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Sam looked around at his new office and smiled. Just when he thought it had completely sunk in, along came another tangible reminder that he won the California 47th and he was downright giddy all over again. He was now Congressman Sam Seaborn-Lyman.
“It’s bigger than your last office,” Josh said, coming up behind him.
“It’s more important than my last office,” Sam replied. “I now work for the people of Southern California.”
“Well, just the ones in your district.”
Sam ignored Josh‘s apparent lack of enthusiasm. “I’m telling you, it feels different winning an election as the candidate, rather than part of a campaign team.”
“And as your husband and campaign manager, I couldn’t be prouder.” Josh came around and gave Sam a kiss before continuing. “But this is just the beginning. You’ll be in the Senate soon enough, then on to the White House.”
“Before, all that talk just felt like talk. Now that I’m an actual elected official, it seems more real, like we can actually do this.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying all along.”
“You have amazing faith in me.”
“I have amazing faith in us.” Josh gave Sam another kiss before they separated.
“So, what are you going to be doing now that I’m a congressman?” Sam asked as he sat behind his new desk, feeling it out.
“You know, make sure things run smoothly, make sure you get re-elected, all that behind-the-scenes stuff.”
“Ah yes, the man behind the man. Have you thought of an actual title, or will you just put that on your business card?”
“I’m thinking Supreme Dictator would be appropriate.”
“Sounds good. Where are you putting your desk?”
Josh shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe here in your office? I outrank a cubicle, that’s for sure.”
Suddenly Sam grew thoughtful. Josh being a combination of chief of staff and campaign manager was fine for now, he was only one vote out of 435, or one out of fifty even. But being President was its own branch of government, and the responsibilities were that much bigger. He needed a different kind of support. “What are you going to do when I'm President?”
"I'll be the guy in the background making sure you're the best President you can be."
"So you'll still be the man behind the man."
Josh smiled. "There isn't a better person for the job."
"Yeah, that's not going to work for me."
"What do you mean?" There was obvious confusion in Josh’s voice, but also a little bit of hurt.
"I’ve been thinking about this, and we both know being President is the hardest job in the world. That’s why I need us to be standing side by side when I'm President."
"What does that mean?"
"I don’t know exactly what it’ll look like, but generally we’ll be making the decisions and directing policy together. You’ll be like my Co-President."
Josh looked unsure. "That's not an official position, you know."
"Yeah, but First Gentleman is. There’s never been one before, we’ll define it the way we need to.”
“Think people will go for that?”
“Sure, if we campaign on it.”
After a moment that seemed to take forever, Josh finally smiled. “Co-President, huh? I think I could get used to that.”
Relief swept through Sam and he smiled. “Great, now help me unpack, I have a million things to do before I’m officially sworn in.”
A few weeks later things had settled in and Sam was getting the hang of this congressman thing. So far he liked it, except for the flying between Southern California and Washington. He already made the trip twice, and was not looking forward to another 2-4 years of it. Worse yet, Josh kept on making excuses to stay in D.C. Today, however, was finally his turn for the official photo with the President. He was actually looking forward to it, as he hadn’t seen Hoynes in two years. Sam figured there would be some catching up between the two of them.
"Are you going to be there for my photo-op with the President later today?" Sam asked, finishing up yet another interest group survey.
Josh was reading a file at his desk on the other side of the office and didn’t look up. "Nah, Hoynes is still pissed that I didn't join his campaign."
"He won, why would he be pissed at you?"
"It could've been a bigger win."
“Were you ever on his good side?”
“Maybe when he first hired me.”
Sam just rolled his eyes as he got up from his desk. “Remember, I have a congressman on you corner event this weekend.”
Josh finally looked at him. “Do you want me to be there?”
“Feeling guilty for not coming with me to California?”
“A little, but the weather here is going to suck, so I’d rather be where it’s sunny and warm.”
“Sounds good,” Sam said as he left the office. Maybe they could finally spend some quality time together. He couldn’t remember the last time they had a proper date, with the campaign and everything.
This was actually Sam’s first ‘congressman on your corner’ event, and from what he could tell, it was an informal meet and greet, but held at a high traffic location to be more accessible to constituents. Sam thought this would be a great way to show the locals that he wasn’t some carpet-bagger, but actually grew up in the area and still considered it “home” if asked.
