing desire to remain active fodder for late night TV comedians. Inner: Good-natured, superficial, error-prone conservative ideologue with a gift for gaffes. Egg-on-his-face lifetime of overachievement well beyond his limited abilities, and perhaps some ultimate lessons in how to redesign himself more effectively for future more satisfying lives in his dearly desired headlights of fame and power. Cornelia Fairbanks (Cornelia Cole) (1852-1913) - American political helpmate. Known as “Nelllie.” Outer: Father was a judge. Probably had a relatively liberal upbringing where women’s education was deemed important, although their ultimate place was seen in the home afterwards. Went to Ohio Wesleyan Univ. and was co-editor of the school newspaper with Charles Fairbanks (Marilyn Quayle), before graduating in his same class. Married Fairbanks in 1874, one daughter and four sons from the union. Served as a willing helpmate to her husband’s career, advising him and acting as an audience to his speeches before he officially gave them. A popular hostess in Washington when her husband became vice-president to Theodore Roosevelt (Kathleen Kennedy) in 1904. Served as President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution, from 1901 to 1905 during her stay in the capitol. Predeceased her husband by 5 years. Inner: Known for her grace and charm. Felt women should hold public office, even though she expired before women even had the vote. inner: Support lifetime of exhibiting far more memorable skills from the female side of his/her larger make-up, before she and her spouse switched gender roles to far less ultimate effect. Priscilla Mullins (1604-1680) - American political helpmate. Outer: Of Puritan descent, daughter of one of the Mayflower pilgrims. Involved in the famous courtship of Myles Standish, where she uttered the immortal line, “Speake fore yourselfe, Johne” when her future husband, John Alden (Dan Quayle), proposed as a stand-in for Standish. The incident also may have been totally mythopoetic. In 1623, she married Alden, 11 children, and holds no other claim to fame. Inner: Support lifetime for a politically ambitious mate, and through the poetic imagination of a later figure, a symbole of directness and speakinge one’s owne minde.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS PURITANICAL IDEOLOGUE:
Storyline: The prim pilgrim adheres to her principles down through the centuries, while switching sexes to maintain an alternate support and star-turn partnership in the political arena, while slowly learning to open up her tight, hidden interior.
Marilyn Quayle (Marilyn Tucker) (1949) - American political helpmate. Outer: From a right-wing family with a strong fundamentalist overview. Nicknamed ‘Merit’ for her accumulation of Girl Scout badges. Attended Indiana Univ. Law School with her future husband, and in 1972, married Dan Quayle, 3 children from children. The duo created a ‘best friend’ type of relationship, in which their equal partnership was centered around his potential mega-political career, which never really flowered. Passed her bar exam on the same day as her husband in 1974, and the pair opened up a law practice as Quayle & Quayle in the upstairs office of his father’s newspaper. Became a conservative lawyer with powerful political instincts and convictions, and the force behind her husband’s relative meteoric rise, despite his frequent embarrassing pronouncements. Forced to tone down her severe image when her spouse became vice-president in 1988, and worked hard to present herself as a more humane and compassionate person. Enjoyed the power and trappings of office, despite her mate becoming a national figure of mockery, and a running joke on late-nite TV. Code-named Sunshine by the Secret Service. After the Republican’s lost the White House in 1992, she advised him not to run for office again until their teenagers were safely out of the house, and moved with him to Arizona, where she continued her law practice, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Also wrote a potboiler, “Embrace the Serpent,” at the same time. An activist in conservative circles, and eventually right there for her husband, despite misgivings about campaigning again, when he announced his candidacy in 1999 for yet another presidential run, which quickly petered out, in favor of the favored son of their former mentor, George W. Bush, Jr. Inner: Controlled, calculating, highly ambitious, with the potential of one day becoming a candidate herself. Support lifetime of attempting to open up her stiff, puritanical personality, while serving as the driving force behind her longtime mate in a role reversal, where her ambitions were subordinated to his, although her principles were not. Charles W. Fairbanks (1852-1918) - American vice-president. Outer: Descended from Puritan stock on his father’s side. Born poor, raised pioneer style on a farm, often laboring barefoot in the fields, giving himself a strong lifelong work ethic. Parents were Methodists and abolitionists. Showed an early affinity for books and learning. Worked his way through Ohio Wesleyan Univ., then studied law at night, while laboring for the Associated Press. In 1874, he was admitted to the bar. The same year, married Cornelia Cole (Dan Quayle), the daughter of a judge, 5 children from the union. His wife became president-general of the Daughters of American Revolution. Tall, slender, active socially. Moved to Indianapolis, and became a railway attorney, eventually growing extremely wealthy, while becoming involved in state politics. An old-guard conservative Indiana politician, he became the chief force in the state Republican party by 1896, making up for a rather repressed personality with his competency and determination. Elected senator that year and served until 1905. His quiet effectiveness was respected by that legislative body. In 1904, he was chosen as Theodore Roosevelt’s (Kathleen Kennedy) vice-presidential running-mate to balance the ticket, despite their differences in political philosophy. Later broke with him when he challenged William Taft’s (Bill Clinton) re-election in 1912. He was a losing vice-presidential candidate in 1916, and died 2 years later of nephritis. Inner: Stiff, very formal. Cold, forbidding in public, warmer in private. Repressed lifetime of creating himself from extremely modest beginnings, while cleaving to his ongoing conservative, puritanical principles. Charles Carroll (1737-1822) - American politician. Outer: From an old Irish Roman Catholic princely family. Given a sense of both tradition and privilege while growing up. Educated by Jesuits in Maryland, before returning to the Old World via 6 years at the College de St. Omer in French Flanders. Studied in Rheims and Paris, and then spent the years between 1753 and 1757 studying civil law in Bourges and Paris before finally finishing his education in London. Returned to the U.S. at the age of 28. Married Molly Darnall, his cousin in 1768. Seven children from the union, although only 3 survived. Leader of the Roman Catholic element during the Revolutionary period, and a member of the Board of War. Reluctant supporter of the Constitution. A state senator for nearly a generation, beginning in 1777, and a U.S. senator for the initial Senate for a 3 year stretch during that time, identifying with the conservative Federalist Party. His singular claim to fame was as the longest surviving signer of Declaration of Independence, living into his mid-90s. Worked for railroad and waterway companies at the end of his career, laying the cornerstone for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Retired to a huge Maryland estate, some 70-80,000 acres, as one of wealthiest citizens in U.S. at the time, because of his vast property. Inner: Conservative ideologue and Federalist, with religious traditionalism shaping his political overview. Actively involved in much of the activity surrounding the founding of the U.S., and yet left only a skin-deep impression. Present-and-privileged-at-the-beginning lifetime of trying to integrate his basic conservatism and deep sense of tradition during truly revolutionary times, while remaining resistant to them. John Alden (1599?-1697) - English/American Pilgrim. Outer: Origins obscured. Tall, blonde with blue eyes. Hired as a cooper by the London merchants who financed the Pilgrim’s colonial excursion to the New World. Landed in Massachusetts aboard the Mayflower in 1620, and later, along with Myles Standish (Prescott Bush), helped found the community of Duxbury, where he lived the rest of his extremely long life. Served in a variety of capacities, as agent for the colony, surveyor of highways, member of the local war council, and assistant to the governor from 1623 to 1641, and later from 1650 to 1686. Also twice served as deputy governor. Subject of 2 durable myths, one being that he was the first Pilgrim to set foot on Plymouth rock, and the other that he was a stand-in for Standish’s desire for the delectable hand of Priscilla Mullins (Dan Quayle), a daughter of one of the Pilgrims, whom he, himself, wound up wedding in 1623. The union produced 11 children. His most serious claim to fame was his longevity, in the survival realm, when, at the near age of 100, he became the last surviving signer of the Mayflower compact. Inner: Good speaker, strong interest in military matters. Perfect fit lifetime of finding his natural social and theological milieu among the Puritanical pilgrims and riding his good fortune for as long as his body would permit.

*

PATHWAY OF THE RULER AS PHILANDERING POLITICAL PARTNER:
Storyline: The self-sabotaging sensualist uses intimate partnership as his leverage to power, but cannot reconcile his base appetites with his equal hunger for his/story’s approval, despite a keen intelligence for facts and figures and a natural charisma.
Bill Clinton (William Jefferson Blythe III) (1946) - American president. Outer: Of English, Scottish and Irish ancestry. Despite his modest circumstances of birth, on his mother’s side, descended from the Plantagenet king Henry III (Jacqueline Kennedy), and is connected to every Scottish monarch as well as the current royal house of England. Mother was a highly personable nurse, father was a traveling salesman, who died 3 months before his son was born at the age of 28, after rolling his car into a drainage ditch and drowning. One younger brother, Roger, who idolized him, despite continually tarnishing the family name. Had difficulties with his abusive stepfather, whose name he adopted. Politically active while growing up, with a fascination for John F. Kennedy, although he also had an out-of-place sense of loneliness. Attended Georgetown Univ., and was a Vietnam war protester, avoiding the draft via schooling. Became a Rhodes scholar at Oxford, then graduated Yale law school, where he met his future wife and political co-partner, Hillary Rodham. Large and heavyset, 6’2” and blue-eyed, with his body weight fluctuating between 214 and 236 pounds. Inveterate junk food eater, as well as compulsively seductive, treating sex as if it were another form of comfort food. Taught at the Univ. of Arkansas and in 1975, married Hillary Rodham, one daughter, Chelsea, from the union. Had an extremely close political partnership with his wife, whose abilities he recognized immediately, although he repeatedly violated their bonds of matrimony. With the help of his spouse, he became state Attorney General, then 5 time governor of Arkansas, the youngest ever to win that office, beginning in 1978, losing once in 1980, before regaining the post. Both he and his wife would accept political favors, through a sense of entitlement, which would later cloud both their financial dealings in a state rife with corruption. Characterized as “Slick Willie,” but in 1992, he won the Democratic nomination and presidency over the incumbent George H.W. Bush, by better than a 2 to 1 electoral margin, despite allegations of his predatory sexual character. Each time he would be accused of a moral deficiency, he was able to rise to his own defense. His public image was enhanced by fellow Arkansan producer Harry Thomason and his wife Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. Code-named Eagle by the Secret Service. A centrist as chief executive, he often waffled on issues during his first term, which saw the opposing party gain control of Congress in 1994 and proclaim a moral revolution, which ultimately withered. Subject to an unusual amount of sniping while in office over his moral character and financial dealings, as well as a rabid hatred from the right, which accused him of everything from drug-running to murdering his suicided associate Vince Foster. Political enemy of Newt Gingrich, whose career and rise paralleled his own. Never particularly popular, although he exhibited a strong resiliency and the ability to rebound from his exposed failings. Far better promise maker than executor of saidsame, not fully realizing his sense of the presidency until his first term was almost over. Able to win reelection in 1996 over Robert Dole by a whopping 200 electoral votes, thanks to a strong economy and a weak opponent, while the fallout from his win resulted in the ultimate fall of Gingrich from his position as Speaker of the House. During his 2nd term, he suffered the ignominy of an impeachment trial over lying about an affair with a young White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. The independent council investigating him, Kenneth Starr, managed to alienate the American electorate with his fanatical moral pursuit, helping to win public favor for the otherwise beleaguered president, who managed to mount some $4m in legal fees over his various contretemps, despite being guilty of perjury, an impeachable offense. Although his marriage probably took an unsalvageable beating, his wife continued to publicly stand by him, while eventually taking the unprecedented step of running for the Senate on her own from NY, after the couple bought a house there to establish state residency. Able to weather the impeachment trial, which ultimately found him not guilty in 1999, while his approval ratings soared, thanks to his perceived ability to rise against adversity and continually salvage his career, if not his private life. Aggressive in his military stances against Haiti in his first term, and Kosovo in his 2nd, his foreign policy was inconsistent, while the country experienced several spectacularly violent incidents as unconscious reflection of his stances. Wound up increasing the federal and state prison populations to record levels in his need to appear tough on crime, as an antidote to his own questionable legal behavior. Finished with a flourish, striking a deal for his lying under oath by forgoing his Arkansas law license, and paying a fine, then granting a host of controversial pardons, loading up on questionable gifts, and showing emphatically he would continue to be a public figure. Reluctantly left the White House, some $12 million in debt, to take on a gadfly role as Democratic adviser, while basing his offices in Harlem in NYC. In 2004, he published his best-selling, well-written, but bloated, autobiography, “My Life,” after getting a record $10 million dollar advance for it. On the final day of the Republican convention in 2004, he suffered chest pains, and while awaiting quadruple by-pass surgery, announced he wanted four more years like the Republicans, unconsciously saying he was embodying the pain of Democratic defeat. Opened his presidential library, the largest of its kind, several months later in the pouring rain, as, perhaps, a final say from on high about his presidency. Despite being a public scold about his successor, he became chummy with the Bushes during the disaster relief efforts that unfolded in 2005, in an attempt to help redefine his wife as a fellow centrist, while working on his own rehabilitation in the public