Stymied


Ali Cherry

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I can't imagine this life. I can't imagine writing about what was, as if it has ended like a television show past its prime. I can't see it in terms that it's over. This grand thing, it should never end.

“The Great Debate,” otherwise known as “Let Bartlet be Bartlet.”

A series of laws meant to stoke the embers of statesmanship, bills written to incite minds to rebel and to challenge men and women of thought.

A series of bills that became locked in the House out of bitter spite. A series of bills stymied by political scandal and one large omission.

“I have Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.”

I cannot write a concession speech. Like the country, I'm upset by the omission, but I can't give up the hope, the idealism. The wonderful nature of “Let Bartlet be Bartlet.” It will haunt me, like an unfulfilled lover.

The biography shouldn't be titled, “Stymied: A History of the Bartlet Administration.” I want it to say, “The Real Thing: The Great Debate of the Bartlet Administration,” by Sam Seaborn, Former Deputy White House Communications Director.

Former. Gone. What I wish isn't important. Toby asked for a concession speech.

We are conceding a great fight. We are allowing ourselves to be stymied. We are silencing our voices at a time when the world cries out for intelligent and innovative ideas. We have become former.

I serve at the pleasure of Former President Bartlet.

We are absolutely nowhere.

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