My company was the first to make that move. At the time Donald was in the state — Congress?’
‘Legislature,’ said Lowenthal.
‘Right. He was about to run for governor. He sponsored a law that made it advantageous for us to come to his state. We became friends and I offered my business knowledge to the campaign.’
‘You are really quite savvy to American politics for a...’ He hesitated, letting the sentence hang.
‘Foreigner?’ DeLaroza said. ‘The word does not offend me, although I am now an American citizen. I have studied politics all my life. It is not a hobby, it is an avocation. Not only American. British, French, Chinese, German.’
‘And what attracted you to Hotchins?’
DeLaroza considered the question for a few moments. ‘Aristotle once wrote that law is reason without passion. Hotch is a man of law and a man of passion. I found the combination irresistible. He is also quite honest. In fact blunt at times.’
‘Pretty good answer.’
‘And how would you answer the question?’
Lowenthal toyed with his wine glass, making small circles on the table top. ‘A lot of things. He’s a winner. I guess that must be number one. We need a winner badly. He’s a self-made man. A lawyer and a businessman. And he’s tough. Anybody who can survive four years in a Korean prison camp with his foot blown off is. tough. So far be doesn’t seem to owe anybody. Somebody once said, “Capitalism gives all of us a great opportunity ii we seize it with both hands and hang on to it.” 1 think the man on the street wants to believe that again.’
‘An interesting comment. Who said that?’
‘Al Capone,’ Lowenthal said and they both laughed.
‘There are some things I want to make sure of,’ Lowenthal went on.
‘Anything.’
‘Is he clean, Victor? I mean is he really clean?’
A vision of Domino flashed before DeLaroza and then it vanished. A danger he hoped no longer existed.
‘Is anybody that clean, Mr. Lowenthal? Richelieu told one of his bishops once, “Give me six sentences written by the most innocent man and I will find something in them to hang him.” I assure you, Donald can withstand any scrutiny.’
‘Excellent. Will his wife make a good campaigner?’
DeLaroza nodded. ‘And a fine First Lady.’
Lowenthal nodded, but there was still doubt in his expression.
‘What else?’ DeLaroza asked.
‘I am concerned about opening the campaign this soon. I know that you have very carefully designed his strategy, but it is contradictory to the normal campaign strategy, coming out this soon. For one thing the cost will be staggering to keep a bandwagon rolling that long.’
‘Cost is not a factor. We can afford it.’
‘Also it makes him a public target for that much longer.’ DeLaroza’s eyebrows rose. ‘At this point he is virtually an unknown quantity. We are not selling a dark horse, we are selling an unknown horse. That is why we plan to open the campaign here, Monday night. We have some political supporters already on hand. We have tremendous press exposure. Hotch must have a chance to become not only a household word but a face to go with it.’
‘I agree with that. But to go on the campaign trail for ten months? It’s scary.’
‘Just think. Monday he makes his announcement. Tuesday you make yours. Wednesday he will be in Dallas for the opening of the new Merchandise Mart there.’
Lowenthal smiled. ‘It’ll knock Fitz on his Irish blueblood ass.’
‘And send the competition into a panic. Who will throw down the gauntlet first? Which one will try to follow his lead? The old-timers cannot afford the public exposure for too long. They have already made their views known. They will become boring and die of attrition.’
‘There’s still Fitzgerald.’
‘We have some surprises for him, too. How do you think this Fitzgerald will react when he discovers we do not need his money?’
‘He won’t believe us.’
‘Good. When he finds out it will be too late.’ DeLaroza leaned forward and lowered his voice. ‘The planning is done already. It is totally computerized. Every state, every county, every city, demographically charted. Voting histories recorded. Voting records of party leaders recorded. Complete dossiers on prospective competitors. We can tell you how much it will cost to have a barbecue in Topeka, Kansas, next year. Availability of assembly halls. Key political dates. Everything you need to know, available with a press of the finger.’
Lowenthal was impressed. ‘Well.. .‘ he started and then stopped.
‘And now about you, sir. The Chinese have a proverb — “The beginning of wisdom is calling a thing by its right name.”’
‘In other words, let’s be blunt?’
‘Yes, let us be blunt.’
Here it comes, thought Lowenthal. Now It’s his turn. ‘What do you want out of all this?’ DeLaroza said. I’ll outlast him, Lowenthal thought, with word games. ‘I’m an idealist,’ Lowenthal said. ‘Idealists never want anything