mind. Through the dint of his personality, able to raise billions for his Clinton Global Initiative in order to address world problems, while also engaging in a number of murky business deals while running with a pleasure-loving posse that did nothing to elevate his status as a statesman. Reeled in some $109 million dollars from his various transactions, after the century’s turn, while refusing to detail his Library donors. Hit the campaign trail with his wife in 2007, and lent his charisma to their mutual desire for another eight years in the White House, although wound up as yet another divisive voice in her neck-and-neck race with Barack Obama. His trash-talking and intimations of a dual presidency would hinder rather than help her, in yet another self-destructive display on his part, in his ongoing saga as dualistic poster boy for 20th and 21st century Democratic politics. Able to reel in his true feelings, by giving verbal support to Obama at the Democratic Convention, rehabilitating himself somewhat from his earlier campaigning excesses geared towards keeping himself as the primary totem of his party. Later cleaned up his act around foreign investors and donators for his library in preparation for being vetted for his wife’s appointment for Secretary of State. Scored a personal diplomacy triumph in 2009 by securing the release of two journalists held by the hermit kingdom of North Korea, and following year had stents put in a closed artery, to relieve his ongoing heart problems. Inner: Affable, narcissistic, gregarious, articulate, ambitious, with a seeming compassion for the powerless. Extremely dualistic - idealistic and cynical, evasive and honest, focused and undisciplined, and equally embarrassing and inspiring, as well as wonkish and intuitive. Excellent memory, although completely non-introspective, and nondiscriminatory in his lusts and appetites. Great desire to please and be loved by the public, despite a curious sense of resistance to his career through philandering and waffling. Terrible-tempered, often aloof in private. Difficulty in coming to decisions, self-absorbed, and largely undisciplined. The recipient of a tremendous amount of hatred from those who found his sense of morality repulsive, particularly for a consensus figure with no real ideology. Open fly lifetime of shooting for the presidency from modest beginnings with a longtime partner and mate, while dealing with his own unresolved dualities about being in authority through continual acts of self-sabotage. William Howard Taft (1857-1930) - (1857-1930) - American president and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Outer: Of English and Scotch-Irish ancestry. From a politically prominent family. Son of an Ohio attorney, Alphonso Taft (Kenneth Starr) who later became U.S. Attorney General, but had his larger ambitions of being a Supreme Court justice thwarted. Younger half-brother of Charles Taft (Harry Thomason), who later helped him enormously in his political career. Also had one other older half-brother. His mother, Louise Torrey Taft (Linda Bloodworth-Thomason), was his father’s 2nd wife. A serene happy person, with executive ability, she was the daughter of a Boston merchant, and the intellectual equal of her spouse, with the ability to be both nurturing and dictatorial. One of 4 surviving children, with his oldest brother dying in infancy, although both parents had wanted a girl. His sire was a stern disciplinarian, and highly critical of his brood in order to push them to better themselves, which led to the early death of one son, a valedictorian at Yale, who subsequently had a nervous breakdown and died in a sanitarium. Nevertheless, both parents were lavish with love, which allowed him to trust his progenitor and confided in him, because of the pride he took in his scion’s accomplishments, which translated into his father’s establishing a tight network of support between his sons. Very close with his other brothers. Large and heavy-set, 5’11”, ultimately weighing over 300 pounds, with legs that seemed too short for his ample torso. A power-hitting amateur baseball catcher, he blew out his arm, ending his desire for a professional baseball career. Graduated Yale Univ. second in his class, and Cincinnati Law School and became a Cincinnati lawyer, working as a law reporter for a local newspaper, while involving him in local Republican politics. In 1886, he married Nellie Herron (Hillary Clinton), 3 children from union, including a future conservative senator, Robert Taft (Bobby Jindal) and college president Helen Herron Taft (Chelsea Clinton). His wife, who was initially shocked and angry that he proposed, and it took several more tries before she finally relented. Once wed, she was highly ambitious for him, and continually pushed him, when he would have preferred otherwise. From the age of 24 until his death, he held one appointed office after another. Had a particular love of the judiciary all his life, feeling they represented what he would meet in heaven under a just God. Became a Cincinnati judge, then U.S. Solicitor General in 1890, in Washington where he met Theodore Roosevelt (Kathleen Kennedy), before returning to the bench two years later on the U.S. Circuit Court for an 8 year run, much to his wife’s consternation, since she would have much preferred remaining in Washington. Always conscientious and hardworking in whatever position he was given. Appointed the first civil governor-general of the Philippines in 1901, establishing a policy that would eventually lead to self-government, thanks to his reforms, and largely color-blind policies, making him an extremely well-liked viceroy. Became so emotionally involved with his position, that he turned down an offer from then Pres. Roosevelt for a seat on the Supreme Court, despite it being his lifelong ambition. During his three years in the Philippines, he suffered from dengue fever and had to have three operations for abscesses. Finally agreed to being Secretary of War under Roosevelt for his 2nd term, enjoying a preferred status in the cabinet, before succeeding him as Republican president in 1908, with James Sherman (Dick Cheney), as his vice-president. An effective administrator, but a mediocre chief executive, since he felt the presidency had no power that was not spelled out in the Constitution, or by Congressional act. Had poor relations with the press, and his speechifying was usually long-winded and stodgy, as if her were a lawyer explaining everything in legalistic terms. His singular contribution to the presidency, was the creation of the Oval Office. Lost control of Congress midway through his term and was further undermined by his party’s Speaker of the House, Joseph Cannon (Newt Gingrich). Continued his predecessor’s policies of trust-busting, and instituted the Dept. of Labor, but annoyed his party progressives with his tariffs and conservation policies. Fired Gifford Pinchot (Al Gore), a close conservation ally of Roosevelt, which irked the latter no end. His 4 years in White House were the unhappiest period of his life, underlined by his wife’s nervous breakdown while in the executive mansion. Suffered from sleep apnea, often dozing off during meetings. Ultimately had a falling out with his mentor, TR, who formed a 3rd party and ran against him for his 2nd term, helping to hand the presidency over to Woodrow Wilson. Left the White House with no regrets, and became a professor of constitutional law at Yale for 8 years. In 1921, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and realized his life’s true ambition, which had been his father’s as well. Proved far more suited for the Court than the presidency. Tried to unite it so as to reduce the number of dissents and give it a greater efficiency, while maintaining his conservative convictions throughout his stay. Died of debility and heart failure a month after resigning his position due to ill health. Inner: Good-humored, slothful, gregarious, with a strong sense of public duty. His gross appetites centered around food, rather than the opposite sex in this go-round. Able, kindly, humane and a notorious procrastinator, with an upper-class concern for the powerless. Good judge of character, and a carrier of grudges. Large-bodied lifetime of being pushed into the political arena by his wife’s desires rather than his own, forcing him to act out of an inner sense of responsibility rather than his own desires, and suffering for it, by not being who he felt he really was until the last decade of his life. Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) - American writer & political wife. Outer: Father James Otis, Sr. (Kenneth Starr) was prominent in Mass. politics, as a judge, brother James Otis (Vince Foster), became one of the primary initial voices of the American Revolution, before being upended by his own instability. Informally schooled from her brother’s tutors, although she received no formal education. In 1754, she married up-and-coming politico James Warren (Hillary Rodham Clinton), 5 sons from union. Her husband recognized her as the superior intellect of the 2, claiming she had, “a man’s mind in a woman’s body.” The pair were highly active socially and politically, working in close tandem, while being near to the center of events throughout the pre and post-Revolutionary period, thanks to their mutual connections and ambitions. Conventional until her mid-40s. Saw ambition as a key to character, and people as key to events. Maintained a lively salon, and was an early feminist, playwright, poet and his/storian, ultimately limning a 3 volume opus on the personalities of the day. Helpmate in her husband’s largely failed political career. Eventually became estranged from the power structure because of her expressed perspective. Corresponded with Abigail Adams (Anne Heche) on the failure of women to be given equal opportunity, although criticism of her husband later caused a breach in their relationship that was not reconciled until shortly before her death, 6 years after her husband’s. Polemicist, not particularly well-liked, but a teller of truth as she saw it. Inner: Articulate, impassioned, honest. Extremely conscious of her secondary female role. Ardent patriot, identifying heavily with colonist cause. Penwoman lifetime of intertwining self-expression and politics, so as to give her more of a surety about herself and how she could best realize her power in direct prelude to her later gender-switching incarnations in more egalitarian times. William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) - English nobleman. Outer: Born to great wealth, mother was an heiress, while his father was an MP. 2nd of 3 children and older brother of mathematician, Charles Cavendish (Al Gore, Jr.), with their oldest sibling having died in infancy. Educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, although showed far more of an interest in sports than academics. Fascinated by horses and horsemanship throughout his life, and later had a riding school built on his estate. A companion of Henry, Prince of Wales (Robert Shaw), he traveled to Italy with him. Elected as an MP in 1614, he became a disciple and later patron of Ben Jonson (Norman Mailer), who would effect his writing style. Inherited his sire’s title and estates in 1617, and the following year, he married an heiress, two daughters, and two surviving sons out of four from the union. Entertained James I (Kenneth Tynan) at his father’s estate, a miniaturized castle in 1619, piled up titles, and succeeded to his mother’s estates in 1629. Also entertained Charles I (George VI), spending some £20,000 pounds doing so, in a desperate desire for a court appointment. Along with his brother, he was the center of a scientific and philosophic circle, lending his name and monies to research and experimentation. Spent a great deal of his time involved in pursuit of the arts, particularly music, while gathering men of letters around him, as an important patron of his times. Became sole gentleman of the bedchamber in 1638, as well as governor of the future Charles II (Peter O’Toole), and the following year, finally achieved his ambition of becoming a privy councilor, just in time for the outset of the English Civil War. A royalist to the core, he lent the king £10,000 and raised a troop at his own expense against the Scots in 1639, while accruing more offices over the next three years, during which time his wife died. Withdrew from the court, although successfully financed and commanded Royalist forces during the early part of English Civil War, rising to lieutenant-general, while blaming the king’s fall on those around him, rather than the monarch himself. After the defeat of royalist forces, he went into exile on the continent, joining the queen’s court, where he met and married his 2nd wife, Margaret Lucas (Hillary Rodham Clinton), in 1645. Lived in Paris, then Amsterdam, then Rotterdam in great financial straits during the latter part of the English Civil War and the Commonwealth, working in loose concert with the exiled Charles II, before gradually withdrawing from political concerns, and spending much of his time training horses, while also publishing several treatises on the subject. Forced to pawn his wife’s jewels and incur heavy loans for his ongoing loyalty. Accompanied Charles to London on the Restoration in 1660, but only had part of his lands restored, since he had spent nearly £1,000,000 in the royal service. Created duke of Newcastle in 1665, but showed little interest in politics thereafter and devoted the rest of his life to writing plays and poems and breeding horses. Patron of writers throughout his life, and the subject of a flattering biography by his wife, who predeceased him. Inner: Loyal, intelligent and perservering. Expert horseman and swordsman, with a great love of music and art, vigorously supporting the latter two. Great believer in the monarchy, although a mediocre general at best. Testing lifetime of being born into extreme wealth, power and privilege during highly stressful times, while trying to balance his inner and outer self, through martial and mental exercise, and the loss of his once secure base. Margaret Paston (Margaret Mauteby) (?-1474) - English noblewoman. Outer: From a wealthy background, cousin of John Fastolf (Robert Dole). Inherited estates in Norfolk, and in 1440, contracted a marriage with John Paston (Hillary Rodham Clinton), a country gentleman. The union was encouraged by her groom’s parents, who saw her landholdings as a complement to their son’s ambitions. 5 sons and 2 daughters. Their eldest son, John Paston (Vince Foster), was a charming ne’er-do-well, far more interested in his own pleasures than family business, although she shielded him from her husband’s disparagement while the latter was alive. Contributed to the Paston Letters, a series of correspondences between various members of the family, and John Fastolf, whose estate her family ultimately inherited. Aggressively pursued her husband’s interests in court while he was away, and adamantly refused to leave a manor under attack by the family’s enemies, before finally being carried out. After her husband’s death, she struggled to maintain their large combined estate, while her oldest son continued to drive her to despair. Inner: Aggressive, good manager, unafraid of standing up for herself. Expanding lifetime of developing her communication skills, while learning about power through property and connection with the longtime family with whom she would continue to interact in her/his ongoing education in political and power partnership.

*

PATHWAY OF THE RULER AS INCOMPLEAT POLITICAL PARTNER:
Storyline: The hard-driving helpmate emerges from the straitjacket placed around women of power to become a driving force via her mate’s talents and liabilities, in preparation for her own solo stance as a poll-driven pol, more than willing to compromise everything to achieve her goals.
