"Let's respond to your questions one at a time," suggested Gwen as she studied the photos. "First of all, I'm not running for office, so I certainly won't be withdrawing. I never entered the race. These photos are real, and the quality is excellent. They were taken on our July 4th Ride for American Pride five years ago.
"Jared is a dear friend and yes, we were naked as we climbed into the hot tub with several others. No one had sex in the tub. I've never been intimate with any man other than Steve. I've never gone farther than kiss any man but Steve. In high school, Jared pulled me out of the line of fire of a crazed terrorist. Then he held me and turned his back on that horrible man. He took two bullets in the back and saved my life.
"I consider him a true friend and Steve thinks of him as a brother. Jared is a man of honor. He would sooner take another bullet than harm his friendship with Steve. So yes, we were naked in a hot tub and someone somehow managed to photograph or video us that evening.
"Obviously, Steve did have the very voluptuous Naomi on his lap, and he appeared to enjoy it a lot. However, I am the only woman he has ever made love to, and he has no intention of changing that. I've appeared nude in movies, so this shouldn't shock anyone that knows me. So has Steve. We aren't self conscious about our bodies. Steve just now asked me if he could get copies of these photos. They're quite remarkable.
"Jared and Naomi are extremely fit and attractive, but these pictures blow me away. What I see here is an incredible pair, and Jared doesn't look too bad either! If voters are upset that I would climb into a hot tub naked with some very close friends, they really need to vote for someone that wouldn't do that, if they can. They have choices, as do I. I choose to trust my friends and enjoy private moments with them. No election is more important to me than these people that went to Iraq with me to find and bring back Steve and Chip. I'm actually proud of these photos. The electorate has the final decision on how they feel about my conduct when they enter the voting booth.
"I do have a favor to ask of the public, regardless of their political preferences. For years, Naomi has claimed that my ass is bigger than hers. This is the perfect opportunity to correct that misconception. I'd like to ask everyone to study these pictures on the internet and then let me know which ass is bigger. I'm quite confident that public opinion will be heavily in favor of my little tush being much smaller. It's quite obvious to me in these photos. Are there any more questions?"
"Are you really telling us that you're more concerned about who has the bigger butt than you are about what voters think of you being seen naked with a man other than Steve Hammer?" asked a female reporter.
"That pretty well sums it up. This 'not running for office' is really quite liberating!" laughed Gwen. "I could arrange an interview with Steve, me, and some friends naked in a hot tub if you'd like to join us. You could report on how well behaved we are. You could even sit on Steve's lap while you asked him questions. It would have to be audio only since seeing naked people upsets some folks."
"You'd give me an exclusive?" asked the reporter quickly. "Could I wear a swim suit?"
"You seem to have trouble with the term naked," chuckled Gwen. "Too bad for you. Sitting between Steve and Jared naked is a treat few women get to experience. Any more questions?"
"Aren't you treating this situation awfully lightly?" asked a female reporter for a major network. "This sort of thing can destroy a political career, yet you're asking people to compare derrieres and suggest that is more important to you than being photographed naked with a man not your boyfriend."
"Is it that obvious?" countered Gwen. "I really don't want people to vote for me if they're uncomfortable with me or my lifestyle. As I've stated numerous times, I've had one lover in my life. I have several very dear friends. You may think you have close friends, but mine take bullets for me, or at least risk it. Now that's a friend!
"These pictures are real. They were taken without permission, and posted without permission. Jared is really buff. Steve is, well... he's Steve Hammer. I have to admit that Naomi looks like a goddess.
"People need to decide what is important to them when they vote. I'm half way thought Stanford Medical School. I work very hard to help veterans and children. I'm successful in movies and music. My best friend and lover is a U.S. Navy SEAL and a graduate of the Naval Academy, and quite accomplished in international diplomacy. I'm totally transparent, maybe too much so for some people that see these photos.
"Everything I do and all that I am is out there. People can decide for themselves, but I'm not going to lie, and I'm not going to apologize. I love my friends, but this amazing guy standing behind me is my man, and the only man I want or need in my bed. I think most females can understand my feelings on that account. Any further questions?"
"No one has told us how Steve escaped his captors and if the state department deliberately or accidently dropped the ball," pressed a male reporter from a major newspaper. "The last we saw on the internet, you were in the hands of the terrorists and they were preparing to behead you. Then Gwen goes to Iraq and brings you home. There's a lot left unknown. Can you tell us anything more?"
"I'm not going to say anything I do know not for a fact to be true," replied Steve carefully. "I will say that my very good friend, and fellow SEAL, Chip Martin, saved my life. He was the difference. He was badly injured in the process, but he's recovering now. I will never be able to repay him for the tenacity, intelligence, and courage he displayed finding me and pulling me out of a very bad situation!"
"Do you blame the state department, or the CIA, or both for your near death at the hands of terrorists?" asked the reporter in a follow-up question.
"I haven't learned enough to blame anyone for anything," responded Steve. "I willingly agreed to be exchanged for those students. There are a lot of questions about what led up to that exchange and what was done to remedy the problem afterward.
"What happened to the man that held the sword to your throat and promised to behead you on the internet? Is he still at large, or was he captured?" asked another reporter.
"Neither," answered Steve with a straight face. "We're done here, everyone. We have appointments to keep. Thank you."
Once Gwen and Steve were back at the Anderson's, Gwen asked Steve, "Do you think I need to start taking these stupid accusations more seriously. First, it's you and Mom having an affair. Now it's me and Jared and you and Naomi doing the dirty. Should I protest more, or be more indignant?"
"Not even a little bit," insisted Steve. "You handled it perfectly again. It really ruins these attempts to discredit you when you laugh at them rather than become defensive. The headlines will be about how you don't really care about the pictures and you're not running for office. Your approach to this election thing is so foreign to voters and reporters, it has them totally confused. I wish everyone knew as much about all candidates as is known about you."
Billy had been listening to Steve and Gwen discuss the situation while he perused the photos. "These pictures are great! I was there and I still can't believe how great Gwen and Naomi look. Never mind who has the bigger ass, I'm wondering which girl has the bigger..."