Why SHOULDN'T the most fascinating, audacious, brave, and innovative President in American history have his own musical? Of course, I can't write music - but I can rhyme with the best of them! So I started stringing together one song after another, and eventually I came up with a full, two act musical. This is a song from early in the second act, when the "accidental President" Theodore Roosevelt decides to run for a full term in his own right - and makes an unfortunate pledge in the process! I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to check out my new author page:
www.lewisbensmith.com
THE ELECTION
OF 1904
Alice
Roosevelt: My
Daddy’s accidental Presidency sparked a strong reaction;
By the end of his
first term the Republicans divided into factions –
You still had all
the Old Guard, the pawns of banks and railroads,
What a bunch of
fat cats! Dad called them “obsequious toads!”
Then you had the Progressives,
the men my father inspired greatly –
Ready to change
things for the better, reforming everything immediately!
The Democrats,
especially the ones down South, thought my Dad an awful sinner –
They blew their
tops when he dared invite a black man to a White House dinner!
But their party
was divided too, between Bryan and his populist progressives
And the Wall
Street, gold standard crew of bosses, crooks, and social regressives!
The only
competition my Daddy had was old Senator Mark Hanna –
Who had spent four
years promoting McKinley and playing second banana.
But wouldn’t you
know it, in February Senator Hanna started feeling badly,
Then he died and
left the GOP with no choice but to renominate my Daddy!
On the other side,
the Democrats over Bryan and Cleveland had to climb –
For twenty years
those two men had been nominated every single time!
But the bosses won
this round, while the Progressives were divided –
Judge Alton Parker
got the nod, and the Old Guard was delighted!
So now let’s join
my Presidential father as he hits the campaign trail –
Life is always fun
when the Democrats are guaranteed to fail!
TR: Well, gentlemen, I’ve
spoken my piece at length and fully –
In one word, our
country’s condition may be summed up as “Bully!”
Reforms are
underway, corruption is punished; our economy is thriving,
It’s always a
smooth ride when the Republicans do the driving!
America is now
respected and looked up to, our flag flies high around the world –
Why should we
change course and flee the field with our banners tightly furled?
If you like what
you have seen me do, since the year that I stepped up,
Then vote me a
term I can call my own, and I’ll be even harder to stop!
There’s still a
lot that I can do, to make this country a better place to live in –
Step up and
vote! Persuade your friends, and we’ll
see the Democrats give in!
I am your
President Theodore! I’m still young and
tough, so hear me roar!
I’ve got all kinds
of progressive plans, now that my foot’s through the door.
Slam it all you
want and I will grin and ask for more –
Now the whole
world surely knows the name of Theodore!
Reporter: Mister Roosevelt – you
were the youngest President ever at forty-two
And even if you
are re-elected, you’ll be just fifty when you bid us all adieu!
Have you given any
thought to breaking with George Washington’s tradition –
And run for
President again in ’08, and keep yourself in your current position?
It’s not against
the law, you know, to run for a third term in office,
So why not see if
the voters then, prefer you to some political novice?
TR:
(looking
thoughtful)
That’s a most excellent question, sire, and
I am glad that you inquired.
For you see, my
political opponents have often said that I’m inspired
By a lust for
power that’s no different from some brutal medieval despot!
So now let me set
their fears to rest, and give their minds a respite.
I succeeded
President McKinley when his term was only six months old;
I tried to be true
to his legacy, and still provide leadership strong and bold.
Now I ask for a
term of my own, something no accidental President has ever had.
If the voters
grant my wish, then I promise not to run again, for it would be bad
To break the
precedent so wisely set, by George Washington himself.
So once four years
have passed us by, I’ll return to the political shelf,
And leave the
White House open to whoever the voters decide to elect –
I’ll return to
civilian life, travel, write books, hunt, explore, and reflect
On this remarkable
nation that will have given me its highest honor,
And hope my humble
efforts will enrich and reflect glory on her.
Reporter: (rushes to the telephone)
Hold the presses,
boss, I’ve got a story that will dominate the front page –
Roosevelt just
totally ruled out a third term, despite his youthful age!
Progressives will
rue the day he made this pledge, make no mistake –
And the bosses now
will realize that they have finally caught a decent break!
No president has
ever served at such an early age as this one,
Now he’s gone and
pledged that this second term will end his mission!
(Scene
shifts to White House)
John
Hay: It’s official,
Mister President! You have my
congratulations!
You’ve been
re-elected by a landslide, by a majority of our nation.
It’s the biggest
win since James Monroe, who ran without any opposition –
You won every
state except the South, and crushed the Democrats’ ambitions.
It’s been an honor
serving you, but now I think I shall retire,
Enjoy my
grandchildren, and wish you well, whoever you may hire!
TR: Thank you, Mister Secretary;
it’s been an honor to be served by you –
Your expertise has
helped me often, as I pondered what else I should do.
I am elated that I
have won; the nation’s people have been most kind –
And yet I confess
that I am troubled by one thought in the back of my mind.
I feel guilty to
even mention it, on this blissful election day –
But confound it
all, thanks to my pledge – I only have four more years to play!
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