Hillary Rodham Clinton (1947) - American First Lady and senator. Outer: Of English, Scottish, Welsh and French/Canadian descent. Daughter of a Republican in the drapery business, who was cranky and domineering, and loved to find fault with his progeny. Mother was also a staunch Republican and traditional home/maker, who had been largely abandoned as a child. Had a comfortable Methodist upbringing, while expressing political awareness early on with a teenage sense of social justice. A National Merit Scholarship finalist in high school, as well as a debater and active in student government. Head of the local chapter of Young Republicans at Wellesley College, but after the assassinations of 1968, and street violence at the Chicago Democratic Convention, she switched her party allegiance. The following year, she was the first student at Wellesley ever asked to deliver the commencement address. Graduated Yale Law school in 1973, where she met her future husband Bill Clinton. While there, she served on the editorial board of the law review, all the while remaining politically and socially active in a variety of pursuits. Moved to Washington, D.C. in 1974, and worked on the House Judiciary Committee’s inquiry into the impeachment of Pres. Richard Nixon. Turned down a number of prestigious positions to move to Arkansas and teach at the Arkansas School of Law. Married Bill Clinton in 1975, although retained her maiden name until 1982, and then became known by 3 names, one daughter, Chelsea, from the union. Pursued her own legal career as well as a direct partnership in her mate’s political ambitions, while ignoring his continual and compulsive infidelities. Forced to downplay her aggressiveness in Clinton’s political rise, as well as deny his ongoing promiscuity. Worked on his various campaigns, as he rose to governor of the state in 1978, and in 1980, she was made a partner in her law firm, Rose Law, where she proved a taskmaster for her staff. Focused on health care and child welfare during her husband’s 5 terms as Arkansas governor, while serving on the board of several corporations, where a sense of entitlement would cause questions galore about both her and her husband’s financial dealings. Weathered a difficult national campaign in 1992, standing by her man as he confessed to causing pain in their marriage, and was swept into the White House along with him. Code-named Evergreen by the Secret Service. Devastated by the suicide of White House counsel and longtime friend Vince Foster in 1993, which would engender conspiracy theories and rumors galore, including a romantic involvement between her and him. Became the first First Lady to actively pursue programs and policy, as head of a task force on National Health Care Reform, but her efforts were defeated in a nasty partisan Congressional debate, while she became Shrillary, to her vast horde of detractors. Subsequently subpoenaed for questionable billing practices and business deals, she was forced to take a less active public role in her husband’s presidency during its first term. Proved to be a far more effective ambassador overseas, with her own women’s rights and health care agenda. Although the duo maintained a united public front, their behind the scenes battles were cause of much speculation about the true nature of their marriage. In his 2nd term, she defended him aggressively as the target of a vast right-wing conspiracy when he was brought up for impeachment charges on grounds of obstructing justice arising from yet another of his sleazy affairs. Their marriage was probably irretrievably broken at his admission to the nation and to her that he had lied about his involvement with his young intern, Monica Lewinsky. In an unprecedented move, she decided to run for Senator from N.Y. during their 2nd term of office, while remaining a controversial bete noir to Clinton-despisers everywhere. Ran for the Senate in 2000, only to see her primary opponent, NYC mayor Rudolph Guiliani, undone by the same adulterous behavior as her mate. Ironically, won far more sympathy and positive approbation for being the victim of a ‘hound dog husband,’ than for her incisive intelligence and drive, and was elected. Her reputation was tarnished at the end of the Clinton presidency, by her brother’s involvement in controversial pardons by her husband, and for being forced to give back numerous gifts on leaving the White House. Author of several books, including, It Takes a Village to Raise a Child. Sold her unrevealing memoirs, “Living History,” for a near-record $8m, and it became a bestseller. Far less controversial during her senatorial run, taking middle-of-the road positions, and offending many elements of the left. Continued playing it safe-and-center all through the pre-primary period, although turned against the war in Iraq, when popular opinion did, after first voting for it, while handily winning re-election as senator in 2006. Announced at the beginning of 2007 that she was in it to win it for the Democratic nomination for the presidency, and showed herself to be such an early party favorite, that she thought the nomination was all but hers prior to the primaries. Wound up, however, head-to-head with Barack Obama, as they deepened, thanks to the youthful support of her far more inspiring, yet far less substantive opponent. Despite calls for her to step aside, when it looked as if it would be impopssible for her to gain the requisite delegates, as well as continued money trouble, she showed her tenacity and willingness to take the low road in her all-consuming desire to be the precedent-making first president of the United States of her gender. Kept rising from the dead throughout the latter stages of the campaign, thanks to mischievous Republican crossover votes, although her negativity and exaggerations would erode her popular image even more. Eventually lost the nomination via the primaries to Obama, and after much pressure from supporters, finally conceded at the end of them, and offered her rival her support in a rousing conciliatory speech, followed by an electric talk at the Democratic Convention, leaving no doubt as to her loyalty to her party’s nominee. In return, she was named Secretary of State in his new administration, despite overt differences in foreign policy between the two during the campaign. Refused to resign her Senate seat, however, until she was officially confirmed, then immediately showed herself to be far more candid than her predecessors on her first trip to Asia, in her desire to put her personal imprint on the State Department. Subsequently proved to be a loyal soldier, while secretly chafing at her secondary role, although the two would eventually find a satisfactory rhythm by 2010, with her playing the hard-nose, and he the negotiator, with problem-solving as their mutual connection. Inner: Hard-driving, controlled and highly ambitious, as a prototype for the aggressive female side of partnerships in power. Great powers of concentration and highly self-disciplined. More the do-gooder than the liberal, with her career as her overriding focus. Not a particularly effective speaker, far more the rationalist than the emotionalist. Willing to compromise mightily in her husband’s compulsive philandering, in order to maintain a powerbase with him. The victim of much sexual innuendo, concerning her own preferences and longtime lightning rod for the right, despite her own moderate positions on most issues. Emerging and submerging lifetime of trying to integrate her strong self will with popular will and wishing to be respected for who she is, rather than who most people would prefer her to be, despite ultimately pandering to the latter perception. Helen Taft (Helen Herron) (1861-1943) - American political helpmate. Known as “Nellie.” Outer: Father was a distinguished lawyer and politician, who had been a college classmate of future president Benjamin Harrison (Walter Mondale), as well as a law partner of future chief executive (Rutherford B. Hayes). Her mother was both the daughter and sister of a congressman. Had a privileged upbringing, with politics deeply ingrained into her blood. At 17, she was a house-guest in the White House of the Hayeses, and announced she would someday marry someone destined for the same abode. Graduated from Miami Univ. in Ohio, and made her social debut at 19. Taught in private schools, and with a pair of friends, began a literary salon, which attracted fellow Cincinnatian William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton) and a subsequent tempestuous courtship twixt the two. Initially shocked and angry that he proposed, she was unwilling to make such an emotional commitment, although after several more proposals, both via correspondence and in person, she relented. True to her self-fulfilling prophecy, in 1886, she married Taft, 3 children from the union, including a future conservative senator, Robert Taft (Bobby Jindal) and college president Helen Herron Taft (Chelsea Clinton). Intensely political and highly ambitious for her husband, she constantly pushed him in his career, while competing with his mother for control over him. Edited his speeches, listened to congressional debates, and continually tried to manipulate him into a run for the White House, when he had a clear preference for the judiciary. After the century’s turn, he was appointed governor-general of the Philippines, a position she quickly learned to love. As Philippine first lady, she threw herself into her duties, learning Spanish, deliberately inviting Filipinos to state functions contra earlier separatist policies, and taking good will tours to remote islands and provinces. Thoroughly enjoyed being a crypto-queen, and quite reluctantly left Malacanan Palace to return to ordinary existence at the end of his stint. Became a cabinet wife, which she found anticlimactic, and then finally achieved her goal, when her spouse was designated as Pres. Theodore Roosevelt’s (Kathleen Kennedy) successor in 1908, despite his continued desire to be on the Supreme Court, a position denied his father, who had similar ambitions. After his election, she broke precedent when she accompanied Taft on his Inauguration Day drive from the Capitol to the reviewing stand. Established a very formal White House, including liveried footmen, and initiated the practice of following state dinners with musicals or theatrical presentations. Suffered a paralytic stroke from worry after 2 1/2 months as First Lady, which paralyzed her right side and her facial muscles, but she recovered by the 3rd year to become a viable hostess again. A lively invalid, she filled all the rooms of the executive mansion to overflowing with exotic plants, and continued to entertain lavishly. Had several nervous collapses, largely from having her own sense of power restrained, but always rallied afterwards. Had to be taught to speak again after her stroke, and had a speech impairment for the rest of her life, thanks to a very slow recovery. Nevertheless, she participated as actively as she could in her husband’s presidency, sitting in on conferences and attending congressional debates. Imported 3000 cherry blossoms from Tokyo to give Washington its traditional spring look, then had great difficulty in leaving the White House, but was active in the suffragette movement afterwards. Became the first First Lady to publish her memoirs, Recollections of Full Yearswhich came out in 1914, and remained in Washington following her husband’s death, outliving him by 13 years. Continued her activism with a host of organizations, and died at home, before becoming only one of two First Ladies buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Inner: Intelligent, high-strung and extremely ambitious, with a great need to be active and relevant. Reserved and literary, with a coldness that hampered making friends easily. Very controlling.and moody. Queen-at-heart, with a regal sense about her. Corseted lifetime of literally being made to feel her helplessness as a political shadow rather than a substantive figure, once she had achieved her early goal, making for a great desire for a repeat future White House residency, and then a run on her own, in order to try to finally actualize her longtime personal ambitions. James Warren (1726-1808) - American politician. Outer: Oldest son of a Mayflower descendant on his father’s side. Graduated Harvard in 1745, and became a merchant, then a lawyer and gentleman farmer. In 1754, he married Mercy Otis (Bill Clinton), the sister of politician James Otis (Vince Foster), 5 sons. Commissioned during the Revolutionary War, but resigned because he refused to be subordinated to an officer of lesser rank. A good organizer, he spent the war working for the Eastern Dept. He and his wife proved to be a very prominent power couple of the American revolutionary period, and were close to the center of events throughout the early founding of the United States. Very active politically and socially. Member of the Mass. lower House, but was defeated for re-election because of his military waffling. Declined several positions, then became Speaker of the Mass. House, but his stands alienated allies. Political enemy of John Hancock (Newt Gingrich). Finally retired from active politics to become a scientific farmer. Defeated in his subsequent tries for election and ended his life querulous and feeling rejected. Inner: Idealistic, Jeffersonian Democrat, with a strong belief in the will of the powerless. Initially popular, then contentious and disliked. Frustrated lifetime of taking strong principled stands and actively pursuing a career that would eventually reject him, giving him great pause about his ongoing quest for the public love and trust in male form, and who and what he should really be to finally win it on his own terms. Margaret Cavendish, duchess of Newcastle (Margaret Lucas) (Margaret Lucas) (1624?-1674) - English writer. Outer: 8th and youngest child of an English aristocrat, who was an Irish privy councilor, and died when she was a year old. Mother proved to be a shrewd manager, with little or no male help, and provided her with an exemplar of female cleverness, strength and fortitude. Educated at home, while spending half the year in London. Brought to the royal court in 1643, at the outset of the English Civil War as maid of honor to Queen Henrietta Maria (Queen Mother Elizabeth) and served her in exile in Paris, but intensely disliked the role and the displacement. Escaped her position through marriage in 1645 to the much older, by over three decades, William Cavendish (Bill Clinton), becoming his 2nd wife, to the disapproval of both queen and courtiers. Barren, with no interest in domesticity, the couple moved to Antwerp, where they lived in relative poverty. Her brother Charles was executed in 1648, and three years later, she went to England with her brother-in-law Charles Cavendish (Al Gore) for a year and a half to try to gain something from her Royalist husband’s sequestered estates, to offset their debts, but failed to do so. While there she published a set of poems in which she propounded her own derivative atomistic theory. Returned for good after the 1660 Restoration of the crown when their estates were partially restored. Viewed as an eccentric because of her intellectualizing and devotion to self-expression, and derided by the court, she decided to retire to the country, which suited her far better. Wrote continuously throughout her adult life, including a celebrated biography of her husband, as well as plays and more philosophic treatises. Kept a large contingent of young women about her, who occasionally wrote down what she said. Some of them slept in a room next to hers, so that they would be ready any hour of the day or night, at the tinkle of her bell, to commit her thoughts to paper. Served as a teacher, in this way, to incipient feminist consciousness, and predeceased her aged husband by two years. Subsequently, he had an elaborate funeral procession in London for her, while later his’n’herstory would have a mixed view of her talents as a writer. Inner: Pre-feminist, although very wrapped up in her husband’s position and career. Saw that men undervalued women, and was very much interested in expressing her own private sense of power. Pen-in-hand lifetime of developing her communication skills from an observational and quasi-feminist perspective during a time when such things were frowned upon by the controlling patriarchy. John Paston (1421-1466) - English country gentleman and letter writer. Outer: Father was William Paston (Kenneth Starr), a judge, who built the family’s modest standing through his connections, and also by marrying an heiress. Spent some time at Cambridge, and in 1440, through his parents efforts, married a Norfolk heiress, Margaret Mauteby (Bill Clinton), 5 sons and 2 daughters from union, including his eldest, John Paston (Vince Foster). After his father’s death in 1444, he divided his time between his Norfolk estates and his London chambers. Did legal work in London for his kinsmen, and sat in Parliament as a knight of the shire for Norfolk, while exercising some influence with the king, Edward IV (Ethan Hawke). A friend of his wife’s cousin, John Fastolf (Robert Dole), with whom he conducted a correspondence, which has come to be known as the Paston Letters. On Fastolf’s death, he produced a questionable will dated 2 days before his death, which entitled him to his considerable possessions. Despite his seemingly legal claim to them, the inheritance elicited considerable jealousies, and he was forced to spend the rest of his life trying to maintain his hold on those estates against the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, spending some time in jail during the process, while his wife competently dealt with their mutual problems. Some of his lands were overtaken, as the duke of Norfolk took Fastolf’s castle at Caister in 1461. Had difficulties with his eldest and same-named son over his lack of ambition and judgment. Inner: Hard, self-seeking, unsympathetic, grudged his siblings’ claim on his father’s provisions. Cool, calculating, cunning. Slick Hillary lifetime of honing his communication skills, while showing his devious nature in laying claim to lands not his own, and then trying to defend them in a curious preview of some of the personalities of 20th century American politics.

*

PATHWAY OF THE ADVOCATE AS JUDGMENTAL JUDGE:
Storyline: The punishing patriarch finds his former son guilty of misjudgment and takes a karmic family affair and makes it his own private crusade, only to wind up being judged as totally lacking in judicial restraint in his dogged obsession with his own sense of justice.
Kenneth Starr (1946) - American lawyer. Outer: Father was a South Texas fundamentalist minister, had a conservative, traditional upbringing. Traumatized in the 6th grade by a teacher who wrongly accused him of sneaking through a lunch-line without paying, he vowed to become a servant of the truth afterwards, while viewing lies as venal weapons. Attended George Washington Univ., and married Alice Mendell in 1970, 2 daughters and a son from the union. Appointed law clerk to the U.S. Court of Appeals, then became a law clerk to Chief Justice Warren Burger from 1975 to 1977. Continued with his Washington posts, serving as counselor to the attorney general from 1981 to 1983 and federal appellate court judge in D.C. from 1983 to 1989. Afterwards, he rose to be a partner in a Washington law firm, with his own Republican political agenda, and fashioned a successful career for himself, with a secret ambition to be a Supreme Court justice. Became a Solicitor General for the first Bush administration, but was bypassed for the Supreme Court, despite making the short list, and returned to private practice, running the offices of a Washington law firm. Through politics and powerful clients, including the American Tobacco Industry, he was appointed in 1994 as a special prosecutor to investigate the possibility of financial irregularities in Bill Clinton’s dealings around the Whitewater land development, when he was governor of Arkansas. After $40 million and no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, he was prepared to take an administrative teaching post, but was prevailed upon by his patrons to continue the hunt. A largely passive figure, with no real prosecutorial experience, he relied heavily on his staff of mostly second-rate lawyers and switched his investigation to Clinton’s sex life. Uncovered an affair he had with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, while co-operating with a second set of lawyers representing Paula Corbin Jones in her sexual harassment suit of the president. In 1998, he presented a truckload of papers to Congress with allegedly impeachable offenses against the president, including perjuring himself under oath and obstructing justice, causing the House of Representatives to open impeachment inquiries, which ultimately failed. Obsessively hounded the president to such degree, that he became the focus of the wrath of the American public, rather than his quarry, putting the role of special prosecutor up for future question, while accruing little to his own name. Became a part-time law school teacher while writing about the Supreme Court from his own personal experience First Among Equals, in 2002, and 2 years later he became dean of the law school at Pepperdine Univ. Inner: Extremely conservative moralist with a highly obsessive nature. Hounding the hound dog lifetime of attaching his fame, if not quite his fortune, to the peccadilloes of his former son, and riding it for all it was worth, which ultimately turned out to be nothing. Alphonso Taft (1810-1891) - American jurist and ambassador. Outer: Father was a farmer who became a judge and a member of the Vermont legislature. Raised on a farm and attended local schools, and taught school at 16 to help finance his education. Went to Yale University, where he cofounded the secret society, Skull and Bones, while teaching and working his sire’s farm during the summers, as well as walking back and forth from college to New Haven in order to save money. Graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1833, as the first member of his family to complete his higher education. Taught and tutored before studying law at his alma mater, and was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1838. Decided to move to the Midwest where he would have less competition and settled in Cincinnati in 1839, after being admitted to the Ohio bar. Quickly established a lucrative practice, which ultimately spanned 34 years, although he was more politically than money-oriented. A longtime Whig, he became interested in local politics and helped found the Republican Party in Cincinnati. Married Fanny Phelps in 1841, who died of tuberculosis 11 years later. 5 children from union, 3 dying in infancy, son Charles Taft (Harry Thomason) became a successful lawyer and publisher, while his other surviving son, Peter Rawson Taft (Vince Foster) would suffer emotional problems from his prodding, and ultimately die in a sanitarium, after laboring in his law firm. Married Louise Torrey (Linda Bloodworth-Thomason), the daughter of a Boston merchant and his fourth cousin twice removed, in 1853, 4 out of 5 children survived, including son William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton), who would go on to become President of the U.S. Two other sons and a daughter, as well, incluing Horace, a noted educator. A stern disciplinarian, and highly critical of his brood in order to prod them to better things. He and his wife were intellectual equals, and both believed in directly expressing love to their children. A Republican delegate to the National Convention in 1856, and an alternate 4 years later. Became a judge of the Cincinnati Superior Court for 3 terms, then served as Secretary of War under Pres. U. S. Grant (Omar Bradley), and later was his Attorney General. Held a secret ambition to be a Supreme Court justice, which his son eventually actualized. Ended his active career as Minister to Austria-Hungary and then Russia, although fell sick with typhoid pneumonia in the latter role, and teetered on the edge before returning home in 1886, with his health still quite precarious. Remained in Cincinnati until 1890, when his health became so tenuous, he was urged to retire to Southern California, where he lived another two years. Wound up leaving an estate of $482.80 and a house. Inner: Conservative traditionalist, initially preferring to be a big fish in a small pond. Possessed integrity and character, rather than any sense of daring. Dour and industrious, with a sweet and gentle nature, but also a firmness of purpose, and great ambition for his progeny. Studious and widely read, as well. Despite a relatively high profile career, largely undistinguished in all he did, garnering his ultimate fame by being the father of a famous son. Footnote lifetime of fame by proximity, a pathway he would continue to pursue his next go-round. James Otis, Sr. (1702-1778) - American colonel and justice. Outer: Fifth generation American. Father was a judge, colonel of militia and political representative. Had a brother John, who also had a public political life. Largely self-educated, he followed his sire’s career, becoming a lawyer and colonial publicist before achieving the same rank as colonel of the militia, a judge of the Common pleas, a judge of the probate court and a member of the Council of Massachusetts. Known as Colonel Otis. In his early 20s, he married Mary Alleyne, 13 children from the union, with several dying young, while his son of the same name, James Otis, Jr. (Vince Foster), played an important role in the pre-revolutionary war period, and far outshone his progenitor. His youngest son, Samuel Alleyne Otis, was also a prominent political figure of the time. Wanted to be appointed to the Chief-Justice post, but was snubbed by the governor in favor of Thomas Hutchinson (Aaron Sorkin) angering him and frustrating him greatly. At the same time, in 1761, he was reelected as Speaker of the House, and with his son’s help, pushed through an act which would begin the process of protecting American colonists from the long reach of their British colonial masters. Although the British colonial governor refused to approve the legislation, a blow had been struck for ultimate independence. Lived long enough to see independence a real possibility if not quite yet an actuality. Inner: Prototype lifetime of producing a son who would far outshine his own achievements, an ongoing theme of his, as goad and critic of his next generation to greater things than his own circumscribed capabilities. William Paston (1378-1444) - English judge. Outer: From the gentry class. Father was a plain husbandman who cultivated his own 100 acres. The family held no manor, as well as a humble genealogy, although its later generation tried to exaggerate it in claiming the estate of John Fastolf (Robert Dole). Founder of the family fortune after his father had to borrow money to keep him in law school. Also supported by a maternal uncle. Married Bridget Heydon, an heiress, 4 sons and a daughter from the union, including John Paston (Hillary Clinton). In 1413, he was made a court steward by a friendly bishop, and in 1421 he became a serjeant-at-law. In 1429, he was appointed a justice of the common pleas, and given 2 robes, an unusual bequeathal, connoting good connections. Noted for his fair conduct on the bench, winning the title of the ‘Good Judge.’ As a trustee and executor of numerous estates, he was involved in many judicial disputes, although he tried to be an impartial upholder of the law. Inner: Black-robed lifetime of self-creation from modest circumstances, while showing his usual mode of operation, finding powerful support and employing his extremely modest talents to maximum career benefit for himself.

