It’s About Time

 

Major Garrett shifted uneasily in his chair, as the cameras and lights were set up around him. He reflected on his nearly twenty years with the media, especially on his decision to move from Fox News to CBS in 2012. Recently he had wondered if he had made the right decision, given the attitude and behavior of the media toward President Trump and his administration. Today he might be risking his career, but he believed it was the right thing to do.

At that moment the door to the hotel room opened and former President Obama strode into the room, smiling as he saw Garrett waiting for him. Garrett stood up and extended his hand to shake the President’s hand, then invited him to sit down.

They spent a few minutes exchanging small talk, updating each other on their families, activities, and plans. Then Major Garrett moved to the purpose of the interview.

MG: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Mr. President. I thought it would be important after your recent speeches to give you the opportunity to address the public further on the misunderstandings about your administration and your concerns about the Trump administration.

BO: I appreciate the opportunity, Major, and feel the country has the right to know the truth.

He looked at Garrett solemnly, nodding his head.

MG: So I’d like to focus on some of the key actions of your administration. Tell me about the Affordable Care Act and its current status in the country.

BO: I’m very concerned, Major. We put together a plan that was established to bring down medical costs, give the people more choices for insurance, and make sure more people had coverage. The Trump administration is dismantling the whole program and will leave people without insurance. They’re really taking a step backward.

MG: That was your original plan, Mr. President. What do you say, however, to your critics who claim that insurance ended up being more expensive, and that people were not signing up because they weren’t concerned about the small penalty for opting out? In fact, you also promised people that they could keep their health plan and doctors if they wished.

Obama shifted in his chair and studied Garrett, and after a brief pause, responded.

BO: Well, no program is perfect, and if we’d had more time to work out the kinks, all those difficulties would have been resolved.

MG: Right. I understand. Well, let’s talk a bit about the US relationship with the Russians. You were determined to improve our relationship with Russia, including the reset button that Secretary of State Clinton offered to the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

BO: That’s right, and I think when I left government, we had greatly improved our relationship with the Russians. Unfortunately, President Trump is now pandering to them and is putting the future of our country in danger.

MG: Well, on the other hand, there were the situations with Ukraine and Crimea during your administration, Mr. President. You allowed the Russians to attack Ukraine, and when the Ukrainians asked us for arms to fight off the Russian troops which Vladimir Putin denied existed, you sent them blankets. And of course, he took over Crimea without repercussions from our country.

BO: Listen, Major, we thought we were only going to escalate the Ukraine problem if we sent arms, and Crimea was actually more culturally Russian than anything else. Say, where is this interview going anyway?

MG: I’m just trying to clarify the actions of your own administration and of the current administration, sir.

Barack Obama sat on the edge of his chair with his hands tightly folded in front of him.

BO: Right, so what’s next on your list of questions?

MG: Well there is the Iran Nuclear Deal, which you believe was a key accomplishment of your administration.

BO: Yes, indeed. We were determined to slow down Iran’s nuclear activities, and we were successful in setting up a plan to do just that. I’m very proud of our work. And now Donald Trump has thrown all that away, over some petty disagreements, instead of sticking with our allies to modify the plan with Iran’s help. It’s very discouraging and really puts our country, in fact, the world, in grave danger.

MG: There are people, Mr. President, who see that deal differently. The plane that was secretly sent to Tehran with $400 million in Swiss francs, euros and other currencies the same day the hostages were released, along with two other planes, was disturbing to many in Congress.

BO: Now wait a second, you don’t have the full story—

MG: —and then there were the efforts to give the Iranians access to US banks—

BO: –but you don’t understand the intricacies of the deal—

MG: –and there were no plans for serious enforcement actions.

Barack Obama stood up quickly.

BO: Turn off the cameras. Turn. Off. The. Cameras. I didn’t come here to be insulted, Major. You invited me here under false pretenses. I’m done.

MG: Oh, just one more thing, Mr. President. Steve?

A man came out of the corner of the room holding a document that he handed to the President. Obama looked at him quizzically.

Steve: Sir, this is a Grand Jury subpoena. I have been authorized to tell you that it is in regard to an IRS investigation.

BO: This is outrageous!

MG: Yes sir, it is. It certainly is.

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There are 34 comments.

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  1. Larry3435 Inactive
    Larry3435
    @Larry3435

    Yeah, I wish.

    • #1
  2. GLDIII Reagan
    GLDIII
    @GLDIII

    Susan, please check the labels on your Rx’s. I am not sure these semi delusional fantasy fan fiction scenarios are good for your equilibrium.

    I love the premise, however my cynicism won’t allow me to indulge in any delusions of real retribution for the sins of the pass administration. 

    • #2
  3. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    GLDIII (View Comment):

    Susan, please check the labels on your Rx’s. I am not sure these semi delusional fantasy fan fiction scenarios are good for your equilibrium.

    I love the premise, however my cynicism won’t allow me to indulge in any delusions of real retribution for the sins of the pass administration.

    Not to worry, <span class="atwho-inserted" contenteditable="false" data-atwho-at-query="@gldiii“>@gldiii. Writing this kind of story is healing for me, even if it’s delusional. So let’s just love the premise and enjoy!