Thus he and Josh spent their Saturday at a strip mall parking lot, meeting and talking with the people of the California 47th. Sam managed to gain some supporters, and Josh was almost charming explaining how government works to a few kids and some adults. All told it was a success, and Sam figured he would be doing many more of them during his time in office.
Once the event was over and they were back in Sam’s Newport Beach, California office, Josh told the staff to take the rest of the weekend off. Quickly everyone in the office gathered their stuff and bolted for the door to enjoy what was left of the weekend before Josh could change his mind.
“What’s gotten into you?” Sam asked once everyone left.
Josh was at his desk, putting papers and folders away.“I wanted to show everyone I can be a benevolent god at times, and besides, there’s nothing that can’t wait until Monday.”
“So it’s just us, huh?”
“We’re leaving, too.”
“Where are we going?”
Josh walked over and put his arms around Sam. “We are going to a very nice restaurant where no one will bother us while we have a romantic dinner. Then we are going home where we will not talk about politics for the rest of the night.”
Sam smiled. He figured Josh was up to something. “Is this why you came with me on this trip, so we could go on a date?”
“I came with you because we don’t spend enough time together as husbands. I’m with you day and night, but it’s always about policy or poll numbers or whatever. Our marriage needs to be just as important as everything else, otherwise it won’t last. ”
So Josh really was feeling guilty about staying in Washington, and was trying his hardest to make this relationship work. It was so sweet, Sam fell in love with him all over again. “Did I ever tell you I love it when you get romantic?” he asked, finally wrapping his arms around Josh.
Josh’s checks grew ever so slightly red. “I’m serious.”
“I know you’re worried about messing this up, but so far I couldn’t be happier. You need to learn to trust us, this relationship. Yeah I’m disappointed when you stay in Washington when I come out here, but I can handle it.”
“You know I don’t have a good track record here, and I can’t mess this up.”
“Hey, I’m not much better. But together I think we can manage.”
Josh finally smiled. “You’re right, we can do this,” he said, and gave Sam a kiss. “So let’s go spend some quality time together.”
“And no politics for the rest of the night.”
The two kissed again and left the office, along with all the stress of being a congressman.
They spent Sunday flying back to Washington so they could be ready for the busy week ahead on Monday. It was decision time, as the latest tax cut bill that would be voted on by the full House that week.
“I can’t believe this was the best they could come up with.” Sam was at his desk, flipping through the rather thick bill.
Josh was standing across from him, hands on the desk, leaning forward. “There’s a reason why Hoynes is Republicans’ favorite Democrat.”
“This blatantly favors the rich. The working poor hardly get anything.”
“Yeah, but you still have to vote yes on it.”
Sam let out a sigh as he closed the source of his frustration. “Because the people I represent are rich. I get it, but I don’t have to like it.”
“If it makes you feel any better, this will put you in Hoynes’ good graces.”
“Why do I want that?”
“Because he’s popular in your district and it’ll help you when running for re-election.”
“See, this is why I wanted to start as a state senator, their term is four years. None of this running for re-election as soon as you’re sworn in.”
Josh stood up straight, crossing his arms. “State office would’ve been a waste of time and we both know it. Besides, you know Doyle is going to retire in four years when her term is up. Open Senate seat, baby.”
“And she’s a definite retire?” This part of the plan always seemed a little murky. He hadn’t heard anything about Doyle retiring except from Josh.
Josh shrugged. “She will when I threaten to run against her in the primary.”
Sam raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I’d have to run against a sitting Senator?”
“If it comes to that, but don’t worry, you’ll win.”
“Well then, no problem." Sam was used to Josh having this kind of confidence in other candidates, but it was different now that he was the candidate. It put a little bit of pressure on him, like he wanted to be as good a candidate as Josh said he was.
“Relax, that’s still a ways off. Right now we need to focus on selling this tax cut as something other than the welfare for millionaires it is.”
“Actually, it’s welfare for people making more than $500,000 a year.”
“See, that’s a start!”
That finally got Sam to crack a smile, and the two went back to brainstorming ways to spin the tax cut into something they could stomach.
A few months later Sam got his first meeting at the White House, to discuss an upcoming committee vote on the latest free trade bill. The thought of going back to the West Wing on a business meeting after so many years away gave Sam a certain feeling of nostalgia.
