Chapter 19 Chapter 16 Chinese Women Participating in Politics

Politics and power are the adventures of life, the ups and downs of gambling, the contest of strength, wisdom, money, and luck, accompanied by conspiracy, conspiracy, and thrilling blood and death; but they have an irresistible temptation, especially is for men.Therefore, becoming the President of the United States and living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington for four or eight years is the dream of many outstanding people! Therefore, four hundred years ago, a famous political scientist's maxim was: the monarch must imitate the fox and the lion at the same time. Therefore, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the youngest of the presidents of the United States, lived by the creed of his Irish family: "Victory at all costs!"

Therefore, US President Richard Nixon, who is "wonderful" in his merits and demerits, would admire his football coach Indian Wallace: "I can't fully describe the impact of Coach Newman on me. He planted seeds in me. The competitive spirit and the determination to come back after being defeated. He also made me understand that what really matters is not a person's background, color, race or creed, but just his character." Men are too attached to Vanity Fair. It's no wonder, if you look at the battle for the leader in the animal world, it's not that the strongest is the king in the life-and-death struggle.Maybe running for the presidency, from the heart-wrenching primary election to the intrigue, to the overcrowding of the National Assembly Hall to the carnival of the inauguration, is the catharsis of the alienation of the original rush of vitality, right?

Who knows? Chen Xiangmei is not the kind of strong woman who is obsessed with power. She is more of a Chinese woman shaped by the wisdom of traditional Chinese culture and the tolerance and virtuousness of traditional Chinese women's virtues.Of course, unlike ordinary Chinese women, she often burns rebellious passions and makes independent choices at key points. She did not consciously step into the political circle and join the mainstream of American society, but she often looked up at the tall building with a round roof on the tree-lined Capitol Hill, through the fence, and looked at the small three-story building next to the green lawn. She couldn't suppress her curiosity about the White House, a white round building on the first floor. This is the nerve center of the United States, and it can also be said to affect the pulse of the world. What kind of magic and mystery should it be? Is it sacred?

She has never put down the pen in her hand, and has been a columnist for Taiwan's National Evening News and Xinsheng Daily. After living in Washington, the dazzling Washington kaleidoscope has become a bit of her writing.She thinks that the biggest feature of Washington is the people, all kinds of people, people who come and go like a revolving lantern.The change of power every four years, in response to "chaos, you will sing and I will come on stage", "once the emperor, one courtier"; the endless criticism from the Democratic Party and the Republican Party is just "the crow laughs at the black pig"; the ambitious people flock to Washington , Men want to seek fame, women want to be a lady, and as a result, there are more men complaining about women than anywhere else.However, frequent and lively international exchanges, political, economic, cultural, and tourism booms and booms clearly create an atmosphere of "Golden Yuan Kingdom", "World Paradise" and "Paradise". Dreams can stop.

Although the bustling and deep part of the city is desolate, there is still a sincere friendship.Chennault was friendly and sincerely cared for her during his lifetime. The former Flying Tigers team members still keep in touch with her. Lawyer Mu Kelun and the old governor of Noye seem to have become her obligatory protectors. It is worth mentioning that there are two old people with the same name. : Former President Hoover and the founder of the FBI, Hoover, also took care of her, both of whom have entered their twilight years.Former President Hoover was old and deaf. He lived in Room 31A on the 31st floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. He usually didn’t see anyone, but he specially asked Xiangmei to have afternoon tea. The tea set was blue and white porcelain from Jingdezhen, China that he loved.As early as 1899, he went to China as an engineer and stayed for three years. He loved China; he went to China again in 1947, and Chen Xiangmei met him for the first time at that time. .The old man asked her how she was doing with concern, and told her to come to him if she needed help.She suddenly felt her heart choked, but she still shook her head, this concern was enough, and Ruth walked out independently.The old man gave her "The Joy of Fishing-Cleanse Your Soul", his last book, with his autograph on it, which is really another side of the president's life. Hoover died in October 1964.FBI Hoover died in 1973, they all always cared and valued her.

Chen Xiangmei also met several girlfriends in Washington, they are "Chicago Tribune" McCormick's widow Marilyn, "Washington Post" female reporter Zichel, female columnist Quinn and "Washington Star" columnist Female writer Dixon.These female reporters and writers all have independent personalities, are sensitive and persistent, and Chen Xiangmei likes them.She recalled her days in Kunming and Shanghai's poster industry, her girlfriends Fang Dan, Xie Baozhu, and Mai Xiaomei. How are they doing now?Once Dixon said to her: "Anna, in this world, the weak are preyed upon by the strong, and people seem to be able to enjoy reading about other people's misfortunes, but I can't, I will never show my teeth and claws like others." Whether it's blond hair and blue eyes, or blue hair and black eyes, kind and intelligent women, their hearts are always connected.

As the widow of General Chennault, she is often invited to various cocktail parties, which is the most common form of communication in American high society.It can be used in rich and famous mansions, in nightclubs, small restaurants and bars; it can be used as a buffer for international relations, it can be used for the harmony and unity of political parties and associations, it can be used for interpersonal communication, or it can be used for nothing. Dong is indeed prosperous and rich, and those who are guests may show their status or be arty, with a glass of wine in hand, talking and laughing, everyone is happy, hypocrisy and vanity go hand in hand.Sometimes there are too many people participating, and it’s embarrassing to be squeezed together like receiving relief food; sometimes the smog is mixed with eating and drinking courtesan courtesans; sometimes you drink too much and talk too much. act like a buffoon!Chen Xiangmei is no stranger to cocktails, her mother is a master of cocktails.She likes the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, blue and purple of cocktails. This is art, like poetry and picturesque, like a fantasy, especially the cocktail party must be held in the afternoon, so at dusk and night, listening to the name of these wines: pink Beautiful women, black velvet, neon cups, cold mint leaves... Could it be better to be intoxicated?But she never got drunk, and she didn't talk much. She just watched and meditated, like "Everyone is drunk and I am sober".Sometimes she would get mischievous, and quietly go out behind closed doors, and go to the quiet night street to find a cup of sober Chinese tea. Shaking the wisteria flower shadows, I feel the coolness of autumn.In the following years, she joined the American mainstream society and got involved in the political vortex, but she always maintained a sober and high-spirited attitude.

Cocktail parties and banquets are the dynamic scene in Washington, but the government has a limited budget for entertaining distinguished guests, so many banquets have to be hosted by famous social figures who are willing to spend money. Since President Roosevelt, a unique phenomenon in Washington politics has emerged Several well-known hostesses in Washington.Mrs. Post who started selling oatmeal and food, Mrs. Pearl, the widow of the oilfield tycoon, Belle Mesta, and the leading real estate developer, Guerrie Foci, are all Washington hostesses who spend money like water and can be used at any time.The president and the secretary of state seem to want to bow down under their pomegranate skirts. This is the charm of power and money.

