The Land of the Free: American Political Roleplay (IC III)

[Echo Chamber Thought Police]

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Vinnie Diehl
@TheRealDiehl

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I am proud to endorse Kathleen Nez and James Moore today! They have been some of our most active champions for the working-class and must keep on fighting. I will be visiting Arizona (again!) and Michigan soon. #KeepTheFaith #Vote2020

Liked and retweeted by John Atang and Simon Hawkins

[Echo Chamber Thought Police]

Simon Hawkins @Hawkins4Iowa VERY SAD Republicans want to keep evictions going during a crisis. I wonder how much money they get from landlords...

[Sarenium]

Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

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Jobs stimulus packages are one thing, but repairing the cracks in our system which allow these kinds of moments occur are the sustainable path forth.

Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

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We need a real healthcare plan which offers stability and choice to working American families. We need jobs with wages that allow families to build a usable rainy day fund. We need an education system which rewards the hardworking not the financially well equipped. That same system of education must prepare American graduates for their futures in blue or white collar professions, not allow them to waste away under mountains of debt.

Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

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I am wholly committed to the plight of working families and I am proud to push for changes which not only respond to current crises, but prevent them in future. That is my goal, in the Senate and every office of public interest I have ever held or will hold.

Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

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Once-in-a-lifetime economic crises and shocks shouldn't be happening every ten years, and a decennial recession which hurts working people and costs jobs and opportunity, is not an acceptable status quo from Washington's policy makers. Let's change that.

[Dentali]

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Vinnie Diehl
@TheRealDiehl

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I am proud to endorse Kathleen Nez and James Moore today! They have been some of our most active champions for the working-class and must keep on fighting. I will be visiting Arizona (again!) and Michigan soon. #KeepTheFaith #Vote2020

liked and retweeted by james moore

[Emazia]

Bernard J. Porter
@BerniePorter

I like Congressman Ruler! He's a very smart man, very dedicated to his country, which is why I'm happy to endorse him for Iowa Senate in 2020! VOTE RULER IN NOVEMBER, AND MAKE SURE HACK HAWKINS DOESN'T GET HIS HANDS ON THE SENATE!

[Concerned American Workers]

John Logan Ruler
@SonOfRuler

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Thank you Secretary Porter for your support and from all your supporters across Iowa! You are not as bad as the crazy liberal media says, a good man in fact! All conservatives must stand united in Iowa, hippie Hawkins cannot win. He will sign off on the radical liberal agenda proposed by Marty Spellman and Levi Murphy!

[Sanabel]

“Mr. President, I would urge you to make an endorsement. I’m sure you’ve seen the math, right now the Democratic Party is a peanut’s toss away from a contested convention. And that, well that would leave us up a creek without a paddle. It would kill us in the general election, it could very well rip the party in half. Mr. President, you can stop it from happening.”

"I am sorry Senator, I cannot endorse a candidate this cycle, you know that. I also believe that you know where my preferences lay. I have other tools in my arsenal. I can make the voting demographics more favorable to a certain candidate by driving up Black turnout in the primaries which have so far been disappointing."

“Why can’t you Mr. President? There’s no reason why you can’t make an endorsement. This is about protecting your legacy, and making our party viable in November.”

[Sanabel]

Murphy Mega-Rally, Atlanta, Georgia
(March 18, 2020)


Representative Simpson arrived in Georgia a few days before the primary. He spent some time on the campaign trail, visiting the Black Belt counties to persuade disinterested Black voters to turn out for Murphy. Then, he traveled to Atlanta and met with young activists and connections from his long career in Black politics. Then he went to the mega-rally, speaking after Nez.

When it was his turn, Simpson came out, smiling and waving, and embraced the Assistant Speaker. Then he took the microphone and began his speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for GEORGIA!”

The crowd cheered, and he pumped his fist in the air.

“Today isn’t about me, it isn’t about you, it isn’t about any of the people on this stage, and it isn’t about Senator Murphy either. Today, like the rest of this primary, is about us. It is about our movement. The American people are sick and tired of feckless government that doesn’t provide the bold solutions we so desperately need. The American people are sick and tired of brazen corruption. The American people are sick and tired of business as usual. And now, through our movement, through Senator Murphy, the American people are standing up and demanding change.”

Simpson cheered along with the crowd, clapping his hands.