*

PATHWAY OF THE COUNSELOR AS COMPULSIVE SELF-DESTRUCTOR:
Storyline: The unhappy advocate struggles mightily with his own diminished sense of self-worth, before continually sacrificing his life to a deep feeling of guilt and inadequacy within, after earlier showing himself to be quite the opposite, until literally being struck by lightning, in order to completely rearrange his internal workings.
Vince Foster (Vincent Walker Foster, Jr.) (1945-1993) - American lawyer. Outer: Father was a successful real estate agent. One of three children, with two sisters. A neighbor of future president Bill Clinton, and nineteen months older, the two were connected until the latter’s family moved when their son was 6. Always wanted to be a lawyer and join the state’s oldest law firm, Rose, which he eventually did. A good athlete, and quite popular, he wound up president of his class in high school, before going on to Davidson College, then opted for the law, rather than the family real estate business, as his progenitor had wished. Went to Vanderbilt Law School, before joining the Arkansas National Guard during the Vietnam War era. Tall, handsome, well-mannered, soft-spoken and elegant. In 1968, he married Lisa Braden, the daughter of an insurance broker, two sons and a daughter from the union. Transferred to the Univ. of Arkansas Law School to accommodate his military responsibilities and wound up editor of the law review, and first in his graduating class of 1971. Aced the Arkansas bar exam in similar manner, and the same year, he actualized his childhood ambition and joined Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, becoming a partner three years later. Oversaw legal aid through the auspices of the Arkansas Bar Association, and while so engaged, met Hillary Rodham, whom he helped join Rose Law, where she became the firm’s initial female associate, and then partner. Specialized in business litigation, earning a handsome salary, as the very model of a well-tailored establishmentarian, with an excellent reputation that transcended Arkansas. Became entwined in the Clintonian political circle, and later would try to smooth over records of their financial dealings in preparation for them stepping up to the national stage. After Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992, he joined his White House staff as Deputy White House counsel, despite an initial reluctance on his part. Didn’t particularly care for the competitive atmosphere of Washington, where “ruining people is considered sport.” Began getting anxious and depressed over his high profile role, and his failures to gain nominations for several Clinton cabinet appointees, as well as having to continually clean up potential messes brought about by their earlier careless dealings. Both his wife and one son had remained in Little Rock, so he didn’t have the nurturance of his family either. By the summer, he was the target of snide rumor and editorials, questioning his integrity around a burgeoning travel office scandal. Began losing weight and suffering from insomnia, and considered resigning, although to do so would have been to admit failure and cause him even greater public humiliation. Suffering from deep depression over his perceived Washington failures, he went to a park and shot himself in the mouth with an antique .38 caliber revolver. His death would be officially ruled a suicide by three different official investigations, including one headed by Kenneth Starr. Nevertheless, it would serve as fodder galore for conspiracy theorists, convinced something far deeper and darker existed beneath its surface. Rumors would also persist that he and Hillary Clinton were more than friends, although in both cases, nothing would substantiate either claim. Inner: Great fear of being judged, holding his reputation as inviolable. Despite a smooth outer surface, a bundle of nerves beneath. Great love and reverence for the law, and a strong family man. Good listener, reserved, self-effacing and a hard worker with a good sense of humor. Victim lifetime of continuing to wrestle with his dualistic nature, and as before, finding self-destruction as the only means to maintain himself. Peter Rawson Taft (1845-1879) - American lawyer. Known as “Rossy.” Outer: From a noted Cincinnati political family. Father was Alphonso Taft (Kenneth Starr), and mother was his first wife. One of five children, with three dying in infancy. Younger brother of Charles Phelps Taft (Harry Thomason). Named after his paternal grandfather. His mother died of tuberculosis in 1852, and his father remarried the following year to Louise Torrey (Linda Bloodworth-Thomason). Five more children followed, with the eldest dying in infancy, and the second, William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton), ultimately becoming president of the U.S. Family pressures to succeed, brought on by his disciplinarian sire, left him a conflicted bundle of nerves, despite his obvious abilities. Went to Yale University, where he was valedictorian, but was so guilt-ridden from his upbringing and the pressures of his high-achievement background, that his mental state remained precarious throughout his life. Got his law degree, and went to work for his father’s firm. A member of the bar in Cincinnati for a goodly number of years, but he ultimately had a nervous breakdown and wound up in a sanitarium, where he died. Inner: Delicate disposition, which was unable to cope with the pressures of his multigenerational family of powerhouse public servants. Traumatized lifetime of failing to meet his own inner standards, as a weak link in a family strongly chained to high achievement, in his ongoing internal rearranging of his highly dualistic persona. James Otis, Jr. (1725-1783) - American lawyer and legislator. Outer: Ancestors were early settlers of Massachusetts. Father James Otis, Sr. (Kenneth Starr) was prominent in Massachusetts politics, as a colonel of militia, a judge and a council member, as his own sire had been. 2nd of 13 children, and the oldest surviving child. Older brother of Mercy Otis Warren (Bill Clinton), in a family that would produce several prominent members. Plump, round-faced and sharp-eyed, with a short neck. Graduated Harvard in 1743, then studied literature before pursuing law at the firm of one of the country’s most distinguished lawyers. Began his practice in Plymouth, before seeking better opportunities in Boston, where his reputation soon soared, thanks to an innate integrity, a high intelligence and a sense of eloquence. Continued his literary studies, and published a book on Latin prosody, which was used as a text at Harvard. In 1755, he married Ruth Cunningham, the daughter of a Boston merchant. 3 children, with their only son dying at the age of 18. His wife remained a loyalist until her death, and never supported his political career, making for a tense union, that had initially enhanced both his social position and his financial standing. After his father was denied the seat of Chief Justice for another, his disappointment propelled him into an active political career, which he began in 1761, when he was elected to the Mass. General Court. Held the crown office of advocate-general from 1756 to 1760, with a high salary, although, out of principle, he resigned to serve as counsel for the merchants of Boston against unfair royal writs. Refused a fee for his work, and gave a speech which would legally ground the coming American Revolution. Questioned whether colonists had to follow laws that they in no way enacted, by stating “a man’s home is his castle,” while challenging British sovereignty through rule of law. Elected a member of the council, he became a leading voice of the incipient revolution, continually arguing for the rights of American colonists against the crown, both in pamphlets and speeches. Introduced the ideal of a separate nation to the American public, and proceeded to be one of its earliest, and most articulate voices, although his contentious personality did little to win him friends, and much to gain him foes. Bitterly opposed the Stamp Act in 1765, while coining the memorable phrase, “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Elected speaker of the Massachusetts assembly in 1767, and continued to be one of the primary voices against unfair British practices, to the point of being attacked by a commissioner of customs in 1769, who was aided by several military officers. Savagely beaten, he received a sword-cut in the head, from which he never recovered. Began showing signs of a mental disorder, at the same time. Brought suit against his primary attacker, although when the man apologized, he refused to accept a penny in damages. His public life was largely over by this point, although he was again chosen for the state legislature, but was unable to participate in it. By 1775, he had degenerated into harmless insanity, and was living at his sister Mercy’s home. Briefly recovered and participated in battle with the minuteman, and 1778, during a lucid period, argued a case in the court of common pleas. Struck by a bolt of lightning while standing in a doorway talking to his family and leaning on a cane, and was instantly killed. Ironically stated earlier, that that was the way he wished to die. Inner: Commonsensical, eloquent, largely unlikable and fiery, with a great command of language and an unusual intelligence. Unfit for systematic rational judgment, while serving as a literal emotional lightning rod for the revolutionary sentiments of the day. Quick-tempered and abusive, with a facility for alienating everyone. Lightning-struck lifetime of having his full passions at his disposal, to the point of imbalance, before deliberately repressing them in subsequent go-rounds for fear of a similar self-betrayal by reason, only to continue to cripple himself in the process. John Paston (1442-1479) - English courtier and letter-writer. Outer: Eldest son of John Paston (Hillary Clinton) and Margaret Mauteby (Bill Clinton). Had four brothers and two sisters. May have received a Cambridge education like his sire, and afterwards was sent to the court of the newly crowned Edward IV (Ethan Hawke), in order to help secure the family estates against the claims of John Fastolf (Robert Dole). Proved a profligate, greatly angering his sire, despite being knighted in 1463. Withdrew from court and returned home, although soon grew bored with country life and joined the king on a military expedition, further outraging his sire, although his mother allowed him to return home afterwards. Retained his favor at court following his father’s death in 1466, and within two months obtained familial rights to Fastolf’s estates. Having done so, he remained at court, quite pleased with the life there, and settled in London, where he hobnobbed with royalty and the city’s power elite. His family seat was lost in 1469, and after fighting on the losing side of a royal battle, found his own position threatened, although was pardoned, and may have sat in Parliament in 1472. Never married, despite being plighted to a cousin of the queen for many years. Had one daughter by his mistress, Constance Reynforth. Drove his mother and younger brother crazy with his mismanagement of money, although fate always seemed to be kind to him. Had a severe attack of fever and ague in 1474, and suffered permanent damage from it. Exacerbated his condition in France, and ultimately died from his various afflictions. Succeeded to his estates by a younger brother, who also bore his name, John. Contributed to his family’s famous correspondence, showing a mischievous sense of humor and far more interest in trivialities than the dull business of property and money management. Inner: Easy-going, and irresponsible, with an innate charm, and a mixture of both coarseness and cultured refinement. Playboy lifetime of giving voice to a natural rebelliousness, which would serve him greatly in future times, before his warring inner nature subsequently muted him and turned him into a victim of the ongoing ambitions of his longtime family members.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PROFESSOR AS POLITICAL DAUGHTER:
Storyline: The sensitive scion places herself on public display through her formative years, while privately dealing with the strange dynamic of her powerful parents as a trade-off for the unusual opportunities they present her as on ongoing student, on a personal level, of both his’n’herstory.
