Interview with President Stonebreaker: Part 1

The Reconstructionists, sequel to The Revolutionists, arrives very soon. In anticipation, we’ve been asked to interview characters you may have met in the first book who return in the second story. Two years have passed and Michael Stonebreaker is back, mid-way through his first term as President of the United States. He has agreed to sit down with us and discuss the things that are on his mind.Biff:  Mr. President, if you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?POTUS: Well, Biff, there is no such thing as a free day in this job. Others may take a day off, but I don’t have that luxury. I guess that my favorite thing is hiking the hills around Clear Haven, my hometown, with Joan at my side. There are some absolutely beautiful vistas that I know about. If I had the time, that’s where I would be on any given day.Biff: On that note, what kind of impression do you make on people when they first meet you? POTUS: I’m a simple man, but I guess I come off as a little intense, at times. I like people, and I am ready to give them a chance to talk. Listen, this job isn’t about me. I want our people to be safe and secure. I respect those who love this country, and I tolerate those that don’t…up to a point. I admit that I’m a law and order kind of guy and that may be intimidating to some…but I believe you can’t have order without self-discipline. That’s the military in me. Biff: How about after they've known you for a while?POTUS: The media might disagree, but I am a good guy. I believe in having fun when I can. You can’t make everybody happy in this job. Trying to do that turns people into  politicians, and that’s something I’m never going to be.Biff: What are you most proud of in your life?POTUS: That might require a long answer. I’m proud of my family. They have served this nation in its uniforms and its wars. My grandfather was in the Army in a tank battalion in World War II. My father was a Marine who fought in Vietnam. I love West Point, and I was privileged to lead incredible soldiers in harm’s way. Not all of them made it back. They are the real heroes in this country. I love America with every fiber of my being and I want every citizen to be truly proud of our nation. We are a blessed people. Those who understand what patriotism is will understand me. As I said, I am a simple man. From a material standpoint, I need a roof over my head, a job to do with all my might, and three squares a day. No one will ever accuse me of being an Epicurean, an elitist, or power hungry. If you can’t look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, you’d best stop what you’re doing and leave well enough alone.Biff: What are you most ashamed of in your life?POTUS: You do remember that I am the President of the United States, don’t you?Biff: Of course, Mr. President. I didn’t mean to offend you--POTUS: Relax, Biff. No one has ever asked me that question before. You have to have a sense of proportion when you sit in this chair. And a sense of humor helps, too. Truthfully, what comes to mind is an incident from my boyhood. My brother Henry and I were shooting our BB guns in the backyard when we hit a neighbor’s window. My mother was upset about what we did, and my father took us to the building behind our house to administer the belt! Instead of beating us, he beat an old saddle. Mom thought we’d gotten a real hide tanning for our crime, and she was weeping when we left the building feigning our “whipping.” No one ever told her the truth, least of all Dad. I guess…now that you’ve asked me… she’ll find out the truth. I’ve never told anyone about this in public. Boy, I guess I’m going to be in trouble with my Mom!Biff: Mr. President, if that is your most shameful act I think the nation is in very good hands. Do you want me to put in a good word with your mother?POTUS: I think it might be too late for that, Biff. Biff: (Laughing) Thank you, Mr. President. It will be all right, I’m sure!POTUS: That’s easy for you to say. You don’t know my Mom!Biff: One more thing, President Stonebreaker.  What's your idea of a good marriage? POTUS: The easiest answer I could give you, Biff, is my own marriage. I am so much in love with Joan that sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night just to lie there in the darkness and be at peace because she is next to me. This job is stressful, and anyone who thinks it is easy doesn’t know much about it. Joan is like a force of nature in my life. She is the best person I know, or that I ever hope to meet. She’s the most centered person I know. As a teacher, she loves children. As a wife, she loves me, our children, and her extended family. She is the most wonderful friend I have, as well.     While I cannot speak to her about classified situations, I can sit down and talk to her about things that weigh on me without going into detail. Her insights are most often right. Her intuitive understanding comes from the goodness of her heart. When we were married at the chapel at West Point, I knew that it was a lifetime commitment. If we lived for a thousand years…or ten thousand, I would want her by my side. We don’t simply have a good marriage: our marriage was arranged by the One we pray to each day. You see, Joan and I are united in our faith, and marriages that are constituted before the Lord are marriages that are eternal. If people understood that they are taking a vow before God, they would not enter into marriages so lightly, or divorce so easily. A vow taken before God Himself is not to be broken.Biff: I don’t believe I have ever heard marriage described that way before. 
Check back to see the remainder of the interview with President Stonebreaker coming soon!