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Chapter 46 Paratroopers
Two days later, Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill.
Senator John Murphy walked into Senator Daniel Sanders's rather austere office.
The office was filled with books and policy reports, and the only decoration was a landscape painting of Vermont's green mountains.
Sanders was sitting behind his desk, reviewing a bill on drug prices.
"John, what brings you here?" Sanders looked up and gestured for Murphy to sit down.
"Daniel, I'm here about something concerning the future of Pittsburgh," Murphy said, getting straight to the point.
He explained to Sanders in detail Leo Wallace's plans to run for mayor of Pittsburgh and the challenges he would face.
"John, last time in Philadelphia, that young man named Leo left a deep impression on me."
Sanders spoke up, not directly responding to Murphy's request, but instead inquiring about Leo's situation.
"He promised me he'd turn Pittsburgh into a model home; how's that going?"
Murphy felt the pressure; he knew his answer would be crucial.
The image of Leo Wallace's young but aggressive eyes flashed through his mind; he was a natural predator.
He thought of Leo's near-perfect political ambush at the Labor Day event, and his composed and assertive negotiating demeanor on the phone.
This is a politician who is capable, ambitious, and absolutely has the means to get things done.
Let's take a gamble.
Murphy made a decision.
“Daniel, he’s doing a better job than any of us imagined.” Murphy’s tone became serious and certain. “He’s not just a protester who shouts slogans; he’s using the federal funds we’ve approved for him to build a practical alternative economic model in Pittsburgh’s working-class communities.”
"He is turning the theories we've discussed countless times on Capitol Hill into reality."
Sanders nodded and continued, "So what about you, John? What's your opinion on this? Do you think he can really succeed? Or is this just another youthful impulse?"
That's the real problem.
Sanders is forcing Murphy to make a clear political choice.
If he shows any hesitation now, Sanders will think he's just an opportunist trying to use Leo to win the election, and the conversation will end there.
He had to completely tie his political credibility to Leo's future.
Should we do this? Put all our political bets on Daniel Sanders for that young man?
Suddenly, another young face popped into Murphy's mind.
That was his own face.
Thirty years ago, he also stood in the Pittsburgh union hall, facing thousands of expectant eyes below the stage.
He also made a solemn promise to the steelworkers who were covered in oil and had just finished their shift.
He wanted to fight for them in Washington, to bring the voice of the workers to Capitol Hill.
He too once stepped into this vast swamp called Washington with that same burning passion.
In the first few years, he was indeed fighting.
He introduced the bill, he debated it fiercely in the committee, and he fought for tariff protection for Pittsburgh's steel industry.
But the swamps of Washington slowly smoothed out his rough edges.
Compromise after compromise, political exchanges after political exchanges, and endless fundraising dinners.
He learned all the rules of the game and gradually forgot why he had come to play it in the first place.
He became increasingly adept at balancing between the two parties and at securing insignificant funding for his constituency.
He became a competent politician, but he was no longer a fighter.
The appearance of Leo Wallace is a mirror.
Murphy saw a reflection of his younger self in the mirror.
That kind of reckless courage, that kind of spirit to challenge the entire system, that kind of pure solidarity with the working class.
He hadn't seen this kind of flame on anyone for a long time, and he hadn't felt it on himself for a long time either.
He is 62 years old this year.
The challenge of this primary election has begun to make him feel somewhat overwhelmed.
If it weren't for Leo, Cortez would most likely have won the primaries now.
He knew that his time was coming to an end.
He didn't want to become a cowardly figure, wallowing in the mire, whom he himself despised, at the end of his political career.
He wanted to do something.
Do something that will be worthy of the younger version of yourself from thirty years ago.
He's going to take one last gamble.
They gambled on that young man named Leo Wallace.
It's also a gamble on the self from thirty years ago, before it was swallowed by the swamp.
Murphy looked up, all hesitation vanishing from his eyes.
“Daniel, I assure you, he will succeed,” Murphy said firmly. “And his success will be the beginning of our success in Pennsylvania, and indeed the entire Rust Belt. I’m willing to stake my entire political reputation for the rest of my term on him.”
Upon hearing this answer, Sanders' serious expression finally relaxed.
He suddenly changed the subject and started chatting about everyday things.
"I heard your daughter is starting high school this year? Time flies!"
Murphy paused for a moment, then realized that this was a signal of trust from Sanders.
"Yes, Daniel, she wants to study law in the future and try her luck in Washington."
"That's good, young people should have drive," Sanders said. "But the political environment now is much more treacherous than when we were young, and we have to be careful with every step we take."
He was seemingly talking about Murphy's daughter, but he was actually reminding Murphy that supporting someone like Leo was a high-risk political gamble.
"I understand, Daniel," Murphy replied solemnly, "but I believe this gamble is worth it."
Sanders was silent for a moment, then stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the spire of the Washington Monument in the distance.
"John, this is more important than a mayoral election," he said. "It's about whether we can plant our flag again in the Rust Belt, a place where the Democratic Party is bleeding."
"This young man needs more than just an endorsement; he needs a strategist who understands our long-term strategy and can help him build this model home in Pittsburgh to be even more perfect."
"I happen to have a suitable candidate."
A few days later, Leo received a call from Murphy.
"Leo, it's all taken care of." Murphy's tone was tinged with excitement. "I spoke with Senator Sanders, and he greatly admires your decision to challenge Cartwright."
"To show his support for you, he decided to send one of his most capable team members, a young man named Ethan Hawke, to Pittsburgh immediately to join your team as a volunteer and do his best to help you."
Ethan Hawke.
Leo had heard of this name.
He is only in his early thirties, a Harvard Law School PhD, and one of Senator Sanders' core policy advisors.
He gave up his million-dollar-a-year job at a Wall Street law firm to join the progressive political movement and was hailed as a rising political star in Sanders' team.
"Accept him," Roosevelt said immediately. "Ethan Hawke's arrival will not only bring you top-notch policymaking capabilities and progressive connections in Washington, but more importantly, he represents Senator Sanders himself as a formal political endorsement of your campaign."
"With this flag, you can truly unite all the progressive forces in America to support your battle in Pittsburgh."
Leo expressed his sincerest gratitude to Senator Murphy.
A few days later, Karen Miller and Ethan Hawke arrived in Pittsburgh one after the other.
Karen, dressed in a smart business suit, arrived at the door of Leo's simple prefab office in a black BMW.
She looked at the dusty construction site and the row of dilapidated prefabricated houses, her brows furrowed.
"My God," she muttered to herself, "what kind of hell did John send me to?"
Ethan Hawke, on the other hand, is a completely different style.
He arrived in Pittsburgh by long-distance bus, carrying a backpack and wearing a simple hoodie and jeans.
He looked like a recent college graduate who had come to participate in social practice.
His first words to Leo were: "Hello, Leo, I'm Ethan. Daniel sent me to report to you. For the next few months, I'll be your policy advisor and campaign clerk. Let me know if you need anything."
Leo's small, makeshift team suddenly welcomed two paratroopers from Washington.
The professionalism of the entire team has been greatly improved.