June 7, 2027
It was an extremely humid 92 degrees in Central Park, but the crowd didn't seem to mind. Even if it was 120 degrees, they would have turned out to see this event.
The moment Mark Robinson walked onto the podium, the crowd erupted. It was beyond electric, and Mark stopped to take it all in.
"Good evening, New York City!" Mark bellowed into the microphone to a rock-star roar. "I'm so glad you could make it here tonight. Just wish it was a little colder." The audience laughed.
"Well, you all know the story. About two years ago, I stepped down as President." There were loud, brief boos from the audience. "It was a profoundly difficult decision, a decision that I believed was necessary in order for this country to move on after an unfortunate scandal, a scandal of my own making. My Vice President, Jonathan Cahill..." The booing was even louder now, so loud that Mark had to stop. "My Vice President became President, and since he took office, he has taken this country down a path that I do not believe is the right path.
"Now, let me clear: I know President Cahill. I believe that he is a fundamentally decent man, a loving husband..." Mark had to stop again due to the boos at the mention of Cahill's name. "A loving husband, a devoted father and a proud patriot. However, his decisions simply have not been the best ones for this country.
"Now more than ever, this country needs leadership on the major issues facing our country and our world. President Cahill is simply not providing that leadership. He is not fighting for full and equal access to health care. He is not fighting for a society free from gun violence. He is not fighting for a world that is no longer threatened by carbon pollution. He is retreating from these fights. He has the job, but he seems not to want to do the job.
"As you know, I wrote a book about my short presidency, and the circumstances that led to its conclusion. During my book tour, I've spoken to Americans from coast to coast, in big cities and small towns, who have urged me to reach for the brass ring once again. They've told me that my presidency ended prematurely. They've told me that I left the job undone, that I have unfinished business. They've told me to do it again.
"I've had hours of conversations with my wife, Kylie, who's here tonight." The crowd cheered, and began to chant "Kylie! Kylie!" Mark smiled and gave his wife a thumbs-up before continuing. "She says I have an obligation to this country and to the world to reach for that brass ring again. She says that it's not enough for me to complain about the lack of leadership in this country. She says that I have to do something about it.
"Tonight, I'm here to declare that I'm going to do something about it."
"Yeah!" several people in the crowd yelled.
"Tonight, I'm here to declare that President Cahill needs a primary challenge."
"Hell yeah!" more audience members yelled.
"Tonight, I'm here to declare that I am once again a candidate for the presidency of the United States!"
Central Park exploded in cheers.
"Our work is indeed not finished! Our goals have yet to be achieved! Our mission has not yet been accomplished!"
The crowd was overjoyed.
"We can't quit the fight--not when our democracy depends on our victory! We can't quit the fight--not when our prosperity depends on our victory! We can't quit the fight--not when our safety depends on our victory! We can't quit the fight--not when our ecology depends on our victory!
Some audience members were now openly weeping.
"And I make this promise to you tonight--once I return to the White House, my first order of business will be to demand that Congress pass legislation to repeal the so-called Helping the Homeland Act, one of the worst pieces of legislation ever signed into law! That bill has destroyed privacy in this country! It has violated civil and human rights! It is an atrocity that this bill is the law of the land, and as your President, I'll do everything within my power to make sure the Helping the Homeland Act is thrown into the ash heap of history!"
Members of the crowd were now jumping up and down.
"In 1912, one hundred and fifteen years ago, former President Theodore Roosevelt attempted to once again become President of the United States. He declared, 'I shall fight to the end, win or lose.' I'm no Teddy Roosevelt, but I vow to you tonight that I, too, shall fight to the end, win or lose. However, with your help, and your support, I know I--and we--will win.
"Thank you! God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America!"