At the dinner at Marilyn's house, Chen Xiangmei met Mrs. Pearl.This lady is not only rich, but also has a close friendship with President Truman, and was sent to Luxembourg as an ambassador for two years.She often raises funds for the Democratic Party, and has a close relationship with the Johnsons.The lady looked quite old, but no one knew her age. She noticed Chen Xiangmei with aggressive eyes, but Chen Xiangmei was never timid.It was also at the banquet that someone introduced Xiangmei to the wife of the French ambassador three times, but the lady still pretended that she did not know each other. When they met for the fourth time, Xiangmei gave her color by retaliation. It will make a woman's petty temper.Mrs. Pearl stared at her: "You are young and beautiful, if you intend to remarry, you should go elsewhere. Of course, if you want to do something, you should stay." The words were a bit harsh, but, Her intuition told her that this was advice, and she remembered it.When we parted, Mrs. Pearl asked her again: "Is your name listed in the green book?" Said: "I want to call you, is your name included in the green book?" She regained her composure and replied: "I believe you can find my phone number." Extraordinary.Afterwards, she inquired that Washington publishes a "Green Book" every year, which lists the names and addresses of important figures in the presidential palace, diplomatic envoys, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives.In addition, people with status and qualifications in Washington are included in the list in English alphabetical order. The selection is very strict, and it is known as the bible of social secretaries in Washington.At that time, Chen Xiangmei was not on the list.

This stimulated Chen Xiangmei.But she knew that Mrs. Pearl didn't mean any harm, because Mrs. Pearl really hung up on her soon after.So, is this a hint?Show?She didn't dare to think about it, she had no power, no power, no money, and she made up her mind that she would never remarry in this life, she couldn't become the hottest hostess in Washington, and she didn't want to. At another dinner party, she met a woman named Sylvia Herman, who was the president of the Maryland Republican Women's Association.Holding the wine glass in his hand, Herman stared at her and asked, "Are you interested in politics?" She hesitated for a moment, but nodded, "I hope to know as much as possible about America." Herman immediately said: "I'm organizing a minority group to campaign for Nixon. Would you like to work on this group?" It was straight to the point, and despite her little knowledge of the Republican Party, she said yes, with a fresh impulse atrium.

She joined the Republican Party without calm consideration and philosophical speculation. It can only be said that she was guided by fate in the dark. In 1954, she met Nixon with Chennault, but Chennault didn't like him with his sixth sense; her friend Marilyn didn't like him either, and warned her: "You can't trust that guy!" Find out who Nixon really was.Having said that, she liked and admired Lincoln, for whom the Republican Party was famous.So although most of the southerners in Chennault's hometown were conservative Democrats, Chennault himself admired Lincoln very much. Like joining the Central News Agency or joining the airlift team, it is starting from scratch again.Writing letters, answering the phone, organizing registration, and participating in minority groups to give speeches are tedious tasks, but it is these trivial things that make her realize that the role of ordinary people in politics is important, and she cannot easily If she gave up a vote, she would volunteer to go to the residence to pick up elderly or sick voters.Her earnestness, dedication and enthusiasm made the Republicans look at this beautiful and intelligent Chinese woman with admiration. However, for the first time in her life, Chen Xiangmei participated in the election campaign, which ended in the failure of Nixon. November 8, 1960 came election night.The campaign headquarters of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are all brightly lit. Television receivers, teletypewriters, large vote counting machines, various sounds from computers, hurried telephone ringtones, and excited radios will break the heartstrings of the tense staff at the noisy headquarters. up!In the colorful noise and commotion, Chen Xiangmei felt the excitement and excitement that she had never had before.Perhaps she has been placed in the vortex of the political mainstream, and she really wants to live and die! At 10:30 in the evening, the results of the state elections came out one after another, and the Democratic candidate Kennedy had a clear advantage.wait!From eleven o'clock, the wind direction changed, Nixon's votes soared, and thunderous cheers erupted from every floor and every room.wait!Nixon and Kennedy's votes ebb and flow, and the outcome is hard to tell!Chen Xiangmei's heart was about to jump out of her throat. The almost crazy bullfighting scenes in Mexico and even Spain were far more exciting than Bu Yide at this moment.The election results were finally announced in the early hours of the next day: Nixon lost to Kennedy with 34,108,546 popular votes and 219 electoral college votes to Kennedy's 34,277,096 popular votes and 303 electoral