Falling for My Dirty Uncle

"Will these infrastructure projects really create jobs, just as your bill is proposing?" she asks.

"Yes, absolutely," I say. "But it won't be easy. History has taught us that nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. But this bill will create jobs not just for today, but for future generations as well because this infrastructure will need maintenance—long-term operation. And of course that means more jobs, for us, and for our children."

The clapping continues, and I'm on a roll.

I raise my hands to quiet the crowd and continue, ""But Bob Walker opposes this bill."

I hear some booing and hissing ripple through the audience. The energy immediately changes into something dark and brooding, like a storm cloud looming on the horizon.

"I urge each and every one of you to let Walker know how you feel! In fact, I suggest you do it now," I say, giving the audience both his direct phone number and email address. I figure now's as good a time as any. I watch as people scribble this information on scraps of paper, or input it directly into their cell phones.

Some are even dialing him in their seats, not willing to waste another minute, and the trend catches on like wildfire. Phones are starting to ring and people are calling Walker on the spot. They're flooding his phone line, and jamming his inbox.

I realize that I'm finally able to sell people on my vision for the whole country, and it feels good. This is what I've always wanted.

And to top it off, I'm winning over Bob Walker's hometown crowd.

I'm being honest with them. I'm delivering the facts to them. I'm giving them the truth. Nothing is sugarcoated.

And because of that, it's a sweet victory.

"So remember," I say, wrapping everything up in a nice, neat package, "for the biggest gains, believe in Austin Bain!"

People are on their feet now, clapping and smiling, and loving it. They can see that I truly care about the future of this country, and I couldn't be happier. In fact, I'm feeling lighter than a helium balloon.

A chant erupts, "Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!"

Victory. Sweet victory.

I walk off of the stage, and look for Tracy and Ashley. I immediately see them waiting for me in the wings.

"Nice job," Ashley smiles, wrapping her arms around me and giving me a tight hug.

"Yeah, you really won that tough crowd over," Tracy agrees.

"So, good news," Ashley beams. "The school tour was a success!"

"That's great," I smile, giving her another hug. "Tell me all about it."

"Well, I really connected with both the parents and the teachers. It all felt so natural," Ashley says. She's so happy that she's glowing. "And the last I looked, both social media and the press are reacting favorably."

Tracy pulls out her phone and scans through her Twitter feed. "The hashtag #GainWithBain is trending nationwide," she smiles. "Listen to some of these tweets. One man tweeted, 'What r u waiting for? MOVE. We need jobs NOW #GainWithBain.' And here's another one: 'Keep speaking the truth. Thank you Mr. President #GainWithBain.'"

"Sounds like you've really made a positive impression," Ashley winks at me.

"I can say the same about you," I reply with a grin.

Tracy looks up at us both and says, "You two make a great team—that's for sure, but I'm still worried about antagonizing Bob Walker. He's not going to be happy about all of this. In fact, I can picture him staring red-faced at the headlines."

"I'm not worried about Walker," I say. "I've always told you that man was full of steam. Nothing more."

"I'm not so sure, Austin," Tracy says. "You shouldn't underestimate him. He still has a very large pool of supporters that we can't ignore. I mean it."

"I know," I say. "Believe me, I know he has supporters of his own—and a lot of them, but there's no way Walker will be able to afford to piss off voters."

"That's true," Tracy nods, but I can see a hint of worry etched into her face. I wonder if she's holding something back.

I know she's right. I can never get too comfortable.