Creating America: My campaign manager was Roosevelt

Chapter 54 Unique Value

Morganfield replied expressionlessly, "Go on."

Leo began to succinctly present Ethan's core ideas for the "Pittsburgh Inland Port Expansion Plan" from that policy white paper.

"Mr. Morganfield, Pittsburgh boasts three golden waterways, which is our city's greatest inherent advantage."

"But over the past few decades, our port facilities have become severely outdated and transportation efficiency has declined, causing us to fall behind other competitors in the Great Lakes region."

"My plan is simple: to transform Pittsburgh into the most important inland logistics hub in the Ohio River Valley through a large-scale modernization and upgrade."

"We will dredge the waterways to accommodate larger cargo ships; comprehensively upgrade all terminal facilities and introduce the most advanced automated container loading and unloading systems; we will also build a dedicated rail freight line directly connecting the port to achieve seamless integration of waterways and railways."

"Once this plan is completed, the logistics costs for all goods shipped from Pittsburgh to the rest of the world, as well as all raw materials shipped from the rest of the world to Pittsburgh, will be significantly reduced."

A glint of light flashed in Morganfield's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"A very good plan, Leo. In fact, Cartwright described a similar blueprint to me a few years ago."

"But in the end, this plan remained just a blueprint, because to realize it would require an enormous amount of funding and a series of extremely complex political coordinations."

"If that idiot Cartwright couldn't do it, what makes you think you can?"

This is the most crucial question. If Leo cannot answer it, then his promise is just empty words.

"Because I have three things that Mayor Cartwright will never have," Leo replied.

"First, I can get the money needed for this project from Washington."

"The biggest funding gap for this inland port expansion project lies in how to secure the massive matching grant from the newly passed National Infrastructure Investment Act by the federal government."

Leo looked at Morganfield and continued.

"Mr. Morganfield, your most important political ally in Washington is Republican Senator Warren."

"This infrastructure bill is a core political agenda of the current Democratic administration, and your allies and his entire party have been the most staunch opponents of this bill from the very beginning."

"So, what about Mayor Cartwright?" Leo asked himself, answering his own question. "Even though he's a Democrat, he won't get the money either."

"Why?" Morganfield asked.

"Because this National Infrastructure Investment Act is not just a sum of money, Mr. Morganfield; it is the product of a fierce struggle between the progressives and the establishment within the Democratic Party."

"The real driving force behind this bill is the progressives in Congress, such as Senators Daniel Sanders and John Murphy. Therefore, the final approval power for this money is firmly in the hands of their own people."

"Mayor Cartwright, on the other hand, belonged to the Democratic establishment. In the eyes of those progressives, he was an old-fashioned bureaucrat who might compromise with the Republicans at any time for political gain."

"If we hand over this politically symbolic money to him, the progressives will worry that the money will end up in the pockets of entrepreneurs like you through various municipal contracts, rather than actually being used to create the jobs they promised."

"This would be a major political scandal for them."

Leo looked at Morganfield and gave his final conclusion.

"But for me, the situation is completely different. As you know, I have the official endorsement of Senator Daniel Sanders himself."

"I am not an ordinary grant applicant; I am the designated executor of their progressive ideals in the rust belt city of Pittsburgh. This money is not an grant that I have to beg for, but a significant political investment for them to create a model for the whole country."

"So, Mr. Morganfield, the conclusion is simple. Today in Pittsburgh, the person who has the ability to get this money for the city is neither you nor Mayor Cartwright."

"just me."

"Only then can we get this money, which belongs to Pittsburgh, back from Washington."

Morganfield raised his chin: "Continue."

Leo continued, "Secondly, I can handle the biggest potential obstacle to this project: the dockworkers' union."

"As you know, any project involving the upgrading of automated equipment will inevitably raise concerns among unions about unemployment."

"If Cartwright goes to negotiate with them, the end result will only be an endless strike and political wrangling, which could delay the entire project for years or even cause it to fail."

"And Frank Kowalski is a member of my team," Leo emphasized. "I was able to sit down with the unions and come up with a win-win solution that would both improve the port's operational efficiency and fully guarantee the retraining of existing workers and their future benefits."

"What I can offer you is what you, as a businessman, need most: stable change."

"Finally," Leo concluded, "promoting this plan is the core of my campaign platform. It can create thousands of high-paying jobs in Pittsburgh, and if you agree, it will be the flagship project of my entire Pittsburgh revitalization plan."

"I am pushing for it, and I have a legitimate reason to do so, and I can get the broadest support from all the citizens of Pittsburgh."

"If Mayor Cartwright were to revive this plan now, which he abandoned years ago, it would only be seen by everyone as a hasty attempt to curry favor before the election, and it simply wouldn't work politically."

Leo's words gave Morganfield a new understanding of the young man before him.

What he showed Morganfield was more than just a simple political deal.

It was an investment project that only Talio Wallace could accomplish and that could bring long-term and enormous benefits to the Morganfield family.

The unique value he offered was something Mayor Cartwright could never match.

Leo stood up; he had said everything he wanted to say.

He left the final decision to the urban oligarch who was deep in thought.

"I have presented my proposal, Mr. Morganfield."

"Whatever choice you ultimately make, I will continue to fight for the future of Pittsburgh."

After Leo finished speaking, he prepared to turn and leave.

Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob, Morganfield's voice rang out behind him.

"Wait a minute, Leo."

Leo stopped in his tracks.

"Regarding the automated port loading and unloading system you mentioned, what are your thoughts on its supplier?"

"My company, Morganfield Technologies, happens to have some very mature ideas and products in the field of automated logistics."

Leo stopped, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

He knew he had won.