“That change- well, you know what that change is going to be. We are going to finally enshrine healthcare as a human right through Medicare for All. We are going to end the needless foreign intervention perpetuated by presidents and politicians of both parties. We are going to take on the lobbying complex, throw the bums out, and replace the current system of corporate welfare with an actual system of human welfare.”

There was more cheering.

“Look ladies and gentlemen, this ain’t gonna be easy. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I’ve looked corruption in the eye. President Wolf and now President Tawney have a track record of abusing our criminal justice system, picking favorites based on party affiliation and back-scratching. When Levi Murphy is president, that practice will come to an end. We will prosecute these crooks and finally see true justice for the likes of Hawthorne, Sharansky, and Attorney General Jones. We will finally have government of, by and for the people.

And ladies and gentlemen, you know that this is finally within our grasp because the powers that be are scared. The disgust they feel toward our movement is proof that we are making progress, that we are on the right side of history. The scorn shown by the establishment toward Senator Murphy’s lobbyist body camera legislation proves exactly that. The end of smoke filled rooms and back door meetings away from the collective eye of the American people would make it impossible for these crooks to skim off the top, to rig the game in their own favor, without backlash the likes of which this country has never seen before.

They may be scared, but we cannot become complacent. Victory is coming within our grasp, so we must seize this opportunity. We must turn out in droves, here in Georgia and across this country. We can never stop demanding change, we will never stop demanding change until that change has been realized. Georgia, will you join the movement? Will you stand up and make your voice heard? Will you put an end to corruption? We need you now more than ever.”

[Echo Chamber Thought Police]

The Associated Press

Politics

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6TH CIRCUIT COURT TO HEAR CASE ON CONSTITUTIONALITY OF KENTUCKY ABORTION BILL
EAST AND WEST DISTRICT COURTS STRIKE DOWN BILL, BUT KY ATTORNEY GENERAL VOWS TO APPEAL

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By E. Chambers
March 20, 2020
BREAKING - In the latest development of the ongoing legal case Planned Parenthood v. Kentucky, filed after Kentucky introduced a bill banning abortion after 11 weeks' gestation, the East and West federal district Courts of Kentucky have ruled in favour of Planned Parenthood, as expected, striking down the law.

However, the Kentucky Attorney General has issued a statement, planning to appeal the judgement to the Federal Appeals Court for the 6th Circuit, vowing to "defend this crucial and democratically-decided legislation."

Reactions to the judgement have been mixed, with pro-choice advocates at Amnesty International and Planned Parenthood celebrating the ruling, with pro-choice Kentucky democratic State Senator Mary Smith calling it a 'reassuring victory for women in Kentucky and across the United States. We will not have our bodies legislated over. Abortion cannot be regulated under any circumstances.'

However, pro-life politicians have stated their disappointment at the ruling and threw their weight behind the appeal efforts. Kentucky Governor Tara Misra, who identifies as pro-life, stated that the ruling was an example of federal courts 'legislating from the bench' and said that an appeal is 'not only prudent, but necessary to protect the right to life, not only in Kentucky, but everywhere.'

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

"I am sorry Senator, I cannot endorse a candidate this cycle, you know that. I also believe that you know where my preferences lay. I have other tools in my arsenal. I can make the voting demographics more favorable to a certain candidate by driving up Black turnout in the primaries which have so far been disappointing."

“Why can’t you Mr. President? There’s no reason why you can’t make an endorsement. This is about protecting your legacy, and making our party viable in November.”

"Senator, if I endorse a candidate there are those who would be unhappy with what they perceive as a rigged primary. I have the upmost confidence that the primary results will be fairly decisive soon enough."

[Sanabel]

“Why can’t you Mr. President? There’s no reason why you can’t make an endorsement. This is about protecting your legacy, and making our party viable in November.”

"Senator, if I endorse a candidate there are those who would be unhappy with what they perceive as a rigged primary. I have the upmost confidence that the primary results will be fairly decisive soon enough."

“But Mr. President, how can you be so confident? Anger at you for endorsing a candidate would be far more fleeting and far less dangerous to our party than anger over a contested convention.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

From: Representative John Atang
To: Speaker Caroline Simone

My office has drafted and is prepared to be the primary sponsor of a temporary eviction ban as part of the omnibus package. I have attached the legislation below. I would very much like it to be included. If you have any issues with the legislation, please contact me. Also, I would like to be made aware if leadership intends to co-sponsor the attached legislation.

