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Mercier had the look of an atheist buttonholed by a Hare Krishna at an airport "Lincoln said it: 'you can't fool all the people all the ti the President and Vice President out of the public eye for more than a day, at most And you can't sihly visible around Washington Then there is the Eagle's crew to consider What do you tell their families?"

"Jack Sutton!" Fawcett blurted as though he was having a revelation

"Who?" Simmons demanded

"The actor, the spitting ie of the President who plays him in TV commercials and on comedy shows"

Oates sat up "I think I see your point The reseet aith it, not on a face-to-face basis Sutton's voice is a far from perfect imitation, and anyone who is in close daily contact with the President would see through the deception"

"Yes, but from thirty feet his oife couldn't tell the difference"

"Where is this leading?" Metcalf asked Fawcett

The White House Chief of Staff took his cue "Press Secretary Tho the President is taking a working vacation on his New Mexico farram The White House press corps will be kept on the sidelines-a situation that's not uncommon when the President isn't in the mood to answer questions

All they'd see from a roped-off distance would be hi the helicopter for the flight to Andrews Air Force Base for departure in Air Force One They could follow on a later plane, of course, but be denied entry onto the farm itself"

"Why not have a phony Vice President go with Sutton?" Mercier suggested

"Both men can't fly on the same plane," Lucas reminded him

"Okay, send hiht," Mercier persisted

"Not olin's movements No one would notice a stand-in"

"Or care," added Oates, alluding to the public apathy toward vice presidents

"I can handle the details from the White House end," offered Fawcett