novelnext Chapter 133 Washington's Chapter
Chapter 133 Washington's Chapter
Chapter 133 Echoes from Washington (Bonus Chapter for 21000 Monthly Tickets)
Leo tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"What's the reason?"
"They have to give you a reason, John. Your poll numbers are rising, you're gaining momentum, and they can't just let a promising candidate drop out without a cause."
"reason?"
Murphy let out a dry, bitter laugh.
"The reason is you, the reason is that damn antitrust lawsuit."
"They say the lawsuit over the Pittsburgh Port concession is turning into a national scandal."
"This is no longer a local legal dispute, Leo."
"The Republicans are using this to attack us as a corrupt local Democratic gang, saying we're engaging in crony capitalism. They're broadcasting these attacks on all the TV stations across the country, 24/7."
"They spread this fire throughout the swing states and even began to affect the elections in Ohio and Michigan."
""
Murphy took a deep breath and repeated the words of those important figures.
"The chairman of the national committee told me: John, we can't let one rotten apple ruin the whole basket. To save the midterm elections and to retain the majority party seat, we must be sacrificed."
"Leo, in their eyes, you and I are just rotten apples that have to be thrown away."
Leo listened to these words without any change in expression.
These are all excuses.
If Murphy really has a high chance of winning, if Murphy is their chosen "heir apparent," then no matter how big the scandal, the party's machinery will be mobilized to whitewash and defend him.
Their decision to cut ties now only proves one thing: in the eyes of the establishment, Murphy is still an outsider, a disposable resource that can be sacrificed at any time.
"John, I have a question for you."
Leo interrupted Murphy's rant.
"Did they clearly tell you what would happen if you withdrew from the race, and what the antitrust lawsuit would entail?"
Will the Pennsylvania Free Trade Promotion Association withdraw its lawsuit immediately?
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.
"That's the crux of the logic, John," Leo pressed. "According to them, this antitrust lawsuit has now become a weapon for Republicans to attack Democrats, a malignant tumor affecting the midterm elections."
"So, the logic should be this: as long as this lesion is removed, the tumor will disappear, right?"
"But what if that lawsuit isn't dropped? What if the court proceedings continue, and the headlines about corruption and monopolies at Pittsburgh City Hall are still rolling out every day? Would it be unaffected if someone else ran for senator? Would Republicans stop attacking the Democrats' local governance capabilities just because you dropped out?"
'
"As long as the lawsuit is ongoing, this is a scandal for the Democratic Party."
"Therefore, if they cannot guarantee that the lawsuit will stop, then your withdrawal from the election is meaningless and will not serve any purpose of mitigating the damage."
"—They said so."
Murphy's voice became somewhat hesitant.
"The chairman assured me that as long as I withdrew from the race and cooperated with Monroe to complete the integration, then, for the sake of party unity and to avoid handing a weapon to the Republicans, the lawsuit would be properly resolved within a week."
"Resolve it properly."
Leo repeated the word.
"John, use your brain."
"That free trade promotion association is nominally an independent non-profit organization."
"On what basis can the Democratic National Committee guarantee that they will drop the charges?"
"unless----"
Leo's voice became sharp.
"Unless the so-called plaintiff was acting under their orders from the very beginning."
"Or rather, obeying Monroe, obeying the inner circle of the establishment."
"This is a play that was directed and acted by itself."
"First, they fabricated this lawsuit, putting a noose around both your neck and mine. Now, they're using the key to unlock it to force you to commit suicide."
Murphy was breathing heavily on the other end of the phone.
He certainly thought of that as well.
He had spent twenty years on Capitol Hill and had seen far too many similar shady deals.
But what good will knowing the truth do?
That's the Democratic National Committee, the Senate leader, the will of the entire party.
When this massive machine decides to crush a person, that person has no way to resist.
"I know, Leo, I know it's unfair, even despicable."
Murphy's voice was filled with helplessness.
"But what can I do?"
"If I refuse to withdraw from the election, they will cut off all my funding and then mobilize all the party mouthpieces to attack me, portraying me as a sinner who disregards the greater good for personal ambition."
"I will lose miserably, I will be completely disgraced."
"At that point, I won't even be able to keep my seat in the House of Representatives."
Murphy's fear spread along the telephone line.
He is a seasoned politician, but it is precisely because of his seasonedness that he is more aware of the consequences of defying the will of those in power.
In this system, traitors often suffer a worse fate than enemies.
"So, what are your thoughts?"
"Leo suddenly asked."
"What?" Murphy was taken aback.
"Put aside those threats, put aside those so-called big picture considerations."
Leo's voice was steady and powerful.
"John Murphy, what do you want to do?"
"Do you want to throw your sword to the ground and kneel down now, when you're only one step away from that spot?"
"Do you want to throw your lifelong political dreams, your promises to those workers, into the trash can?"
'
"Do you want to cancel your campaign?"
A series of rapid breathing sounds came from the other end of the phone.
"I—of course I don't want to!"
Murphy's voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of suppressed anger.
