This novel features a twist on an old story, identical twins switching places, this time it's a US Senator and a country family doctor.
John Harper, a US Senator from Missouri, and his identical twin JIm, a family doctor who practices in rural Missouri, decide to switch places when Jim is diagnosed with a bone marrow condition for which a life-saving stem cell transplant, donated by his twin is needed. John, frustrated by lack of progress in getting a liberal agenda passed in Washington, offers to take Jim's place so his practice can continue, since Jim cannot see patients for at least 6 months. Since John had gone to medical school before switching to law, and was still licensed to practice in the state, all that's required is a brushing up and real time help through the Internet and instant messaging with his brother. JIm once able to be in public places after the transplant is to play US Senator, a challenge perhaps more difficult than his brother's. Office romances with the imposter twin develop for both forcing a real dilemma when the planned switch back is to occur. A nosy reporter gets close to figuring out the ruse. There is a dramatic political change that begins to sweep across the coutnry as the twins prepare to switch back.