college votes. While the Democrats' campaign headquarters and the Kennedy family roared and celebrated like a tsunami, the Republicans' campaign headquarters was deadly silent, followed by discussions with the benefit of hindsight. The winner is the king and the loser is Kou?Fortunately, four years later, eight years later or a few years later, as long as you are strong, you can make a comeback.Again!This is the excitement and fairness of American democracy. At twelve noon on January 20, 1961, the youngest in American history, the 35th President Kennedy held the inauguration ceremony.On this day, it was snowing heavily in Washington, which was unprecedented. However, the temporary wooden review stand on the east wing of the Capitol was extraordinarily spectacular. Delegates from all states flocked to Capitol Hill happily. The Democratic Party actually sent an invitation to Chen Xiangmei!But she was so frustrated with Nixon's failure that she didn't want to go.Ge Kelun smiled: "In the United States, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are all soft parties. Joining the party and leaving the party are all at will, and it doesn't matter over and over again. Although they are members of the two parties, there are many people who have deep personal relationships. Why are you so serious? Important It’s just about earnestly participating and gaining various experiences.” She knew.Life is a variety of experiences, but if she wants to become a woman jumping around, she will not do it.But she still followed Ge Kelun to the inauguration ceremony. Her first impression of Kennedy was good. "Today we celebrate not a victory for a political party but a victory for freedom, a day that symbolizes an end as well as a beginning, a renewal as well as a change... the torch has been passed to the new in the hands of a generation of Americans who were born in this century, trained in war, and trained in the hard and arduous times of peace... all this will not; and will not be done in my first hundred days It won't be done in a thousand days, and it won't be done in this administration, and maybe not even in our lifetime on this planet, but let's start talking." The 43-year-old President Kennedy's inaugural speech was confident, full of passion and vitality. Chen Xiangmei, who has studied public speaking, was also infected. She is only 36 years old. "Let's start", that's right.She remembered two of Kennedy's favorite words when he was soliciting votes from women: "Women's power, untapped resources", "Older women will be your mothers, and younger women will be your lovers", why bother? To find out whether it is true or false?Proper words are conquest. In the evening, she attended Kennedy's inaugural party at Amkey Stadium with all the enthusiasm and girlish enthusiasm of a politician.It was still snowing heavily, and thick snow walls were piled up on both sides of the road.But the all-night party at the stadium is full of spring.The first lady, Jacqueline, is beautiful and elegant in a fluttering white coat. She used to be a photojournalist for the "Washington Times Herald", but now, countless cameras are shining on her!It's just that those feet are too big, what size shoes should I wear?Chen Xiangmei sometimes prefers to spoil good stories.She was wearing a red gold velvet long cheongsam, with a branch of wintersweet embroidered on the front, and a pair of golden high-heeled shoes that she had just bought for $75. The heavy snow and wild dancing ruined the shoes, but they were worth it!I haven't had this much fun in a long time. In May 1962, President Kennedy invited Chen Xiangmei for the first official private meeting at the White House and entrusted her to be the chairman of the China Refugee Relief Administration.In the President's Oval Office, there is a scarlet carpet. The American flag and the President's flag are erected on both sides behind the presidential throne. On the opposite side is the military portrait of Washington, the founding father of the United States. There are Chinese porcelain vases on both sides, and the wall shelf on the left. There are gifts presented by distinguished guests from all over the world on display, and the famous rose garden is outside the south window.Kennedy wore a blue-gray suit, a white shirt and a blue tie to set off his chic and romantic. No one would have thought that he was a man riddled with illnesses, with congenital deformity of the spine, congenital atrophy of the adrenal glands, and blood disease. Pain sick, so there is a rocking chair dedicated to him in the White House.He stood up and greeted Chen Xiangmei warmly; Chen Xiangmei was wearing a white short-sleeved silk cheongsam with dark floral patterns, holding a white handbag inlaid with pearls, looking graceful and charming.The press secretary took this pleasant and harmonious shot.Subsequently, Kennedy held a press conference in the Rose Garden and hired Humphrey and Nixon as consultants. In Kennedy, the appointment of a Chinese woman from the opposition party is a manifestation of tolerance and wisdom; The prelude to the relationship is played. At that time, mainland China was suffering from a catastrophic natural disaster unseen in a century, and some people flowed to Hong Kong. The so-called Refugee Relief Administration was of course out of political fraud to