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Kennedy Nikomedes · (07-19-2014)

Kennedy Nikomedes stands in a crowded room. Dozens of people wearing headsets are working quickly to get things set up and ready for perhaps the biggest interview of Kennedy's young life. He considers it like a job interview. After graduating near the top of his class from Florida State University with a degree in Political Science, he went on to Harvard Law, where he again graduated near the top of his class.

After coming back home to St. Petersburg, he entered the race for mayor and won handily, defeating incumbent Mayor Ron Wilson with more than seventy percent of the vote. Without tiring you with statistics of what he did for the small Tampa suburb, it can be said that the then 28 year old Nikomedes was perhaps the most popular public figure in the history of the state, a position he continues to hold to this day, with growing numbers of supporters. Which is evidenced by his bid for Governor.

He won that race against sitting Governor Tom Langston in 2008 when he was 32 years old. That's another election he won handily. This time with just under eighty-five percent of the vote. What he has done for his home state of Florida is pretty remarkable. A lot of those things he wants to bring nationwide in the 2016 Presidential election.

As stated, he considers today to be the biggest job interview of his life. The legendary Tom Brokaw will shine the spotlight upon him. In years and decades past, Tom Brokaw was the news voice of the entire nation. Much in the same way Walter Cronkite was in his day. Today, this very special one on one sit down interview will be broadcast on all four major networks, allowing Kennedy Nikomedes to reach beyond the southern Alabama, southern Georgia and Florida region for the very first time.

James Williams, Governor Nikomedes' Chief of Staff has entered the room. It's a darkened television studio at WFSU, a PBS affiliate in Tallahassee that is owned and operated by his alma mater, Florida State University. The only light available is that of the red heads lighting up the two modest, yet comfortable looking chairs sitting perpendicular to each other for this historic moment.

With James' arrival, it means one thing, Tom Brokaw has arrived and the interview is set to begin shortly. Kennedy Nikomedes is all smiles, which is usually the case anyway, as the legend himself, Tom Brokaw enters.

Brokaw greets James and Kennedy and sits in his chair. The make up artists work quickly to touch up Mr. Brokaw's face. Within just a few minutes, the production crew as well as James Williams, retreat in the darkened area behind the television camera. The producer counts it down and points to Tom Brokaw, signaling that he is live and on the air.

”Good evening,” he says as he stares into the camera. Tens of millions of people, perhaps even hundreds of millions, when this broadcast reaches the European markets tomorrow. Brokaw continues, ”Tonight, broadcast all over the nation and all over the world, I have a very special interview with perhaps the most polarizing political figure since President John F. Kennedy. He is without a doubt the most popular Florida Governor in its history. It is my honor and my privilege, to introduce to all of you the Governor of Florida, Kennedy Nikomedes.”

The camera pans back just a little, allowing the seated Governor to share the screen with Tom Brokaw. ”Please, call me Niko,” he says after before taking a quick sip of water. He continues, ”My friends and family all call me Niko. Let me state for the record that it is my honor, and a privilege to sit here talking to you, Mr. Brokaw. It really is a dream come true. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of the day that I'd get to sit here and go one on one with the voice of American news. A voice that reached hundreds of millions of people on a nightly basis. I'm already a pretty humble guy and today, I'm humbled beyond words.” Niko extends his hand to Tom Brokaw before continuing on, ”I want to personally thank you for giving me a dream. I'm sitting here about to go one on one with Tom freakin' Brokaw!”

Brokaw smiles, then lets a laugh escape. ”Niko, I thank you so much for those extremely kind words,” says Brokaw. ”I've been doing this gig for nearly fifty years and I have to say that you are one guy I saw coming. I saw others coming, too. Reagan, Clinton, Obama. Some others. In my opinion, at least from what I've seen, there's something different about you. Somehow, some way, you unite. Those that are bitter enemies find common ground because of your influence. Are you spiking the proverbial kool-aid?” he jokes. ”What is it about Kennedy Nikomedes that makes people want to do good? What is it about you, Niko, that makes those within the power structures of government want to do the right thing for their city? Or their state? Or, maybe in a couple of years, their nation?”

”I'm not a politician,” he answers with a bit of irony. ”What I mean is, I'm not a Democrat. I'm not a Republican. I'm not an Independent or a Green Party member. First and foremost, I'm a Floridian. I'm an American. I don't belong to any party. I think party politics has made a mess of this nation.

“I have always been open and honest. Sometimes I might be a little blunt. I think the people of Florida have seen that. I think they respect the fact that I'm a straight shooter. I think they respect the fact that I truly do care about them. We've done some wonderful things for Florida, but at the same time, I'm able to recognize the fact that there's still work to do. The people of Florida have learned to trust me and that's why they gave me the Governor's Mansion as my new address six years ago.

“I think that the dog eat dog, cut throat world that is American politics is a disgusting business, and it really is just that- a business. That is what got me started in politics. Not because I wanted that atmosphere, but because I wanted to change it. An unfortunate side effect of hating politics, and I do, is that if you're outside of it, you can't do anything to change it

“The fact that I belong to no party means that they can't draw party lines and fight me just because I belong to an opposing people. My party, is the people,” he concludes.

