The Leader and the Real Leader

The Leader and the Real Leader

Governor Harry Wright had served as the governor of South Dakota for about ten years now. He took pride in not only the development he oversaw in the state, but also for what he perceived as his forceful and effective leaderships style. He believed that he was able to create change from his ability to not only lead, but to inspire courage and optimism in people. The truth was that he could neither inspire nor get many of his constituents to like him.

Governor Wright had what many people in his community considered to be unpleasant personality. His aides needed to have a lot of patience in order to be able to work for him. In about three years, he had to change his aides about twenty times to the point that his staff frequently made jokes about it behind his back.

The governor was able to create change in his state, but only because he was able to create it against waves of criticism from not only his constituents, but also people from all over the county who believe that he was overstepping his role as the governor. He was frequently called a strongman by his critics who, if he could, would have barred from journalism for life.

The governor also wanted to be president of the USA, and his aides knew better than to laugh about it when he was around. He had plans for retirement until a unique opportunity presented itself to him. The nephew of an old ally, the governor of Montana, appeared at his house looking to make him a partner.

“Hello old friend,” greeted Thomas Allen, the nephew of his old friend, “I was wondering if you would be interested in helping me with something.” “I have ambitions for the presidency, and I believe that you would be an ideal candidate to serve as my vice president.”

The governor could barely believe his luck. Not only could his friend run for president, but he also knew that he had a decent chance of winning due to his sense of humor, which compensated for that fact that he wasn’t very smart. If Governor Wright remembered correctly, Governor Thomas Allen had a 2.5 GPA in high school. “Why that is a very generous offer,” replied the governor, “why would you pick me though.”

“I need someone who know people in Washington,” said Governor Allen, “I know you are still friends with a lot of donors.” “I also don’t think a lot of the people in the party like me and call me names, but I think if you are my VP, you can change their minds.”

Governor Wright was aware that people within the party frequently made fun of Governor Allen, but if he was to support him, he could rally most of the party to support him. “Well, they say that you aren’t very smart,” replied the governor, “but we can work around that.” “I know people who can portray you as a capable and inspiring leader.” The governor tried not to laugh as he said that.

“There was a poll earlier,” replied Governor Allen, “people say that I am funny and likeable.” “I think that will be enough to get me to the presidency.” The governor was also trying to avoid the fact that he was also the nephew of a popular politician.

“I think you have a decent chance,” said Governor Wright, “you will need the party’s support in order to win the primary though.” The governor knew he didn’t have a chance to win the presidency, but if his ally ran, he could be vice president in name only and can manage Washington to how he saw fit. “But if you want me to support you Thomas, you need to promise me that I will be allowed do most of the work of the presidency.”

The governor may have been a bit overconfident when he said that, but to his surprise, Governor Allen seemed to be fine with it. “You can manage Washington however you want,” replied the governor, “I just want to be president.” “As my vice president, I just need you to maintain the loyalty of the party.”

“I can do that,” responded Governor Wright, “but you will need to win first, and to do that we will need money, and I know donors.” “You should also allow me to tell you, which policies to pursue once you are the party’s candidate as it will be a different race once you win the party’s nomination.”

“Alright, you can do that as long as it means that I become president,” responded Governor Allen who sounded confident, “may this be a glorious and successful partnership.” “Also, I brought a present for you, but I think I misplaced it.” The governor then went to find the missing present, and Governor Wirght looked more excited then either annoyed or amused.

“This guy can have an IQ in the single digits for all I care,” the governor told himself, “when he becomes president, I will have access to the most powerful office in the country.” The governor then began to plan what he wanted to do once he was the vice president.

About ten years later, Governor Allen had won two terms as the president of the USA, and the country currently had a new president whom the people welcome with a great deal of excitement given how unpopular the presidency of former Governor Thomas Allen was.

Governor Wright agreed to do an interview with reporter Timothy Scott, and was confident in being able to do well against an interviewer who frequently criticized him. “Mr. former Vice President,” began Timothy Scott, “there has been a great deal of critic against the Allen administration for not only starting multiple wars, but for also bankrupting the country with the promises of economic growth from multiple controversial policies.”

“Timothy, what I think is that people are talking about the former president unfairly,” responded the former vice president, “I think people need to think about what we have done to make our country safer by eliminating bases being used by insurgents who despise our beautiful country.”

“But we have been fighting those wars for years now, and you and your colleagues keep saying that the terrorists are still out there, and by doing, we have lost tens of billions of dollars,” replied the reporter.”

“That money will be well spent by keeping our country safe,” replied the former vice president, “defense isn’t cheap, but it is effective.” “And I understand that we have received criticism for starting wars, but the countries we fought against have a long history of attacking American citizens and allies.”

“Mr. Allen,” responded the reporter, “how would you describe your role in the Allen administration.” “There are reports that your role in the administration extended beyond the traditional role of the vice president.”

“I advised the president in a lot of policies, and that was it,” said the former vice president even though that wasn’t exactly accurate, “I also believe that people are judging the former president unfairly as he was also involved in a lot of charity work around the world, including building houses and other infrastructure.”

The interview went on for another hour, before it finally ended, and the governor returned to his limo. The governor then spoke to one of his aides who worked for him for about two decades. “You know Leo, just because people call you the president doesn’t make you the president, “said the former governor, “I was responsible for making that idiot president and I was able to lead the country how I wanted.”

“You certainly did,” replied Leo, “you were never likeable enough to run for president, but you were able to find the ideal candidate to make you president.” The aide’s honesty surprised the former governor, but he was fine with it.

“I don’t feel bad about it,” replied the former governor, “I think if you want to be president, you find a way.” “I knew I didn’t have a chance, but I found a way and I was able to change the country to how I saw fit.”