Chelsea Clinton (1980) - American political offspring. Outer: Only child of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Spent most of her early life on public view, living in either the Arkansas governor’s mansion or the White House. Forced to deal with the public disclosure of her father’s continual infidelities, although never revealed her own thoughts on the matter. Very close with her parents, although she opted to be educated at Stanford Univ, placing a continent between herself and her progenitors, perhaps as an unconscious mode of separating herself from subsequent embarrassing revelations about her father’s inconstancies. Her awkwardness as a teenager was highlighted as soon as Bill’n’Hill became America’s number one power couple, although she was able to handle the attention, with a poise and maturity that belied her years. Code-named Energy by the Secret Service. Often accompanied her parents on their overseas trips, and gradually evolved into a self-confident person, who accepted her own celebrityhood. 5’9”. Protected from the prying eyes of the press, and supposedly sought help on campus during the most painful revelations about her father’s ongoing infidelities, while remaining silent in public. Originally leaned towards a career in pediatric medicine, despite a major in his/story, and later gave indication her interest, too, would be in politics. Like her father, she continued her education at Oxford, getting for an M.A. in international relations and economics. Instead of pursuing a law degree afterwards, she went to work for McKinsey & CO. in NYC, a high-power consulting firm, in 2003. In 2006, she switched her focus once again, and joined Avenue Capital, a hedge fund, evincing an initial desire to make money before focusing on any number of avenues available to her in the private sector. Also became far more of a public figure campaigning for her mother in 2008. The following year she announced her engagement to Wall Streeter Marc Mezvinsky, whose father, Rep. Edward Mezvinsky, had pled guilty in 2002 of swindling dozens out of $10 million. The duo were wed in 2010. Inner: Highly intelligent, poised and articulate. Vegetarian and extremely health conscious. Probably deeply hurt over the revelations of her father’s continued moral flaws, although able to maintain her own sense of privacy. Fishbowl lifetime of being on public view from birth onwards, as a means of rediscovering herself from the perspective of popular and private judgment. Helen Herron Taft (1891-1987) - American college president. Outer: Daughter of Nellie Taft (Hillary Clinton) and William Howard (Bill Clinton). The middle of 3 children, including conservative senator Robert A. Taft (Bobby Jindal), and another brother who pursued a political career. Spent part of her teenage years in the White House, and was probably the most like her father of his progeny. Interrupted her education in order to take care of her mother, when she suffered a stroke during her father’s presidency. After getting a scholarship, she got a his/story degree from Bryn Mawr, before completing her education at the family alma mater with a Phd from Yale. Returned afterwards to her own alma mater and became the longtime president of Bryn Mawr college, from 1917 to 1941. Made headlines when she spoke out in favor of aggrieved shirtmakers. A professor of his/story, and head of the his/story department, she wrote several his/storical works, with her speciality on the Canadian, British and American colonial period. In 1920, she married Frederick Johnson Manning, a fellow professor, several years her junior, 2 daughters from the union. Supporter of suffragettes like her mother, and far more liberal than her father. Died of pneumonia. Inner: Highly intelligent, quiet and discreet, with a keen sense of the past. Foundation lifetime of intimately experiencing the White House as a teenager, as well as learning the exigencies of rule through her own college presidency, while continuing her ongoing association with the odd couple of her power-tripping parents, an experience she opted to repeat.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS ONGOING MR. REPUBLICAN:
Storyline: The casebook conservative liberally switches ethnicities, but not viewpoints, to position himself once again as his party’s genuine voice of tory orthodoxy, as well as its inclusionary face for the 21st century’s developing openness to minorities as presidential possibilities.
Bobby Jindal (Piyush Jindal) (1971) - American politician and writer. Outer: Of Asian-Indian descent. Parents were immigrants from Punjab, who came to America so his father could attend graduate school at LSU. The latter, a physicist, became an information technology director for the Louisiana Department of Labor. Americanized his name to ‘Bobby’ after a character on the popular “Brady Bunch” TV show, at the age of 4. One brother. Raised a Hindu, but converted to Catholicism while in high school. Graduated with honors from Brown Univ. where he majored in biology and public policy, then, after being accepted at both Harvard Medical School and Yale Law, he opted for a career in the public sector and accepted a Rhodes scholarship to New College, Oxford, from which he received an M.A. in political science. Returned to the U.S. and joined a financial consulting firm. In 1996, he married Supriya Jolly, one daughter and two sons from the union. The same year, through connections, he was appointed by the Louisiana governor to be secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals, which took up a huge swath of the state budget, that he helped balance, although was criticized for cutting services to do so. Held more medically related posts, before being appointed the state’s youngest-ever head of the Univ. of Louisiana school system. In 2001, he was made Assistant Secty of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation, where he served as a principal policy adviser, before resigning to try a run for his state’s governorship in 2003. Despite receiving many key endorsement, and holding conservative Republican stances, he lost to the Democratic candidate, Kathleen Blanco, but gained a statewide following. Able to raise a considerable amount of money for his next race for the U. S. House of Representatives, and easily won in 2004, before gaining an overwhelming 88% of the vote in his reelection bid two years later, after serving on various homeland security and education committees, while voting with the Republican Caucus 97% of the time, and ranking number 14 among proponents of earmark funding. Moved up to the governorship in 2007, handily beating three other opponents to become the youngest chief state executive in the U.S. at the age of 36, as well as the first person of non-European descent to hold that office in Louisiana since Reconstruction. Weathered a weak recall petition by reversing his position on legislative pay raises, ultimately vetoing it. Became a possible vice-presidential contender in the 2008 race, although was ultimately passed over in favor of Gov. Sarah Palin. Learning from his predecessor’s disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina, he effected a smooth and efficient evacuation prior to Hurricane Gustav, at the time of the Republican convention, canceling his own speech during it to oversee a minimal amount of casualties. Militantly antiabortion, anti-conservation, pro-gun and strongly security-minded, supporting all of the George W. Bush administration’s anti-civil liberty and pro-governmental control positions. A creationist as well, he is the author of numerous newspaper and review articles. Remains a definite possibility for the 2012 presidential race as the Republican nominee, thanks to his youth, competence, and unbending conservatism. Proved to be one of the recalcitrant Republican governors in accepting federal stimulus money in the early phases of the Obama administration, because of a need to maintain his obstructionist credentials in that regard, and then gave a poorly received TV rebuttal to Barack Obama’s first address to Congress, lowering his stock considerably. Inner: Cerebral, staunchly conservative in all his viewpoints, and hugely ambitious, while deliberately opening up his personality to be more universally electable. Eye upon the prize lifetime of following his former crypto-father’s pathway of Rhodes scholarship and youthful Southern governorship as a potential pathway to the White House. Robert Taft (Robert Alphonso Taft) (1889-1953) - American politician. Outer: From a multi-generation political family from Cincinnati. Mother was Nellie Taft (Hillary Clinton), father was future president William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton). Oldest of three children, including younger sister Helen (Chelsea Clinton). Although his sire wanted to name him after his own sire, his mother prevailed in her choice of first appellation. Took on his mother’s coldness as well, which ultimately limited his greater political ambitions. Spent part of his boyhood in the Philippines, where his father was governor, and when he was 19, the latter was elected to the White House, a residence he coveted himself. Went to his uncle’s eponymous Taft School, then graduated Yale University, before going on to Harvard Law, from which he graduated in 1913, after editing the Law Review. The following year, he married Martha Wheaton-Bowers, an heiress and daughter of his father’s former U.S. Solicitor General, four sons from the union, including one, Robert Taft, Jr. who followed the family tradition and became a senator, as well as another who became a dean at Yale. They, in turn, would produce yet another generation dedicated to elective public service. His gregarious wife would offset his innate chillness, and serve as an excellent support and confidante for him. The family lived on a 46 acre farm dubbed Sky Farm, which eventually housed a 16 room mansion. After practicing law for four years with a Cincinnati firm, he was rejected by the military for poor eyesight, and, instead, moved to Washington to work for the Food and Drug Administration, then the American Relief Administration, before returning to his native city to open his own law firm. The experience convinced him of the inefficiency of bureaucracies in dealing with problems. Tall and large-framed. Partnered with his brother and others in 1924 in another firm, with which he would be connected his entire working life. Began his political career by being elected to the Ohio State House of Representatives in 1921. After serving there until 1926, he moved up to the State Senate for a term in 1930, before he was defeated for reelection, which caused him to return to his law practice. A poor public speaker, he made up for his deficiencies through hard work, making him a state force in Republican politics. Elected senator from Ohio in 1939, he became known as Mr. Republican for his frugal, conservative isolationist stances, as well as his firm opposition to all New Deal legislation. Served 3 terms in that august body, with only his second a tight elective race. Pro-civil rights and progressive on public housing and education, although anti-anything that smacked of socialism to his mind, as an uncompromising libertarian. Failed to garner the Republican nomination in 1940, losing to Wendell Willkie (Barack Obama), and spent the decade battling the more moderate Thomas E. Dewey for control of the party. Lost the nomination to Dewey in 1948, and then Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, in what he thought was his best chance at the elusive former residence of his progenitor. His best known piece of legislation would be the Taft-Hartley act of 1947, which was pro-management in all potential labor disputes. Always an anti-communist nationalist, he was severely critical of NATO. In 1949, his wife suffered a stroke and became an invalid. Tended to her both publicly and privately, contra his popular image of being frozen-hearted. Served as Eisenhower’s trusted Senate Majority Leader until cancer forced him to transfer his duties to another. Ultimately died of a brain hemorrhage. Posthumously nominated by the Senate as one of the 5 best ever to serve in that legislative body. Inner: Sober-sided, repressed, intelligent, hardworking and competent, albeit without the fire or color for the country’s highest office. Dominant senatorial figure, with a deep sense of integrity and a consistent voice against the social powers of national government. Imbued with the family’s ideal of public service, and the idea of the law as his life’s pathway. Had a quiet sense of humor, and a large briefcase, which he always kept close at hand. Eye upon the prize lifetime of acting on public principle while using his considerable will to great advantage among his fellow politicians, although unable to summon the requisite sense of personality to become a more universally loved political figure of his times.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PRODUCER AS HIGH PROFILE ARKANSAS TRAVELER:
Storyline: The familial loyalist aids and abets his crypto-brother through two presidencies, as a behind-the-scenes orchestrator, while evincing a keen business acumen in all he does, as well as a facility for popular communication in the various media available to him.
Harry Z. Thomason (1940) - American producer, writer and director. Outer: Father was a Baptist deacon. After finishing school, he moved to Little Rock, where he served as a high school speech teacher and football coach, before becoming a film producer, beginning with Encounter with the Unknown in 1973. Began writing and directing as well during the 1970s, with a bunch of low budget fare, before moving onto TV, where he produced several TV movies, and then became a series producer. As such, he met and married Linda Bloodworth in 1983, no children from the union. Formed a production company, Mozark Productions, named after their two native states, Missouri and Arkansas, and together they produced several hit TV series, including “Designing Woman,” which aired between 1986 and 1992, and “Evening Shade,” which had a four year run in the early 1990s. Helped uplift the image of Southerners in those productions from ignorant hicks, to more sophisticated and witty archetypes. A close friend of Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, he worked in damage control during the early phases of his run for the presidency, working to deflate rumors of his marital inconstancy, then helped produce, along with his wife, The Man From Hope, which ran at the 1992 Democratic convention, and fleshed-out the winning candidate for president that year to the country. Along with his wife, he also was co-chair of the Inauguration Committee. Subsequently served as the president’s image consultant and media connection, while also running a charter air service along with a partner for the Clinton administration. The enterprise would erupt in scandal, because of financial irregularities, and a staff less than loyal to the Clintons, which the press and the president’s numerous enemies gleefully exploited as Travelgate. Adopted a much lower profile afterwards, before reappearing during his friend’s second term, when he worked on damage control once again, during the subsequent Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, helping to fashion his defense to the American public, before testifying before the Grand Jury during his impeachment hearings. After Clinton finished serving his two terms, he continued working on burnishing the ex-president’s image for posterity, including a 2004 documentary, The Hunting of the President, which limned the efforts to discredit the Clintons. Helped Hillary Clinton in her first Senate campaign in 2000 with Hillary 2000, and has continued producing series with a Southern flavor with his wife into the new century. Inner: Extremely loyal, and an adept communicator. Brotherly love lifetime of remaining closely connected with his various crypto-family members, while using his well-wrought communication skills to further both their aims and his. Charles Phelps Taft (1843-1929) - American lawyer, publisher and entrepreneur. Outer: From a high profile multigenerational Cincinnati political family. Father was Alphonso Taft (Ken Starr), who would go on to a career as a judge and ambassador. One of five children with three dying in infancy. Older brother of Peter Rawson Taft (Vince Foster), whose weaker disposition fared less well in his highly disciplined, achievement oriented household. His mother died of tuberculosis in 1852, when he was 9, and his father remarried Louise Torrey (Linda Bloodworth-Thomason). Five more children ensued, with the first dying in infancy, and the second, William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton) eventually becoming president with his advice and financial help. Also had two more half-brothers and a half-sister. After going to Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, he graduated Yale Univ. in 1864, and two years later received a degree from Columbia Univ’s law department, after which he was admitted to the bar. Gaining a fluency in German, as well as French, he went to the Sorbonne in Paris and then Heidelberg, Germany, where he received an advanced law degree from the university there in both canon and civil law. Began his own law practice in his native Cincinnati, where he married Annie Sinton, the heiress to a pig iron fortune in 1873, after finishing a term in the state House of Representatives. Two daughters and a son from the union. In 1879, he added publisher to his resumé, when he became co-owner and editor of the Cincinnati Times, along with his father-in-law, after the two purchased controlling interest. Bought the Cincinnati Star soon afterwards and merged the two, as the foremost Republican daily in the state. Also owned the Cincinnati Volksblatt, an influential German language paper, and eventually became sole proprietor of his various periodicals. Active in numerous civic affairs, he showed an abiding interest in public school education, and founded the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens, serving as its director. In addition to being a big fish in a small city pond, he had a brief political career as a Republican member of the House of Representatives for two years in the mid-1890s, while also holding several Cincinnati city posts. Returned to his modest publishing empire afterwards, and greatly helped his half-brother William in his own political career, which culminated in the presidency in 1908. Served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1908 and 1912, when his brother was the nominated candidate. Following his sibling’s defeat in 1912, he briefly was the co-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team from 1914 to 1916. A noted art collector, as well, he was by far, the most cultured member of his family, and traveled extensively in Europe throughout his busy adult life. Inner: Far more effective behind the scenes than in front of them. Big fish in a small pond lifetime of continuing to develop both his communication and entrepreneurial skills within the framework of a high-achievement family, as an invaluable support to his far more politically adept brother.

*

PATHWAY OF THE WRITER AS MATERFAMILIAS MADE GOOD ON HER OWN:
Storyline: The designing woman parlays a good-humored sensibility into a high profile career surrounded by former members of her crypto-family, whom she continues to serve through her creative skills and innate commercial sense.