"I've risked everything for this campaign! I gave speeches standing on muddy construction sites, and I attacked Warren like a madman!"
"My poll numbers are rising! Give me just one more month, and I'll win the primary!"
"I'm not reconciled!"
"but----"
Murphy's tone softened quickly.
"But they made it very clear. Leo, you have to understand, my biggest asset in this campaign is actually you."
"It's your $500 million bond, your recovery plan, and your ground mobilization capabilities in Pittsburgh."
"And now their target is you."
"They say you are the source of corruption, that your port transactions are illegal. If I don't sever ties with you, I'll have to carry this burden during the election."
"There's absolutely no chance of winning."
Leo listened to Murphy's analysis.
Although Murphy sometimes appears weak, his judgment of the situation is accurate.
Those people in Washington are very clever.
Once Leo is eliminated, Murphy's campaign platform will become like water without a source or a tree without roots.
Forcing Leo to retreat was actually a way to get rid of Murphy.
This is killing two birds with one stone.
"This is a typical party purge procedure."
Roosevelt's voice rang out.
"They're cleaning house."
"But there's something strange about it, Leo."
Where is Sanders?
Roosevelt pointed out the crux of the problem.
"Murphy is Sanders's backer, and you are Sanders' showroom manager."
"Now the establishment is going to take action against you, trying to force Murphy to withdraw from the race, which is tantamount to slapping Sanders in the face."
"Sanders should have jumped up and slammed his fist on the table by now."
"Why did Murphy call you instead of Sanders?"
"Why didn't Murphy mention Sanders' attitude at all during the phone call?"
Leo's eyes narrowed.
Yes.
If the Democratic leadership really does hold a meeting and decides to force Murphy out, Sanders, as a senior senator, cannot possibly be absent or remain silent.
If Sanders agrees, Murphy will likely say, "Even Daniel is telling me to drop out"; if Sanders disagrees, Murphy will likely say, "Daniel is putting pressure on us."
But Murphy didn't mention anything.
There is only one possibility.
"John."
Leo asked into the microphone.
"After you received that call, did you communicate with Senator Sanders?"
There was a noticeable pause on the other end of the phone.
"----No."
Murphy's voice sounded a little weak.
"I—I'm so panicked."
"Furthermore, I believe that since it was a joint decision by the National Committee Chairman and the Majority Leader, it must also represent a consensus at the highest levels—"
"So, I called you right away to ask for your opinion."
Leo sighed inwardly.
Deep down, he is still the backbencher who fears authority.
When the whip of power lashed down, he instinctively wanted to kneel, even forgetting that there was a great Buddha standing behind him.
"Foolish!"
"Leo said sternly."
"John, hang up the phone right now."
"Then, even if it means dragging Sanders out of bed, you must contact him immediately."
"Tell him everything the National Committee has told you, word for word."
"You need to ask him a question."
Ask him: Is this also what you meant?
Leo spoke very quickly.
"If Sanders says yes, then call and let me know."
"But what if he says no?"
Leo paused, his eyes turning fierce.
"What if he says he knew nothing about it, or that he disagrees with the decision?"
"So this is the establishment trying to bypass Sanders and achieve a fait accompli by intimidating you."
"They're betting that you'll break down because of fear."
Murphy was stunned on the other end of the line.
He was intimidated by the names of those important figures and completely lost his basic political judgment.
"You mean—they're bluffing me?" Murphy's voice trembled with disbelief.
"Very likely."
"Don't forget, Sanders still needs you in Pennsylvania to help him expand his territory. He has no reason to abandon you at this time, unless he is also under irresistible pressure."
"But in any case, you must first confirm his attitude."
"This is the bottom line."
Leo glanced at the clock on the wall.
It's 2:10 a.m. now.
"You have ten minutes to contact Sanders."
"Find out his attitude, then call me back."
"Did you understand?"
Murphy swallowed hard.
"I understand."
"Go."
Leo hung up the phone.
Silence returned to the office.
Leo leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
In fact, he already knew the answer in his heart.
After decades in the cesspool of Washington, even the hardest stone would be worn down.
Although Sanders is hailed as the conscience of the progressive movement, his success today is not solely due to his slogans, but also to countless compromises and exchanges.
Sacrificing a mayor who is not yet established and a congressman destined for a difficult position in order to preserve the progressives' influence in Congress is a politically worthwhile deal.
Reason told Leo that Sanders would compromise.
But he still wanted to take a gamble.
He was betting on that little bit of unpredictable variable in human nature.
He was betting that the stubborn old man hadn't completely lost his mind.
He was betting that the idealist who once gave a speech in the cold wind in the square still had a last bit of the fighting spirit left in his bones to overturn the table in this dirty quagmire.
If Sanders also compromises, then this game will truly enter hell mode.
But if—even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance—Sanders doesn't compromise—
Therefore, tonight's power struggle orchestrated by the establishment could become the fuse that ignites a civil war within the Democratic Party.
"Mr. President."
Leo silently recited in his mind.
What do you think he will choose?
Roosevelt did not answer.
He was also waiting.
Waiting for that fateful echo from Washington.