    • #3
  4. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Shucks! I was hoping for the you tube video – but what a great example in this case of  truth being closer to fiction than stranger…….

    • #4
  5. Locke On Member
    Locke On
    @LockeOn

    You have a fine future ahead as a fantasy author!

    • #5
  6. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Locke On (View Comment):

    You have a fine future ahead as a fantasy author!

    Thank you, @lockeon! It’s nice to break out of my usual mode of writing! And fun!

    • #6
  7. PHCheese Inactive
    PHCheese
    @PHCheese

    If only.

    • #7
  8. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    No one has mentioned the photo. Who’s laughing now?

    • #8
  9. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    How sad that it was so jarring to read this. It should have been an everyday occurrence for eight years, and would have been had he been a Republican.

    • #9
  10. Columbo Inactive
    Columbo
    @Columbo

    • #10
  11. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    I wish, I wish, I wish!!

    Darn, Susan, you had me going. )-:

    • #11
  12. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Columbo (View Comment):

    Yes! I love unicorns! And I love this country! Thanks, @columbo, for bringing in a light moment.

    • #12
  13. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    I wish, I wish, I wish!!

    Darn, Susan, you had me going. )-:

    If that’s true, that’s the biggest compliment! Even if not, I’m pleased. Thanks, @philturmel.

    • #13
  14. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    I wish, I wish, I wish!!

    Darn, Susan, you had me going. )-:

    If that’s true, that’s the biggest compliment! Even if not, I’m pleased. Thanks, @philturmel.

    It was dawning on me when Obama didn’t walk out in a huff after the Ukraine exchange.

    • #14
  15. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    In all seriousness, even if it was in my imagination, I wanted to see Obama’s comeuppance and have him taken down a peg or two. And I was so angry about his attacks on Trump with lies, and his determination to be political even though ex-presidents stay out of the melee–well, let’s just say I feel just a little bit better!

    • #15
  16. OkieSailor Member
    OkieSailor
    @OkieSailor

    While your fantasy juices are flowing how about telling the story of how the Republican leadership got serious about spending cuts and paid off the national debt in Trump’s second term by sensibley using increased reciets due to the tax cuts and regulatory reform . Just be sure to warn us when it’s coming so we can prepare with a few stiff ones so incredulity doesn’t see in too quickly .

    Thanks for the smiles .

    • #16
  17. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    OkieSailor (View Comment):

    While your fantasy juices are flowing how about telling the story of how the Republican leadership got serious about spending cuts and paid off the national debt in Trump’s second term by sensibley using increased reciets due to the tax cuts and regulatory reform . Just be sure to warn us when it’s coming so we can prepare with a few stiff ones so incredulity doesn’t see in too quickly .

    Thanks for the smiles .

    You bet. BTW, what Republican leadership?

    • #17
  18. Nanda Panjandrum Member
    Nanda Panjandrum
    @

    SQ, as with many of @richardharvester‘s evocative posts, a descriptor in the title would’ve alleviated a great deal of disappointment…Just sayin’. :-)  Well-done.

    • #18
  19. OkieSailor Member
    OkieSailor
    @OkieSailor

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    OkieSailor (View Comment):

    While your fantasy juices are flowing how about telling the story of how the Republican leadership got serious about spending cuts and paid off the national debt in Trump’s second term by sensibley using increased reciets due to the tax cuts and regulatory reform . Just be sure to warn us when it’s coming so we can prepare with a few stiff ones so incredulity doesn’t see in too quickly .

    Thanks for the smiles .

    You bet. BTW, what Republican leadership?

    Let’s see…. Ben Sasse for Senate majority leader and Jim Jordan for Speaker . If you’re gonna dream, dream big .

    • #19
  20. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    OkieSailor (View Comment):
    Let’s see…. Ben Sasse for Senate majority leader and Jim Jordan for Speaker . If you’re gonna dream, dream big .

    Yes, @okiesailor! Even though some people criticize them, one for not lining up consistently behind Trump, and the other for being headstrong, I like them both very much. They are fearless and outspoken–two qualities that are desperately needed by the Republican party

    • #20
  21. OkieSailor Member
    OkieSailor
    @OkieSailor

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    OkieSailor (View Comment):
    Let’s see…. Ben Sasse for Senate majority leader and Jim Jordan for Speaker . If you’re gonna dream, dream big .

    Yes, @okiesailor! Even though some people criticize them, one for not lining up consistently behind Trump, and the other for being headstrong, I like them both very much. They are fearless and outspoken–two qualities that are desperately needed by the Republican party

    Which is why they will never be in leadership thus the fantasy.  I don’t care that they criticise Trump sometimes only that they push sensible measures.  And they wouldn’t go wobbly to quote Mrs. Thacher. 

    • #21
  22. Goldwaterwoman Thatcher
    Goldwaterwoman
    @goldwaterwoman

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    And I was so angry about his attacks on Trump with lies, and his determination to be political even though ex-presidents stay out of the melee–well, let’s just say I feel just a little bit better!