bluff and manipulate public opinion, but Chen Xiangmei was doing it in a down-to-earth manner. Shuttle between Hong Kong and Hong Kong.At this time, she received a letter from Nie Guangdi's younger brother, informing them that their family was already in the refugee center, and hoped that she would guarantee them to settle in the United States.After she went all out to complete the formalities for their settlement in California, she found out that Brother Nie had died of illness in a labor camp in the Northwest a few years ago. She felt a sense of relief amidst the unbearable grief, and finally repaid Brother Nie for her back then. A piece of infatuation.At the same time, her best friend Fang Dan left the world alone in Hong Kong. She died just after her forty years as an unmarried woman. But it was deserted and miserable!Chen Xiangmei went to Fontaine's shabby house, "Looking at the window, how can it be dark alone! The sycamore tree is also drizzled, and at dusk, it will be dribs and drabs. This time, how can there be a word of sorrow!" The rain fell down with tears. She has a face. At noon on November 22, 1963, the weather in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, was clear after the rain, and everything looked extraordinarily fresh, but the crowds lining the streets to welcome the president were extraordinarily noisy.The Kennedys and Governor Connally and his wife took the same convertible car, followed by the car of Vice President Johnson and his wife and other long convoys.At 12:30, the motorcade slowly drove into Dealey Plaza. Kennedy, who liked to wear a blue-gray suit, white shirt and blue tie, and Jacqueline, who wore a pink dress and a cap, all looked radiant and waved frequently to the crowd.In the sea of ​​cheers, only a few gunshots were heard, and Kennedy's head was already spurting blood and brains. Jacqueline screamed and hugged her husband. Fatal shooting of JFK dies at 1pm?This is the fourth president in U.S. history to be assassinated.Democracy?Barbaric?This day is precisely the thousandth day that he entered the White House. On the "Air Force One" presidential plane returning from Texas to Washington, Johnson was immediately sworn in as president. This is the constitution of the United States. At that time, the blood splashed on Jacqueline's pink dress was still wet! On the evening of November 22, the new President Johnson had just returned to Washington. The assassinated president had not yet been buried, and the White House was already in a noisy relocation scene.The rocking chair and everything Kennedy has used in the past three years have been removed, except for the red carpet and the phone, which also look set to be replaced.For three years, the White House has been filled with the smell of French perfume, because the first lady loves to use Paris perfume, loves French fashion, loves to eat French cuisine, and loves to speak elegant French.She loves pink, pink blue and white, and loves to be unconventional. She rearranged the White House everywhere and initiated the movement of American historical relics back to the White House.Her young daughter and daughter brought life to the majestic White House, and only a few days ago there were pictures of little rascals playing under Daddy's big desk in the papers.However, wealth is like floating clouds! Chen Xiangmei, who witnessed all this, couldn't help saying to a senator: "You Westerners are too realistic. At the very least, it's not too late to move after the president's funeral. Don't wait one more day!" The senator shrugged. "The responsibilities and work of a head of state are too great. It is understandable for them to do so in order not to lose a day." What a "a country cannot live without a king"!But what is the importance of the Führer's work if he has no human touch?People, what is the fight for hegemony? Jacqueline was exceptionally quiet.In her final kiss with her husband, she took off the wedding ring from her ring finger and put it back in the hands of her deceased lover. It seems that she has put an end to the title of first lady.Kennedy was buried in Arlington Military Cemetery, and a never-ending torch was lit over his grave. Kennedy's tomb is just below Chennault's.Every time Chen Xiangmei went to visit her husband's grave, she would see this unextinguished torch. She missed the youngest among the American presidents and the youngest among the American presidents who died. The Kennedy family, ridiculed as "the pauper-to-rich" family, were Irish immigrants.Kennedy's great-grandfather made a living growing sugar beets, potatoes and more in the small village town of Dunganstown, County Wexford.If it hadn't been for the potato blight that cut him off, he would never have boarded a "coffin ship" and spent forty days and nights on the Atlantic before reaching the Irish and Catholic immigrant district of East Boston.Grandfather is no longer reconciled to being mediocre. He pushes and climbs and leads the family to fight through numerous obstacles, and he wants to enter the mainstream society.Father got his wish, the charm of money, from business to politics, Roosevelt appointed him as the US ambassador to Britain in 1938; in 1957, the Kennedy family has become the richest American family.Kennedy originally had four brothers and five sisters, and Kennedy was the