[Chapter 344: Interest Alliances]
At Los Angeles International Airport, Air Force One was parked on the tarmac.
Hawke, dressed in a suit, blended into the crowd welcoming the arrivals, unnoticed by anyone.
Brian, as the sa-party mayor, had already stepped to the front of the crowd to greet the visitor.
George Walker descended the stairs, shook hands with Brian, and exchanged a few words.
The current commander-in-chief made his way through the crowd, greeting everyone in sight.
Brian introduced him as he went along.
As they reached Hawke, Brian said, "This is Hawke Osnt, my close friend and the founder and chairman of Twitter."
George extended his right hand, shaking Hawke's and remarked, "I've heard of you -- a young talent."
Beside him, Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered sothing.
George then asked, "Are you still in strategic planning?"
Hawke answered with confidence, "I dabble in it occasionally."
George nodded slightly and continued shaking hands with others.
Andrew Card stopped before Hawke and said, "The promotional plan is going smoothly."
Hawke replied, "The execution of Twitter is beyond question; we have been advancing according to your plans all along."
...
After exchanging a few words, George and Brian had already entered the vehicle, setting off towards northern Los Angeles to visit the citizens affected by wildfires.
This visit to Los Angeles was a must-show for him, with the recent wildfires being identified by his team as the most beneficial factor.
Hawke got into Brian's assistant's car, following closely behind.
Upon reaching the Hollywood Hills area, George stepped out, and the photo opportunities began. A few buses arrived nearby, where protest banners and posters were raised, accompanied by chants.
These were typical theatrics for campaign season; both sides were used to it.
...
However, after George posed for pictures with a young boy, he sensed sothing was off.
"The true masterminds behind 9/11!"
"Executioner!"
"Liars!"
From a high vantage point amidst the cleared rubble, Hawke surveyed the surroundings.
The protesters were holding up images of the Twin Towers, displaying posters of Fahrenheit 9/11, and had a banner listing the number of 9/11 victims, chanting in unison.
George maintained a stoic face, continuing his sympathetic outreach with Brian by his side.
In recent days, Fahrenheit 9/11 had been released widely across Arica, with dia buzzing about the docuntary, along with various news reports that dug deep into George and his father erging one after another.
In conspiracy theories, it was said that the two Georges had a hand in 9/11.
The Walker family's ties with Bin Laden had beco the hottest topic in the news.
Given that the donkey party (Democrats) controlled most mainstream dia, George could theoretically sit in an electric chair.
While these politicians deserved scrutiny, becoming embroiled in a negative dia storm at such a crucial mont was quite infuriating.
...
After the outreach concluded, once George got inside the vehicle and the door closed, his expression darkened.
He turned to Chief of Staff Andrew and said, "How could Brian be so oblivious, not even managing to deal with those opposing protesters beforehand?"
Andrew could only advise, "The donkey party has a stronghold in California; Brian just won the mayoral recall election in Los Angeles; it's normal for him to lack control."
He pointed out, "With Brian elected as the mayor, the Ferguson family, an established force in California, will regain prominence; they'll be one of our crucial pillars in this state."
This served as a reminder to George that so conversations could be had privately but should never be said in front of the Fergusons.
George responded, "Don't worry; I will show them enough respect."
Andrew added, "John Kerry and Johnny Edwards will also be coming to California soon."
George couldn't help but laugh, "After everything they've stirred up and the docuntary they made to sar , they're chasing after in California; what does that say?"
Andrew's expression beca serious as he stated, "It indicates they have no confidence or grasp on the situation in California."
George slapped the armrest of his seat and said, "What was once a blue state is very likely turning into a swing state, and this state has the most electoral votes, 55, in the country."
Andrew took this to heart, saying, "California will be one of the decisive battlegrounds between us and the donkey party."
...
The caravan drove out of the barricaded area, and as they passed the protesters along the road, George took in the various posters and slogans they held.
He withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes, contemplating what it would take to secure California.
Allies were just allies; to earn their support, interests were key.
The convoy headed straight to Woodland Hills.
George's family owned a mansion there, and the Secret Service had already prepared.
...
Upon entering the mansion, the campaign team swiftly set up in the eting room.
The latest data was compiled for Andrew.
Campaign manager hlman and chief strategist Karl Rove were seated at the conference table.
When George arrived, hlman said, "The latest statistics show that after Fahrenheit 9/11 spread widely, the impact from the Los Angeles fire, which had been increasing our approval ratings, has stalled since the day before yesterday and started to decline; in California, we remain the underdogs."
In front of the core team, George did not hide his frustration, saying, "These Hollywood bastards can't get anything right; they act like a swarm of flies."
