Senate Confirmation: A Novel

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When Walter Bourne, a well-regarded Democratic Senator from North Carolina is nominated to become Secretary of Defense by Republican President Roger Aldridge, his confirmation by the Senate appears assured. Not only is he the Senate's foremost expert on the military, but the Senate is controlled by his own party. While Bourne has certain misgivings about joining forces with the Administration, he puts those aside to take on the job he has always aspired to. Soon after his nomination is announced, however, a reporter for an obscure defense journal learns that Bourne, during an earlier stint on the Senate Intelligence Committee, may have leaked a highly classified presidential order to the Washington Post during his last year on the committee. To ascertain whether this occurred, the reporter contacts Bourne's former staff assistant on the intelligence committee, Howard Kinsman, who is now practicing law in North Carolina, with aspirations of running for Congress one day himself. Kinsman refuses to discuss the matter with the reporter, but calls Bourne to alert him to what the reporter is pursuing. Bourne has no recollection of doing what he is alleged to have done, but Kinsman clearly does. What, they wonder, are their responsibilities: to the committee considering Bourne's nomination, to the White House, to themselves and their respective families? What ensues is a vivid and engaging portrayal of the Senate confirmation process, where a seemingly small issue suddenly takes on monumental significance, which, in turn, poses painful moral issues for those involved in the confirmation process, from the nominee himself, to the committee considering his nomination, to the White House itself.