weakest of the brothers, but the family motto of the Kennedy family was: "There is only first, no second."It is the goal of the family to be unyielding and unscrupulous to enter the mainstream of society and be elected as a member of the House of Representatives, a senator, and even the president.Helplessly, the strong and strong eldest son died in an air crash during World War II. The sickly second child had ups and downs. He hired someone to kill him and wrote a bestseller. It's a side story, but Kennedy finally ascended to the throne of the President of the United States, but the good times didn't last long, and he died in less than three years.Maybe if he hadn't been so competitive, he could have enjoyed family happiness for decades; but after all, he had been number one, which is beyond the reach of countless happy people in their lifetime.Who can figure it out?Had it not been for the potato blight, the Kennedys would have been growing potatoes year after year in the small village of Dunganstown. Potato blight made an American president? ! Chen Xiangmei, who has been on the fringes of the political world for three years, has witnessed the glory of the winners and the loneliness of the losers, the everlasting friendship and the instant ups and downs of power!Would spare no effort to pursue fame and fortune in life be more unforgettable than the memory left by death? She remembered that at about ten o'clock in the night on April 14, 1865, when Lincoln, who loved watching theaters, was watching British Thom Taylor's play "Our American Cousins" at the Ford Theater, a sinful bullet hit Lincoln's head. .The father of liberty has fallen.This day happens to be the day of the martyrdom of Jesus. Lincoln was assassinated for his unrelenting efforts to eliminate racial discrimination. Kennedy's death is a mystery. On June 6, 1968, Kennedy's brother Robert, who was desperately seeking to run for the 37th president, was shot and killed by a crazy gunman during a campaign speech.Another unsolved mystery overlays the shadow of the Kennedy family. When you want to get it, you have lost it, and when you lose it, you will leave something behind. Chen Xiangmei is still on the road to participate in politics.Although she has tasted sweet, sour, bitter, hot and salty for the first time, she has no regrets.Only in this way can she truly enter the mainstream of American life, and she will not be an eternal second-class citizen.You know, although she has become an American citizen, she is still a yellow-skinned and black-haired Chinese woman in the eyes of the world and in her own heart. In 1962 she received the French Lafayette Freedom Prize.She quit her job at Georgetown University to work as the director of program production and broadcasting for the Voice of America. She likes the job of "mass communication", and she wants people all over the world to hear her voice. She has served as a consultant to the Republican Committee on Political Issues, specializing in Asian affairs and giving recurring national lectures. In 1963, her name was imprinted on the Green Book of Washington DC. She had no sense of pride, but more confidence. The road is long and long, and I will search up and down. She is a woman born on the Dragon Boat Festival in China. November 5, 1968, was the day of the US presidential election. It was a bitter winter day, and the cold wind was blowing withered leaves, but in this desolate and chilling winter scene, Washington, which is full of political atmosphere, blended festive excitement and pre-war tension, and it was full of tension everywhere. Frenzy and impetuosity. Chen Xiangmei got up early in the morning and put on her make-up.She has to vote in Beijing first, and then rush to New York.The Republican campaign was headquartered at the Villa Hotel in Washington, but the real headquarters was at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, because Nixon lived in New York and Mitchell's law firm was on Wall Street.Nixon loved New York, calling it "the inside of the runway" and that "unless anyone moves on the inside of the runway, life tends to be dull and monotonous". All floors and districts of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel have entered a stage of intense tension and hectic activity. Chen Xiangmei got the blue ribbon for entering and exiting each district, and wandered around with Mitchell, chairman of the Republican election committee. Mitchell was as tense as a root. Chen Xiangmei was as calm as a lake with no waves. Yes, she has a plan in mind and is sure to win. In the spring of 1968, she was appointed by Nixon as the chairman of the National Women's Supporting Nixon Campaign Committee and as the chairman of the Finance Committee. This was her third campaign.The first time was Nixon in 1960, which failed; the second time was Goldwater in 1964, which also lost.Goldwater is a major general of the Air Force, and he lives not far from Chen Xiangmei, so they are neighbors. However, Mrs. Goldwater and Chen Xiangmei still use the same barber, so they have a very close personal relationship.At that time, 54-year-old Goldwater looked only in his early forties. He wore large black-rimmed glasses, had a loud voice, and was very enthusiastic. He was a representative of the conservative faction in the Republican Party. But Chen