Yours Sincerely,
Congressman John Atang

FROM: [Speaker Caroline Simone]
TO: [Representative John Atang]

Hi John,

Thank you for the email and an eviction moratorium will be in the omnibus package. Individual members of leadership will need to be spoken to directly but you have my backing.

Yours,

Carrie

[Concerned American Workers]

The Salt Lake Tribune
@sltrib

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A 5.7 magnitude earthquake rattled Magna, Utah today. Governor Abernathy is set to authorize the state's Division of Emergency Management to lead recovery efforts and has called for renewed investment in earthquake-proof construction. Legislation raising building standards may be presented as early as next week.

Keep up with the latest Utah events and updates at sltrib.com.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Speaker Carrie Simone
@MadamSpeaker

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The House has just passed a significant tax relief bill to help first responders like police, firefighters and EMTs with their healthcare costs. Every tax cut this Congress, from this bill to RAISE, has been written and led by Democrats. Most House Republicans voted against this tax cut!

[Echo Chamber Thought Police]

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Speaker Carrie Simone
@MadamSpeaker

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The House has just passed a significant tax relief bill to help first responders like police, firefighters and EMTs with their healthcare costs. Every tax cut this Congress, from this bill to RAISE, has been written and led by Democrats. Most House Republicans voted against this tax cut!

Liked and retweeted by John Atang and Simon Hawkins

[Echo Chamber Thought Police]

Simon Hawkins @Hawkins4Iowa Republicans claim to support tax cuts... but only when it helps their wall street buddies. Today we saw a shameful display in the house as the GOP tried to block a tax cut because they were not getting money from its creditors. Iowa deserves a Senator that will fight to cut taxes for ordinary Iowans - not a GOP swamp hack that only supports cutting taxes for their rich friends.

[Louisianan]

(Image)
Speaker Carrie Simone
@MadamSpeaker

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The House has just passed a significant tax relief bill to help first responders like police, firefighters and EMTs with their healthcare costs. Every tax cut this Congress, from this bill to RAISE, has been written and led by Democrats. Most House Republicans voted against this tax cut!

Liked and Retweeted By @LLazareTX

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

"Senator, if I endorse a candidate there are those who would be unhappy with what they perceive as a rigged primary. I have the upmost confidence that the primary results will be fairly decisive soon enough."

“But Mr. President, how can you be so confident? Anger at you for endorsing a candidate would be far more fleeting and far less dangerous to our party than anger over a contested convention.”

"Tell you what, if Georgia is won be a convincing margin. I will endorse the winner of that State."

[Louisianan]

Linda Lazare
@LLazareTX

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HPPSO has passed the House! Onto the Senate! Americans need these Tax Cuts, I thank any and all House Republicans who voted for this bill, and did not try to halt it's progress.

[Concerned American Workers]

The Associated Press

Politics

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MAJOR LEGISLATION PASSES IN UTAH
GOVERNOR ABERNATHY AND HIS AMBITIOUS AGENDA BEGINS TO PASS AFTER WEEKS OF FIERCE DEBATE

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By Ana Lisa Melculo
March 20, 2020

SALT LAKE - Taking a hard ball approach to the Utah State Legislature, Governor Dawson Abernathy has finally triumphed after weeks of stonewalling by Democrats and some fellow Republicans. Intending to pass sweeping legislative action to address a multitude of issues, the governor faced early resistance. State representatives were resistant to passing large expenditures and it was unlikely they would capitulate without major changes made to the initial package offered by Abernathy. But with mounting pressure from leadership, who remain staunch and longtime allies of the elder governor, the rank and file began to move towards a decision, motivated by the inclusion of a number of social policy changes.

Democrats in the State Senate similarly sought to oppose the bill. But with dwindling numbers after modifications were made to the original bill to appease the Republicans in opposition, the GOP supermajorities in both chambers finalized details early last week. Settling on a number of reforms targeting many different aspects of Utah government, it will likely signify the kind of pragmatic yet populist legislation that the governor will seek to base his reelection on. But it remains questionable if the costs accrued by the law or the expansion of government may end up hurting him, perhaps even spurring a challenge or diminishing the possibility of an eighth term come 2024. But as of now and with this legislative victory, Abernathy shows no signs of relenting.

