Ruthless

© Copyright 2014 Tom DiCaprio.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-2387-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-2388-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-2389-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014900825

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CONTENTS

January 2, 2020

March 3, 2020

March 4, 2020

March 8, 2020

March 8, 2020

March 10, 2020

March 13, 2020

March 17, 2020

August 20, 2020

October 14, 2020

December 14, 2022

December 14, 2022

December 21, 2022

June 10, 2023

June 10, 2023

July 1, 2023

July 4, 2023

July 5, 2023

August 2, 2023

September 27, 2023

November 17, 2023

November 17, 2023

November 17, 2023

November 20, 2023

November 5, 2024

November 4, 2026

November 6, 2026

October 30, 2028

February 12, 2029

June 21, 2029

July 1, 2029

July 5, 2029

August 13, 2029

August 30, 2029

November 7, 2029

March 10, 2030

September 20, 2030

September 20, 2030

January 20, 2033

November 6, 2040

Wednesday July 3, 2041

Saturday November 9, 2041

Saturday November 9, 2041

December 21, 2041

December 22, 2041

October 2, 2043

January 6, 2044

January 24, 2044

February 10, 2044

July 13, 2044

January 4, 2045

April 3, 2046

April 20, 2046

Monday April 23, 2046

April 24, 2046

April 24, 2046

April 24, 2046

JANUARY 2, 2020

7:45pm

T he results should begin to be coming in at any moment. Jed Parsons began as he was conversing with Texas Senator Zeke Roy Jackman. Parsons was 33 and stood a lanky 6 ' 0 " while weighing 150 pounds. His black hair was combed back with a part to the right side. His cowlick was pronounced at the back of the top of his head. It protruded like an appendage. His gray suit was pressed as well as his white dress shirt and matching gray tie. His black dress shoes did not look like it had a scuff on it.

Looks like Richie Rich will have to wait another day before he can say that he has won. Senator Jackman replied. At 55, the 6'4 180 pound Texan was well dressed as a Texan can be. His black suit had recently been a Christmas gift from his wife Stella who was advised by his campaign workers to help Jackman shed his Tex" persona. Jackman reluctantly went along with it, but deliberately chose to keep his Texas mannerisms. The senator had been confident all along that he would defeat his main rival New York Governor James Frederick Curry. Curry had been running second in polls not only in Iowa, but also nationwide. Senator Jackman was considered by not only the party insiders, but by many Democrats to be the presumptive Democratic nominee by the week before Labor Day when the Democratic National Convention convenes in Philadelphia.

We have been polling very well here. Parsons noted as the campaign manager for the three-term senior Senator from Texas was confident that the threat to supplant Senator Jackman from being the Democratic front runner would not materialize at least this very evening.

I have no question that it will carry over into a victory for us before the night is over. Senator Jackman acknowledged.

How are you coming along on your victory speech? Jed inquired.

I’m almost done with it. I had to tweak a couple of things. Zeke noted as the two men had been carrying out their conversation from two different rooms on the sixth floor of the Des Moines Hilton.

Can I read it when you’re ready? Parsons now asked as he was now watching the results begin to trickle in. He proceeded to disregard them since only five percent of the polling places were now reporting the results.

Give me a minute and you will be reading it. Jackman responded.

I was wondering if you prepared a concession speech. Jed wondered aloud as fifteen percent of the precincts were now announcing their results.

Why would you say something like that? Zeke mused as he disregarded the suggestion that Parsons made a week earlier.

We had this conversation last week. Parsons replied as frustration now began to creep into his voice. Twenty five percent of the results were now in.

I didn’t see why I should prepare one then and I don’t see the great need to prepare one now. Jackman snarled with his pronounced Texas drawl.

I think you need to come in and see the results that are now coming in. I have no question that you will reconsider what you have been saying, Jed shot back. Senator Jackman walked in and saw the results coming in and he snatched the remote from Parsons’ hand and channel surfed to the other channels that were showing the results of the Iowa Caucus. The results were ranging from twenty five to thirty two percent of the precincts. Jackman then looked at Parsons and said Two thirds to seventy five percent of the precincts have yet to release their results. We have nothing to worry about yet.