”That right there might be the most well thought out response to that kind of question, I ever heard,” Brokaw says.

”And its not really thought out, Tom. It's just what I truly believe in my heart and in my mind,” Niko interrupts. ”I'm a genuine person. I govern for the people of my state. I put their best interest ahead of my own. Ahead of any one parties agenda. The people are my agenda and I truly believe that they see that,” he continued.

”When I agreed to this interview, James, your Chief of Staff, is he?” Brokaw asks.

”He's the greatest adviser I have. Yes, he is my Chief of Staff,” Niko replies with enthusiasm and a smile.

”James said you didn't want to talk politics like a normal politician. Why is that?” Brokaw asks with a slight smile, probably assuming he already knows the answer.

”Because I'm not your ordinary 'vote for me' politician, Tom” Niko replies. ”I'm a man of the people. They're either going to love me, or they'll hate me. Regardless of that, I work for them. It's something that those in local, state and federal government have lost sight of. It's something that, with the help of the people, we can bring back.

“Today, its a government of the politicians, by the lobbyists, and for corporate America. With Niko, we will take it all back. We will take back the power. The United States of America will once again be a government that is of the people, by the people and for the people,” Niko replies.

”You realize you just spoke in third person?” Brokaw asks with a slight chuckle. Niko grins and thinks about what he just said.

”Did I?” Niko asks.

”You said 'with Niko, we will take it all back'” Brokaw replies, still smiling.

”You'll have to excuse me. I've been doing some filming of campaign commercials for another business venture I'm involved in, which we'll talk about in some detail later on” Niko says with a light hearted laugh.

”Let's talk about some of the issues facing todays America” Brokaw says as he tries to transition the conversation. ”A few subjects facing America today, at least in the social variety, are gay marriage and the decriminalization of personal marijuana use. What are your positions on those issues?” Brokaw asks, straight faced.

”First of all marriage is not the business of any government. Marriage should stay between the individuals involved and no one else. What right does the federal government have to step in and interfere with individual freedoms? It flies in the face of everything this nation was founded upon to deny any human a right as basic as marriage.

“This nation was founded upon the principal that the United States of America is a beacon of freedom. How can we continue to be such when our government continuously takes rights away from the people its supposed to govern for?

“If I'm President, I will work to make certain that each and every state legalizes marriage. And I hate to call it gay marriage, because what difference does it make? Marriage is marriage whether its a man and a woman, two men, or two women.

“Whether the American people are gay, straight or otherwise, they should not be discriminated against based upon who they lay with at night. It's wrong. There is nothing right about any form of discrimination. There is no place for it in this country,” Niko concludes.

”What about the marijuana issue?” Brokaw reminds Niko of the other question.

”I don't believe there is an issue,” Niko says before continuing on. ”Marijuana is a darn plant. It's something I will work to not only decriminalize, but also to legalize nation wide. Aside from inhaling smoke, it really is pretty harmless. It's been demonized by politicians for decades and calling it a gateway drug is nothing more than a scare tactic.

“To be completely honest and transparent here, I use it myself on occasion. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I have no fear. Marijuana is less harmful to the body than the smoking of cigarettes. Not to mention that amount of federal and state tax revenue that could be put to great use in the schools of our nation. It could be put to great use in many, many areas of our nation. The fact that in the year 2014 something so minimally dangerous, like marijuana, is still illegal is just completely asinine.

“The American people have my solemn oath that I will get it legalized and the tax revenue will be put to good use” Niko concludes.

”I think you just won the pot head vote,” Brokaw laughs.

”Only if they remember to vote,” Niko jokes.

”I could seriously sit here and talk to you for hours. Unfortunately, we are quickly running out of time” Brokaw states. He continues, ”Before we talk about your other business venture, I want to say I think it's pretty obvious to me, and by now the American people, that you're angling for the White House in 2016. Win or lose, when its all said and done and your time in the political spot light is over, when your time on Earth is over and you're being eulogized, how would you like to be remembered?”

”I'd like to quote one of my favorite speeches of all time, as a response,” Niko says. ”...Need not be enlarged in death beyond what I was in life. I want to be remembered as a good and decent man. I want to be remembered as a someone who saw wrong and tried to right it. Saw suffering and tried to heal it. Saw war and tried to stop it,” he concludes.

”I know that speech,” Brokaw states. “That was Ted Kennedy's eulogy for his brother Bobby,” he concludes. Niko says nothing, instead opting to stay silent with a smile and a nod. ”Very wonderful words meant for a wonderful man,” he says.

”I agree. As you know, my first name is Kennedy. My father idolized both of the Kennedy brothers,” Niko says.

”We're going to shift directions here before we bring the interview to a close,” says Brokaw with a quizzical look on his face. ”I've learned that you've signed a contract with the Xtreme Wrestling Federation,” he says in a condescending tone. ”What possible reason could you have for doing that? Forgive me if I sound skeptical, I'm just trying to understand this,” Brokaw says with a slight grin.