The legislative package which passed midday today came in the form of several linked bills and reforms. They include new requirements for health care providers to either bury or cremate aborted or miscarried fetal remains, with women being asked how they want the remains to be taken care of; the creation of a dozen new crisis centers where people experiencing mental health episodes in need of emergency care can go instead of being sent to hospital emergency rooms or jail cells; three weeks of paid leave at full salary for state employees who give birth, on top of any sick leave used; $35 million for rental assistance and to help build affordable housing units to keep Utahns from becoming homeless; and novel requirements that any pornographic material must carry a label warning about the harmful effects if could have on minors.

More legislation is expected to pass in the coming months as the House continues to deliberate other key measures that have stalled in the Senate. Notably, SB41 failed. The bill would have formed and funded a task force to identify the gaps in local, state and federal enforcement agencies data collection to help murdered and missing indigenous girls and women. Governor Abernathy had initially included it but forgoed any allocation to the project, citing the need to evaluate the potential effect new federal legislation could have on the demonstrated need. Likewise, key funding for pre-school vouchers remains a big issue as Utah lawmakers continue hearings which are expected to last into early April.

[Louisianan]

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

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Jack Be Nimble, Jack be Quick! The Crawfish Festival is on! I'll be there on the 21st! They may be expensive, but hot damn, they are delicious! Crawfish Time!

[Bruke]

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Speaker Carrie Simone
@MadamSpeaker

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The House has just passed a significant tax relief bill to help first responders like police, firefighters and EMTs with their healthcare costs. Every tax cut this Congress, from this bill to RAISE, has been written and led by Democrats. Most House Republicans voted against this tax cut!

Liked and retweeted by @Karel Volek

[Echo Chamber Thought Police]

Simon Hawkins @Hawkins4Iowa Abortion ain't good, but this bill in Utah is cruel. Having an abortion is already a traumatic enough experience for women. We do not need another law to have women who have made a very difficult personal decision treated like murderers.

[Puertollano]

Team Levi Rally
Atlanta, Georgia
March 18, 2020

It was then the Senator's turn to speak. Prior to the rally, however, Levi was building support among the African-American in the suburbs of Atlanta, to pull-off what he thought was a possible win in the state. To start the African-American outreach, the Senator visited a majority Black public school and played basketball with the kids, prior to making an announcement of bringing in additional funding for Historically Black Colleges and more funding for majority-African American public schools which had been left to decay over the years. He commented that it was this kind of injustice that was used to hold back many Americans, especially African-Americans from achieving better in life and that all children deserve a world-class and promising education, no matter their background or back-pocket. On Sunday, he also visited an African-American church, where he attended a service. As a Christian himself, he had been away from the pupil for a long time, so it was a good re-introduction to faith after having been on the campaign trail for a year and more. The campaign made a particular note to not have him speak, the Senator rejected the possiblity, and said he would rather listen, then lecture.

Following that, he attended a criminal justice town hall with many local BLM activists and other civil rights activists in the area. Levi spoke candidly about his policies to end racial discrimination in policing, but also spoke about the need for real economic change in the country. Including a $15 minimum wage and Medicare for All. A Murphy African-American surrogate informed the crowd of Dayton's past policies on policing and how she failed the African-American people as Governor or Virginia. Immediately after that townhall, Levi went straight to the rally in Atlanta, where he would speak to a mainly African-American audience about the movements agenda to making the country work for the many, not the few.

"Thank you, to all of you. I appreciate all of the work that was put into today, into the event, into building a cross-racial movement to win the presidential election in 2020. But, really, there is more to politics than voting. Many of those who left important legacies in building working class movements to fight power knew that they would have to sometimes work outside of the electoral realms. I appreciate this view, I support this view. Those people, like Martin Luther King, Bayard Rustin,Angela Davis, Fred Hampton, Malcolm X knew that there is no racial justice without economic justice. There's no equality between Black, Brown and White until we have economic parity between races - it is this that I believe we must push harder, push further and break new ground in advancing the livelihoods of Black and Brown Americans, as I see it."

