novelnext Chapter 98 Washington's Anger
Chapter 98 Washington's Anger
Chapter 98 Washington's Anger
The Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Daniel Sanders sat behind his desk, which was piled high with draft bills and policy briefings.
This progressive leader, usually known for his high spirits, was now taking off his glasses and wearily rubbing the bridge of his nose.
His gaze peeked through his fingers at the television that was always on on the opposite wall.
The news channel is broadcasting news.
In the image, Leo Wallace stands in front of the deep pit on Grant Avenue, with Mary Gellert in a wheelchair behind him, her legs in heavy casts.
At the bottom of the screen, a striking line of bold text scrolls across the red title bar:
Democratic Civil War? Pittsburgh Mayor Sues Pittsburgh City Council
Then, the scene changed.
That was a chaotic scene in the city hall square.
Hundreds of angry dockworkers blocked the gate, holding up signs.
Dozens of injury lawyers, dressed in expensive suits, lined up outside the Public Works Department like sharks smelling blood, brandishing briefcases and scrambling for the newly printed claim forms.
Sanders watched all of this.
He admired Leo's fighting spirit and the young man's ability to find a way out of desperate situations.
But at this moment, that appreciation turned into a complex anger.
This year is a midterm election year.
The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is in jeopardy, and control of the Senate is also hanging by a thread.
The party's top brass are desperately trying to create a false sense of unity, attempting to convince voters across America that the Democratic Party is capable of governing the country and bringing stability and prosperity.
Meanwhile, Leo Wallace, the "progressive role model" whom Sanders personally cultivated, turned Pittsburgh into a showcase of "Democratic infighting" at this critical juncture.
Sanders picked up the remote and changed the channel.
A political news commentary program appeared on the screen.
The host wore a gloating smile, with the background image showing the chaos in front of Pittsburgh City Hall.
"Look, this is a city under liberal rule."
The host's voice was shrill and piercing.
"This is the future the Democrats want to bring to the whole of America. Even their own mayors admit that their own city councils are garbage and a stumbling block to progress."
"In Pittsburgh, there is no order, only lawsuits, only strikes, only politicians suing each other."
"And Senator Sanders wants to bring this approach to Washington, to your doorstep."
Sanders turned off the TV.
The room fell silent.
Leo's actions crossed the line.
He is squandering the political credibility of the entire party in order to survive.
Marcus Reynolds stood to the side, carefully observing his boss's expression. He had worked for Sanders for ten years and knew very well the volcano simmering beneath the old man's calm exterior.
"This is his way of repaying me."
Sanders put his glasses back on, his voice hoarse and unreadable.
"I gave him my political endorsement, granted him the data access he wanted, and even put Ethan by his side. I was counting on him to be a model of progressive governance in Pittsburgh, a model city that could prove to the whole of America that our ideas could be implemented, built, and bring order."
Sanders pointed to the blacked-out television screen.
"And the result? He turned me into an anarchic gladiatorial arena."
Marcus said in a low voice, "Leo's move—it's really effective. Speaker Moretti has been forced into a corner, and I heard that the city council is starting to waver."
"efficient?"
Sanders turned his head sharply, his eyes as sharp as knives.
"Marcus, have you been led astray by that kid? Are we discussing winning a brawl between the mayor and the speaker?"
"This year is the midterm election!"
Sanders tapped his fingers heavily on the table.
"You know better than I how fragile the situation is right now. Republicans are scrutinizing us with a microscope, and they can't wait to label the Democrats as chaotic, divisive, and far-left."
"They want to tell centrist voters that if we come to power, America will become like this: a mob storming the government, endless lawsuits and infighting."
The "Mayor Leo sues the government" drama is practically handing a knife to those right-wing news channels! Tonight's show will definitely make this their headline, and I've even thought of a title for him—"Radical Left Is Destroying American Cities."
"7
Sanders stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the dome of Capitol Hill in the distance.
He was an idealist, but first and foremost, he was a politician who had spent thirty years navigating the treacherous waters of Washington.
Even the noblest ideals are nothing but castles in the air if they lose the support of power.
