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From the Diaries of Jack McCain


January 4 2031


Today was an exciting day – I got a new job, working for Meg!

I was at work in the office at 11:30, and I was just about to leave for lunch when Meg called, asking if I wanted to have lunch with her in the Oval. I said yes. I drove to the White House, where I was graciously accepted by the WH staff and received by my sister in the Oval Office.

I guess I've always had a hard time accepting the fact that Meghan actually became President. I mean, I knew there was a possibility of this happening back in '28, while on the campaign trail. I knew it well before I stood on a stage at the Republican National Convention with my sister that year. But you always saw pictures of your President walking around, sitting down in, or doing whatever in the Oval Office. For me to see my sister occupying that office is very strange for me.

We had a nice joke going when I came in. “Mrs. President,” I said in a deep voice, “The Secretary of Defense has just informed me that the Reds have just invaded Manitoba. President Romney is requesting military aid from the United States, and he requests a nuclear strike on Havana. If you launch the nukes, you get impeached by the Democrats. If you don't, you get impeached by the Republicans and the conservative Democrats. What do you do?”

Very funny, Jack,” she laughed. My sister – President Meghan McCain, as I sometimes refer to her – was sitting at that famous desk of hers, and she motioned for me to sit down on the other end. “The cooks are making lunch – grilled cheese, I know you like grilled cheese. Now Jack, we've got some business to settle.”

I sat down. “How's the job going? We haven't talked for years!”


Jack, I think you've gotten the details of my job so far. I think your source is called the media, correct?”

Too correct, I'm afraid,” I said.

So how goes the work at the bar? It was nice of you to apply for a job as a lawyer here in D.C., by the way,” she added.

Pretty well – very successful, actually. I just convicted a murderer on twelve counts, got him sent to prison for life.”

I know.” She winked.

That's when I realized something. Something very important.

She wasn't having me over for lunch for no reason. No, not this time.

She was going to offer me a job. It made so much sense. Meg always has serious conversations with people over lunch. It's her way of doing things in her office. Of course I've been to lunch with her before, but the circumstances were different here. She just hinted that she knew my record as a lawyer very well.

And then I realized another thing. The Attorney General had said last year that he was going to resign this month. Meg was looking for a replacement. She needed someone who had experience as a lawyer, someone who knew politics and the law, and someone who she really trusted. Like her brother.

Just then, she made the offer. “Jack, I would like to give you the opportunity to work as my...”

I'll accept!” I said eagerly. I felt very warm on the inside. Dad had been so proud of Meg when she was elected President. And now, his son was about to become the next Attorney General of the United States.

She grinned. “Jack, you thought I was offering you Attorney General?” She asked slyly.

She knew me too well, and I knew what was coming.

I'm afraid it's not that,” she continued. “Don't get me wrong, Jack; you would be good for the job. However, I've got a better job for you. You're better for this job, because you know politics so well.”

Her grin grew wider. “Jack, how would you like to run my re-election campaign for next year?”

She was right. I wanted this more – I had always wanted to manage a political campaign. I had come close when Meg decided to run back in '28, but a “more experienced” applicant was accepted (though I think it was really because Meg had a grudge against me back then). But her '28 manager had died last year – two days apart from Dad – and now she needed a new one.

I would love to,” I told her. I changed my future.

She grinned. “Wonderful,” she said. “It'll make for some good family time between us, don't you think?”

I laughed. “Yes.”

We finished lunch, and then she motioned for me to sit down on the Oval Office sofa (which I have always found very comfortable, and I'm always dying to sit in it – and Meg knows that), to talk a bit more about the upcoming campaign.

When do you want to announce?” I asked her.

Very soon. I have no doubts that Palin will challenge me in the primaries, so I want to preempt her challenge. I want to make the statement powerful as well.”

Understandably. And speaking of Governor Palin, have you already thought about the specifics of beating her in the primaries?”

No doubt that she's built up a huge base over the past few years. In fact, I'm convinced she started earlier than this. She knows that it will be difficult for her to succeed, especially after her mother's campaign back in 2012. But even with it, I'm convinced she can't beat me. I may be below 50% in the approval rating polls, but hell, Turtledove was under 50% back in '03, and Gingrich didn't beat him.”

She sipped from a glass of water sitting on the sofa table. “Anyway, I'm convinced we can dynamite her out of the way. As soon as she makes a gaffe, we can go all out. And knowing Mrs. Palin, that will happen very soon.”

That's a funny thing I've always noticed about Meg. Ever since she was elected, she's developed a sort of political ruthlessness that has always reminded me of Huey Long. Back when Long was President, he was vicious in getting his legislation passed. Unfortunately, unlike Meg, he succeeded most of the time. Meg's had a tough time these last few years, but she's never lost her ruthlessness.

I agreed with her, and then I asked about what she thought of the Democrats.

I'm a little worried about them,” she admitted. “They're unified behind Castro, no doubt about that. And so they should be – I would be very upset if the GOP didn't stand 100% behind Minority Leader Baskin. And Castro's a tough one. He's been both a moderate and a liberal at the same time, he's Hispanic, and he's a veteran of Texas politics. And I know Texas politicians. If you can survive Texan politics as a Democrat, and then do what Castro did with San Antonio back in the 2010s, you can survive anywhere. He'll be much tougher than Palin.”

I'm sure there are ways to beat him,” I assured her. “We'll figure out something.”

We didn't talk much about the state parties that are all too likely to pop up next year. Normally, I would say the Kentucky Labor Party would run a candidate, but so far, that party has stood behind Castro very solidly. I even think Castro has a good shot at Kentucky. And of course, Meg was endorsed by Chafee's Rhode Island Moderate Party back in '28, and I'm certain they'll endorse her again next year. But the most worrying third party that will come up, undoubtedly, is a Conservative Party. There's no doubt they'll run a candidate. I'm just worried that Palin will have enough sense to accept their nomination or not. It'll be the end of her political career in the GOP if she does go third-party, but it will also be the end of Meg's, and we want to avoid that.

It's going to be difficult, but I'm convinced we can do it.
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