”I understand that, Tom, I really do,” Niko says. ”I've watched it since I was a little kid. I've had a passion for it. People scoff at professional wrestling, because by and large, its predetermined. The one exception is the Xtreme Wrestling Federation. Everything you see when you tune in every week, is real.

“It's a fun atmosphere that will allow me to stay sharp and stay fit. It will allow me to reach millions of of constituents that I typically wouldn't reach through typical outlets. For so long now, if you didn't read the politics section of a newspaper, if you didn't tune in to Fox or MSNBC, you don't know anything about what's going on around the nation. You don't know anything about the candidates that are wanting to represent you.

“Signing on with the Xtreme Wrestling Federation bridges that gap. By and large, fans of the Xtreme Wrestling Federation are working class folks, just like my family. They're too busy working and fixing things around their homes and taking care of their children to bother much with politics. Especially when, by and large, the working class Americans have been left behind. Most of those in power or seeking power pander to one end of the financial spectrum. They either pander to the rich and powerful, or they pander to the less fortunate that have fell on hard times.

“Meanwhile, working class American is the very heartbeat of the nation, yet they're often forgotten. Often overlooked. It's largely working class America that tunes into the XWF every week and that's why I'm going into wrestling. It will give me the opportunity to reach the working class folks that have been forgotten and overlooked for so long that they just eventually tuned out.

“They're not going to come to me. As a potential American leader, its my job to go where they are. Its my job, to seek them out. Its my job to let them know that somebody still gives a crap about them. Its my job to remind the rest of the nation, and the rest of the world, that there is nothing stronger or more resilient than the American working class people,” Niko concludes.

”I was skeptical, Niko, just as I said,” Brokaw says before taking a sip of water. ”You are without a doubt the most fascinating political figure I've ever met. There is no doubt in my mind, that if you continue on the path you're on the Presidential election of 2016 will follow the trend you've set. You've overwhelmingly defeated every political opponent you've ever had. You won the mayoral election in your home city of St. Petersburg, Florida. In '08, you won the Florida Gubernatorial race. Both with extremely wide margins.

“People love Niko. I have no doubt that when it becomes official and you announce that you are definitely running for President in 2016, Kennedy Nikomedes will be sent to the White House with another overwhelming victory,” Brokaw says with a look of conviction.

”I thank you for that,” Niko says before continuing on. ”By the way, Tom, it is official. I am running for President and in 2016, the American people have a choice to make. Do they want to continue with the same ol' same ol' of useless government? Or do they want their voices heard? Do they want their opinions voiced? Do they want to take the power back?

“They'll have that choice. It's one no one can make for them. It's a simple choice, in my own opinion. They'll likely have three options. They can vote for a Democrat. They can vote for a Republican. Or they can buck the trend and vote for the American,” Niko concludes.

”We've barely even scratched the surface,” Brokaw exclaims. The camera pans in as Tom Brokaw speak to the television audience, ”There's so much more to learn and discover and to talk about. Hopefully we'll get the chance to do this again. But for now, you've had the opportunity to meet the most gripping personality in American politics, Kennedy Nikomedes.

“I'm Tom Brokaw, live from WFSU studios in Tallahassee, Florida. Good night America,” Brokaw says as he closes the live interview.

The producer signals that they're off the air as dozens of people surround Brokaw and Niko. After a few minutes, people begin to file out of the room leaving Niko alone with his Chief of Staff. They sit in the chairs from the interview.

”What do you think?” Niko asks.

”I think it went well,” James replies back after a slight hesitation.

”I sense something, Jimmy,” Niko says before pausing, then continuing. ”What is it? What's on your mind?” Niko asks.

James Williams squirms a little bit. Unsure of how to answer in a way that doesn't make the good Governor worry. After all, his job as Chief of Staff, is to keep the Governor level headed. His job is to keep Kennedy Nikomedes calm and smiling and ready for the next grilling. “I just think that, if anyone does some digging, they'll find things we don't want them to find,” James says.

Niko rubs his chin, only now realizing that he needs a shave. ”Look, its readily apparent that I'm going to Washington. They're going to dig. What they find is all in the eyes of the beholder,” Niko says.

Changing the subject, James asks “You think the others will approve?”

”The others will only approve when I win the White House,” Niko says, almost cockily.

“Don't you mean 'if'?” James asks.

Niko gets a serious, glazed over look in his eyes before replying, ”I said 'when.' I meant 'when.' I'm going to win the White House. Then the others will be extremely happy.” Niko pauses for a second, before concluding, ”Then the others will come.”

The two smile. You've only scratched the surface of who Kennedy Nikomedes really is. Surely, there are a million questions that need to be answered. As time marches on, everything will be revealed. Some that must be poking your brain at this very second-

What does Niko mean when he refers to the others?

Is there a new Revolution ready to break out in the United States?

Or is it something else?

If it's something else, is it something good for America?

Or is it something a little more sinister?

Stay tuned.

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