The Bully Pulpit

Chapter 1
Bully Pulpit n. A position that provides an opportunity to speak out from and be listened to. Coined by Theodore Roosevelt.

--

Underwood was confused. This was the site of the 1912 Republican National Convention but the building was torn down to make way for: "A library," said Underwood.

"What's so strange about that?" wondered Anya.

"Well, I thought it would be a condo tower or something. Awfully convenient for us that it became a library."

They were in the history section as they were talking, in hushed tones about this. They were looking for the how and why of Theodore Roosevelt getting the Republican nomination for president in 1912 when that battle was so acrimonious.

"Aha!" said Anya.

"What?"

"Apparently William Howard Taft had a 'health episode' a week before the RNC. He dropped out and, to the surprise of everyone supported Roosevelt."

"Does it say what the health episode was?"

"No. And no listing of symptoms either. But at least we know what happened."

"But did Roosevelt?"

They looked at each other and smiled. Of course, Roosevelt won.
 
Chapter 2

They were exiting the library when Underwood took a closer look at the American flag that was hanging outside. A breeze caught it and showed:

"54 stars. Huh."

Anya looked at the flag now. "One of those stars must be Puerto Rico, right?"

"Yes and, according to one of the books in there, TR went to war with Mexico twice."

Anya looked at Underwood and raised an eyebrow. "To be fair though, one of them was really more of an expedition. TR, apparently, didn't like the way the Mexican Civil War was going so he intervened. The second time was the straight up land grab."

"Chort."

"Ya zhnayu."

"So where to now?"

"England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan?"

"Can we go to the Middle East this time?"

"If we have the time sure."
 
Interlude 1
States of the United States created after the POD:

Name: Alaska Capital: Juneau Statehood: March 19th, 1941
Name: Hawaii Capital: Honolulu Statehood: September 15th, 1941
Name: Puerto Rico Capital: San Juan Statehood: January 20th, 1953
Name: Baja California Capital: La Paz Statehood: March 10th, 1967
Name: Sonora Capital: Hermosillio Statehood: February 8th, 1971
Name: Chihuahua Capital: Chihuahua City Statehood: January 14th, 1974
 
Top