King of the Mountain: Part 21
Interlude Extra! Extra!


Lynn Jepsen


LONG BEACH (AP) - Jan. 23, 2004 - Former White House Senior Advisor Sam
Seaborn announced today that he will seek the endorsement of the
California State Democratic party for the 2004 gubernatorial race. He was
joined at today's press conference by campaign manager Josh Lyman, former
White House Chief of Staff, his brother-in-law, former state Attorney
General Michael Chandler, and assorted family members.

*

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Feb. 28, 2004 - Governor Morton announced yesterday
that he will not seek a second term. He has pledged support to State
Senator Mark Kaupfer,(R) Eureka. Democratic favorite Sam Seaborn could
not be reached for comment.

*

MANCHESTER (AP) - Mar. 1, 2004 - A spokesperson for former Labor
Secretary Leo McGarry announced today that the Secretary will seek
treatment for addiction to Valium and alcohol at the Tucson Institute.
McGarry previously sought treatment for an addiction to alcohol and drugs
at the Institute. Hearings held during the Bartlet administration
questioned whether McGarry, who was then serving as White House Chief of
Staff, continued to use drugs. His spokesperson commented on McGarry's
current drug problem by referencing the onset to the assassination of
President Josiah Bartlet in the summer of 2002. McGarry is the current
Director of the New England Democratic Caucus.

*

http://www.dnc.com/breakingnews.html

SEABORN LEADS LIBERAL REVIVAL

June 15, 2004
By Thatcher Raye

Samuel Norman Seaborn is an unlikely candidate to carry the flag of
liberalism. He is also our best chance to reclaim a Governor's mansion
the party has failed to garner since the 1998 race when Aden Cornfelt was
carried in on the coattails of Josiah Bartlet. Party affiliation is the
only trait Seaborn shares with Governor Cornfelt. Seaborn, who served as
Deputy Communications Director and Senior Advisor under the Bartlet
Administration, is a child of privilege from Southern California. His
father brought us the Los Angeles restaurant chain, Olives, and he is the
nephew of investment banker George Seaborn. His childhood prosperity is
not the only mark of an unlikely liberal. Seaborn made a mark for himself
in New York in corporate law with the last bastion of legal conservatism,
Gage Whitney Pace.

Anyone that thought Seaborn would therefore be a natural conservative was
forced to reconsider that view from Day One of the Bartlet
Administration. Those in the know have saw Seaborn's liberalism first
hand for the three and a half years he served Josiah Bartlet, and now, we
see his views transform the pivotal California gubernatorial race.

No one old enough to remember Rosslyn, VA or the ensuing chaos
surrounding the recovery of the President and Josh Lyman can be surprised
by Seaborn's views on gun control or his almost militant insistence on
increased restrictions on gun purchase and legal guidelines on gun
safety. Many have been surprised by his revolutionary vision for
education and child welfare in California and the nation. In a speech to
the California Teacher's Association, Seaborn called for increased
funding to public school by increasing corporate taxes. He explained the
move later that week by telling Danny Concannon of NBC News,
"Corporations demand better educated employees and better schools to
attract employees. It's not unreasonable to ask them to pay for it."

For a rich kid who grew into a successful corporate lawyer, Seaborn has
attracted some surprising backers, including labor leader, Corbin Riviera
and women's rights activist Marla Hensen Davi. One cannot deny that a
victory in California would place Seaborn on a springboard for future
offices, and some have already begun speculating a Seaborn Presidency.
However the election unfolds, the party's true liberals have found a new
leader, and I predict that this is not the last we have seen of Sam
Seaborn in the political arena.

*

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SACRAMENTO BEE
June 24, 2004

As a parent, I am appalled by the behavior of Mark Kaupfer. In a speech
to the Los Angeles gun club, he called his opponent unprofessional and
unfocused. I speak from experience when I say it is difficult for any
parent to concentrate on the trivial bickering Mr. Kaupfer seems to enjoy
when a child is ill. I hope that the voters of this state will remember
Mark Kaupfer's ridiculous claims and callous behavior in November. I was
one of the few who actually witnessed Mr. Seaborn's so-called breakdown,
and I must say, that if my child were hospitalized, I would be unable to
be quite that controlled. In November, I, for one, will be voting for Sam
Seaborn, and I urge others to do the same.

Sincerely,

Eloise Ivanova
Sacramento, Calif.

*

LONG BEACH (AP) - June 28, 2004 - A spokesperson for the Seaborn family
announced that neither the candidate or his wife will be making any
public appearances until after Sunday's memorial service. Their
spokeswoman also expressed the family's thanks for the outpouring of
sympathy after the death of their nine month old daughter last Monday
following a bout of meningitis. Republican opponent, Mark Kaupfer has
denied that he will cancel his campaign events in a gesture of sympathy.

*

LOS ANGELES TIMES
September 30, 2004

LYMAN ATTACKS KAUPFER FOLLOWING DEBATE

Sam Seaborn and Mark Kaupfer engaged in one of the most heated debates in
history on Wednesday night, but the real fire works came after the
cameras were turned off. Seaborn campaign manager, Josh Lyman initiated a
shouting match between himself and Kaupfer. Sources tell us the argument
centered on the vitriolic attacks to come out of the Kaupfer camp in
recent weeks concerning Seaborn's long-standing treatment for
Manic-depressive disorder. Former White House Press Secretary CJ Cregg
commented on the reports by saying, "Josh was hostile. He's always
hostile. You shouldn't read anything in to that - it's who he is."
Seaborn's psychiatric treatment first came to light during the
Lillianfield hearings in January of 2002.

Recent ads paid for by "Kaupfer for Governor" and the California
Republican party call Seaborn dangerous and mentally unstable and refer
to his treatment as habitual drug use. An injunction has been filed under
State Ethics Guidelines against the ads, which are now being run with
private funds attributed to Ester Kaupfer, thus exempting them from State
Elections Guidelines. Some speculate litigation will be forthcoming.

A spokesman for Kaupfer stated the inappropriateness of Lyman dressing
down Kaupfer was symptomatic of the unprofessionalism running rampant
throughout the Seaborn campaign. Neither of the candidates nor Lyman
could be reached for comment

*

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Nov. 3, 2004 - The heated race between Sam Seaborn and
Mark Kaupfer ended early this morning as the final vote tallies were
certified. The voters of California have selected Seaborn by a
overwhelming margin. Uncertified results put Seaborn ahead with 74% of
the vote. Kaupfer brought in 22% with third party candidates bringing in
the remaining 2%.

King of the Mountain: Part 22

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