Xiangmei had a premonition that he could not win the championship because he was too straightforward!Bystanders could tell that her prediction was correct.At that time, Goldwater's competitor in the Republican Party was Governor Locke, the liberal representative of New York. Locke had a very high voice, but after he suddenly divorced his wife of thirty years and immediately married a young woman with four children, he was immediately dismissed. Advocates give up.It seems that the character requirements for candidates in the United States are quite strict, but how should the very romantic Kennedy family explain it?During the campaign, Goldwater and Locke developed a grudge, but Xiangmei's friendship with them deepened day by day, and Xiangmei believed that this toss would pave the way for Nixon's election four years later.At that time, many people thought that Nixon was at the end of his rope, but Chen Xiangmei didn't think so.Participating in a political campaign requires strong human and financial resources, extraordinary wisdom and courage, experience of repeated defeats and repeated battles, as well as seizing opportunities and popularity. Nixon has these and can make a comeback, and the backbone of the campaign is to open the way. pioneer.Only eight years old, she was entrusted with the important task of women's chairman, and sincerely gathered Mrs. Eisenhower, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Tower, Mrs. Ruth, as well as the famous Shirley Temple. Of course, Eisenhower’s wife, Mami, was quite arrogant when she accepted the honorary chairmanship. She said: “My husband raised Nixon very well.” Having said that, Nixon followed Eisenhower for eight years. President, Nixon's youngest daughter, Julie, is married to Mamie's grandson, David, as a daughter-in-law. Can Mamie not be arrogant?Half of the voters in the United States are women, and most of them are middle-aged women. She believes in the appeal of the committee. On August 9, 1968, Nixon was nominated by the Republican presidential candidate in Miami. His speech on accepting the nomination was sincere and passionate, and his life experience, setbacks, struggles, and pursuits touched people's hearts. Many women representatives were moved to tears.Colorful balloons flew to the ceiling of the hall, and people stood up and applauded.But the uncrowned kings in the press booth remained indifferent and did not move at all. Chen Xiangmei, who was also a reporter, suddenly became furious and asked them to stand up loudly, but these people also stood up in a daze, thinking in their hearts: This little oriental girl is not small. Chen Xiangmei was stained with tears.She is still moved by Nixon's struggle speech. On January 9, 1913, Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, a rural town about a hundred miles away from Los Angeles. He lived a rural life before the age of nine.Afterwards, the family moved to another small town, Whittier. The grumpy father opened a gas store and a grocery store. The mother was introverted and liked to be alone. The Nixon brothers ranked second among the five.Nixon could have won a scholarship to Yale University, but because of financial constraints in his family, he could only study history at Whittier College.No wonder Nixon lamented his humble origins in his speech! In World War II, Nixon participated in the Navy; but only participated in the only battle - in January 1944 to deliver food to the US military in Bougainville, which was heavily bombed by Japanese planes. In 1946, Nixon ran for the House of Representatives for the first time in California, and won by defeating his political opponent on the charge of "communist influence"; in 1950, he ran for the Senate, and defeated his female political opponent on the charge of "Pink Lady"; In 1952, he became the vice president of the Eisenhower era with the image of an "anti-communist fighter". He was re-elected in 1956; he lost to Kennedy in the 1960 presidential election. There are mountains and buildings outside; in 1962, he ran for governor of California in a hurry, but haste made waste, and he suffered a disastrous defeat.He was discouraged himself, and said to the press: "You will no longer have the opportunity to kick me like a ball." He wrote a letter of guarantee to his wife Bit to say goodbye to politics, and he really set up a law firm with Mitchell and others on Wall Street in New York. Therefore, he promoted Pepsi at the same time, and became a commoner.However, he couldn't betray his heart, a voice always said in his ear: "Great people often become mediocre because they can't bear failure. Many people become great because they can bear failure. Fail, get up, get ready Come back!" This is the admonition of Newman, the college football coach.So, there is today.Of course, the Democratic Party in power deserves to be unlucky. The United States was caught in the Vietnam War, wasting money and wasting people’s money. They had to release the smoke screen of the "Paris Peace Talks."Johnson retreated in a torrent, handing the baton to Humphrey, and Humphrey's nominating convention in Chicago was bloody.The Democratic Party is gone. Can Chen Xiangmei not be sure of Mount Tai? She admired Nixon's perseverance and perseverance.She respects a man with this strength of character. Wearing a blue ribbon, she