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Simon's Endorsement
March 17th, 1988
"Barack, I hate to say it, but it's time." In the short time of the campaign, Paul Simon had found himself turning more and more to young Barack Obama for advice about various things. The young lawyer wasn't a yes man, and he told it like it was. In fact, this very characteristic was what caused Simon to see so much of himself in Obama.
"Come on, we can hang in a little longer! We just won Illinois!" Obama wasn't ready to give up. He had put his heart and soul into his work with the campaign, but if he was being honest with himself, he wanted Simon to stay in the race for his own reasons. He had found the campaign trail so much more interesting than legal work; the ups and downs of the trail had become almost like a drug for him, and he wasn't quite ready to give it up.
"As much as I hate to say it, It's time to face facts. There's no way we can catch up this late in the race. If we wait any longer, we'll be drowning in debt, and for what reason? We gave it our best shot, but it's time for me to go back to the Senate and for you to law school."
Obama reflected on this for a minute, the room silent as Simon watched him.
"Fine," Obama relented, "but what now? Who do you endorse?" Now it was Simon's turn to pause and think.
"Well, obviously I'm going to pick Iacocca!" Both he and Obama burst out laughing before Simon said, "Seriously, though - I know who I'm going to pick. Now, I'm going to write the speech. Can you go get the media vultures ready for tomorrow?"
Obama nodded and rose, walking towards the door. As he reached for the knob, Simon called to him.
"Barack," the old Senator said curtly, "you have a real future at this. Keep your head up."
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March 18th, 1988
"It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I am officially ending my bid for President of the United States of America.
To all of you who voted for me, to those who sacrificed countless precious hours working for this campaign in all fifty states of this great nation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Each and every one of you worked your tails off, and if it wasn't for you, I'd still just be the zany, bow tie wearing guy from Illinois.
However, now is the time to accept that my dream of leading this great nation as President is over. It is time that I choose the man who I think will lead this country to the strongest future. The man who has the strongest record of fighting for Americans.
I have had the pleasure of working with this man for many years, and as such I can attest to his strength and intelligence. At a time like this, we need an experienced hand to lead us to prosperity.
We need Gary Hart as our President of the United States of America.
I look forward to helping Mr. Hart in any way I can and any way he sees fit. Once again, thank you to everyone who forwarded this common man's campaign for the highest office in the land. The ideas you believe in, and by extension you, will not be forgotten and will not be silenced!"
"Barack, I hate to say it, but it's time." In the short time of the campaign, Paul Simon had found himself turning more and more to young Barack Obama for advice about various things. The young lawyer wasn't a yes man, and he told it like it was. In fact, this very characteristic was what caused Simon to see so much of himself in Obama.
"Come on, we can hang in a little longer! We just won Illinois!" Obama wasn't ready to give up. He had put his heart and soul into his work with the campaign, but if he was being honest with himself, he wanted Simon to stay in the race for his own reasons. He had found the campaign trail so much more interesting than legal work; the ups and downs of the trail had become almost like a drug for him, and he wasn't quite ready to give it up.
"As much as I hate to say it, It's time to face facts. There's no way we can catch up this late in the race. If we wait any longer, we'll be drowning in debt, and for what reason? We gave it our best shot, but it's time for me to go back to the Senate and for you to law school."
Obama reflected on this for a minute, the room silent as Simon watched him.
"Fine," Obama relented, "but what now? Who do you endorse?" Now it was Simon's turn to pause and think.
"Well, obviously I'm going to pick Iacocca!" Both he and Obama burst out laughing before Simon said, "Seriously, though - I know who I'm going to pick. Now, I'm going to write the speech. Can you go get the media vultures ready for tomorrow?"
Obama nodded and rose, walking towards the door. As he reached for the knob, Simon called to him.
"Barack," the old Senator said curtly, "you have a real future at this. Keep your head up."
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March 18th, 1988
"It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I am officially ending my bid for President of the United States of America.
To all of you who voted for me, to those who sacrificed countless precious hours working for this campaign in all fifty states of this great nation, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Each and every one of you worked your tails off, and if it wasn't for you, I'd still just be the zany, bow tie wearing guy from Illinois.
However, now is the time to accept that my dream of leading this great nation as President is over. It is time that I choose the man who I think will lead this country to the strongest future. The man who has the strongest record of fighting for Americans.
I have had the pleasure of working with this man for many years, and as such I can attest to his strength and intelligence. At a time like this, we need an experienced hand to lead us to prosperity.
We need Gary Hart as our President of the United States of America.
I look forward to helping Mr. Hart in any way I can and any way he sees fit. Once again, thank you to everyone who forwarded this common man's campaign for the highest office in the land. The ideas you believe in, and by extension you, will not be forgotten and will not be silenced!"
- Meyer London
- Word Count: 580