"We've come a great distance since the early days of slavery in our country, to the civil war, to the wage slavery of Black Americans, to the exploitation of Black labour to win World War Two but discard them after its conclusion. We've come a long way since the Jim Crow era, since the Civil Rights Movement, we've made a lot of progress since the initial Black Lives Matter protests in this country. We've made progress, that's for sure, but we are far from the end goal. The equal treatment of all races in this country has not yet been realized. The exploitation of workers in this country has not concluded. And the forces that put downward pressure on the people from rising up continue to exist. These forces, such as the establishment of the few, the control of the media in a few rich hands, the concentration of political clout by massive corporations are all directly impeding the further progress we could be making on the advancement of equality, right around this country."

"Serious action must be taken. I want to fairly distribute the success of America down to the middle-class, to the working-class, to lower-income families. I want to see real programs such as Medicare for All, tuition-free college to be implemented so that our young kids can realize their potential. There's nothing more powerful or impact towards racial equality than educating and teaching the current youth of today to be better people. What's the use of change now if the progress we make is rolled-back by generations in the future. What we need is education, universal education. But that's not all. We need to teach the real history of the real America. We need some truth-telling in this country. Yes, the Civil War was based on the South wanting to keep slaves. Yes, those who opposed civil rights in the 50s and 60s were wrong, they were racists. That's what we need: radical truth-telling on the past of America, and how we can change course."

"I make a promise here today, that I will fight tooth and nail for justice. Justice for those killed by police. Justice for those in the Black community who were forced to ration insulin because they couldn't afford their medication. Justice is justice everywhere, and an injustice not fixed is a wound on the psyche of our broader conscience. That's why, during this time especially, we need Medicare for All."

"Medicare for All will eliminate all non-cosmetic private coverage in favour of free and universal coverage for everyone. I like to be frank and honest, under Medicare for All it would be illegal because these private industries cannot ask people to cough up money for healthcare that is provided for free under Medicare for All. It would be corporate robbery, plain and simple. Medicare for All will cover everything, a national insurance plan that everyone is automatically enrolled in. It covers dental health, maternity, mental health, you name it, it will be covered. Under a Levi administration, my plan is to pass this within six months. Everyone who is lucky enough to receive healthcare from their work won't need to worry anymore, because your coverage will be under Medicare for All. This means you have more choice - and it means your employer cannot strip away your healthcare whenever they like. Some private insurance plans currently restrict people as to where they can go, but under Medicare for All, you can whatever doctor you like at any practice you like. I'm a union man myself, I understand that we fought for healthcare, but also because I am a union man, I know how important Medicare for All would be. Did you hear about the striking workers at Amazon? In response to their strikes for better wages and conditions, Jeff Bezos cut their private insurance to break up the strike. This is a level of corporate-control over our lives that we cannot let continue. We should be providing healthcare as a right, and in the end, it means ending the exploitative and very profitable health insurance industry that makes money off our sick and disadvantaged."

"To get it past, we need to get the private insurance money out of politics by passing a constitutional amendment to ban corporate donations in our political system. We've got to clear out all of the lobbyists. Only then will we have a fair debate on Medicare for All. I understand it will face tough opposition, because most of the politicians in Washington D.C. are totally out of touch with the every day man and woman. As President, I would rally in the states of the reluctant politicians who put their pocket before people. The ratings for Medicare for All are through the roof, there is clearly a longing for universal healthcare, and I won't be afraid to take that issue to the ballot box. That's because we'd win. If push comes to shove, I will even pass as much of it as I can through executive order. Healthcare is a right. And we need universal healthcare now. There is no waiting, no time for so-called pragmatism. I will treat Medicare for All as a necessity, because we're clearly in a healthcare crisis in this country. That's how I will get it done, and get it done fast in my first six months."

"I don't want to drag on for too much longer, but as a Democrat, as a Presidential candidate, I promise to be an agent of change. I believe change should be ambitious, should be loud and shouldn't be afraid of getting down into the mud. You have Black, Brown and White kids growing up into inter-generational poverty, you've got Flint in many majority-African American cities like it still without water. The change is for all of them, and more."