walked through the various floors of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Mitchell, who looked nervous, told her mysteriously that once Nixon won, he would meet her after he made the declaration.She smiled lightly.This is a tacit understanding between Nixon, Mitchell and her, no, it is a secret, it is top secret.They have regarded her as a hero.From midnight to the next morning, Nixon led the way, but the report of the election results in Gold Coast arrived very late. After Nixon announced his victory declaration, he hurriedly flew to Florida, which failed to materialize. Chen Xiangmei is self-sufficient.She wanted nothing. The cold wind is blowing and snowflakes are falling, and the weather is getting colder and colder. It’s time to welcome Christmas and prepare for the presidential inauguration, making Washington DC feel like a heat wave. Chen Xiangmei was appointed as a special advisor to the inaugural committee and an assistant to Chairman Mariott, headquartered in Pershing In the building, Chen Xiangmei was very busy.It has only been eight years since she crossed the threshold of the Republican Party. She has moved from the periphery to the core, from executive to decision-making, and has become the only woman in the "kitchen cabinet".The so-called "kitchen cabinet" is a confidential planning committee for election aid. It has a small number of people and plans in a secret room, so it is nicknamed this.Chen Xiangmei shrugged her shoulders and spread her hands: "The kitchen is traditionally a woman's world." The men said: "Anna, you are naughty." Mouthwatering. At this time, Chen Xiangmei had moved into the Watergate Building.This is a diverse building located on the corner of Stony Brook Park and Virginia Avenue, facing the Potomac River.The building includes six buildings: the east building, the west building, and the south building are three residential areas, and there are two office buildings and a hotel.The ground floor of the residential area is all-encompassing. There are vegetable markets, pastry shops, flower shops, pharmacies, beauty salons, swimming pools, etc., making life very convenient. 1966年水门大厦还只是建筑平面图时，陈香梅就付了订金，她要了东楼顶楼的边套住宅，为的是闹中取静。这是到华盛顿后三择其居，她定下心来了。楼顶有自家的白色花园，一年四季，花开不败。清晨黄昏她爱在花园散散步，有时熬夜工作后，她也会登上楼顶，俯瞰万家灯火，抬眼灿烂星空，她满心的踏实，她自信已在华盛顿拥有了自己的一方天地。 她没想到，平地起风雷，她竟成了众矢之的式的新闻人物！新闻传媒振振有词指出竞选的焦点是越战。民主党败北是因为大选前十天阮文绍公开声明拒绝巴黎和谈，而影响着阮氏的是陈香梅，陈香梅在大选前一个月肩负使命神秘地去了西贡。真是荒诞无稽，她要澄清事情真相，却被告知：保持缄默。尼克松获胜后，阮文绍邀请他访越，但没有回复，南越驻美大使裴艳找到陈香梅，她能说什么呢？深夜，电话铃骤响，是米契尔的助理打来的，他用不容置辩的语调通知她：必须说服西贡友人去巴黎和谈。尼克松抽不出时间访越。必须对新闻界声明：尼克松对她与阮文绍的安排一无所知。什么安排？轮到她真正地一无所知了。她压抑住激愤，冷冷地回答：“你们爱说什么你们说去，可我什么也不想说。”她挂断了电话。 她登上了屋顶花园，莫非黑夜中的国际都市仍然是十面埋伏的古战场？冬的夜空深邃清澈，群星却如砸碎了的玻璃屑般扎眼，只穿睡衣的她被风一袭打了个寒噤。她以为进入了主流，登上了高峰，却原来是高处不胜寒，而且污秽龌龊玷污着她！她急急下到浴室，打开龙头，白色的水帘哗哗冲下，她阖上眼，让清水冲洗掉一切吧，但是经过的事不是想忘掉就能忘掉的。 1967年12月，她从台北、西贡为一家航空公司的业务奔波事毕飞回华府时，前大使希尔已等候在机场，接她去了纽约尼克松的公园大道的寓所。这之前尼克松已是电话电报催促她好几次了，更令人费解的是，希尔并不进到会客室，室中只有尼克松和米契尔。米契尔律师是尼克松的亲密伙伴，瘦长个子，已歇顶，两腮松弛地耷拉着。陈香梅以为他们是初次见面，但米契尔说他曾见过她与陈纳德将军，仰慕已久。尼克松则开门见山，他决定东山再起，米契尔已答应做竞选主席，恳请安娜助选。他以为竞选成败的关键是越战，而他对东南亚形势不甚了了，希望她搜集有关越南局势发展的最新信息，同时，务请保密。米契尔再三强调也是这两点。陈香梅欣然答应，她本来就是亚洲事务的研究者，竞选如大战。不保密能出奇制胜吗？ 这以后他们指定她作为共和党的唯一代言人，与南越驻美大使裴艳联系；米契尔与她热线电话联系，这自然惹得不少人眼红心妒。而她发现米契尔的怪癖，电话号码频繁改变，变得他夫人玛莎都记不住自家号码了；有时他还报出一个号码，要香梅另觅陌生处打过来，真像侦探小说电影中的情节那般扣人心弦。不过很快香梅和裴艳都察觉他们的电话已被人窃听，为这事香梅还去找过大朋友胡佛局长告状，只是胡佛似乎也有难言之隐。 当民主党放出巴黎和谈的烟幕时，尼克松是不希望阮文绍参加和谈的，因为这对民主党竞选有利，一个雨天，陈香梅领着裴艳去纽约见尼克松，裴艳精通英语和法语。原是西贡邮局的主人，在阮文绍与阮高奇之间，他倒是后者的密友。尼克松非常热情地接待了他，并当面许诺，一旦获胜，即访问南越。 可是，这一切都被抹去了。米契尔要她懂得：这就是政治。对这些尚知几分的参议员陶德和前大使希尔也决不会挺身作证，他们自顾不暇，安及他人？ 证人是有的。她的义务保护者葛柯伦。 那是大选前十天，约翰逊在电视讲话中，煞有介事表示巴黎和谈在望，越南双方代表都将同意去巴黎。话音刚落，陈香梅就接到了米契尔的紧急电话，而她正与葛柯伦在史利顿公园饭店参加梅丝塔夫人的晚宴，梅丝塔是民主党人，米契尔又给了她一个新电话号码“914一W07—0909”，于是葛柯伦带她到他哥哥大卫的公寓挂电话。电话一接通，正是米契尔，他说：“安娜，我现在是代表尼克松打这个电话，我们的西贡友人必须了解共和党的立场，这点非常重要，我希望你能让他们知道这一点。”陈香梅愣了一下：“我只负责传递消息，现在要影响他们，非常不智。我的看法是，越南有越南的立场，这毕竟是他们国家的事。但是，我想阮文绍是不会去巴黎和谈的，他跟我多次淡他们的态度。” 通话时，葛柯伦在一旁使用分机，他是证人，而且是大名鼎鼎的律师，民主党人。许多政客会抓住这种时机理直气壮地大做文章，从而红得发紫，然而，陈香梅不想。并非胆怯，并非怕拖累葛柯伦，而是觉得毫无意思。原来，政治无道德可言，无信用可循，有的只是利害关系！共和党民主党本是一丘之貉。那么，她是趁早抽身，还是仍陷其间但求出污泥而不染呢？都难。 白色的水帘哗啦啦而下，那淌到嘴边的水流是咸的，她还有这么多的泪？ 长方脸长鼻子棕色眸子高个头的尼克松的形象却模糊了，扭曲了十她了解他吗？也许他并不是那种有人格力量的政治家，而只是一个能呼风唤雨的政客。翻手为云覆手为雨，他总是在寻找别人做替罪的羔羊。 1969年1月20日，在国会山东广场举行尼克松总统就职大典，由首席法官厄尔·沃伦主持。最热闹的是夜间分别在七个饭店举办的盛大庆祝舞会，“五月花”、“喜来登公园”、“希尔顿”、“柯克兰艺术馆”、“史密生博物馆”、“史戴特勒酒店”和“美利坚酒店”张灯结彩、歌舞升平，旷野般的华盛顿之夜终成了不夜天。56岁的尼克松领着全家从一个舞场赶向另一个舞场“与民同乐”，真有天旋地转之感。在一个舞会上，他压根忘了介绍夫人碧特；在另一个舞会上，他先介绍了两个女儿翠茜亚和茱丽、两个女婿葛斯和戴维，这才想起妻子，他说：“我以为谁都知道同我在一起的女士是谁。”但这决不是他的幽默感，他与夫人出现在任何场合都是一本正经拘谨严肃的样子。然而，他又是这世上仅爱过一个女人的不多的男人中的一个，打1938年的一个春夜他第一次见到碧特几小时就冒失求爱后，他们长相守了五十三个春秋，直到1993年碧特去世，一年后，尼克松也随她而去。 陈香梅也出席了七个舞会，她与结识才半年的威斯康辛州州长华伦·诺尔斯成了一对配合默契的舞伴。舞会演奏的尽是规矩得近乎严肃的曲子，当总统的尼克松感叹过：“事实上，我一直有两个伟大的抱负——指挥交响乐队，在大教堂演奏一曲——至今尚未实现。”人们得投其所好，况且他是个舞盲，从不跟夫人共舞。陈香梅听腻了，她要求乐队指挥：“可否奏些摇滚乐？”尼克松笑道：“安娜，你是个小捣乱。”她回敬道：“这有什么不对？我碰巧喜欢摇滚乐，我已厌倦这些假惺惺的严肃——让我们真的来庆祝一番。”她是话中有话，她仍任性。诺尔斯州长与她起舞时诚挚地说：“安娜，你没有做错什么，忘掉越南的事。时间会作出最后的证明的。” 尼克松曾比喻选副总统像是进服装店挑衣服，让人眼花缭乱。他挑的副手是马里兰州州长安格纽，原是个名不见经传的律师。米契尔出任司法部长，霍尔德曼为尼克松高级助手白宫办公室主任，埃尔希曼为国内事务助理，这是白宫炙手可热的三巨头，人称二剑侠。尼克松曾请人间香梅是否有兴趣加入新政府，陈香梅说：“罢了，何必再惹是非。我谢了。”这并不是一时气话，参政不入阁，是她的既定方针。尼克松倒也派了她不少有职无薪的闲位，她仍研究亚洲事务，还常作为特使参加各国喜庆婚丧等大典，既加入了主流，又闲云野鹤一般，入世又出世，积极进取又恬淡超然，这是东方哲学的魅力，也是陈香梅魅力长久所有时间作证。等待并不长久。 这就是臭名昭著的水门事件。 尼克松当权后，水门似乎成了权力的象征，参政者都往水门搬迁，东水门一度被人称作西白宫，清晨黄昏，亮晶的黑轿车已在外排成长串等候接送达官贵人们。米契尔也搬进了东水门七楼，是陈香梅介绍住进的。米契尔夫人玛莎为人热情、爱叽叽呱呱说话，有时还爱大声嚷嚷。她与女儿玛蒂成了新闻记者追踪采访的对象，米契尔一家的种种新闻几乎天天出现在电视和报刊杂志上。陈香梅虽然觉得米契尔城府很深难以捉摸，但两家仍常有交往。玛莎恰恰相反，口无遮拦。