Forging America: My Campaign Manager is Roosevelt

Ethan listed the board’s composition on the whiteboard:

Chairman: Vice Governor

Member: State Attorney General

Expert Members: Criminologist, Rehabilitation Specialist, Victim’s Rights Advocate

"Look at this structure." Ethan tapped the whiteboard with the tip of his pen. "Those three expert members are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. If Monroe becomes Governor, those three votes are ours."

"But the first two votes are the key."

Ethan’s finger moved to the second line.

"The State Attorney General."

Ethan wrote the year "1980" on the whiteboard.

"Before 1980, Pennsylvania’s Attorney General was directly appointed by the Governor. Back then, the Attorney General was basically the Governor’s personal lawyer, or even his personal bodyguard."

"If the Governor was corrupt, the Attorney General was responsible for destroying evidence. If the Governor broke the law, the Attorney General was responsible for interpreting the law."

"That corruption was rotten to the core, so the voters and the legislature got angry. They amended the law, making the Attorney General an office decided by a statewide general election, independent of the Governor."

"The original intent of this design was to establish a system of checks and balances."

Ethan explained patiently, "Pennsylvania is a classic swing state. The voters here have a subconscious tendency to politically hedge."

"If they elect a Democrat as Governor, they’ll often vote for a Republican for Attorney General. It’s like putting a whip in the Republican’s hand to keep a close eye on the Governor and stop him from getting out of line."

"Richard Kirk."

"He’s a Republican."

"And aren’t the Republicans on our side right now?"

Ethan said, "The Republican National Committee has already reached out to you. They want to throw the Democratic Party into chaos. As the highest-ranking elected Republican official in Pennsylvania, Richard Kirk has definitely heard the whispers."

Leo nodded.

’The logic is sound, and the exchange of interests is clear.’

"Good," Leo said. "We can consider Kirk’s vote secured. Add the three experts Monroe will control after he takes office, and we’ll have four votes. That’s enough to get most pardon applications approved."

"But..."

Leo’s gaze fell on the first line.

Chairman: Vice Governor.

"There’s a problem here." Leo pointed out the loophole. "If Monroe becomes Governor, the Vice Governor’s seat will become vacant. According to the law, who takes over?"

Ethan took a deep breath.

"This is the craziest part of the whole plan."

"In Pennsylvania, when the office of Vice Governor is vacant, it’s not like at the federal level where the President nominates a Vice President. The line of succession here is very unique."

"According to the state Constitution, if the Vice Governor ascends to Governor, the position of Vice Governor is then filled by the Acting President of the Senate."

Leo paused, stunned. "The Acting President of the Senate?"

"That’s right." Ethan nodded. "That’s someone put forward by the majority party leader in the State Senate, usually a well-respected old-timer."

"The current Acting President is a die-hard member of the Establishment Faction, a staunch ally of Campbell. If he becomes Vice Governor and chairman of the pardon board, he’ll absolutely veto Luigi’s case. He’d even use the position to create endless trouble for Monroe."

"So, he has to go."

Leo looked at Ethan, his gaze turning sharp.

"Are you saying we’re going to interfere in the State Senate’s internal election?"

"Yes."

Ethan looked at Leo.

"We need one of our own people in that seat."

"We have the support of the Republicans and Monroe. We can absolutely manipulate the election for the new Acting President of the Senate."

"We can show our good faith to the Republicans. As long as they support our candidate for the position, our person will return the favor to the Republicans on certain legislative agendas in the future."

"This is a classic cross-party coalition."

Leo stood up and began to pace around the room.

’This is an incredibly audacious plan.’

’Interfering in the election of a legislative leader is far more secretive than interfering in an executive election.’

"What about a candidate?"

Leo stopped pacing and turned to look at Ethan.

"Who are we going to back?"

"This person has to be someone who will listen to us."

The list of Pennsylvania state senators flashed through Leo’s mind.

Names appeared one by one, only to be dismissed.

"I know who it is."

Leo’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked at Ethan.

"William Saint Cloud."

Ethan froze for a moment, then it dawned on him.

"The senator from Chester County?"

"That’s him."

"He’s Evelyn’s cousin. He’s a marginal figure in the family business, exiled to be a political mascot."

"He’s a typical rich kid—weak-willed, no backbone. He’s been floating around the Senate for over a decade, and his only achievement is not having offended anyone."

"That’s exactly what we need."

Leo walked to the whiteboard and, in the space for the "Vice Governor," wrote the name "William Saint Cloud."

"The Republicans don’t dislike him because he’s a moderate who often votes yes on business-related bills."

"The Democrats don’t dislike him because he never stirs up trouble."

"Most importantly, he’s Evelyn’s man."

"If we push him into the position of Acting President of the Senate, and even have him take over as Vice Governor..."

"That would be the ultimate reward for Evelyn Saint Cloud."

"And not only that."

Leo’s thoughts grew clearer, and his words came faster and faster.

"Since Evelyn has already publicly supported Luigi, it would be perfectly natural for William, as her cousin, to vote yes on the pardon board. It would also be a reflection of the family’s will."

"It’s a perfect closed loop."