Creating America: My campaign manager was Roosevelt

Chapter 31 The New Alliance

Senator Warren's chief of staff, a man named David Kingsley, called Coleman's office directly.

"Robert, what the hell are you doing?" Kingsley's voice was filled with anger on the phone. "I asked you to handle a small matter, and you've turned it into a national media storm!"

"Right now, all the media is reporting on how that Democrat Murphy is advocating for the working class in Pittsburgh! You're putting Senator Warren in a very passive position! Do you know he's running for re-election this year? You're helping our enemy!"

Deputy Minister Coleman was at a loss for words.

He felt like a rat caught in a bellows, suffering from both sides.

He intended to curry favor with Senator Warren and pave the way for his future political career by blocking the application.

However, he ended up getting burned, becoming a laughingstock and a target of attacks from Democrats.

If this application continues to be blocked, he will have to face endless phone harassment and media criticism every day.

However, if he approves the application now, he will offend Senator Warren and the powerful interest groups behind her.

Just when he was at his wit's end and didn't know what to do...

His secretary, the new intern, knocked on the door and came in.

She handed Coleman a formal document that she had just received.

That was a letter of inquiry from the House of Representatives, formally signed by Representative John Murphy.

Representative Murphy formally invoked Capitol Hill's oversight powers over the federal executive branch.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is required to submit a full and detailed written report to the relevant congressional oversight committee within three days regarding the processing of applications for the "Pittsburgh Urban Regeneration Plan".

Furthermore, Deputy Secretary Coleman himself was required to be prepared to personally appear before the oversight committee next week to answer public questions about the matter.

Coleman looked at Murphy's flamboyant signature on the letter of inquiry.

He knew he could no longer cover it up.

This matter has escalated from an internal departmental administrative issue to the level of Congress.

Robert Coleman knew very well that once he actually stood on the congressional questioning bench, he would become a political sacrifice at the mercy of others.

Democratic lawmakers would portray him as a cold-blooded bureaucrat who is hindering the revival of the Rust Belt.

And his own party's Republican members, in order to distance themselves from him and Senator Warren, will not provide him with any protection.

He will be humiliated by both parties, and his political future will be over.

To avoid this terrible outcome, he immediately chose to compromise.

The following morning, the Department of Housing and Urban Development contacted Congressman Murphy's office.

On the phone, Coleman's tone was full of apology and friendliness.

He claimed that after an "urgent re-examination" within their department, they found that the previous rejection of Pittsburgh's application was entirely a "technical misunderstanding."

It was because a new intern misunderstood the latest internal guidelines.

He also stated that the application report from Pittsburgh was exceptionally well-written and fully complied with all the requirements of federal law.

They will "expedit the processing" of this application immediately.

At the start of the next fiscal quarter, the first tranche of funds was officially disbursed to the Pittsburgh Urban Renewal Commission.

A federal fund of up to two and a half million dollars was miraculously approved.

In the eyes of the media and the public, all of this was naturally attributed to Senator Murphy's heroic struggle.

He immediately flew back to Pittsburgh and held a high-profile press conference in front of City Hall.

He stood at the podium, beaming with joy, and announced the good news.

He even invited Leo onto the stage and, in front of all the media cameras, held Leo's hand tightly.

"Let me introduce you to this young man, Leo Wallace!" Murphy announced loudly. "It was he who, with his wisdom and courage, won back the respect and support that Pittsburgh deserved! He is the hope for Pittsburgh's future!"

After the press conference, Leo was invited by Murphy into his luxury RV.

The car door closed.

Murphy's smile vanished.

He looked at Leo with a complicated expression.

"You little rascal..." He shook his head. "How did you manage to turn the entire Department of Housing and Urban Development upside down and make that old fox Coleman obediently cough up the money?"

"I really believe now that you can help me win this damn primary."

At Roosevelt's suggestion, Leo behaved humbly yet firmly.

"Mr. Congressman, I was simply relaying the voice of the people of Pittsburgh to where it was meant to be."

"I have proven my worth to you; now it is your turn to fulfill your promise."

Murphy nodded.

"Of course," he said. "I need you and your 'Pittsburgh Heart' to campaign for me fully in the upcoming party primaries. You need to organize your union friends to get me enough blue-collar votes."

"In return, I will not only ensure that every penny of the two and a half million dollars is deposited into your committee's account, but I will also introduce you to a truly important person."

He lowered his voice.

"Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Independent Senator Daniel Sanders of Vermont."

Leo's heart began to race.

Daniel Sanders.

This name is almost an icon among progressive youth across the United States.

He was an open democratic socialist who spoke out for the working class and the poor for decades.

He wields enormous influence in the Senate.

"Senator Sanders has been looking for a political face that can represent the new generation of power in the Rust Belt," Murphy said. "He would love your story, and he would be your strongest supporter in Washington."

"Accept him," Roosevelt said in Leo's mind. "Murphy is just a stepping stone for us into Washington; Senator Sanders is the real bridge that will take us to the national stage. From today onward, we officially have our first heavyweight ally in Washington."

Leo extended his hand to Murphy.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Mr. Congressman."

The money problem is solved.

The door to Washington was also knocked open a crack.

Leo stood in the dilapidated office of the City Renewal Committee.

He looked at the long string of zeros that was about to appear in his office's bank account.

He knew that he had finally acquired the kind of power Roosevelt had described as "controlling resources."

He is no longer just an activist protesting in the streets.

He became a builder with millions of dollars in funding and urban revitalization projects at his disposal.

On Mayor Cartwright's desk lay the front page of the Pittsburgh Chronicle.

Above is a large photograph of Murphy and Leo shaking hands warmly.

Cartwright's face was as somber as the leaden sky of Pittsburgh in winter.

He realized he had made an irreversible mistake.

He personally placed a hungry lion cub into a backyard full of plump antelopes.

Roosevelt's voice echoed in Leo's mind, tinged with laughter.

"Alright, child."

"Our base has money, projects, and the backing of Washington."

"Now, it's time for the whole of Pittsburgh to see how we spend our money."

"A good show is about to begin."