[Vaquas]

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March 20, 2020
Martin's Cajun Bar and Grill, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fmr. Sec. Lawrence Bellman (D-LA)

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"Well fancy seeing you here Mirabelle!" Bellman spoke, grin wide and voice clear, as the atmosphere of one of his favorite Baton Rouge establishments enveloped him and his staff. The smell of fresh food, prepared by tired but dedicated hands in the back of the brick-built family owned restaurant, never ceased to impress him. It reminded him quite a bit of the back when he was a child, his pop and gamma working over pots and pans in their cramped kitchen, making more supper than could possibly be eaten in a single meal for him and the neighbors. That was such a different time, but the spirit of what went into those dishes was still commonplace in the backrooms of places like this, something old you can't quite put into words but, if you know you know. It was here that Bellman was now engaging in conversation with Mirabelle Partler, the wife of a constituent whom he had worked with years ago on a military pension issue. Mirabelle looked well beyond even her advanced age, worn by the fight it had taken to get her deceased husband's benefits, but did not readily mirror such changes in her energy, prompting her to carefully stand up and hug the former congressman tight.

"Oh Mr. Bellman I heard you were coming and had to be here!" she replied, her cracked lips tightening into a grin. "After Katrina I came up here you know, with Charlie, he's a Doctor now." she said, beaming with pride. Bellman lightly chuckled, "You can call me Lawrence Mrs. Partler, we don't have to get formal now. Glad to hear about Charlie, he seemed like a good boy." he noted, glancing at Mrs. Partler's table, occupied by several women of a similar age. "I didn't know it was ladies night!" he joked, shaking the hands of the various women around the table, none of whom he recognized. "This is my book club Mr. Bellman, Ruth, Tina, Martina, Hellen, Fiona, and Isabelle!" she explained, the diverse grouping of women indicating their identities as he greeted them. "Its great to meet y'all, if you don't know me I'm Lawrence Bellman, was born and raised in New Orleans, running for U.S. Senate." he explained to interested faces, many of whom now recognized him. "Are you a Republican?" Hellen asked quickly, squinting the tiniest bit as Lawrence let a smile cross his face. "Well ma'am, I'm a Christian, Louisianan, and Democrat, in that order. But I ain't focused on Washington. Back when Katrina hit I was in congress, you might have seen some of me down there cleaning up, or on the news talkin' rebuildin'. I ain't worried about beltway politics, I'm worried about the people right here." he said, gesturing to to crowded establishment. "If you're worried about wages and infrastructure, I'm your man. It seems that politicians forget where they came from when they get to Washington but that ain't me." he explained, getting nods of approval from several of the women seated. Hellen pressed, "Well I ain't so sure about that, I thought the Governor was doing just fine too till he started talking about socialism." she gruffly stated, earning a glare from Mrs. Partler who was about to jump in before Bellman spoke. "Well, I ain't Governor Long, I'm Lawrence Bellman," he said plainly, "The people of Louisiana picked their new Governor and I stand by that decision. I ain't a socialist, I'm a pragmatist. What I care about is results. If you care to learn more I can give you some information if you like?" he said, gesturing to a nearby aide, who busted some flyers out of their carrying bag and layed them out on the table.

The ladies each grabbed ahold of a flyer, Hellen still looking somewhat suspicious, prompting Bellman to gesture to another aide. The young man scribbled down something on a sheet of paper and folded it, handing it over to Bellman, who handed it over to Hellen. "If you've got any more questions, feel free to call this number later tonight, I've got to speak to some more people, but after I get back to the hotel I'd be happy to take your call." he promised with sincerity. Hellen nodded politely as Ruth spoke up. "Well Mr. Bellman I'll be voting for you for sure, I ain't forget what you did for my cousin down there on the docks back in 2011, You have my full support."

Lawrence smiled. "Thank you Ruth, that means the world to me."

Turning back to Mrs. Partler, Lawrence gave her a hug. "Its good seeing you Ma'am, feel free to use the line I gave you back when, it should still get through to me." he said, bidding the group a farewell as he proceeded to make his way around, speaking to each table individually and making his pitch before heading back to talk with the owners, Roland and Gemma Martin, who were largely concerned about taxes and the financial strain on the business happening with the looming recession. Lawrence noted that it was the billionaires on the coasts who ought to be picking up the slack, not small business owners like the Martins who had already been squeezed for too long anyhow, which the couple readily agreed with. After finishing that conversation with a promise to keep them in mind and with those 2 votes likely secured, Bellman would finish making the rounds, order some fried catfish and sides to go, wait patiently, pay for his meal with a generous tip, and leave. This sort of retail politics was the sort of thing he'd signed up for, he thought to himself, biting into that first crispy piece of fish as he got into his aide's car.

He wouldn't trade it for the world.