Ed Kealty
Encyclopedia
In the Jack Ryan
series of novels by Tom Clancy
, Edward "Ed" Kealty was Roger Durling's Vice President.
In the novel Debt of Honor
, Kealty was serving as a Senator from New England, before being appointed Vice-President following the resignation of President J. Robert Fowler (at the end of the previous novel, The Sum of All Fears
). He was investigated on suspicion of rape of a former staff member, and was forced to resign; subsequently, Jack Ryan
was appointed as Vice President. At the end of the novel, when a plane crashed into the Capitol killing Durling, Ryan became President.
In the next novel in the series, Executive Orders
, Kealty challenged Ryan, claiming that his resignation had never been submitted to the Secretary of State according to the legal requirements, and therefore that he should have become president on the death of Durling. However, in a subsequent court case where he sued Ryan, the court described Ryan as "President of the United States", thereby implicitly overruling Kealty's claim to the presidency.
However, in the 2003 Tom Clancy novel The Teeth of the Tiger
, Ed Kealty reappears as the US President, seemingly to have been elected after Robby Jackson
's assassination, earning the nickname "The Comeback Kid". Because of Kealty's politically-expedient stance, the novel maintains that is why Former President Jack Ryan secretly created "The Campus" – a secret independently funded agency outside of Government control, that can take security operations into its own hands.
In Dead or Alive
, Kealty is still President of the United States. Kealty's ineffectiveness in combating terrorism and his reversal of President Ryan's tax reforms has caused many Americans to question his ability to lead the country. As a result, Jack Ryan is convinced by Arnie Van Damm (his former Chief of Staff) to come out of retirement and run against Kealty in the upcoming presidential election.
Although Clancy has never stated that the character is based on a real-life politician, readers have noted the similarities between Edward "Ed" Kealty and Edward "Ted" Kennedy
. Aside from their similar names, both are Democratic
U.S. Senators from New England, known as politically liberal, come from privileged backgrounds, and both have been involved in sex scandals.
Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy)
John Patrick "Jack" Ryan, Sr. is a fictional character created by Tom Clancy who appears in many of his novels.-Backstory:Born in 1950, Ryan's background is established in Patriot Games and Red Rabbit. His father was Emmet William Ryan , a police homicide lieutenant in Baltimore, and World War II...
series of novels by Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy
Thomas Leo "Tom" Clancy, Jr. is an American author, best known for his technically detailed espionage, military science, and techno thriller storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War, along with video games on which he did not work, but which bear his name for licensing and...
, Edward "Ed" Kealty was Roger Durling's Vice President.
In the novel Debt of Honor
Debt of Honor
Debt of Honor is a novel by Tom Clancy. It is a continuation of the series featuring his character Jack Ryan. In this installment, Ryan has become the National Security Advisor when the Japanese government goes to war with the United States...
, Kealty was serving as a Senator from New England, before being appointed Vice-President following the resignation of President J. Robert Fowler (at the end of the previous novel, The Sum of All Fears
The Sum of All Fears
The Sum of All Fears is the best-selling thriller novel by Dan Fogelman and Tom Clancy, and part of the Jack Ryan series. It was the fourth book of the series to be turned into a film. An interesting historical note is that this book was released just days before the Moscow uprising in 1991, which...
). He was investigated on suspicion of rape of a former staff member, and was forced to resign; subsequently, Jack Ryan
Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy)
John Patrick "Jack" Ryan, Sr. is a fictional character created by Tom Clancy who appears in many of his novels.-Backstory:Born in 1950, Ryan's background is established in Patriot Games and Red Rabbit. His father was Emmet William Ryan , a police homicide lieutenant in Baltimore, and World War II...
was appointed as Vice President. At the end of the novel, when a plane crashed into the Capitol killing Durling, Ryan became President.
In the next novel in the series, Executive Orders
Executive Orders
Executive Orders is a political and military thriller novel by Tom Clancy. It was published in 1996, and is a canonical part of the Jack Ryan universe.-Plot summary:...
, Kealty challenged Ryan, claiming that his resignation had never been submitted to the Secretary of State according to the legal requirements, and therefore that he should have become president on the death of Durling. However, in a subsequent court case where he sued Ryan, the court described Ryan as "President of the United States", thereby implicitly overruling Kealty's claim to the presidency.
However, in the 2003 Tom Clancy novel The Teeth of the Tiger
The Teeth of the Tiger
The Teeth of the Tiger is a thriller novel by Tom Clancy. Published on August 1, 2003, it is a part of the Jack Ryan universe, and follows the adventures of Jack Ryan, Jr., son of the original Jack Ryan, set in a post-9/11 world.-Plot summary:...
, Ed Kealty reappears as the US President, seemingly to have been elected after Robby Jackson
Robby Jackson (Tom Clancy)
Robert Jefferson "Robby" Jackson is a fictional character in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan novels.-History:Robbie Jackson, who hails from Birmingham, Alabama, became the 46th President of the United States in the fictional Jack Ryan universe...
's assassination, earning the nickname "The Comeback Kid". Because of Kealty's politically-expedient stance, the novel maintains that is why Former President Jack Ryan secretly created "The Campus" – a secret independently funded agency outside of Government control, that can take security operations into its own hands.
In Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive (novel)
Dead or Alive is a political thriller novel by Tom Clancy and co-authored by Grant Blackwood, featuring Jack Ryan. It was published on December 7, 2010....
, Kealty is still President of the United States. Kealty's ineffectiveness in combating terrorism and his reversal of President Ryan's tax reforms has caused many Americans to question his ability to lead the country. As a result, Jack Ryan is convinced by Arnie Van Damm (his former Chief of Staff) to come out of retirement and run against Kealty in the upcoming presidential election.
Although Clancy has never stated that the character is based on a real-life politician, readers have noted the similarities between Edward "Ed" Kealty and Edward "Ted" Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
. Aside from their similar names, both are Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
U.S. Senators from New England, known as politically liberal, come from privileged backgrounds, and both have been involved in sex scandals.