Forging America: My Campaign Manager is Roosevelt-Chapter 36 - 31: A 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 rage over the phone. "I asked you to handle one little thing, and you’ve created a national media firestorm!"

"Every media outlet is now reporting on how that Democrat, Murphy, is championing the working class of Pittsburgh! You’ve put Senator Warren in a very difficult position! Do you have any idea he’s up for reelection? You’re helping our enemies!"

Deputy Secretary Coleman was miserable but couldn’t find the words to defend himself.

He had intended to block the application to curry favor with Senator Warren and pave the way for his own political future.

Instead, it had backfired spectacularly, turning him into a laughingstock and a target for the Democrats’ coordinated attacks.

If he continued to block the application, he would have to face an endless barrage of harassing phone calls and scathing attacks from the media every day.

But if he approved the application now, he would offend Senator Warren and the powerful special interests behind him.

Just as he was at his wit’s end, not knowing what to do,

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

She handed Coleman an official document that had just arrived.

It was an official letter of inquiry from the House of Representatives, formally signed by Representative John Murphy.

Representative Murphy was formally invoking Capitol Hill’s oversight authority over the federal executive branch.

He was demanding that the Department of Housing and Urban Development submit a complete and detailed written report on the handling process for the "Pittsburgh City Revitalization Plan" application to the relevant congressional oversight committee within three days.

Furthermore, it demanded that Deputy Secretary Coleman himself be prepared to appear before Congress next week to face a public inquiry from the oversight committee on this matter.

Coleman stared at Murphy’s flamboyant signature on the letter of inquiry.

He knew he could no longer keep this under wraps.

The matter had escalated from an internal administrative issue to the level of Congress.

Robert Coleman knew very well that if he actually had to testify before a congressional inquiry, he would become a political sacrificial lamb.

The Democrats in Congress would paint him as a cold-blooded bureaucrat obstructing the revival of the Rust Belt.

Meanwhile, the Republican congressmen from his own party, in order to distance themselves from him and Senator Warren, would offer him no protection.

He would be publicly humiliated by both parties, and his political career would be over.

To avoid this dreadful fate, he immediately chose to concede.

The next morning, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proactively contacted Representative Murphy’s office.

Over the phone, Coleman’s tone was apologetic and friendly.

He claimed that after an "emergency re-evaluation" within their department, they discovered that the previous rejection of Pittsburgh’s application was entirely a "technical misunderstanding."

It was all because a new intern had misinterpreted the latest internal guidelines.

He also stated that Pittsburgh’s application was exceptionally well-written and fully compliant with all federal regulations.

They would immediately "expedite" the application. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

And at the beginning of the next fiscal quarter, they would formally disburse the first round of funding to the Pittsburgh City Revitalization Committee.

A federal grant of two and a half million US dollars was thus miraculously approved.

In the eyes of the media and the public, all of this was naturally credited to Representative Murphy’s heroic struggle.

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

Beaming, he stood at the podium and announced the good news.

He even made a point of inviting Leo onto the stage, where he gripped Leo’s hand tightly in front of all the cameras.

"Let me introduce everyone to this young man, Leo Wallace!" Murphy announced loudly. "It was he, with his wisdom and courage, who won back this well-deserved respect and support for Pittsburgh! He is the future hope of our city!"

After the press conference, Murphy invited Leo into his luxury motorcoach.

The door closed.

The smile vanished from Murphy’s face.

He looked at Leo, his expression complex.

"You kid..." He shook his head. "How on earth did you do it? You actually managed to turn the entire Department of Housing and Urban Development upside down and make that old fox Coleman cough up the money."

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

At Roosevelt’s prompting, Leo acted both humble and firm.

"Representative, I simply delivered the voice of the people of Pittsburgh to where it needed to be heard."

"I’ve proven my worth to you. Now, it’s your turn to fulfill your promise."

Murphy nodded.

"Of course," he said. "For the upcoming party primary, I need you and your ’Pittsburgh Heart’ to throw your full support behind me. You need to organize your friends in the unions and rally enough blue-collar votes for me."

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

He lowered his voice.

"The Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the independent Senator from Vermont, Daniel Sanders."

Leo’s heart began to race.

Daniel Sanders.

To young Progressives across America, the name was almost iconic.

He was an avowed democratic socialist who had tirelessly championed the working class and the poor for decades.

He wielded immense influence in the Senate.

"Senator Sanders has been looking for a political face to represent the new generation of the Rust Belt," Murphy said. "He’ll love your story. He’ll become your most powerful backer in Washington."

’Accept his offer,’ Roosevelt said in Leo’s mind. ’Murphy is just a stepping stone for us to get into Washington. Senator Sanders is the real bridge that can launch us onto the national stage. As of today, we officially have our first heavyweight ally in Washington.’

Leo extended his hand to Murphy.

"It’s a pleasure working with you, Representative."

The money problem was solved.

And the door to Washington had been cracked open.

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

He pictured the long string of zeros that would soon be added to his committee’s bank account.

He knew he finally possessed the power to "control resources," just as Roosevelt had said.

He was no longer just an activist protesting on the streets.

He had become a builder, wielding millions of dollars in funding and in charge of city revitalization projects.

On Mayor Carter Wright’s desk lay the front page of the *Pittsburgh Chronicle*.

On it was a large photograph of Murphy and Leo warmly shaking hands.

Carter Wright’s expression was as grim as the leaden-gray sky of a Pittsburgh winter.

He realized he had made an irreversible mistake.

He had, with his own hands, released a hungry young lion into a backyard full of plump gazelles.

Roosevelt’s voice, laced with amusement, echoed in Leo’s mind.

’Alright, kid.’

’Our base of operations now has money, projects, and a backer in Washington.’

’Now, it’s time to let all of Pittsburgh see how we spend our money.’

’A good show is about to begin.’