If Governor Curry wins here tonight, I would be very concerned about our chances about getting the nomination. You know that he will win New Hampshire five days from now. I have been monitoring the polls. Jed protested.

I am well aware of the polls in New Hampshire. We can still win there. Zeke said as he was dismissing his upstart rival.

I think you’re making a huge mistake by not taking Governor Curry seriously. Parsons stated as thirty five percent of the precincts were now reporting their results It’s time for you to begin to prepare that concession speech. I’m afraid that we are going to be making it this evening.

You’re not going to believe this this Jim! Jeff Curry said as he motioned his older brother to enter the main room of their suite at the Marriott. He was the campaign manager of his older brother New York Governor James Frederick Curry. At the age of 36, Jeff stood 5'9" and weighed 147 pounds. His tousled brown hair and green eyes were a trademark look of his along with his tan suits. He also wore a white dress shirt and brown tie. Although single, Jeff was known by some to be a ladies’ man. However his conquests paled in comparison to his married older brother by two years.

What is it Jeff? Governor Curry asked. He stood 6'2" and weighed 190 pounds. He wore a black suit, white dress shirt as well as a gray tie. His brown hair and steel gray eyes gave him the look of a movie star. His wife Emma stood by his side. She was in her late twenties and looked like a supermodel. Their eleven year old son Jimmy was showing an unusual interest in politics for someone his age.

I think you’re going to be very happy with how things are playing out so far. Jeff said as James Frederick Curry and his family walked into to the room.

With forty five percent of the precincts reporting, it looks like we could have an upset in the making this evening. Senator Zeke Jackman is running a distant second to the upstart New York Governor James Frederick Curry. Jackman had been considered to be the presumptive Democratic Nominee this year, but with a loss here tonight as well as a likely defeat in New Hampshire a week from tonight could suddenly put the nomination in doubt for the three term Senate Majority Leader from Texas. the reporter from CNN began as he continued This would be a huge statement for the Curry campaign that his candidacy is a legitimate one. We could very well be getting ready for what could become a very long and protracted campaign for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

I think we have shown that ignorant tobacco spitting, rail biting, oil stained ignorant Texan a thing or two. James quipped.

We may need him for the vice presidency. Jeff acknowledged.

Who says that I’m going to pick him as my running mate? James began We don’t need him.

I think you’re making a huge mistake. Jeff started as he then continued You know that this could become a long and drawn out race for the nomination. Once we clinch it, we could lose a lot of Jackman supporters if you don’t choose him as your running mate. This alone will likely cost us the election. he lectured. Do I need to remind you about the importance of uniting the party in order to win?

John Kerry picked John Edwards as his running mate back in 2004 in an attempt to unite the party and he didn’t win the election as I recall. Barrack Obama didn’t pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate in 2008 and he still won the election that year. James argued.

Kerry made a lot of mistakes and the African-American population came out in full force and voted for Obama. I think you should reconsider your stance. Jeff said as he was debating his older brother on the importance of uniting a party in order to win a presidential election. Just then there was a knock on the door.

Who is it? James asked.

Dad, I have a question for you? Jim Curry inquired through the door.

Come in. James responded. With that Jim Curry walked in with his wavy brown hair and blue eyes. He wore a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt and red tie. At the age of eleven he already stood 5'5 and was of average build. He always had a smile on his face and was already known to be very outgoing. What’s the question champ?

I’m still a little confused about the caucus system. Jim began.

I think your Uncle Jeff and I can help you. Ask away. James said.

Why is the Iowa caucus system different than the other states caucus and primary systems? Jim began I know that they can give an early indication about who would be likely to win a party’s nomination and who likely wouldn’t. Could you go over it once again with me please?

