Page 10 of Primary Season
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the gorgeous Kathryn Van der Loon. Perhaps you’ve read about her. Some of you might even know that we’re dating.” I placed a hand on Kathryn’s arm, an inch or so above her elbow. “But I don’t expectallof you to have kept up with my personal life. I must say that I’m humbled to have her by my side during this process.” I paused. “What is it they say? Behind every strong man is an even stronger woman.”
Kathryn laughed and said a few words to the crowd after as a small round of applause broke out for her. As she spoke, I made eye contact with a few voters before finding Alex at the back the room. I couldn’t make out her expression. When Kathryn nodded at me again, I picked up with my next well-rehearsed line.
“A few of you might recognize Kathryn from her stint as a hostess on the TV showMake Your Mark.” I stepped away from her and moved closer to the podium again. “Of course, I’m happy to say that she has left the allure of television to help out on my campaign. I couldn’t ask for someone to make a bigger sacrifice, but I am honored that she has.”
Not exactly the truth.
Make Your Markhad great ratings on Lifetime for the first two years that Ivanka Trump hosted it, but once Kathryn replaced her, the late-night talk show, geared to professional working women, lost half its audience. Kathryn lasted one season before she wound up back in New York City, floating around the Hamptons social scene in the summer and Palm Beach in the winter. I met her at a party her father threw on his estate the same weekend that I flew to South Florida looking for money and support.
As Kathryn answered a few more questions of her own, I searched the room again, looking to see if any of this had worked. A few people seemed interested, and more clutched the buttons and bumper stickers as if they didn’t want to leave without them. Before long, we wrapped up the breakfast.
One event down, five hundred to go. And that didn’t include the first national debate between myself and the other candidates for the nomination, none of whom seemed eager to drop out of the race after my surprise win.
It was going to be a long campaign.Perfect.I had waited my whole life for a fight like this, and now I had it.