“You better go to the meeting by yourself. I know a lot of Hoynes’ staff and most of them don’t like me,” Josh said as Sam got ready to leave.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“And only say yes if they offer you public transportation subsidies, we don’t care about the car tariffs.”
“I do know how these meetings work, having done several hundred of them myself.”
“Yeah, but then you were courting votes, now they’re courting your vote and it’s a whole new ball game.”
“I think someone is getting just a little bit overprotective.”
Josh’s face turned half a shade redder, but only for a second. “Be back before dark, okay? There’s wild Republicans out there, and they bite.”
Sam smiled and shook his head as he left the office.
It was weird sitting at the opposite side of the table from the President’s staff, but it was still called the negotiating table, and Sam knew he was very, very good at negotiating.
“So how did it go?” Josh asked as soon as Sam came back to his office.
Sam put his briefcase down on his desk and smiled. “I think it went well, considering it was my first meeting at the White House.” He loved dragging this out, letting Josh hang on his every word. “I drove a hard bargain, but eventually I did get the subsidies we wanted, as well as the clean air incentives.”
“You got the clean air incentives?! I thought they would never agree to that!”
Sam just shrugged. “I merely pointed out how much they needed my vote if they wanted this to pass, and then negotiated accordingly. Like I’ve done countless other times.”
Josh held up his hands in surrender. “You’re right, I didn’t need to worry about you being bullied by the White House. Let’s just enjoy this one victory we have that didn’t require you to compromise anything.”
“Actually, the car tariffs would’ve been good too, but my district loves their foreign cars too much.”
“Just wait until you get to the Senate, okay? Then you can really go all out.”
“Until then, I need to work on the speech for next week highlighting all the good points this trade bill will deliver,” Sam said as he sat down at his desk and powered up his laptop. He was honestly happy with the bill, and couldn’t wait to tout it to the California 47th.
All told, Sam’s first term as a congressman ended up being more of a compromise of his personal values than he would’ve liked, thanks to him being a Democrat seeking re-election representing a majority Republican district. Josh was invaluable during those two years, poring over polling numbers and using his political instincts to let Sam know what political minefields to avoid and when it was safe to step up and hammer the issues. Despite all the negatives, however, Sam thought he made a difference, and was glad to represent his home district.
Eventually the election came. It was closer than Josh wanted it to be, but Sam was re-elected to Congress. Sam thought he won due to the strength of his speeches, while Josh was convinced it was the TV ad blitz he put together. Either way, they both were glad that was the last time Sam would be campaigning for the California 47th. Senator Doyle told them privately that she would indeed be retiring at the end of her term in two years, but wouldn’t announce it for several more months.
“Did you bully her into retirement?” Sam asked once Doyle’s press conference formally announcing her future retirement was over. They were in Sam’s Washington office, back from another weekend in southern California.
Josh gave him a cocky grin. “A little. She said half a dozen other candidates were threatening to run against her if she didn’t retire, but we were the only ones she thought would stand a chance.”
“So you did bully her.”
“I’d like to think we were the final straw.”
Sam just smiled and shook his head. Josh’s self-confidence knew no limits.
“Which means, starting from this moment on, you’re running for California’s open Senate seat, and it’s time to talk strategy. No more catering to the moderate Republicans in your district, thank god.”
“We did just win re-election because of them,” Sam pointed out.
“Yeah, but they’re useless now. We need to start catering to the liberal Democrats in this state. I don’t want you to be attacked from the left.”
“What if I get hit with a recall?”
“Nah, Once you announce your Senate run, they won’t bother. I can say you probably won’t win your district in the general, though.”
“When should we announce, anyway?”
“As soon as you write your announcement speech.”
“Well then, I should get started on it right away.” Running for Senate was something Sam always wanted to do, just the getting there that was the problem. He always wondered why Josh was so insistent on the California 47th, until he realized having grown up in the area did give him a real advantage over someone who just moved there. (In fact, he almost ran while he still worked at the White House, but ultimately decided he loved his job, and the people he worked with, too much to even chance it.) Thus, Sam’s plan of moving to a liberal district and running for that seat just wasn’t as viable.
“Go full pie-in the sky, don’t hold anything back,” Josh said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I’m going to make a few calls.”
Sam sat down at his desk, grabbed some paper, and started writing down some ideas. No more restraining his vision, time for the full Sam Seaborn-Lyman experience.