Hi John; it’s your conscience. Yeah, it’s been a while... April, wasn’t it? Why did you send me away, John? I know, Rick told you that you had to, but did you really? What happened to your principles, John? What happened to you?
I know we’ve had our ups and downs; you always said you were a man of principle, even when you decided to ignore those principles for political reasons. Remember how I pricked you after the Keating business? Was that all a lie John? Yeah, politics is a contact sport, but, John, it’s not a blood sport.
So where are we? Oh, second debate? So you won the Primaries, huh? Yeah, I guess I’ve been out of the loop longer than I thought. Who are these people John? Yes, I know they’re the audience, but I mean Who Are They, John?
The Electorate. The Voters. The American People.
This is your chance, John; this is the chance you need to talk to them, set out your vision for the Future. The Economy’s a mess, the wars are unpopular, our standing in the world is lower than a snake’s belly. This is it, John; this is your time.
What are you saying, John? Ayers? Wright? Oh, come on, John; those are asked and answered already. Obama got a bump in the polls in the Primaries when he tackled those head-on. Why are you talking about those? Are those issues going to work for you?
Jesus, John, look at their faces. Look at them, John! Look them in the eye. Why can’t you do that, John? Why can’t you tell them what they need to hear – strong leadership, steadfast in a crisis, principles...
Wait. Where did those principles go, John? They were here last time... Where did you put them? God damn it, John, what have you done?
Come on, John; talk to them. Calm their fears. Explain what plans you’ve got to help them, help America, help the World. Lay out your vision, John. You remember...? Your Vision? You used to have one; I remember it...
That’s it? Ayers, Wright, Hussein? Are you an idiot? What’s going on here? Look at them, John; they want answers, not diatribe. They want help, they want hope, not polemic. Look at how they respond to Obama; remember him in the Senate? You always thought he was impressive there. Why this? Why now?
Oh, you’re losing? Well, why not ask yourself why, John? Why not articulate a damned position, John? Oh, it worked for Bush? Haven’t you spent this whole time claiming you’re not Bush? Have you learned nothing?
So you’re just going to sit there with that smug grin on your face, having just spent five minutes answering a question about the economy from a Voter with a non-stop stream of invective about "Obama’s Terrorist leanings"? You’re losing them John.
Look them in the eye. Give them something; some reason to vote for you, some reason to believe in you!
What? You want me to go, John? Is that it? OK; I’ll go. But you’re going to lose this one, John, and you know what?
You deserve to.