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason (Linda Bloodworth) (1947) - American writer and producer. Outer: From a family of lawyers. Her paternal grandfather, who served as primary source of inspiration, was a fiery Arkansas civil rights activist, who moved the family to Missouri, after getting shot by a KKKer. All five of his sons became lawyers. Grew up in a highly verbal liberal house as a small-town Southern belle, and was taught to be nice to everyone. One older brother also became a lawyer. A cheerleader in high school, she was voted “most popular” in her class. Received a B.A. degree in English from the Univ. of Missouri. Had originally thought of going to law school, but moved to Los Angeles instead, and went to work for the Wall Street Journal in advertising, before joining the Los Angeles Daily Journal as a reporter. Tried teaching English in the Watts section for two years, but found the experience overwhelmingly frustrating, at which point, she started freelance writing for television, contributing to several series, including 5 episodes for “M*A*S*H*,” for which she was nominated for a pair of Emmys. “Ladies Home Journal” honored her in 1975 as Woman of the Year for Outstanding Writing in Comedy, and two years later she joined Columbia Pictures Television as an independent producer, where she mother-henned the short-lived series, “Filthy Rich,” after tiring of laboring on other people’s projects. Her best known series would be “Designing Women,” which ran from 1986 to 1992, followed by the hit, “Evening Shade,” which aired from 1990 to 1994. Both would run counter to the stereotype of dimwitted Southerners, and allow her to reclaim her heritage, after initially rejecting it. Became the first American writer ever to pen 35 consecutive episodes of a series, with the first season of “Designing Women.” In 1983, she married Harry Thomason, another producer with whom she had worked, and after adding his name to hers, they formed Mozark Productions, with the ideal of uplifting entertainment. The company was named after their respective home states, Missouri and Arkansas. Subsequently has received numerous awards for her efforts, as well as for her involvement in health and women’s issues. When Bill Clinton, an old friend of her husband’s, began his campaign for the presidency in 1992, she produced the acclaimed documentary, The Man From Hope, which ran at the Democratic National Convention. Along with her husband, she served as co-chair of the subsequent Presidential Inauguration following his electoral victory. Subsequently directed and produced A Place Called America for the 1996 Democratic Convention, then penned her first novel, “Liberating Paris,” later in the decade. To honor her mother, she created the Claudia Foundation, which provided scholarships for girls in her and her husband’s home states, who would not otherwise be able to attend college. Continues her TV series work into the new century, with an ongoing focus on exploring Southern idioms and personalities. Inner: Good-humored, honest and conscientious. Prefers to think of her TV work as novelistic, rather than sitcoms. Pen-in-hand lifetime of working with longtime family members as an equal, after many a go-round of serving as a background support, who had to realize her ambitions through others because of the limitations put on her gender by the times. Louise Taft (Louisa Torrey) (1827-1907) - American political helpmate. Outer: Oldest daughter of a Boston merchant and his second wife, who was extremely strong-willed and passed her feistiness on to her progeny. Had three younger sisters. Went to Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, from which she graduated in 1845. In 1853, she married her fourth cousin twice removed, Alphonso Taft (Kenneth Starr), who had lost his first wife the previous year. Inherited his two sons, including Charles Phelps Taft (Harry Thomason) and together the couple produced five more children, with their first son dying in infancy, and their second, William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton) attaining the presidency. Two more sons and a daughter followed. Proved to be very much the intellectual equal of her husband, while offsetting his disciplinary mien, although she was capable of the same when needed. Both parents put great pressure on their progeny to succeed, but also lavished them with love, so that she was a spur for both generations of her high-achieving family. Followed her husband on his active career from Cincinnati, where the family was a political powerhouse, to Washington D.C., when he became a cabinet member in the U.S. Grant (Omar Bradley) administration. Weathered his disappointment at not being made a Supreme Court justice, which had been his lifetime ambition, before accompanying him on a secondary ambassadorial career to Austria-Hungary and Russia, where his health began to fail. At the time of his retirement and death in Southern California in 1891, he had virtually no money. Moved back to Massachusetts, but missed seeing her son elected to the presidency in 1908, dying the year before. Inner: Good administrative abilities, and noted for both her serenity and innate happiness, as well as her high ambitions for her progeny. Support lifetime of giving the benefit of her enthusiasm and backbone to several generations of a high-achieving family, before launching her own public career the next time around in this series, while helping her crypto-family as a foreground equal, rather than a background figure, per the dictates of more evolved times.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS SELF-SABOTAGING TRICKSTER:
Storyline: The petulant prankster never understands that he, himself, is the joke, and turns his lives in the spotlight into surreal sit-coms that leave his audiences scratching their heads at his improbable plots, while never quite understanding his ongoing political burlesques.
Newt Gingrich (1943) - American politician. Outer: Mother was 16 at the time of his delivery, father was a mechanic. His parent’s marriage collapsed within days of his birth, and his mother, who fiercely protected him, remarried 3 years later. His adoptive father was an infantry officer, and he grew up on a series of army bases, along with a half-sister, Candace, a gay activist and no fan of her brother’s. Continually on the move, although he later successfully dodged the draft. Deeply impressed by the importance of good besting evil, after visiting the site of the Battle of Verdun as a teen. Voracious reader, completely unathletic, with a fascination with rational order and systems. Married Jackie Battley, his high school math teacher, who was 7 years his senior in his late teens. She subsequently helped put him through school, 2 daughters from the union. Attended Emory Univ., and became involved in politics, before getting a graduate degree from Tulane, and becoming a his/story professor at West Georgia College for 7 years. Elected to Congress from Georgia on his 3rd try in 1978 on a pledge of keeping his family together while his opponent was a commuter. Promptly divorced his wife after 2 years in Washington, and in 1981, married Marianne Ginther, a reclusive woman who detested the Washington scene. Although never an effective legislator, having authored absolutely no law, he was always an eager publicity-hound, with a self-styled vision of a Republican-dominated America. Began his career in the House of Representatives by broadcasting speeches over CSPAN, founding the Conservative Opportunity Society, and acting as a minor irritant in a Democratic-controlled House, to the point of being denounced by its speaker. Went after the ethics of his superiors, forcing Speaker of the House Jim Wright out in 1989, over improper book activities, then did the same thing himself. Made party whip the same year, and became entwined with the far more noticeable career of Bill Clinton, acting as his shadow during the 8 year run of his presidency. Became a walking conglomerate with his own political action committee, a cable talk show and his own think tank. In addition, he had an inordinate skill for shoveling his foot in his mouth and alienating the electorate-at-large, so that even when he had his shadow reeling, his reputation suffered even more by comparison. Elected Speaker of the House in 1994, and came out with guns blazing around a Republican Contract with America, with himself as revolutionary chairman of the board, although none of his proposals became law. Proved an extremely inept legislator, getting none of his own legislation through, and after throwing a snit about his hierarchical seating on Air Force One, shut down the government in recompense. Acted as the symbolic focus for reelecting his avowed enemy in 1996, while his party lost 9 seats. Found ethically challenged by his fellow House members and fined $300,000, while spearheading the House’s impeachment call for Clinton’s removal from office. Restructured the ways of the House, although repeatedly fell victim to his own enormous appetite for celebrity, as his national reputation steadily eroded. After the elections of 1998 repudiated his party’s desire to impeach the president, he resigned his speakership and then his seat, to withdraw momentarily from public life in order to orchestrate another hoped-for comeback. Divorced in 1999, after being exposed as having had an affair with an assistant, Callista Bisek, all the while excoriating Clinton for doing the same. Married her in 2000, while becoming persona non grata with his own party for his hypocrisy. Turned to the Web as his bully pulpit at the same time, while becoming a fellow at Stanford’s conservative Hoover Institute, and switching his interests towards nanoscience, as well as his own consulting company, the Gingrich Corporation. Made himself into an expert on health policy, and has slowly swum back into the mainstream, thanks to an instinct for power, money and keeping himself in the public limelight, with a hoped-for complete resurrection and rehabilitation as a presidential candidate in 2008. In 2006, he called for a restriction on free speech as a means of fighting terrorism, in yet another display of his curious grasp of the major issues of his time. Penned “Discovering God in America,” and admitted on Christian radio in early 2007 that he had been guilty of adultery while hounding Bill Clinton for the same, in a mea culpa move to clear the slate for a later-year run as a genuine conservative for the presidency. Also denounced George W. Bush as a hopeless incompetent, to further underscore himself as a meaningful alternative, although ultimately decided not to run in 2008, preferring to be an independent voice of public policy. Despite his two divorces and openly adulterous behavior, he converted to Catholicism, his wife’s religion, in 2009, while positioning himself for another possible presidential run in 2012, with his aggressive criticism of the Obama administration, and his public stance as conservatism’s intellectual champion. Inner: Self-styled backwards visionary and revolutionary with a wish to see himself as a major teacher of 21st Century American Civilization. Blowhard, ineffective, shadow figure to the far more substantive Bill Clinton. Completely undisciplined, narrow-eyed and power-hungry. Easily bored, but never boring while always looking for opportunities to exploit. Foot-in-mouth disease lifetime of once again misusing public power and proving himself his own worst political enemy, while nevertheless maintaining a high public profile as an ironic emblem of self-defeating opportunism. ‘Uncle’ Joe Cannon (1836-1926) - American politician. Outer: Elder of 2 sons of a country doctor. His father drowned while trying to reach a sick patient when he was 10, and he helped support the family by working as a shoe-clerk, while studying law in his spare time. His brother would go on to become a successful banker and realtor. After 6 months at the Cincinnati Law School, he set up practice in Illinois, finally settling in Danville. In 1862, he wed Mary Reed. Earthy, strictly smalltown, thin, gruffly informal, while his suits always looked as if he slept in them. Served as Illinois state attorney through the Civil War and beyond, before running, and losing, as a Republican candidate for Congress in 1870. Elected in 1873, he served until 1891, and soon established himself as a champion of the status quo, doing everything within his power to block spending, conservation, and anything that smacked of progressive possibilities. After sitting out one term, he was re-elected in 1893, and continued in the House of Representatives until 1913, serving as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, where he was both thrifty and retrenched as an ardent protectionist, and then for his last decade, as Speaker of the House, running that body in his own arbitrary manner. As a member of the Rules Committee, he chose committee members and chairmen purely on their allegiance to his ‘standpat,’ policies. Chairman of the 1904 Republican national convention, he was defeated in his bid for the nomination in 1908 by William Howard Taft (Bill Clinton), whose presidency he went on to ruin through his obdurate blockage of progressive measures in the House, despite being of the same political party. A bipartisan group finally broke his power in 1910, although he remained speaker until the following year. After being defeated for re-election, he regained his seat in 1915 and served until his voluntary retirement in 1923. Suffered from a weak heart and died in his sleep. Inner: Guileful, shrewd, grotesquely comic figure, spewing tobacco juice, cursing, and viewing everything through political lenses. A drinker and smoker, who ultimately weakened the speakership of the house, and his name became synonymous with special interests. Loose cannon lifetime of extremely narrow vision, self-defeating antics, and an all-around obtuseness to the temper of his times. John Hancock (1737-1797) - American politician and merchant. Outer: Father was a pastor and Harvard grad, mother had been a widow when she married him. One of three children. His sire died when he was 9, and he was adopted by his childless uncle, a rich Boston merchant, who assured him of a solid financial foundation. Graduated from Harvard and then went to work for his uncle’s mercantile firm. Nearly 6’, slender, and a fashion-plate, with a taste for only the best. Sent to London in his early 20s to learn the English side of the business, and several years after he returned, he was made a partner before inheriting the firm when his uncle died the following annum, making him the richest Bostonian of his generation. Soon garnered the reputation of being shallow, but deep-pocketed, while entering politics in 1765 as a Boston selectman. Opposed the British from an economic standpoint, since he was the biggest smuggler in Boston and would have been deeply inconvenienced by import taxes. Brought to trial and defended by John Adams (Martin Sheen) in 1768, when he tried to smuggle in his sloop, ‘Liberty.’ Elected to the Mass. general court the following year, and he became a vociferous patriot, grandstanding his views in well-received speeches, as well as giving gifts of Bibles to various impoverished congregations and his own employees, so that when the court transformed itself into a provincial congress in 1774, he was chosen its president. Married the following year to Dorothy Quincy, the youngest of 10 of a wealthy Boston judge. 2 children from union, although his son died at 9, and his daughter as an infant. Wanted to lead the Continental Army, although was thwarted in that grandiose ambition by the far more competent George Washington (George Marshall). Elected as a delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress, he became its president as well. Best known for having the first and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence, in an act of vainglory well in keeping with his character. An avowed political enemy of Joseph Warren (Hillary Clinton), he was elected the first governor of Mass in 1780, by an overwhelming electoral margin. Thereafter, he had control of the office to accept or reject, proving an indecisive, but popular leader. Supported the Constitution, and made good on his desire to be well-loved at all costs, including sacrificing his integrity and principles for the price of political expediency. After suffering from gout for years, he announced his retirement from politics in 1785, while cautiously looking to see how things would break in its ratification, then miraculously emerged to help Mass. put its seal of approval the Constitution, with the thought that the first presidency might be his, if Virginia failed to follow suit. It did, however, assuring George Washington’s supremacy, and his ambitions had to stop at the governorship, which he managed to hold for 9 terms. Had the largest funeral New England had ever seen, but died intestate, thanks to dissipating his huge inherited fortune through disinterest, forcing his widow to sell their real estate to pay for his final salute. Inner: Always looked to see where things were going before committing himself to any position. Far more the grandstander than the noble patriot, looking for the love of the common people, and quite willing to directly buy it. Seen by his peers as both a peacock and “an empty barrel.” His symbolic large signature and name passing down through the centuries was token of his superficial role in the revolutionary movement. Grandstanding lifetime of deliberate self-aggrandizement in search of public love and approval. Edward Hyde, Viscount Cornbury (1661-1723) -English/American colonial administrator. Outer: Eldest son of the 2nd Earl of Clarendon. Grandfather was the 1st earl (Aaron Sorkin), a his/storian and politician. 1st cousin to Queen Anne (Princess Anne). Educated at Geneva, and a member of Commons from 1685. In 1688 he married a woman of equal eccentric reputation, who died in 1706. Came under the influence of the Duke of Marlborough (JFK), and was one of the first officers to desert James II (Martin Sheen), at the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Ingratiated himself with the royal successor, William of Orange (LBJ). Always extravagant, his financial debts led him to the American colonies, where he was appointed governor of NY and later New Jersey, beginning in 1702. Initially received with great deference because of being related to the queen, but he soon showed himself to be a spendthrift, a grafter, a bigoted oppressor of the Quakers and an embezzler. Nevertheless, he had a great zeal for the Church of England, despite his dubious sense of morality, although he managed to alienate every single person with whom he came into contact. In 1707, the state assembly remonstrated against him for appearing in public in women’s dress, in an attempt to underline his connection to the queen, and his physical resemblance to her. Condemned by the same body in 1708, while racking up the judgment as the absolute worst colonial official ever sent over from England. Continually at loggerheads with political powerhouse Lewis Morris (Prescott Bush). Recalled the same year, but his numerous creditors had him arrested and he remained in custody of the sheriff of NY, until the death of his father in 1709 made him earl of Clarendon and allowed him to return to England. The remainder of his public life was anticlimactic. In 1711, he was made a member of the privy council, and in 1714 he served as Envoy Extraordinary in Hanover. Inner: Egomaniacal, unprincipled, and completely self-serving. Obtuse lifetime of trying to parlay his royal relations into a majestic disregard for all convention, and winding up as the most disastrous colonial administrator ever to grace the far shores of America. Thomas Morton (c1590-c1647) - English/American settler. Outer: Origins obscured, he was raised an Anglican and became a lawyer of Clifford’s Inn. Emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1624 as one of the owners of the Wollaston Company, which set up what would be Quincy, Mass. Engaged in hunting and the outdoor life, and was seen as a licentious, convivial and worthless rake. When the original owners moved to Virginia 2 years later, he stayed on, and took command of the community, renaming it Merry Mount. Immediately created a confrontational cultural and religious war with his Puritan neighbors. Prospered by trading firearms to the indigenous people, as well as controlling the beaver trade, while mocking his pious brethren, and conducting services with the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Wrote bawdy verse, encouraged the expression of delight in life, and erected a pagan maypole, proving a particular thorn to Myles Standish (Prescott Bush), as totally antithetical to the Pilgrim way of life. The maypole was cut down in 1627, and he was arrested and exiled to the Isle of Shoals, from where he escaped to England. Returned to the New World as secretary of an official, and was soon arrested again in 1630, and had his property confiscated. Exiled back to England, he conspired to have the charter of the Mass. Bay Colony revoked, successfully having its patent repealed in 1635, while limning his stances on paper, in New English Canaan. When he returned to Mass. in 1643, he was once more imprisoned, and exiled to Maine, where he died infirm and in poverty. Inner: Confrontational, sharp-tongued, and totally into his own megalomaniacal self. Brazen lifetime of giving the raspberry to convention and ultimately getting his comeuppance for his complete disregard of anyone’s will other than his own.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS CONTINUAL FLY IN THE OINTMENT:
Storyline: The contentious cabineteer loves to play large games on the national level, in an increasingly abrasive manner, despite always getting hoisted on his own petulance, for his skewed strategies and offensive office politics.