In Iowa, the results of the caucus does not mean that the candidates are guaranteed the delegates in proportion to the percentage of votes that they receive. In fact those who go to the Iowa caucus elect delegates who go to the county conventions. At the county conventions, delegates to the district and state conventions are then chosen. Interestingly enough although Iowa is the beginning of the presidential nominating process, they are among the last states who selects its delegates. This is due to the fact that the state convention doesn’t take place until after the presidential primary and caucus season is over. James said.

That is very weird that Iowa has their caucus first and then they are among the last to choose its delegates. Why is that? Jim wondered aloud.

James, may I answer the question? Jeff offered.

By all means. James conceded as he was at a loss over how he would answer the question.

Each state in the union has their own laws. This means that each state’s political system has their own rules about how they carry out their primary or caucus. We can research it and give you an answer. Jeff said.

Thank you. Jim smiled as he then asked Why do the Republicans and Democrats have their own way of running their own caucuses here?

Jim, each party has a system that conducts a caucus according to the needs of their party. The system that works for the Democrats does not work for the Republicans. In fact, I’m going to let your dad explain it to you. I had to explain it to him several times before he understood it.

I’m going to begin with the Republican caucus system in Iowa since it is the easier of the two parties. As you already know the Ames Straw Poll took place back in August. They have resulted with either a candidate getting more attention than they would have received beforehand because they did better than expected. Also a number of candidates have dropped out of the presidential race after the Ames Straw Poll because they did not do well in the straw poll. When a person votes in the Republican primary, they do so by secret ballot after those who participate in the caucus give a speech about each candidate. When they vote they write down the name of the candidate who they are voting for and once the results are final they are announced to the press. The delegates who are chosen then go the Iowa State Convention where the delegates for each candidate are then selected. The delegates are bound to the results of the caucus at the precinct in which they were chosen at. The media has been known to estimate delegate numbers by estimating the results of the county convention or even dividing the delegates proportionally. James started As for the Democrats, the delegates are divided in proportion to the votes that each caucus goer casts. When the Democrats casts their vote for a candidate, they stand in an area that is designated for each candidate. There is also an area that is designated for those who are undecided. Once the first round of voting is over, the participants then try to make their case for their candidates to those who are undecided for the next half hour. There are also some members who are designated who try to to change the minds of those who already have voted for a particular candidate. The undecided can also ask each group questions about their candidate. Once this is finished the officials of the caucus then decide which candidates are viable. This decision is made based on whether a candidate has at least fifteen percent of the total votes cast. Once this is decided, those whose candidate did not make fifteen percent can choose another candidate or become undecided on who to support. This is why caucus goers are encouraged to have a second choice in order to make the process move along quicker. This lasts a half an hour. Once it’s finished, there is a final head count and then the delegates are chosen to go to the county convention. These results are then reported to the media. Once this is done, most of the delegates leave and the rest then elect the delegates. Later on the groups reconvene in order to choose the local party officers as well as discussing the platform. After this is finished, the delegates who have been chosen by the precinct go on to the county convention where delegates are chosen to both the district and state conventions. A majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention are selected at the district convention. Those who were not chosen to go to the Democratic National Convention go on to the state convention. Do you have any questions about what we have said?

No, I understand it now. Thanks Dad! Thanks Uncle Jeff!

You’re welcome. Jeff and James said. Just then Emma Curry entered the room and they continued to watch the results on CNN.

Meanwhile, fifty percent of the polls were now releasing their results. Governor Curry has forty one percent of the vote while Senator Jackman is running a distant second with twenty four percent of the vote. the CNN reporter said as he was now giving the latest update on the ongoing Iowa Caucus. Before the night was over, Governor Curry would score a decisive victory in Iowa. What had seemed to be an easy road to the Democratic Presidential Nomination for Senator Zeke Jackman was now going to become a long and drawn out spring and summer.

MARCH 3, 2020

9:00pm

I need another Advil. Senator Jackman began I feel like my head’s been kicked in. The stress of the protracted primary season was now beginning to take a toll. Since his defeat in Iowa as well as New Hampshire, Texas Senator Zeke Roy Jackman and New York Governor James Frederick Curry were engaged in what was becoming a race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Jackman was