The Dismissal of Kennedy (PJW)

"The Dismissal of Kennedy" is an excerpt from the historical fiction novel A Feast for Crows written by George R.R. Martin and published in 1997. Feast and its prequels and sequels are considered to be supremely historically accurate; while not representing the exact words that occurred in history, they are considered to be incredibly close to the truth.

Dismissal
Vice President John F. Kennedy walked into the Oval Office at midday. President Byrd was awaiting from his seat behind the presidential oak table. As usually, he sat with one leg over the other and had a quiet yet intimidating look on his face. "Mr. President," Kennedy said.

"Take a seat, John." Kennedy took a seat from across the president.

"Harry, if this about the nonsense about the health records, let me just say-" the President held his hand up and Kennedy was silenced.

"Nonsense," Byrd repeated. "You call what in South Vietnam might be considered a coup to be nonsense?"

"Your doctors might have said you were well," Kennedy responded. "But rumor has it that your doctors might be too scared of being imprisoned by your Gestapo if they refused an order from the President."

Byrd shook his head at the insinuation. "The Federal Bureau of Racial Affairs and its methods have nothing to do with this. I was healthy, and you made sure your traitorous fellow cabinet members voted to keep me hospitalized."

Kennedy laughed. "Now, c'mon, Harry, why would you think I had anything to do-"

"People talk, John," Byrd said with a dark glare in his eyes. "People talk."

Kennedy looked down at his hands. "You were sick. You were in no state to govern this country, I did what I needed to do."

"Your lust for power overwhelmed you, John. You saw your shot to sit in this very chair in the Oval Office, and took it. You said yourself, all those years ago. 'I'm not running for Vice President, I'm running for President.' Remember who's in charge here, John."

"The people don't like your policies. You're driving this nation apart. Back in 1960, I compromised because I thought I could work alongside you, change things for the better."

Byrd shook his head once more. "You gave up your presidential aspirations for the time being because being Vice President is the next closest office. Not to better your countrymen."

"So what are you going to do? I'm sure I wasn't called here for just a light scolding."

"You are going to resign as Vice President."

Kennedy didn't respond for a moment. "Excuse me?"

"If I fire the whole cabinet, the whole country will be calling me a dictator. The comparisons between me and some small time despot in South America or the Middle East will never end. I can't fire the cabinet, so I'm doing the next best thing: firing you."

Kennedy stood up. "You can't just fire me."

"That's why you're going to resign," Byrd stated matter of fact-ly. "You will resign to show that you meant no ill intention on your part, and that American democracy is still shining."

Kennedy stood still for a moment. "I'll do it," he said at last. "For the good of the country. Not to satisfy you."

"Consider this a mercy, John," Byrd said. "I still might consider to speak with the party bosses and allow you to continue having a political career.