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight. George W. Bush sat silently and politely throughout BO’s eight years declaring that the presidency was tough enough without the former president piling on. Although I’m sure many of wished Bush had spoken out loudly for our side, we respected his decision. BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms. 

    • #22
  23. Nanda Panjandrum Member
    Nanda Panjandrum
    @

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    And I was so angry about his attacks on Trump with lies, and his determination to be political even though ex-presidents stay out of the melee–well, let’s just say I feel just a little bit better!

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight. George W. Bush sat silently and politely throughout BO’s eight years declaring that the presidency was tough enough without the former president piling on. Although I’m sure many of wished Bush had spoken out loudly for our side, we respected his decision. BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    And Rahm is not running again, either…Hmmmm

    • #23
  24. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Nanda Panjandrum (View Comment):

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    And I was so angry about his attacks on Trump with lies, and his determination to be political even though ex-presidents stay out of the melee–well, let’s just say I feel just a little bit better!

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight. George W. Bush sat silently and politely throughout BO’s eight years declaring that the presidency was tough enough without the former president piling on. Although I’m sure many of wished Bush had spoken out loudly for our side, we respected his decision. BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    And Rahm is not running again, either…Hmmmm

    No way. The city is a mess. BarryO isn’t a fixer.

    • #24
  25. Nanda Panjandrum Member
    Nanda Panjandrum
    @

    Percival (View Comment):

    Nanda Panjandrum (View Comment):

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    And I was so angry about his attacks on Trump with lies, and his determination to be political even though ex-presidents stay out of the melee–well, let’s just say I feel just a little bit better!

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight. George W. Bush sat silently and politely throughout BO’s eight years declaring that the presidency was tough enough without the former president piling on. Although I’m sure many of wished Bush had spoken out loudly for our side, we respected his decision. BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    And Rahm is not running again, either…Hmmmm

    No way. The city is a mess. BarryO isn’t a fixer.

    True, but the “community organizer” won’t be able to resist returning to his “community”, will he?

     

    • #25
  26. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Nanda Panjandrum (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Nanda Panjandrum (View Comment):

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    And I was so angry about his attacks on Trump with lies, and his determination to be political even though ex-presidents stay out of the melee–well, let’s just say I feel just a little bit better!

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight. George W. Bush sat silently and politely throughout BO’s eight years declaring that the presidency was tough enough without the former president piling on. Although I’m sure many of wished Bush had spoken out loudly for our side, we respected his decision. BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    And Rahm is not running again, either…Hmmmm

    No way. The city is a mess. BarryO isn’t a fixer.

    True, but the “community organizer” won’t be able to resist returning to his “community”, will he?

     

    He’ll find a way. He’s not very bright, but he’s resourceful.

    • #26
  27. Eeyore Member
    Eeyore
    @Eeyore

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight … BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    When he started blathering a few days ago, I realized the Dems have been strategizing for a very lo-o-o-ng time as to exactly when O would enter the mid-term fray. Too early, and his influence would be diluted; too late and turnout responses would be difficult to structure. I suspect he and Tom Perez have a day-by-day schedule of O’s participation. And Michelle’s. And Chelsea’s. And Hillary’s. And Bill’s. And probably a score of other individual and organizational players.

    Except Googly-Eyes. Googly-Eyes is on her own.

    • #27
  28. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Eeyore (View Comment):

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight … BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    When he started blathering a few days ago, I realized the Dems have been strategizing for a very lo-o-o-ng time as to exactly when O would enter the mid-term fray. Too early, and his influence would be diluted; too late and turnout responses would be difficult to structure. I suspect he and Tom Perez have a day-by-day schedule of O’s participation. And Michelle’s. And Chelsea’s. And Hillary’s. And Bill’s. And probably a score of other individual and organizational players.

    Except Googly-Eyes. Googly-Eyes is on her own.

    This is how I see it too.

    • #28
  29. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    No one has mentioned the photo. Who’s laughing now?

    President Trump has gone full Tommy DeVito on the Kohmenist regime:

    “You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it’s me, I’m a little [redacted] up maybe, but I’m funny how, I mean funny like I’m a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I’m here to [redacted] amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?”

    • #29
  30. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Eeyore (View Comment):

    Goldwaterwoman (View Comment):

    Once a community organizer, always a community organizer, and BO just can’t resist the limelight … BO should go quietly into the good night, but he’s rising up just in time to generate Dem votes in the midterms.

    When he started blathering a few days ago, I realized the Dems have been strategizing for a very lo-o-o-ng time as to exactly when O would enter the mid-term fray. Too early, and his influence would be diluted; too late and turnout responses would be difficult to structure. I suspect he and Tom Perez have a day-by-day schedule of O’s participation. And Michelle’s. And Chelsea’s. And Hillary’s. And Bill’s. And probably a score of other individual and organizational players.

    Except Googly-Eyes. Googly-Eyes is on her own.

    This is how I see it too

    Except that the Obama and Clinton wings are deadly enemies (Clinton wing almost destroyed) and Obama can scarcely keep up with the really woke new kids. 

    • #30
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