Karl, responsible for promotion and values, primarily pushing anti-terrorism and traditional family values, found himself at odds with Hollywood's anti-war and single liberalism.
He said, "Here in California, we have consistently held the high ground in public opinion, fiercely criticizing the donkey party's misdeeds; but once the news about Leonardo ca out, the public's attention was diverted, severely diminishing our promotional impact."
hlman suggested, "It's the ideal opportunity; we should grab a few Hollywood stars and make them pay for making such a fuss every election cycle."
Andrew raised his hand to interrupt them: "The real key lies in those 55 electoral votes; our approval ratings have co to a standstill -- if we don't progress, we'll regress. rely relying on the narrative surrounding the Los Angeles fire won't ensure our support."
When George's father ran for election, California was firmly a red state. He looked at Andrew and said, "You're joining tonight to visit Paul Ferguson."
The Ferguson family's estate was just a stone's throw away, also in Woodland Hills.
Andrew imdiately got in touch with them.
...
After dinner, George and his group arrived at the Ferguson family mansion to visit Paul Ferguson.
This was an informal eting, with no dia allowed.
Upon entering, George noticed in addition to Paul Ferguson, there were three young people present.
He recognized two of them, Brian and Hawke, whom he had seen earlier that day.
The other one was a light brown-haired girl, likely Erica Ferguson.
They proceeded directly to the study to talk.
Andrew was the first to address the matter: "The situation in California isn't as optimistic as we imagined; simply relying on the Los Angeles fire is insufficient to turn the state red again."
Brian interjected, "We also have a backup plan, but it requires a massive investnt of resources."
George chid in, "The federal governnt is never short on resources."
Hawke sought to intensify conflict while also extracting benefits: "Our plan significantly increases the likelihood of you continuing to access federal resources."
Paul gradually said, "George, your father and I are old friends; when it cos to critical monts, old friends are the most reliable."
Here, the negotiation for interest exchanges began.
Twitter and the Ferguson family would work together to suppress the donkey party's montum in California, relegating them to a weak position in public opinion.
Should George secure reelection, economically he would include Twitter and Pacific Investnt Group in the primary tier of new economic developnt plans; politically, he would once again team up with the Ferguson family.
As for the ans of alliance, it would follow one of the oldest traditions in the world: one of Herbert Walker's granddaughters would marry one of Paul's grandsons.
Without reelection, none of this could co to pass.
Under the night sky, George and his group bid farewell and left the Ferguson estate.
...
As they were seen off, Paul looked to Hawke and Brian, saying, "Whatever you need next, just contact ; I'm at your service 24/7."
Hawke replied without hesitation, "I will need the most elite personnel to keep an eye on the Ackerman family and senior executives at the Ackerman Charity Foundation; they are crucial to our operation."
Paul wasted no ti, looking at Erica: "You take a leave of absence and assist Hawke in mobilizing the security company's personnel."
Erica understood how vital this was for both her family and for Hawke, responding, "Sure."
Hawke reminded, "The FBI Los Angeles office is key."
Paul addressed Brian: "You need a partner; Jennifer is a good candidate."
Brian proved reliable in critical monts, saying, "I've already proposed to Jennifer; she accepted."
Hawke extended his fist for a congratulatory bump, stating, "Congrats, man."
Erica shot a glance at Hawke.
Hawke noticed, eting her gaze with a nod.
Erica smiled and extended her palm, clasping Hawke's large hand securely.
Their hands, rough from hard work, gripped firmly together.
Paul suddenly said, "Since California turned blue, the elephant party (Republicans) lost the Los Angeles mayoral office; you must feel the Ferguson family's influence weakening -- we've even struggled to project enough deterrence outside during incidents like the Covina explosion. The world is forgetting us; if we don't act, with California deepening into a blue state long-term, our family's strength will continue to decline until we are overtaken."
Hawke wore a serious expression, having already sensed this. Taking on the Ackerman family and escalating the conflicts between the two parties in California were also targeted approaches to undermine the Ferguson family.
Ti had proven that the Ferguson family had indeed taken this path.
Paul's gentle gaze sharpened as he instructed the three of them, "Once this is executed, there is no room for retreat; this political struggle is life and death, and there can't be any softness -- that bunch of bastards is of no use, and those who must disappear will disappear."
He first looked at Hawke and Erica: "I have full confidence in both of you."
Erica laughed, "Grandpa, are you praising Hawke and for being ruthless?"
Paul ignored her and turned to Brian, "You should always heed Hawke's advice."
Brian, being the reliable person he was, could judge what was most beneficial for himself: "I will."
*****
/Sayonara816.
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