Tabatha Smith's Interview

Tabbatha Smith took a dee breath as she entered the spacious studio. The amount of TV monitors in the room were overwhelming, and she knew that every single Mutant citizen was watching her. She would have to be careful about what she said. The moderator got ready and the theme music of the show began. The moderator of the show was known for gotcha questions; however, she liked to think she brought her "A" game.

"Hello," the moderator said, "And welcome to Mutanatia Talks Politics. Today, in the studio, we have Ms. Tabbatha Smith, the sitting CUP President. Hello and welcome."

"Good evening." Tabbatha said simply.

"Let's get down to business." And here came the gotchas. Tabbatha Smith cleared her throat and drank some water. "In the most recent debate, you said this--"

A clip on the monitor before here showed the clip of her saying she had lied during the campaign.

"Now," he said. "You have taken the vow 5 times, and you expect us to believe you only lied once?"

"Well," said the President, taking a deep breath and pondering her words. "No. But I have lied up to that point in this election."

"When did you tell the truth then?" The question, though it could be construed as malicious, was asked in a friendly way.

"When I ran for office," she said shakily. "I swore to preserve religion. And I did just that. I have gotten the 10 Commandments displayed in federal buildings and authorized a 24/7 speed prayer church. If this is not proof of me living up to my vow and telling the truth, I don't know what is."

The moderator nodded, then continued. "You stated, in your first debate, this--"

A clip of her saying that there was a Progressivist agenda in the education system was shown.

"But then, in your last debate, you said this--"

A tape was shown of her saying that there was no agenda. "Which is it, Ms. Smith?" He seemed genuinely curious yet again.

"It's the second."

"Then why go out there and stoke anger and/or fear?"

A brief bit of anger flashed in her eyes as Ms. Smith responded. "My campaign staff told me it would sell."

"And did it?"

"For a time, yes."

"And is this the campaign staff you've always had?"

"No; it's a new consulting firm."

The moderator leaned towards her now and spoke firmly and demandingly. "Is there a Progressivist agenda in our education system?"

"No." She said back, a tad bit aggressive and defiant.

"Is that a lie?" The moderator was going to impress this point on the public; it seemed like he had a grudge.

"It is the truth." She said, leaning back in her chair.

"You started this last debate--"

A clip ran of her saying that religion will die of its own accords was aired.

"--and stated that we all show--those that practice it--the power of religion--through words and actions."

"We do..." She said, not sure where this was going.

"Then why are there so many negative views on religion?" The moderator sounded frustrated.

"Because people only say what they're taught, and they don't say and express the beauty of religion, which is to treat others and you would like to be treated." She said, then mentally winced.

"Would you like to be lied to?" The moderator said. Tabbatha Smith had fallen right into his trap.

Anger flashed in the President's eyes. "That's not a fair question." She said flatly.

"Sure it is," the moderator barked at her. "You lied to us. Would you like others to lie to you?" The moderator was beating a dead horse at this point.

"Well, no." Tabbatha Smith said weakly.

"Last question," the moderator said. "In your first debate, you state this--

A clip rolled of her saying that only 23% of the electorate believed in religion.

"Yet," the moderator said. "According to our own polling, the number is closer to 45%. Did you lie?"

A smile began to slowly creep across the President's face. "My staff lied to me and told me that was a real number."

"So you lied to us...why are you smiling?" The moderator asked, sounding nervous.

If there was ever an opportunity to level with the Mutant public, now was the time. She saw her opportunity and she took it. "Effective immediately, I am dismissing my campaign staff. If they are going to lie to my face, then they should not be my staff any more."

The moderator's eyes widened. For the first time in his life, the show had actually made news. "Do you accept our numbers as being closer to the truth?"

"Yes." She said.

"Is there anything else you've said that is a lie."

"To the best of my knowledge, no."

The moderator heaved a sigh of relief. "We're done here, good night everyone." He extended her hand to Tabbatha Smith. "It's been a pleasure."

"Same to you."
---
A few advisors approached her after the show, asking her if she meant what she said. The President said yes and told them they had 24 hours to pack and move out of the Presidential Townhouse.


(Wondering where phrases such as "beating a horse" came from? Idiomation, run by Elyse Bruce, is just the ticket for you! http://idiomation.wordpress.com)