Donald Rumsfeld (1932) - American cabinet officer. Outer: Father was a real estate salesman, who joined the Navy in 1942 to fight in the Pacific. Attended school in 5 different in four different regions during WW II, and by 14, had already held 16 part-time jobs, and was also a star on his last school’s state championship wrestling team. In 1945, he married Joyce Pierson, a high school classmate, 2 daughters and a son from union. Graduated from Princeton, where he had been a captain of the wresting team, with a degree in political science. Served in the Navy for 3 years as a pilot and flight instructor, during peacetime, as well as a wrestling champion. Had hoped to make the 1956 Olympic team, but a shoulder injury ended his career upon the mat. Became an investment banker in his native Chicago, and then at 30, he went to Washington as an Illinois Congressman, and immediately staked out the city as his potentially own, coming to the attention of everyone, for his sense of being tough, competitive and better organized than anyone else. After 4 terms as an economic conservative and social moderate, he made it to his first White House, via Richard Nixon, serving in several midlevel posts, while constantly angling for a Cabinet position, only to be thwarted by the president’s various men, who resented his naked ambition. Showed himself to be far more loyal to his own domains, including the Office of Economic Opportunity, than the president’s agenda, and wound up ambassador to NATO, thereby escaping any tainting from the Watergate scandal that finally felled Nixon. Following Gerald Ford succession, he was brought back as his top aide, and once again showed himself to be a master of office politics, only this time he had a president who did not keep him leashed. Many thought he had designs on the presidency, lacking only foreign policy experience, which he received when he was made the youngest Secretary of Defense ever at the age 43. Brought Dick Cheney in as chief of staff, and maneuvered potential rival George H. W. Bush out of the way with the CIA. When Ford lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976, he returned to civilian life, as a successful business CEO, for the next quarter century, as his ongoing political ambitions were continually thwarted, although he stayed publicly active with various appointed positions. Beaten out by Bush in 1980 for the vice-presidency, he was also forced to withdraw in the presidential race against him in 1988. Spent the 1990s self-employed, and grew rich enough to make the list of Fortune magazine’s top 500, and to buy a gigantic spread in New Mexico. Called back to Washington as Secretary of Defense by Dick Cheney for George W. Bush, he became a key player in the subsequent administration, and one of its prime privatizers, viewing the military in business terms, outsourcing as much of its activity as possible, while refusing to give up any of his stocks despite conflicts of interest as required by law. On 9/10/2001, he gave an ill-received speech calling the Pentagon bureaucracy America’s greatest enemy, then reshaped the recalcitrant institution, amidst much grumbling, into his vision of a lean, mean money-making fighting machine. Listened to no one but himself in the subsequent conflicts he oversaw in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, announcing of the latter it would be a cakewalk, and the U.S. would be out within 6 months, despite having no exit plan to do so. Drastically undermanned both efforts, and then failed to provide for the insurgent aftermath afterwards, pronouncing initially that democracy was a sloppy process. Cynically embellished his hand-delivered reports to the president with Biblical quotes, in a further manipulation of the realities behind his distorted perceptions. A great believer in the technology of war, rather than its human soldierly element, as well as in civilian control over what he viewed as a mothball-bound military, he continually outmaneuvered rival camps to get his way, thanks in large part, to an overwhelming amount of money poured into his coffers through the fear generated by the country being at war with terror. Using business models, and a workaholic ethic, he typically put in 12 hour plus days, while acting as a pugnacious defender of his own policies, initially enjoying the public stage they gave him, issuing pithy pronouncements that were later collected in a book as Zen koans. As the insurgency progressed, however, and the war dragged on, he grew more recalcitrant and testy, and his luster began steadily dimming in the public eye, until 2006, when several retired generals called for his ouster. The president, and more importantly, the vice-president, stood by him, while he largely lost interest in the fray, and began putting more and more of his attention towards a possible conflict with China, while facing the very real threat of summary removal from office. When the latter seemed imminent, he hurriedly issued position papers covering alternative strategies in order to try to insure his ultimate place in his/story. Resigned the day before the 2006 midterm elections, although it wasn’t announced until the afterwards, just short of having a record run as longest-serving Defense Secretary. Made a bravura display of departing, visiting Iraq and speechifying, and then disappeared from public view, amidst much opprobrium and blame around his inept stewardship of a war that will remain the primary blot on his long record of public service. Made a visiting fellow at the conservative Hoover Institute at Stanford University nearly a year later, much to the outrage of liberal faculty and students. Inner: Aggressive, judgmental, and fearless. Seen as an arrogant bully by many, with a mean temper and an insistence on having his way. Always met with his own top generals on his own turf, to underline his power, and held anyone who disagreed with him, Congress included, in the highest of contempt. Extremely demanding of underlings, using fear rather than praise as a motivating tool. Part II lifetime of trying once again to see if he could make his will and vision successfully manifest on the national level as a cabinet minister, only to suffer the same personal defeats, through ongoing lessons unlearned. Philander Knox (1853-1921) - American cabinet officer. Outer: Father was a local banker. Had a small town upbringing and went to Mt. Union College in Ohio. After being admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, in his early 20s, he became a successful corporation lawyer in Pittsburgh, growing quite wealthy from his deep-pocketed clients, particularly through his connections to the Carnegie Steel empire. Married Lillie Smith in 1880, 4 children from the union. Successfully defended Andrew Carnegie several times against corruption charges. Had enough clout to help organize U.S. Steel at century’s beginning, which, at the time, was the world’s largest corporation. Lived extremely well and had a stable of trotting horses. Appointed attorney general for President William McKinley (Richard Nixon) in 1901, he remained in the post for his successor, Theodore Roosevelt (Kathleen Kennedy), until 1904, issuing a number of trust-busting suits at the president’s behest, despite having been a champion of big and bigger business. Along with other big money interests, felt it important to curb corporate excess, in the climate of discontent stirred up by the muckrackers of the time. Served as a significant force in the conservative wing of the Republican Party for the first two decades of the century, with one abortive run for the presidency in 1908. Became a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1904 to 1909, after having been appointed to the seat and then won reelection, and then resigned to become Secretary of State for William Taft (Bill Clinton). Earlier, he had declined a post on the Supreme Court. Known for his much-criticized “dollar diplomacy,” which protected American financial interests abroad and asked Central American and Caribbean countries to borrow from American rather than European banks. The policy was misunderstood and much condemned. Persuaded Taft to send soldiers to Nicaragua in 1912, to set up a pattern of American troops in Latin America over the next several decades to protect American business interests there. Returned to the Senate in 1916, and was one of the leading Republican opponents of the Versailles peace treaty that Woodrow Wilson (Michael Eric Dyson) engineered at the end of WW I. Later fought against the latter’s League of Nations, feeling it lessened America’s autonomous power. In 1920, he was considered as a possible Republican candidate for the presidency once again. Stricken with paralysis and died, perhaps unconsciously mirroring his liberal opponent Wilson, who did the same. Inner: Shrewd, upright, honest. Dapper, small, quick-stepping, with a lot of nervous energy. Bored with detail, loved big-picture policies. Serve the hand that feeds you lifetime of being an activist voice for the narrow interests of big business, only to ultimately undo himself at the end by his own rigidity, an ongoing theme of his.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICO AS PERRENIAL PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR:
Storyline: The pragmatic strategist uses Texas twice as his base for ingratiating himself into the inner circle of its administrators, before moving on to the White House and trying to manipulate the larger world according to his own limited view of it.
Karl Rove (Karl Christian Rove) (1950) - American presidential adviser. Outer: Mother was the manager of a gift store, adoptive father was an overweight oil geologist, and was usually away from home. It was later disclosed he was a homophile, having left the family in 1969. 2nd of 5 children, and never close to either parent. Had a tense relationship with his mother, while the family moved often. By 9, he was an avowed Republican, as well as a self-professed nerd, with a great love of reading and his/story, and an avowed desire to be president. Owlish and dumpy, but a star debater, using boxes of blank notecards to fool his opponents into thinking he was far better prepared than they. Also served as student-senate president in high school. His father left his mother on his 19th birthday, and she committed suicide in 1981 via carbon monoxide poisoning in her car. Earlier he found out his sire had adopted him, after he and a brother had been fathered by someone else. Robbed at gunpoint at a convenient store where he worked. Dropped out of the Univ. of Utah and moved to Washington, D.C., and since then has tried to complete his education at a half dozen universities. Won the chairmanship of the College Republicans National Committee, and Lee Atwater, a master of dirty tricks, became his strongest influence. Discovered the power of direct mail, which fit in with his technological proclivities. Organized conferences, taught trickery to college Republicans, then was caught at it, although later exonerated, and went to work for George H. W. Bush’s PAC, after moving to Texas, just as the Democrats were losing their hold there, and conservative oil money was speaking loudly. Briefly married Valerie Wainright, a Houston socialite in his late 20s, although his workaholic ways ended the union. Became the first person hired by Bush’s failed campaign for the presidency in 1980. Worked successfully for the election of Bill Clemens as Texas governor the same year, then founded his own consulting firm, Karl Rove & Co, while attracting conservative Democrat money to his campaigns as well, thanks to his salesmanship and organizational skills. Successfully advised all the top Republican Texas politicians in the 1980s and early 1990s, building on his reputation as a boy wonder. Married Darby Hickson, a lookalike graphic artist, who had worked for his direct mail firm in 1986, one son from the union. Seemingly close marriage with his wife, using her skills to enhance his consulting. In 1993, he went to work for George W. Bush, who dubbed him, “Boy Genius,” and gained entry into his inner circle, managing both his successful campaigns for governor, via smear tactics and belittling his opponents. Employed a crack team of researchers looking for vulnerable chinks in their political armor, while imprinting his us-vs.-them dynamic as an ongoing manipulative divide in the voting public. Saw in Bush the perfect blend of religious conservatism and big business backing, and in 2000, one/quarter of Bush’s election expenditures went to him. Joined him at the White House, after helping him win the presidency, where his divisive manipulations would prove highly effective, not only for the president, but the Republican Party as well. Selected candidates throughout the country, while also burnishing the Bush image through carefully orchestrated showcases, and was dubbed “the Architect” for his efforts. Dictated domestic policy via what played well in the heartland, or at least his illusion of it, while continually attacking, via mouthpieces, anyone who dared question the administration’s antics. Unusually successful for the first three years of his reign, proving to be one of the most effective consultants in the his/story of the republic. Created an extremely divisive political environment, excoriating enemies, excluding all who disagreed with the administration, refusing to admit failures, and generally thumbing his nose at all democratic processes that did not glorify his man in the White House. Outdid himself in the fear and smear department in the 2004 election, putting a genuine Vietnam combat veteran, John Kerry, on the defensive, despite the fact the president had a shakey record at best in the reserve, and had deliberately missed the Vietnam war, and continued throughout the campaign to impugn all who doubted the perfervid sense of mission of the chief executive. His view that 4 million evangelicals had not voted in 2000, and his successful pursuit of them in 2004, tipped the scales in the president’s favor, and his strategies prevailed to allow him a second term. Moved his office downstairs around the corner from the Oval Office, as symbol of even greater influence, with direct hands-on involvement in all policy, including national security, which he relished, taking great delight in the minutiae of government. Ran afoul of the law, however, for earlier allegedly outing a CIA operative when her husband’s report ran counter to the WMD propaganda of the Iraq War buildup, although it was later proved to have been Richard Armitage, a deputy secretary of state, who had done so. During the president’s fall from grace in his mishandling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, he suffered painful kidney stones, a symbol of hardness and bitterness, and was hospitalized, but afterwards was placed in charge of the reconstruction effort, only to find his role reduced even more with his master’s further fall from grace. Ultimately forced to relinquish his pseudo-presidential duties to concentrate on the 2006 mid-elections, with a revamping of all the president’s men in the spring of that year. Escaped indictment on outing the CIA operative, and went back to the attack, playing up the Iraq War as a Republican strength, rather than weakness, only to find he had lost considerable cachet around the country thanks to the president’s unpopularity. Forced to bear the subsequent loss of both houses of Congress, which he blamed on scandals, and a retrenching to try to recapture the imagination of the American public, although was outed in early 2007 as a factor in firing 8 U.S. attorneys, who did not go after Democrats, in his ongoing attempt to politicize every branch of government. Finally forced to resign in an emotional speech in August of 2007, with subpoena clouds hanging over him, to once again leave the White House in far less than triumphant manner, in a testament to his ongoing tenuous dance with great power, which always seems to ultimately overpower him. Nevertheless, continued as a manipulator and rewriter of contemporary his/story, via written columns and interviews, as well as hooking up with Fox News, in an attempt to remain both relevant and needed to his own beleaguered Republican Party. Subsequently made his presence known in the latter stages of the 2008 presidential race, with his patented attack ads and an insistence Sarah Palin be the v-p candidate, while tut-tutting the negativity of the campaign. In his final service to the president, he was one of the main people given the Orwellian task of rewriting the his/story of the Bush Administration because of the latter’s obsession with his legacy, and resolute ignoral of the realities around it. Divorced his second wife at the end of 2009, after having spent a little too much time with his family. The following year, he released his memoirs, “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative,” which predictably praised the Bush presidency, and excoriated those who felt otherwise about it. Inner: Intense, ruthless and thin-skinned. Bears grudges, and has a great need to get in the last word. Self-described agnostic. Bibliophile, with a detailed grasp of his/story. Tendency to act the clown during tense situations, and always looking for the illusion to supplant the negative substance of any situation. Great admirer of William McKinley (Richard Nixon), because of his mastery of turn-of-the-20th-century electoral technology, which insured Republican dominance til FDR, save for the WW I era. Rovenge of the nerds lifetime of actualizing his fantasies for a two decade run as a boy wonder, while trying to make amends for his ultimate failings the previous time around, serving an opposing political philosophy. Edward M. House (Edward Mandell House) (1858-1938) - American diplomat and presidential adviser. Outer: Father was an English immigrant who became an overseas trader and planter. 7th child, and youngest son. Attended schools in Bath, England and New Haven, Conn. 5’8”, wiry. Forced to return to Texas on his sire’s death in 1880, before he could graduate Cornell Univ., then spent the next decade managing his sire’s cotton plantations and banking interests. Married Loulie Hunter in 1881, 2 daughters from the union. Turned to politics and successfully managed the re-election of Texas governor James Hogg in 1892. Made an honorary colonel in return, and used that title the rest of his life, despite never having served in the military. Managed the next 3 successful Texas gubernatorial campaigns of different candidates through 1902, before withdrawing for a break from active politics. In 1910, he moved to NYC in search of larger political arenas for himself. The following year, met NJ Gov. Woodrow Wilson, and hitched himself to his rising political star. Anonymously published a novel, “Philip Dru: Administrator,” about someone like himself who becomes a benevolent American dictator. At the same time, he supported Wilson’s 1912 run for the presidency, and became his most trusted adviser, thanks to a gift for flattery, and a pliability and insincere willingness to tell the president whatever he wanted to hear, as he totally sacrificed principles for proximity to power. Called my “second personality,” by the latter. Able to put friends in key administrative positions, and although he had little understanding of European politics, nevertheless made himself a self-proclaimed expert in the field. Concentrated on foreign affairs during Wilson’s two terms, and after the outbreak of WW I, he went on peace missions to various European capitals. Served on the Supreme War Council after the U.S.’s entry into WW I in 1917, and helped write many of the president’s wartime speeches, and also negotiate the ultimate armistice the following year. Made a U.S. commissioner at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, but had a falling out with Wilson over his willingness to compromise the president’s rigid idealism, and separate the peace treaty from the latter’s obsession with the League of Nations. Never saw him again, since Wilson felt he could no longer rely on him. Retired to private life, traveled extensively, visiting Europe annually, and in 1926, published the four volume, “The Intimate Papers of Col. House,” which presented himself as the inspiration and dominating spirit behind Wilson’s policies, including the League of Nations, in a boastful display totally out of keeping with the realities of his relationship with the president. Eventually worked for FDR’s election in 1932. Suffered kidney infections, a symbol of a sense of impurity, and ultimately died of pleurisy at home. Inner: Psychology buff, and compromiser in the face of realpolitik. Discreet, taciturn, although expansive with friends. Always the pragmatist, and more than willing to subjugate any ideology he might have had for successful end results. Quiet, unoriginal and self-effacing, although his ‘Intimate Papers’ would dispel the reputation he had carefully carved over his public career. Insider lifetime of practicing the exigencies of politics at the highest levels, before returning for a repeat performance with a completely opposite ideological boss at his behest.