To retain power, one must consider the overall situation.
Pittsburgh cannot be thrown into chaos.
Pennsylvania, this crucial swing state, cannot afford to lose its composure.
"Phone." Sanders held out his hand.
Marcus immediately handed over the phone.
He dialed Ethan Hawke's number.
The phone was answered after only one ring.
"Senator."
Ethan's voice came through, tinged with nervousness.
"Shut up."
Sanders interrupted him coldly.
"Ethan, you are now the chief of staff to the mayor of Pittsburgh, that's true."
"You offer him advice, you help him draft documents, that's all fine, it's your job."
"but."
Sanders' voice dropped a few decibels, exuding a chilling pressure.
"Have you forgotten who put you in that position?"
"Have you forgotten that you are still my eyes and my ears?"
Ethan's breathing became rapid on the other end of the phone.
"Senator, I—"
"Such a big strategic move." Sanders didn't give him a chance to explain. "The mayor is suing his own city government, mobilizing lawyers across the city to empty the treasury, and even staging such highly inflammatory confrontational speeches in the square."
"Such a big thing, and you didn't even send me a single text message warning?"
"Do you think this is unimportant? Or do you think I'm too senile to know these things?"
"No, Senator!" Ethan protested urgently. "Leo's decision was incredibly swift; it was a desperate counterattack. We were cornered, and if we didn't do it, the recovery plan would be ruined. Besides, it's legally valid—"
"I don't care about legal matters!"
Sanders raised his voice.
"What I care about is the bigger picture!"
"What I care about are the midterm election polls next month!"
"What I care about is that Republicans are using the mess you made in Pittsburgh to attack our candidates in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin!"
"Get your position straight, Ethan."
Sanders sat back down in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table.
"If you can't control him, if you can't stop him from going crazy."
"At the very least, you need to let me know he's going to drive the car off the cliff."
"This is the last time."
"I don't want to turn on the TV next time and see the model apartment I supported turn into a crematorium billowing black smoke on the news."
"Did you understand?"
"Understood, Senator." Ethan's voice lowered.
"beep."
Sanders hung up the phone.
He took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
He knew that simply scolding Ethan wouldn't do any good.
Ethan was young, and already caught up in the fervent atmosphere of Pittsburgh, making it easy for him to lose sight of the bigger picture.
He needs someone more influential and politically astute to cool down the crazy young mayor.
Sanders picked up the phone again.
This time, he dialed John Murphy's number.
"John."
After the call connected, Sanders spoke bluntly.
"Let's go to Pittsburgh."
"What's wrong?" Murphy's voice sounded tired.
"John, your little friend is setting fire to Pittsburgh."
Sanders cut straight to the point without any pleasantries.
"You should see the news; he's turning Pittsburgh into an anarchist testing ground. This may be good for his personal reputation, but it's a disaster for the entire party and for our image in Pennsylvania."
Murphy paused for a moment: "Leo? I heard he's a bit impulsive—"
"Motivation? Don't give me that nonsense. If you want to stay in the House of Representatives after the midterm elections, get your facts straight."
"Go and see what he's up to."
"Tell him that I support his fight against corruption, his development efforts, and even his struggle."
"However, this kind of spectacle of setting one's own house on fire to show the neighbors must stop immediately."
"Tell him that if he messes up the midterm elections, if his actions cause us to lose key seats in swing states."
"I personally dismantled his stage."
"No matter how much public support he has, no matter what kind of role model he is."
"I'll make him roll off that mayor's seat."
"Do you understand?"
Murphy paused for two seconds, then his tone became serious.
"Understood, Daniel. I'll book the tickets right away, and I'll be in his office first thing tomorrow morning."
Sanders put down the phone.
He walked back to the window and looked at the gloomy sky outside.
He admired Leo's drive, but he couldn't allow that drive to ruin the entire game.
In Washington, when faced with the bigger picture, any individual heroism must be put in a cage.
If Leo can't learn to walk into the cage on his own, Sanders wouldn't mind closing the door for him himself.
This is not just anger, but also a kind of political rationality from the top.
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