Forging America: My Campaign Manager is Roosevelt

Chapter 449: Chapter 209: An Undefinable Creature

’We’ve finally made it into the inner circle.’

’Even if it’s just as a useful piece, we’re a piece on the board, not one to be casually discarded.’

’That’s enough.’

Leo gathered his thoughts and glanced at the briefcase in his hand.

In it was the copy of the two-billion-US-Dollar bill, and with it, the future hope of Pittsburgh.

’Time to go home,’ Leo said to himself.

’There’s still so much waiting for me to do in Pittsburgh.’

’Two billion US Dollars... How should I spend it? How can I turn this money into tangible political achievements? How can I use it to fortify my stronghold?’

’I can’t wait.’

The car entered the airport expressway, speeding toward the city that belonged to him.

Although the road ahead was still full of thorns, at this moment, Leo Wallace felt like he held the entire world in his hands.

...

Washington D.C., 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The White House.

This was the center of power, where every decision could send shockwaves across the globe.

Chief of Staff David Stern sat across from the famous Oval Office desk, clutching a newly printed copy of the Senate’s voting list.

The ink on it was not yet dry, giving off a faint warmth.

"Mr. President."

Stern began.

"The results are confirmed."

"Fifty-two in favor, forty-eight against."

"Mannheim and Christo, they voted against it."

The President, sitting behind the desk, took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"But the bill passed," the President said.

"Yes, it passed." Stern placed the list on the desk, his finger tapping heavily on several names. "Because four Republicans defected."

"Ackman, Brown, Rogers, and Coburn."

"In the past ten years, these four haven’t even voted in favor of a Democratic proposal to renovate a bathroom. But today, they voted yes on a bill spearheaded by Sanders."

A brief silence fell over the room.

"We may have made a mistake."

Stern took a deep breath, offering his assessment.

"We underestimated that kid from Pittsburgh."

"Leo Wallace."

"We thought he was just some cocky proxy Sanders put forward, a megaphone to make noise in the Rust Belt."

"But we were wrong."

"He just pulled off a difficult piece of legislation."

"He did it without the White House’s endorsement, without the Whip strong-arming anyone, and even while being undermined by the party’s own bigwigs. He forced the bill through on his own."

The President put his glasses back on, picked up the list, and looked at the names.

"This is a signal, David."

"It means that in Pennsylvania, and even across the entire Midwest, he wields an influence we can no longer ignore."

"If he can handle the hawks in the Senate, he can handle the voters in the red states."

"We need to reassess his importance in the general election."

The President picked up a red pen and drew a five-pointed star next to Leo Wallace’s name.

"Stop thinking of him as just a local mayor."

"The next time he calls, make sure you have a proper conversation."

...

K Street.

It was a bustling district just a few blocks from Capitol Hill, and also Washington’s second government.

It was late at night, but the high-end clubs of the inner circle were still brightly lit.

The nation’s top lobbyists were gathered here.

Most of them were former congressmen, former secretaries, or liaisons for major corporations.

Tonight, all conversations revolved around a single name.

"Did you hear?"

A portly lobbyist loosened his tie and sank into a sofa.

"About that Mayor of Pittsburgh, Wallace."

"Of course." The man across from him was tall and thin, representing several large pharmaceutical companies. "The Senate today was a straight-up magic show."

"I’ve been in this business for thirty years, and I’ve never seen a move like that," the portly lobbyist exclaimed.

"You know what the craziest part is?"

"That old man Sanders is a notoriously stubborn mule. He’s spent his entire life railing against big corporations and energy giants, but today, he was on the same side as the people from the National Energy Association."

"That kid, Wallace, he actually managed to satisfy both Sanders and the energy giants at the same time."

"It doesn’t make sense."

"Sanders wanted the ’Green New Deal’ brand, and the oil tycoons wanted the energy and electricity contracts." The tall, thin man sneered. "It seems like a contradiction, but Wallace found the one and only intersection."

"He cut the same apple in half."

"He told Sanders this half was green, and he told the energy giants this half was black."

"Both sides think they won."

"Now that’s skill."

The portly lobbyist raised his glass in a toast to the empty air.

"It’s pure magic."

"This young man doesn’t understand ideology, but he understands the art of the deal all too well."

"Keep an eye on Pittsburgh from now on."

"It might become the new bellwether."

"If he can make that model work over there, the rules in Washington might just have to change."

...

Capitol Hill, Office of the Senate Minority Leader.

Mitch McConnell sat behind the expansive desk.

As the leader of the Republican Party, he had just suffered a humiliating defeat.

In front of him lay a detailed file on Leo Wallace.

From his beginnings handing out flyers in the community, to his speech at the steps of city hall, to his performance at the hearing.

McConnell thumbed through the documents, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.