听到从越南归来的将军谈越战时，她止不住嘤嘤哭泣；听到大选中不可告人的秘密时，指着丈夫大骂；任性起来，还当着香梅的面，脱下高跟鞋一只又一只向米契尔扔去。陈香梅并不讨厌玛莎，但她为玛莎担忧，作为政界要员夫人，这种个性很容易掉进陷阱。她倒没想到，水门事件竟会使米契尔家破人亡，身败名裂！ 六月，美国总统竞选活动如火如荼。访华归来的尼克松正处于事业最灿烂辉煌之际，自是信心百倍连选连任，已组织了争取总统连任委员会，主席又是足智多谋的米契尔。 17日深夜，守门黑人威尔斯发现办公大楼通往地下车库的门锁被打开了，他不经意地重锁上，尔后过街喝咖啡去。但回来时又发现门锁再次被打开了，于是，他报警了。凌晨两点半，警察赶到，在六楼民主党总部当场抓获五个次流密探，他们正在装设窃听器，并带有照相机，准备偷拍文件档案。五人之一便是总统连任委员会和共和党全国委员会安全顾问麦科德！翌日，《华盛顿邮报》、《纽约日报》即作了曝光，但人们多以为不过是一般的盗窃案，水门大厦的盗窃案并非罕见。然而，正在巴哈马群岛的格兰德岛度周末的尼克松坐不住了，急急飞回华盛顿。连任委员会立即开始了掩盖活动，一面宣布五人纯系独立行动，与该会无关，一面偷偷拿出46万美元来堵住与当事者有种种牵连者的嘴。22日，尼克松举行记者招待会，义正辞严指出这种行为，在竞选过程中，在政府中，绝不允许存在云云。 几天后，共和党要员被召到白宫开会，讨论八月在迈阿密海滩城召开总统选举大会有关事宜。对水门事件，谁都满腹狐疑，但无人挑明。散会之前，埃尔希曼例行公事般问一句：“大家还有什么问题？”陈香梅站了起来：“我有一个小问题，我和在座的好几位都住在水门，请问水门发生的案件究竟是怎么回事？能给我们解释一下吗？”刹那间的静默后，是表情迥异的各种反应。米契尔的脸色非常难看，或许恼怒此女子怎么总是一副初生牛犊不怕虎的样子？或许重重地触动了他的难言之隐？但他很快镇静下来，笑着说：“安娜，这件事你无须担心，八月到迈阿密开会之前一定会全部解决，大家放心去准备竞选工作吧。” 11月7日，尼克松和安格纽以前所未有的47，000，000张选民票、520张选举人票，力挫民主党候选人麦高文，获得连选连任。水门事件似乎烟消云散，尼克松们又一次蒙混过关了。 但是，墨写的谎言终究掩盖不住事实的真相。随着春天的到来，白宫窃听、恫吓等种种丑闻不断被揭露出来，1973年2月7日，参议院以77票对零票决议成立水门事件调查委员会；3月28日，被监禁的麦科德指控米契尔应对水门事件负责。4月30日，尼克松对全国发表演说，声称他与水门事件无牵连，并保证设法使罪犯受到审判，并将这种不法行为从我们的政治过程中清除出去。于是，三巨头和有关人员纷纷辞职下台，继而是吃官司坐监牢，真个是“因嫌纱帽小，致使锁枷杠”。其实，纱帽也够大了，但权势的欲望是永无止境的。 但这一切并未能挽救尼克松的厄运，调查委员会无意中破了案外案或日案中案——白宫地下室装有窃听系统！凡是在总统办公室与总统谈话者全被作了录音记录，那么，拿到了录音带，不就水落石出、真相大白？紧接着展开了争夺白宫录音带的战斗，尼克松负隅顽抗，他以总统特免权拒绝交出录音带。此时，副总统安格纽又被指控有受贿、勒索、偷税等非法行为，新帐旧帐一块算，美国人一样有痛打落水狗的精神。安格纽唯有认输，只求不进监狱。12月6日，由尼克松提名，经国会两院批准，原密西根州的众议员福特宣誓就任副总统。 事情并没有完结。尼克松孤注一掷，决定解除水门事件特别检查官、哈佛大学法律教授考克斯的职务。谁知这一着激起美国公众愤怒的浪潮，抗议的电报、信件像雪片飞向国会山，以善于把握公众情绪著称的尼克松，淹没于公众愤怒之海中。他不得不投降，交出了全部录音带，但是，他与霍尔德曼六月间的一次关键性谈话的关键部分已被洗掉，这就是所谓18分钟的空白！为此，忠诚的老处女秘书露丝始终以打字机出了毛病为尼克松开脱，但已于事无补，全部录音带中的空白处多到近1800处呢。在抛出所有的替罪羔羊或狼狗后，尼克松让国人做了场长夜噩梦，原来总统是最大的说谎者！ 1974年8月8日，尼克松决定辞职，向全国发表电视告别演说，但仍不承认自己在水门事件中的罪行哪怕是过失。8月9臼，尼克松辞职，成为美国历史上第一位自行辞职的总统。 目睹这一切的陈香梅心情并不轻松，更无幸灾乐祸之意。虽然水门事件可以说是惯于玩权术耍阴谋的尼克松遭受的报应，呼风唤雨总有引来电闪雷鸣之时。对于政界人士，她多了几分了悟：你愈了解他们，愈难对他们有所尊敬，所谓伟大与距离成正比，信然。这或许不完全是他们的错，但怎么说他们也是自择的。 对夫唱妇随的政界人物之妻，她更充满了理解和同情。她与尼克松夫人碧特，自1959年相识后，友情日渐加深。她喜欢这位金发夫人的温和善良，崇敬第一夫人谦虚谨慎、默默奉献的人格。碧特1912年3月出生在内华达州伊利镇的一个矿工家庭，13岁丧母，17岁丧父，她在半工半读中取得南加利福尼亚大学理学士学位。银行、医院、好莱坞的工作她都干过，最后选择在蕙蒂尔当名教师。她本是一个忘我工作的独立女性。她并不赞成丈夫卷入政界，但一旦丈夫作出竞选的抉择时，她也就默默地支持着他，权势去时她也默默地接受。尼克松竞选获胜时，陈香梅牵着她的手同上台与选民共庆。陈香梅见过她欣喜的微笑，也见过她依稀的泪痕，这是个有修养、有格调的第一夫人。1993年6月22日她病故于新泽西州寓所，享年81岁。香梅始终怀念她，尊敬她。对于胖胖的安格纽夫人，陈香梅更多的是同情，认为安格纽夫人是美国政坛上的牺牲者。安格纽夫人没有念过大学，心地善良，一团和气，从不道人长短，满是家常气的平和。但是安格纽得势时，多少人围着她捧着她；安格纽倒霉后，又有多少人挤兑她诋毁她！胖胖的她也病倒住院开刀，而且脸上烙刻下永恒的郁郁寡欢。怎么说也难以回到旧日的时光，这就是功名的代价。得到的也许是从未拥有过的，失去的却是哪怕再苦苦寻觅也永不可得的。米契尔夫人玛莎的结局是香梅最揪心揪肠的，毕竟在一幢楼上下住了好多年。玛莎曾大红大紫过，但直心直肠的感情用事的她，在水门事件后宣称要向新闻界透露尼克松的白宫丑闻，很快，她就被舆论攻击为女酒鬼。香梅知道，她绝对不是。她与米契尔分手后，更是孤独又疑虑重重。她觉得老是有人窥探、窃听、跟踪她，恐怖压迫着她。陈香梅最后一次见到她时，她已患骨癌，形销骨立，但一双眼如灼灼燃着的煤核，她倏地捋起衣袖，露出青紫斑斑的手臂：“你看，他们就是这样对待我的！”陈香梅毛骨悚然，不知是真正的惨剧已施加到这个口无遮拦的女人身上？抑或长期草木皆兵的政治圈已绷断分裂了她的神经，她已处在幻想幻觉之中了？1977年玛莎孤独地死去。米契尔出狱后仍在华盛顿一所律师事务所工作，终点又回到了起点。1990年因心脏病突发，救护车到时人已停止了呼吸。尼克松从纽约赶来参加了米契尔的葬礼。繁华事散，好梦阑珊。人们若忘不掉水门事件，便忘不掉负面人物米契尔。玛莎何许人也。谁记得呢？政界夫人，不论高低贵贱。不管或柔或刚或刚柔相济，都只不过是政界男人的附庸点缀，因为需要这样的角色，选民企盼着阖家团聚幸福美满的景象。 被卷入政界的男人也有着种种的悲喜剧。陈香梅忘不了两位大男人的痛哭流涕。一位是卷入停停打打的越战中的三星中将约翰·罗卫尔，他是美驻越空军司令，1968年国务院以其在停火命令下达后仍未停止轰炸为由，罚他降为二星少将，并奉调回国。尼克松获胜后，他通过空军友人介绍去到陈香梅的办公室，一见面竟失声恸哭，这倒叫陈香梅不知如何是好，要知道在此之前她压根不认识他。他哭诉他的降级决非军方的主意，而是白宫在做戏。已吃过越战哑巴亏的陈香梅觉得应该仗义执言，经过一番斡旋后，约翰将军终没有降级，但得“自愿请求退役”。另一位是卷进水门事件案外案的年轻人亚历·巴特菲。他是空军上校，曾在台中及关岛服役，人很诚实，沉默寡言，对电脑知识很有一套，被埃尔希曼罗致为忠心耿耿的助手，负责总统室内讲话的全部录音。水门事件调查中，他原是个不起眼的人物，又认为自己所做光明磊落，调查时便一切如实回答。调查委员会的律师们像是无意间问起录音带，他本有几分木讷，只得实实在在和盘托出。这一来，律师们亢奋了，他虽然没想到录音带后来成了尼克松的致命伤，但是，被盘问几天后，他知道自己闯了大祸了！他本是陈香梅的友人，于是大白天奔到陈香梅的办公室嚎啕大哭，他说白宫请他走路。又是一个无辜的牺牲者。陈香梅倒是尽力帮助他，以后他移居到加州。其实，远离白宫，在他是福不是祸。“男儿有泪不轻弹，只因未到伤心处”。两个男人的泪水更让陈香梅品出政界的苦涩和无情。 华盛顿这片政治丛林，给世人多少诱惑，期待和向往！但涉足其间，又有多少人成为神奇猎手，满载而归？多少人困惑迷途，陷于沼地，或遭豺狼虎豹袭击，或成为强者的猎物？而再高明的猎手，又怎能避开“螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后”的命运？ 然而，这片风景独好。 陈香梅对自己的选择，不悔。 她信奉做人的准则：有容乃大，无欲则刚。 一朝天子一朝臣。 陈香梅说：我坐在前排，看着美国历史在我眼前演变。 不知不觉中，她会吟出：“风车世界喇喇转，铁桶江山慢慢箍。” 这是外祖父廖凤书嬉笑中的打油诗，道出的是千古哲理！ 华府主人的面孔数年一换，华府堤岸的樱花却年年照旧，开了又谢，谢了又开。有情似无情，无情最有情，谁说樱花只象征女人的命运？ 1960年陈香梅为尼克松助选，失败：1964年为高华德助选，再败；1968年再为尼克松助选，尼克松终登宝座；1972年又连选连任。只是，最辉煌时戛然而止，1974年8月9日，尼克松垂泪别白宫，留下了无限悲凉的一幕。 后宫草坪直升机前，尼克松和夫人碧特，两个女儿翠茜亚和茱丽，两个女婿葛斯和戴维，与僚属一一道别。尼克松神色沮丧，碧特默默无语，八月的骄阳中，空气却像冰冻般的冷。 曾几何时，这里却是何等隆重热闹！那是1972年2月17日上午，猩红的地毯从白宫一直铺到后宫绿草坪直升机前，仪仗队威武气派，8000名少年手执鲜花欢呼，就在仪仗队的乐声和欢呼声中，尼克松携夫人踏着红地毯走向直升飞机，副总统、内阁成员和国会要员握手送行，祝福总统此行顺利成功。直升飞机飞往安德鲁斯空军基地，在那换乘总统座机“空军一号”。在夏威夷、关岛稍作停留后，于2月21日上午九点到达上海，但尼克松没有下飞机，十点半，飞机抵达北京首都机场，尼克松和夫人走下舷梯，周恩来总理立在舷梯旁。机场上空飘扬着美国国旗和中国国旗。尼克松伸出手，周恩来伸出手，两手相握足有一分钟之久，所有的电视摄像机对准了这一历史镜头。冰冻了23年的中美关系解冻了，国际格局在“只争朝夕”中发生了迅猛的变化，谁说这还是天寒地冻的二月呢？尼克松访华，是他历史上最光辉灿烂的一章。 别时容易见时难！登上直升飞机的尼克松回眸白宫，他还能再回来吗？ 国会山的隆重热烈已属于福特。 陈香梅坐在国会议长卡尔艾拔让给她的特别座位上，心绪茫然地听着白宫新主人的就职演说。人逢喜事精神爽，口才并不算上乘的老实人福特，这篇演说却幽默风趣，他说他知道总统和国会之间不可能有长久的蜜月，但希望双方都能保持长久的婚姻。话中既有水门事件的阴影，更有“这场漫长的噩梦已经过去”了的轻松。福特的夫人芭蒂更是老实人，从不摆架子，她曾在陈香梅的家宴中帮忙站立门口请来客签名，那时她已是密西根州众议员夫人。福特做了二十多年众议员，四个子女全由芭蒂茹苦含辛抚育大，她也有忧怨，借酒消愁愁更愁。后来她成立戒酒治疗所，为社会服务，口碑甚好。在福特总统的就职演说中，芭蒂也分外光彩照人，哪里都是夫贵妻荣。在长达四五分钟之久的暴风雨的掌声中，又一个新朝代开始了。福特的副总统是洛克菲勒，洛克可以说是尼克松的对头。满朝文武，谁去牵挂远飞的悲凉的尼克松？况且，福特毕竟为人要忠厚些，9月8日，无条件赦免尼克松在任总统期间对美国“已犯下的或可能犯下的”一切罪行。 但是，政治就是冷酷又现实的。每届总统都要做一个不借重别人的元首，都忌讳自己的身上叠印着前任总统的影子。 想当年尼克松进白宫，乒乒乓乓将椭圆形办公室中前任总统约翰逊的一切痕迹都要抹掉！所有的用具摆设、所有的电话机电视机收报机全换！油漆刮掉，地毯卷掉；刷上新漆，铺上织有美国总统徽征的蓝色地毯，上面的图便是碧特亲自设计的——崭新的尼克松时代开始了。 约翰逊就是知晓，怕也无话可说。肯尼迪尸骨末寒，约翰逊已迫不及待。他的就职大典，陈香梅因感冒未去，将前面第四排的座位票给了小女儿，小女儿回来说：“都说得太多，总统也一样。”约翰逊的演说表示要继续完成肯尼迪未竟的事业，但已在华盛顿闯荡了三十多年的约翰逊和他的能干的夫人所做的，分明是要将白宫改成约翰逊的德克萨斯时代，白宫色彩的基调也已变成约翰逊夫人钟爱的黄色，她擅长的西班牙语，似乎也成了白宫的第二交际语言。可惜约翰逊与记者群尤其是男记者们闹得很僵，以致群起攻之，抨击他内政外交处处独裁。甚至传出他常常午夜时分到玫瑰园的大柱旁撒尿，每每被警惕的保安人员的电筒“曝光”，而他大吼大骂，真是