[ WP ] Politicians and diplomats say what 's on their mind and `` keep it real '' . Write a story where keeping it real goes wrong

The reporters were on point today. It was annoying, but I had to give them credit. They were doing an excellent job. 
 
 I was still at the podium, announcing my plan for Campaign Finance Reform. I had funded most of my campaign prior to announcing my candidacy, so I understand their questions. I had to try and tell them how my plan for oversight was going to help fix Washington. 
 
 `` Folks, folks, lets try to stay focused here. What we're talking about -- what *I'm* talking about today is a shift in paradigm. Where we no longer allow private corporations to purchase the Presidency.'' 
 
 `` Yes but what about your candidacy, Senator? You raised almost three hundred million dollars in the last 6 months, all without declaring. To some, this might suggest gaming the system.'' A young reporter, Clara Wilde, stared at me expectantly. She was a fantastic reporter, which made her problematic on the trail. 
 
 I smiled, and explained. `` Look, as you all know, I'm a straight shooter. Yes, I raised quite a bit of money. However, I did n't break any laws, and you can see the donor list on my website. What I'm trying to point out is that *after* declaring a candidacy, money raised must come from the people, rather than corporations, as that will --'' 
 
 `` Wait'' she said, cutting me off. `` How does that help? Would n't that just push the announcements back by several months, as candidates fundraised privately? Effectively shortening the campaign time and not allowing the American people to make an informed decision at the polls?'' 
 
 `` No.'' I smiled again, this bitch was getting on my last nerve. `` No, of course not, part of the reform would restrict private fundraising to a specific window --'' 
 
 `` So as long as you have powerful friends, you'll do fine.'' She countered. `` But if you're starting grass roots, you're kind of on your own.'' 
 
 `` No,'' I started again. She cut me off. 
 
 `` Senator, you're the only one among your running mates who was able to raise the kind of money you did, and part of that might be do to your connections in the Private Sector.'' 
 
 `` No,'' I said. `` I do n't think that's --'' 
 
 `` Senator, be honest now'' She said, hand on her hip. `` You're telling us that your connections in Tech and Aerospace have not given you a leg up on your running mates? When just last week you raised forty million from FreeLabs Aeronautics, with who's CEO you regularly meet with and --'' 
 
 I snapped. 
 
 `` ENOUGH!'' I said. `` Who gives a shit? Who gives a shit who I know? Yes, I have friends in places that will help me along the road to the White House, and yes, they donated generously to my campaign. It does n't matter though, because I'm talking about *after* declaring candidacy. I could raise a billion dollars privately and as long as I do n't take a cent of it after announcing, I will not have broken any laws, and it would in no way prevent anyone else from doing the same.'' 
 
 The crowd was quiet, but I was n't done. I wanted her eviscerated. 
 
 `` Furthermore, who gives a shit if no one else can raise the funds? Quite honestly, if you ca n't find people to finance your campaign then you do n't deserve the White House! You talk about `` grass roots'' like its some fucking buzzword that means something to the American people. Like they'll open their own wallets and donate to your candidacy. Let me tell you something, you no-name Connecticut bitch, the American people do n't care about campaign finance. They care about McDonalds and they care about Coke and what the hottest stars are wearing! Depending on the vote of the American people to get elected is a death wish, and if the other candidates ca n't see that, then they deserve to lose. `` 
 
 You could have heard a pin drop. And we were outside, in the grass. Clara was taking furious notes; they all were. Dave, my campaign manager, was frantically waving for me to walk off stage. I smiled, and tried to regain composure. 
 
 `` Ha, haha. Sorry folks, I'm just passionate about Campaign Finance Reform. What I meant... what I was attempting to say to Ms. Wilde is that the American People need representatives, and we ca n't rely on them to vote... we ca n't rely on them to just pay for our Campaign needs. We need to work with our friends in the Private Sector to bolster our democracy. Small business...'' 
 
 I trailed off. No one was listening now anyway. Reporters were on their cell phones, cameras were still rolling. I smiled and glanced at Dave, who was waving both arms above his head, the clipboard in his hand stripping the tree branch above him of its leaves. He was waving at the live band, and as soon as they saw him, they started playing. 
 
 I could n't just leave it like that. I smiled and gave two thumbs up. `` All the way to 2016!'' I said. What the fuck did that even mean? 
 
 I dropped my hands, smiled again, and walked off stage.
