"Who did the people in those places vote for before?"

Leo didn’t wait for Stern to answer, providing the answer himself.

"They voted for the Republican Party. They voted for Warren."

"Those white, blue-collar workers, those unemployed miners—they hate the elites in Philadelphia, and they hate the bureaucrats in Washington. Over the past decade, they’re the demographic our Democratic Party has lost the most."

"An elite like Monroe, who wears custom-made suits and can’t stop talking about environmentalism and diversity, could run his legs off in those places and still not get a single vote. When they see Monroe, all they see is another condescending preacher."

"But Murphy is different."

Leo’s gaze turned sharp.

"Today’s Murphy is touting a five hundred million US Dollar infrastructure project and shouting, ’Bring the jobs back.’ He doesn’t look like a politician; he looks more like a foreman."

"He can walk into the bars Monroe can’t, and he can shake the dirty hands Monroe wouldn’t."

"The votes Murphy is fighting for aren’t being pulled from Monroe’s camp." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"He’s clawing them away from Warren, right from the Republican Party’s core base."

Stern’s fingers stopped tapping.

He frowned slightly and began to re-evaluate the young man’s logic.

Leo seized the opportunity and upped the ante.

"This is where our strategies diverge."

"If you make Murphy drop out, those blue-collar workers he’s mobilized won’t switch their votes to Monroe. They’ll go back into the Republican fold or just stay home and not vote at all."

"In that case, what are Monroe’s chances against Warren?"

Stern took a sip of his coffee. "Our internal polls show Monroe leading Warren by three percentage points."

"Three percentage points?" Leo chuckled. "Those are the polls now. Once we hit the final stretch of the general election and the Republican machine gets going, that three-point lead will be wiped out in an instant."

"You can’t afford to lose."

"But what if we let Murphy stay in the race?"

Leo painted the picture.

"During the primary season, Murphy will take the fight directly to Warren. He’ll attack his vulnerabilities and expose the Republican Party’s betrayal of the working class."

"It’ll be a war of attrition."

"Murphy will hound Warren relentlessly, draining his funds, his energy, and his standing in the red zones."

"Even if Murphy ends up losing the primary."

Leo spread his hands.

"By that time, Warren will have already been thoroughly battered."

"And Monroe? He can conserve his strength and maintain his perfect image."

"When the primary is over, Murphy will take the territory he conquered in the Rust Belt, take those blue-collar votes he won over, and hand that entire political inheritance over to Monroe."

"It’s a win-win."

"I get to keep my ally and avoid being branded a traitor."

"The Democratic Party gets a weakened opponent and an expanded voter base."

"Monroe will still be the nominee—and a nominee with a much greater chance of winning."

Stern was silent for a long time.

The plan was very tempting.

One could even say it was far more brilliant than simply forcing Murphy to withdraw.

It not only resolved the immediate conflict but also provided an extra insurance policy for the general election.

Just as Stern was still weighing the pros and cons, his phone rang.

Stern frowned, glanced at the caller ID on the screen, and answered the call.

"It’s me."

"Tell them to wait."

"I’m in a very important meeting right now. I’ll call back later."

After saying that, he hung up and placed his phone face down on the desk.

Hearing those words and seeing Stern’s action, Leo’s constantly tense shoulders relaxed imperceptibly.

The scales of victory had begun to tip in his favor.

"You’re quite the calculator, Mayor Wallace."

Stern finally spoke.

"Your logic is perfect, but only if you and Murphy are actually willing to fall in line and hand things over without a fight after losing the primary."

"We don’t have a choice," Leo replied. "If Warren is re-elected, Pittsburgh gets nothing. Only if the Democratic Party wins can our Inland Port project get long-term support at the Federation level. For the sake of our interests, we’ll want Monroe to win more than anyone."

Stern nodded.

This was a promise based on mutual interest, more reliable than any moral oath.

"Alright."

Stern made his decision.

"He can stay in the race, but this is his own war. The National Committee won’t give him a single cent."

"No problem," Leo nodded. "We’ll sort out the money ourselves."

"As for the administrative review of the five hundred million US Dollar bond issuance..."

Stern picked up the document on the table.

"This afternoon, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will receive a joint guidance letter from the Federation’s Department of Commerce and the Transportation Department."

"We will make it clear that the Pittsburgh Inland Port project is in line with the Federation’s long-term infrastructure strategy, and we will recommend that the State Government approve it."

"With this endorsement, we will urge Pennsylvania to expedite the process. Harrisburg will lift the suspension order within five days and approve your issuance application."

Leo let out a sigh of relief.

Finally.

The great weight on his mind was finally lifted.

He reached out, ready to take the signed document from beside Stern’s hand.

That was his trophy, the proof he needed to take back to Pittsburgh.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Stern’s hand remained on the document, not letting go.

Leo froze for a moment. "Isn’t this the approval document?"