One interesting note from Chapters 121 and 122. Carl wrote another book at that time about the Republican Party and demographics. I was reminded recently that a critical part of running for President these days is for a candidate to ‘write’ a book about how they grew up and what they believe in (supposedly). Recent ‘authors’ include Governor Shapiro, Governor Newsom, Senator Booker, and former VP Harris, and several other politicians have books coming out shortly. I have serious doubts as to whether they actually wrote them or had them ghostwritten.
Would Dick Cheney have considered what happened in Chapter 126? Everything I have learned about the man says he wouldn’t have thought twice about it. He would have made a fortune off his Halliburton stocks and options during the Iraq War and after the 2005 energy bill with the ‘Halliburton Loophole’ which stripped the EPA of its right to regulate hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Some interesting responses: Everybody thought Cheney would have done this, without hesitation! 99% thought Bush was a real fucking dummy and incredibly lazy. However, not everybody thought Bush was that venal, in some cases because he was too stupid and lazy to be that venal. (Their words, not mine! Don’t write me on this.) This also came from some readers who had actually met Bush and Cheney. Fascinating!
One set of responses was that Bush sold out for considerably less than what the market rate would be. $20 million? It should have been more like $200 million! Well, maybe yes, maybe no. Very, very few people would be able to cough up that much cash on their own, and Carl is one of them. The only other way to generate the $200 million is through a consortium or partnership. This is one of those things where nobody can know. Anybody more than the two people involved makes it guaranteed somebody will talk. (For instance, the partners start arguing about who gets what goodies.) This is a secret you take to the grave! Additionally, whoever buys the VP slot has to be a legitimate contender. If Bill Gates shows up as the candidate, even though he can write a $200 million check, nobody will believe he is legitimate.
I did get a few responses going the other direction, that $20 million was overpriced. I was reminded of John Nance Gardner’s quote that the Vice Presidency was "not worth a bucket of warm piss." I would simply point out that this was under the Presidency of FDR, who, whether you agree with his politics or not, was not a weak President. Bush was far weaker as a President.
Is it possible somebody would do this? Ask Rod Blagojevich, who spent time at Club Fed, for trying to sell Obama’s old Senate seat.
Finally, for everybody who was concerned Carl was just repeating history, I think this proves things can change. It is, however, a slippery slope…