Glen Allen Walken is a Republican politician from Missouri, a former Speaker of the House and served as [[President|President of the United States]
Biography
Pre-Bartlet
Glen Allen Walken was born in Liberty, Missouri on June 20, 1950 to Leonard and Virginia "Ginny" Walken. Leonard Walken was the Post Master of Liberty and Ginny was a high-school nurse, Glen was an only child. Growing up Glen's father taught him the value of hard work and instilled in Glen a deep love for his country. As a result of this Glen enlisted in the Army following high-school and served in the infantry during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army in 1971, Glen attended Missouri State University where he majored in history. From 1975 to 1977 he attended the Saint Louis University School of Law. In 1975 he married his long-time girlfriend Mary Cofer, their marriage would produce four children, Michael, Linda, Daniel, and Celia. After law school Glen returned to Liberty where he opened his own law practice and focused on land deals and property laws, he also made several investments in real estate, a restaurant, and a car dealership. In 1986 Glen was elected to the United States Congress for Missouri's 6th District. He was re-elected seven times and would serve from January of 1987 until May of 2003. During his tenure in the House he would sit at times on the House Armed Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform committees.
Bartlet Administration
After Owen Lassiter's Presidency ended, Walken accompanied him on a trip to Beijing, where they both ate dinner and trouble finding a bathroom. He maintained contact with President Lassiter until Lassiter started making trips to "nonsense places" in the months before his death in January 2004. (The Stormy Present)
Walken was a powerful Congressman who was heavily favored by the Republicans and greatly respected by most of the Democrats in Congress. As a result he had risen to the position of House Majority Whip in 1997 and in 1999 moved up to become the House Majority Leader. In December of 2001 he would be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives after the resignation of Speaker Jim Hohner. (7A WF 83429) As Speaker, it was believed that he wouldn't confirm the appointment of Ryan Lyndell as Vice President following John Hoynes' resignation.(Commencement)
Forcing In His Way To Presidency
On May 8, 2003, during the Zoey Bartlet kidnapping, President Bartlet, alarmed at his inability to make rational decisions, invoked the 25th Amendment, which elevated Speaker Walken to the position of President. Per the Constitution, Walken resigned his House seat, and was sworn in by Justice Sharon Day.
7A WF 83429
Immediately after his inauguration, Walken dismissed President Bartlet from the Oval Office. He made a joint press conference with Bartlet where the nation was informed of the change in power. As Acting President, he kept the White House staff but augmented with his own personnel, including Steve Atwood. In his first meeting in the Situation Room, Walken made it clear that they would not negotiate with the terrorists who are holding Zoey Bartlet, and will instead pursue active bombing of known Qumari and Ba'hi terrorist sites in retaliation for the kidnapping.
The Dogs of War
Following President Bartlet's invocation of the 25th amendment and the elevation of Glenn Allen Walken to the presidency, Walken decides to bomb Qumari terrorist targets, despite the Bartlet's family's misgivings with their daughter Zoey still missing and held by Qumari 'sleepers' in the US.
Josh is increasingly concerned at the Republican exploitation of Walken's presidency and challenges one of his aides in the restroom. The aide claims that it would be craven cynicism to exploit the situation for political gain, but Josh is unconvinced in his response.
The FBI determine Zoey Bartlet's location and release her from her kidnapping, killing her captors in the process.
President Bartlet signs a letter reclaiming the presidency, offering to campaign for Walken if he chooses to run, however Walken off-handedly dismisses him, saying "I'm not sure that'd be a plus in my district". Bartlet, having obtained Toby Ziegler's 'second' speech which refers to Zoey's death following her kidnapping, uses it in his press conference.
Jefferson Lives
Senate Majority Leader Robert Royce stated there was a rumor that the White House wanted to keep Walken on as Vice President, although this was likely stated in jest.
The Stormy Present
Walken attended President Owen Lassiter's funeral in 2004. He reminisced with the Democratic Presidents Newman and Bartlet at the funeral and commented on the current demonstrations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Season 6
Walken later ran for the Republican nomination for President in the 2006 Republican presidential primaries, but fell somewhere behind Arnold Vinick and Don Butler. He did well in the Iowa Caucus. (King Corn)
Resumé
Education
- Missouri State University - B.A. in History
Work History
- Business - Fixing Commercial Cars