II.
The steady stream of rain was fitting as a riderless horse trotted in the funeral procession as the casket of the slain president, William Jefferson Clinton, followed behind. Mourners lined the streets to bid farewell to Clinton who was to become the third president buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The late president’s wife, Hillary Clinton, and his daughter, Chelsea Clinton, stood beside President and First Lady Gore. The former first daughter was then just 16 years old.
As President Clinton’s casket was lowered to its final resting place, speechwriters in the White House were putting the final touches on President Gore’s address to a Joint Session of Congress to take place the following evening. It was to be a message of defining Gore’s future presidency and outlining his response to the terrorist attack that took Bill Clinton’s life.
A week and one day after President Clinton’s death, the Sargeant of Arms of the House of Representatives bellowed his iconic phrase, “Mr. Speaker: the President of the United States!” For the first time, he was referring to Albert Gore, Jr. of Tennessee who just days ago would have been on the rostrum, not standing in front of the microphone. The room delivered a customary standing ovation, but there was real meaning behind it. The members of the House and Senate were looking for a leader to guide them through this time of uncertainty. Gore, not known for exciting addresses, was to give an important speech about where the nation was about to go.
Al Qaeda had taken responsibility for the attack on the U.S. delegation, and President Gore and his advisers were determined to strike back. After the applause died down, the 43rd president began his remarks to outline what was to come in the days, weeks, and months ahead. “Mr. Speaker, Mr. President pro Tempore, members of the Congress, members of my cabinet, fellow citizens:
“Tonight, with President Clinton and others laid to rest, we must determine how to respond to an act of war by a rogue terrorist group from the Middle East. Let me state in no uncertain terms that the United States of America takes seriously the threat posed by Al Qaeda to our nation. Let me state in no uncertain terms that yes, we consider the assassination of our president on foreign soil to be an act of war. And let me state in no uncertain terms that any nation that harbors Al Qaeda and/or its leaders is committing a similar act of war against the United States.” His remarks were weighty and delivered with confidence. They fell on receptive ears within the halls of Congress and the broader American public.
The president called on the government of Afghanistan to turn over Osama bin Laden and his network of terrorist affiliates. If they did not comply by December 1, Gore said he would ask the Congress for an authorization of force against Afghanistan. Congressional leaders appreciated the sign of respect for the legislative branch. In his speech, the president also revealed he had talked to NATO allies and that they would join the United States in its effort to eradicate Al Qaeda in the Middle East.
Internally, there was debate within the new Gore Administration about whether or not the United States required authorization from the United Nations to launch its effort. President Gore decided it did not. In his address to the American people, Gore announced that because of Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, a potential military response against Al Qaeda was indeed legal under international law.
Gore concluded with a moving final passage. “The Bible tells us to, ‘rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.’ And as Bill Clinton reminded us, on so many occasions, ‘I still believe in a place called Hope.’ Thank you, goodnight, and God Bless America.” The chamber broke into thunderous applause as Gore exited the Capitol Building. He was fully aware of the weight on his shoulders. An American president lay dead. It was up to the new president to ensure he did not die in vain.
After the president’s address, which received widespread national approval, Attorney General Janet Reno, flanked by Constitutional lawyers and scholars, announced the plan forward concerning the legality of the Gore Administration. The Reno Plan was universally supported by Congressional leaders and Constitutional experts and received the endorsement of Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican presidential nominee. With the plan for the formality of Al Gore’s legitimacy announced, questions turned to whom the new president would select as his vice president.
Whoever Gore selected would need to be able to withstand Congressional scrutiny. For that reason, many suggested that Gore pick someone within the legislative branch or someone whom Congress already approved. There was also a question of whether or not the person selected was to be a placeholder or viewed as a beneficial running mate in the 2000 presidential election, assuming Gore was to seek a term of his own. Top considerations included George Mitchell, a former U.S. Senator from Maine and the former Senate Majority Leader, and Dick Gephardt, the leader of the House Democrats. However, Gore wanted someone who would simultaneously show his ability to be bold and help him further embolden the Clinton legacy - a strategy that would be crucial to ensuring his own success in office.
One night, as the nation waited to hear whether or not the Taliban would turn over Osama bin Laden prior to December the first, Al Gore climbed into bed beside his wife, Tipper. The First Lady had a day of meetings of her own, including one with the person she thought her husband should name as the next Vice President of the United States. “Al,” she asked, “who are you going to pick for vice president?”
“I’ve tried telling you, Tipper,” he said, “I just don’t know. I’ve thought about Mitchell and Dick Gephardt, but neither are particularly enticing to me. Someone suggested Ann Richards from Texas, but I don’t know if she can withstand a Congressional hearing. I’m really at a loss. What do you think?”
“I think you should pick Hillary.”
“Clinton?” the president asked, visibly caught off guard.
“Yes. The American people adore her in the wake of Bill’s loss, and while she doesn’t have experience holding political office, no one can deny she understands policy. And look at it this way, Al: She’s going to start her own career one way or another. You’ll be praised for continuing Bill’s legacy and choosing the first female vice president, and she gets a platform to continue her policy agenda.”
“I’m not sure, Tipper,” the president admitted. “It could also go wrong. Not even a year ago she was testifying about Whitewater -”
“You know as well as I do that was a bunch of bogus, Al. And the American people decided they didn’t care. Look at the landslide Bill brought home last month. There’s a poll out -”
“I saw it.”
“More than 80% of the American say they will remember Bill Clinton as a ‘great’ president. Hillary’s personal approval rating is in the high seventies. Congress wouldn’t dare take on a dead president’s widow less than a month after the terrorist attack that killed her husband.”
“Would she do it?"
“I’m not sure. We had tea today, and she was talking about taking a break from politics and running for Senate in 2000. I’m not sure if she’s up to it now, but it’s worth an ask.”
“I’ll talk it over with some of the staff tomorrow, and I’ll let you know.”
That night, as Al Gore drifted to sleep, he began to seriously consider the idea of featuring Hillary Clinton in his administration. She was more progressive than Bill was. She’d be a bold and decisive choice. She was thoroughly vetted. There would be questions about her ability to serve, but he doubted that anyone would really consider voting against the widow of a slain president. Perhaps Hillary was the bold choice that would end doubts about Al Gore’s ability to be the kind of bold president America needed in this all-important time.