*

PATHWAY OF THE POLITICIAN AS WOODEN WOODSMAN:
Storyline: The problem-solving forester has difficulty in seeing the tree of himself through his multi-branched forest of interests, as he tries to integrate an aloof, cerebral character with the type of telegenic political entertainer that the media age voting public increasingly desires.
Al Gore (Albert Gore, Jr.) (1948) - American politician. Outer: Of English and Irish descent, with royal blood in the distant past, including Otto I (Mohandas Gandhi), the Holy Roman Emperor. Father was Tennessee Senator Albert Gore, Sr., mother, Pauline was an attorney and one of the first female graduates of Vanderbilt’s law school, although only practiced briefly before marrying. One older sister who died of cancer in 1984. Grew up in an upscale hotel along Washington’s Embassy Row, and was educated at one of the capital’s toniest private schools, while being groomed for the presidency by his father, giving him a great eagerness to please his superiors, while turning him into a miniature grown-up, although he later admitted he probably never would have pursued a political career had it not been for his blustery sire’s example. Spent his summers under the supervision of tenant farmers on his father’s farm in Tennessee, working from dawn to dusk in an attempt by his sire to harden him, although had an otherwise totally urban upbringing. 6’1”. Educated at Harvard, where he admitted to inhaling marijuana, and participated in student demonstrations, and then Vanderbilt Univ. Law School. In 1970, he married Mary ‘Tipper’ Aitcheson, whom he met at a high school dance, 5 children from the union, including daughter Kristin, who became a popular novelist, and daughter Karenna, also a writer. His wife came from a broken home, and was raised by her grandparents, and has proved a close support for her husband. That same year, his father lost his Senate seat for being an outspoken critic of America’s involvement in Vietnam. Deeply hurt by the loss, and the only time his mother ever saw him cry. The experience proved profound and made him a centrist as well as a self-preservationist, sacrificing true integrity for electability. Served in Vietnam as an Army journalist, then continued in his capacity as a journalist with the Tennessean, working for that paper until 1976, all the while vowing never to enter politics. When an opportunity arose, however, he used his family name to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Threw up just before announcing his candidacy, then served for 8 years in the House. Advocated policies that fostered high-tech innovations, while presenting himself as a strong environmentalist. Unlike his sire, he was a “raging moderate.” Won his father’s old seat in the Senate in 1984, although was viewed as a loner and showboat. Failed in his first presidential bid 4 years later, but became vice-president under Bill Clinton in 1992 after 16 years in Congress, only to find himself playing second banana to Hillary Clinton. Code-named Sawhorse because of his woodenness by the Secret Service, although it was later amended to Sundance. His son almost died in an auto accident, which took an emotional toll on his wife. During his 2nd term, he took considerable flack for fund raising abuses, while he had to swallow his tongue surrounding the president’s sexual antics. His early campaign to succeed Clinton in 2000 was in complete disarray, forcing him to distance himself from the latter, renounce his vice-presidential duties, and try to remake himself in the public eye, although his refusal to embrace his mentor or their legacy ultimately cost him the election, despite winning the popular vote, and then losing it 5-4 in the Supreme Court, in an incredible over-all display of doing everything wrong in blowing an election, that was his for the asking. While the result was still in question, he found the vp residence under siege by bullhorns, yelling for him to get out of Dick Cheney’s house, which shook up his family considerably. His gracious concession speech 5 weeks later showed him at his best, although internally it would take him a long time to truly digest his defeat. Took a teaching post at Columbia Univ., while initially growing a beard and maintaining a low profile, although by the year 2002, he began to make himself heard in public once again, while accepting a position with a financial services company, to further investigate bio and information technology. Shaved off his beard in 2002 after his wife declined to run for the Senate from Tennessee, but, at the end of the year, he announced he would not run in 2004. Instead, he bought into a Canadian cable news network, Newsworld International, ostensibly to provide an independent source of information, with young adults as his projected audience, although as always, with a larger agenda in mind. Launched it officially in the summer of 2005 as Current TV, with himself as cofounder and chairman. More and more critical of the Bush administration as it progressed, as a self-styled “recovering politician,” with a particular focus on his pet peeve, global warming, and its potentially disastrous effects. Put on weight, grew rich, and in 2006, he employed a global warming documentary he helped create, “The Inconvenient Truth,” as both sword and shield to battle his way back into the cultural arena. Won an Oscar in 2007 for Best Documentary for his efforts, despite using 20 times the amount of electricity to run his own Tennessee home than the average domicile in the U.S. Also received an honorary International Emmy for his work in television, while penning “The Assault on Reason,” a Goracular critique of democracy and the trivialization of ideas by the fear-mongering of TV. Completed an award trifecta as co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on climate change, and remains a lightning rod for those who don’t believe it, through his alarmist championing of projected global destruction by an insensate humanity hellbent on greenhousing gassing itself to obliteration. After 40 years of marriage, he and Tipper announced their separation in 2010, giving no other reason than having grown apart. Several months prior their eldest daughter Karenna also separated from her husband, after 13 years of marriage and three children in an unexplained Gore epidemic of inconstancy. Saw his image further sullied by accusations from a masseuse about inappropriate behavior, although it failed to go beyond the inculpating stage. Inner: Intelligent, articulate, virtually raised to be a presidential contender. Deeply scarred by his presidential loss, and afraid of losing all he has gained in the intervening years of not worrying about pleasing or offending any constituencies. Dedicated, nevertheless, to making his climate-Cassandra views heard, and uplifting the American democratic dialogue. Extremely wooden in public during most of his earlier career, despite the ability to be animated in private. Initially said to be an old man’s idea of what a young man should be like. Cautious and very aware of appearances, while prone to continuously exaggerate his accomplishments. Born-to-rule lifetime of being given a solid foundation of political integrity, only to ultimately serve in the shadow of an amoral chief of state, and suffer the consequences to his own ongoing overweening ambition and not inconsiderable talents. Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) - American forester and politician. Outer: Father was a wealthy self-made NY drygoods merchant who helped found the Yale School of Forestry. Named after a landscape artist friend of his sire’s. His mother was the daughter of a NY real estate tycoon. Younger brother and sister. Traveled as a child, and learned to speak both French and snatches of German, while enjoying an ourdoorsy youth. Thanks to his father’s enthusiasm for the subject, he studied forestry at Yale and then continued his education in France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria for the next 2 years. Returned to America to become the country’s first professional forester, working on the North Carolina estate of George Vanderbilt, while acting as a singular voice of preserving natural resources in an otherwise highly exploitable era. Served as a member of the National Forest Commission, worked for the Secretary of the Interior, and in 1898, was appointed chief forester of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and then held the same position for the U.S. Forest Service. Wrote and spoke prolifically on conservation, coining the term, while serving on several preservation commissions, and became one of the country’s leading spokesmen on the subject, counseling management and scientific care. Found a highly supportive soul in Pres. Teddy Roosevelt (Kathleen Kennedy), during his administration, but ran afoul of Pres. William H. Taft’s (Bill Clinton) secretary of the interior, accusing him of detrimental practices, and was dismissed by Taft, who backed his own secretary. A special commission cleared the secretary of his charges, but the incident enraged his longtime supporter, Roosevelt, who had handpicked Taft to succeed him as president. Roosevelt subsequently challenged Taft in the 1912 election, as a progressive Bull Moose, in a move that effectively handed the presidency to Woodrow Wilson. In 1914, after being a lifelong bachelor, he married he married Cornelia Bryce, a great grand/daughter of Peter Cooper (Edwin Land). His wife was a suffragette who became her husband’s closest political adviser. Continued working as a conservationist, serving for 2 years as state forester of Pennsylvania. Elected governor of Pennsylvania twice, from 1923 to 1927 and 1933 to 1935. Reorganized the state government and established a budget system, while maintaining his staunch support for careful care of the environment. Had a major heart attack in 1939, and several smaller ones afterwards, which greatly hampered his activities. His autobiography, Breaking New Ground, was published posthumously, after his death from leukemia. Inner: Enthusiastic outdoorsman, enjoyed being in the limelight, with a secret desire to be president. His privileged background gave him a sense of self-righteous reform. Uncompromising, non-politic, and easily made enemies, through his self-view as a true public servant. Believer in big government, and its need to counter the runaway greed and exploitation of his own class. Cyclopean lifetime of focusing his considerable skills on a singular all-abiding interest and fashioning a unique career out of it, without being able to tone down his sense of moral rectitude, thanks to a total belief in his mission. Albert Gallatin (Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin) (1761-1849) - Swiss/American politician. Outer: From an aristocratic Swiss family. Left an orphan at the age of 9, he was cared for by a distant relative. Received an excellent, refined education, but spurned his background for revolutionary activities. After graduating from the Geneva Academy, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1780, and eventually settled in Western Pennsylvania. Spoke with a decided German accent his entire life. Eloped with his landlady’s daughte, rSophie Allegre, in 1789, but she died a few months later. Opposed the Federalist viewpoint of centralized government. Elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature for a term in 1790, where he showed an expertise in finance, then was elected to the U.S. Senate although was denied a seat because he hadn’t been a U.S. citizen for 9 years. Married Hannah Nicholson, the daughter of a commodore, in 1793, two sons and a daughter from the union. Acted as a placating voice during the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pa. Served in the House of Representatives for 6 years, and half-way through became a leader of the Republican minority. Became Secretary of the Treasury in 1801, and held that position for an unprecedented 12 years, while setting in gear many of the financial principles that would make the U.S. a solvent giant in that sphere. Able to use his problem-solving skills in all the departments of the federal government, as a consistent voice of probity and tact. Insisted the Treasury Dept. be accountable to Congress, and almost halved the public debt. Extremely conscious of setting precedents for a debt-free, balanced budget. Helped bring about an end to the War of 1812, and was a pivotal figure in gaining European support for the burgeoning United States. Served as minister to France from 1816 to 1823, and later to England. President of the NY branch of the 2nd Bank of the U.S. during the 1830s, and was also an ethnographer, doing much to legitimize the view of Indigenous America, and ultimately being regarded as the father of American ethnography. One of the most exemplary characters of the early Republic, ranking in importance with the highest tier of those who forged the initial United States. Died in his daughter’s arms. Inner: Calvinist, extremely honest and upright. Never used his position to gain wealth or fame. Intelligent, tactful and politic. Public problem-solving lifetime of transposing his prudent principles into the actualities of creating the fiscal giant of the United States. Charles Cavendish (1595?-1654) - English Royalist and mathematician. Outer: From a family of great wealth. His father, for whom he was named, was an MP. Youngest of 3, with his oldest sibling having died in infancy, while his second brother became Royalist general William Cavendish (Bill Clinton). Accompanied diplomat Sir Henry Wotton (Tony Richardson) to France in 1612, and took full advantage of his sibling’s elevated position and monies to pursue his own strong scientific interests. By the early 1630s, he and his brother were at the forefront of philosophic and scientific circles, taking part in both theoretical and practical experiments in optics, mathematics and mechanics, gaining the reputation of a gifted amateur mathematician. Acted as MP for Nottingham for 3 separate Parliaments, taking the Royalist position against the Puritan Parliamentarians, in keeping with family tradition. Served under his brother as a lieutenant-general of the horse during the 1st English Civil War, then traveled on the continent for 7 years during the 2nd Civil War and subsequent fall of the monarchy, where he resumed his researches in Paris, amidst the company of eminent French culturati and scientists. Suffered the sequestration of his estates during the Commonwealth, and returned to England with his sister-in-law to try to save the family property from confiscation, but died before he could do so. Inner: Dilettante and dabbler, with a strong scientific bent. Cerebral lifetime of dealing with information on an abstract level, while hanging out in the orbit of his far more ambitious longtime family, and suffering the consequences for its royalist and traditionalist sympathies.

*