Shows you the kind of damn snakes I’m dealing with here. But that’s okay. Because I’m Carter Andrews. I became Governor based on my sheer ability to get things done. No one, and nothing, can take me down.
That's what I think. That’s what I know. And I still believe it even when the Mayor of New York City, and Editor-In-Chief of the New York Daily Journal walks in. There’s some hushed whispering.
“The chair recognizes Michael Anders, Mayor of New York City. Due to his position as the head of the Anders Media empire, he serves as Editor-In-Chief of the New York Daily Journal and has uncovered a great deal of the pertinent facts in this investigation,” the Majority Leader says, as if reading from notes. He lifts his head to look at Michael. “Mr. Mayor, you have the floor to ask your questions.”
Michael nods. I can’t believe the Majority Leader, as a Democrat, is okay with letting Michael Anders grill me. The Mayor doesn’t have a political party affiliation, but anyone who’s read the Daily Journal over the last two months realizes that there’s some sort of bias there behind the tone of the newspaper against me.
Michael Anders clears his throat.
“Governor Andrews,” he says into the microphone. “Can you please state your full name, your office and how long you have served in that office for the record?”
I wonder what the Mayor is going to go for as I answer, “Carter Andrews, Governor of New York State for the last two years.”
The Mayor nods from his raised seat on the dais.
“And would you conclude that your signature achievement in the first two years of your office would be what you refer to as the New York State Clean Air and Water Act?” Michael asks.
I nod, but then realize I need to answer. “I do,” I say. It’s true. You’ve heard me say it before. And I’m more than happy to say it again. The environmental legislation that I got through the State Legislature is going to save lives. It’s already saved lives.
Michael nods and asks. “And Governor, were you in any way encouraged or prodded to push this legislation through at the expense of all others by any outside party?”
What kind of a stupid question is that? I lean forward and simply say, “No.”
As if expecting this, Michael retorts with a, “I find that very hard to believe, Governor, that you would sacrifice pushing through a transportation bill, a crime bill, and a jobs bill, just to push through environmental legislation.”
“We still have two more years,” I respond back.
“You plan to work on those initiatives, next? Really?” Michael asks, voicing incredulity.
“Yes,” I answer back. I’m only going to answer questions here. When he gives me a chance to make my case, that’s when I’m going to verbally rip his goddamn throat out.
“And that once you passed the environmental bill, you started attending fundraisers hosted by China First Bank; can you explain that as well?” Michael asks and I’m silent. I only went to it because I had to. I hate raising money. But it's a necessary evil. “Can you explain why up until passage of your environmental legislation you were never invited to a China First Bank fundraiser, but all of a sudden afterwards you found you had the time.”
Dammit. This isn’t going to look good when I tell him the truth. “I was busy being Governor before, but once that priority was taken care of, I began to think about the next four years and the kind of fundraising I’d have to do.”
“But you didn’t think of that before?” Michael asks. “You didn’t once ask for or receive an invitation to go to an event sponsored by China First Bank? You never thought to yourself that if you started fundraising as you call it, earlier, you’d have to raise less each day? All of a sudden these doors began to open up only once you passed the environmental bill, is that your story?
I know what Michael Anders is trying to do here. I can see his strategy. He’s a snake.
Everyone knows the billionaire mayor of New York City is looking to move up to becoming Governor one day. Everyone knows he’s got his eyes set on a prize even bigger than that.
It all falls into place now. He’s trying to clear the way.
Well, then he’s got another thing coming. It’s time to take my case directly to the people.
“Governor Carter?” Michael asks, eyeing me with an evil smile. “Did you have an answer?”
I take a sigh. This isn’t how I wanted to end up describing my actions. But you don’t always get a chance to pick and choose the time and place of the battle.
“I think you’re a bit confused as to the nature of the environmental bill if you’re asking me that question,” I say bluntly. “And I think it displays a curious lack of awareness in government for you to ask me that.”
There are some muted whispers that go through the room. I’ve just stood up to my interrogator. But I don’t stop. I need to keep going.
“Imagine if you will turning on the water at your kitchen sink, and seeing thick brown sludge come out,” I speak into the microphone. I can see several of the photographers turn white at the thought. “Imagine getting tumors from eating tainted beef. Having your lifespan shortened by twenty years because you inhaled too much methane. That’s all we attempted to stop.”
“Is that so. In that case can you…” Michael Anders tries to continue but I stop him. Hard.
“Yes that is so, Mr. Mayor,” I say sharply, raising some eyebrows. “And if you stopped once to look at the people who live in this state—aside from the other wealthy Manhattanites you surround yourself with—you’d see that New Yorkers are getting sicker at a much higher rate than the rest of the nation. They’re also dying at an younger age.”