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Seeing Sternberg walk back again, Norris leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead vigorously. Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

"Presidential ......"

"I know you have questions, and there's a lot more to say." Norris sighed and said, "There's no one else now, just say what you have." ”

"President, you know, under no circumstances will I oppose your decisions in front of others." Sternberg sighed and said, "This doesn't mean that I agree with your decision, but just maintain your majesty and status." I don't think I can leave this matter entirely to Robert. ”

"Why?"

"He's a soldier, not a politician."

Norris looked at the secretary of state and said, "We've tried to solve the problem with the politicians' approach, but unfortunately nothing has come of it." ”

"That doesn't mean the military will solve the problem."

"Really?"

"You already know that Robert used your orders to expand the bombing area, resulting in the death of tens of thousands of civilians. If such a thing is allowed to happen again, it will certainly not be Robert who is unlucky. ”

Norris didn't speak, because he had already thought about it.

Why did Robert expand the bombing range? Norris didn't ask, and there was no need to ask, because the situation was so special that even if it were someone else, the same decision would have been made.

The point is, it's not Robert who bears the responsibility, it's Norris.

This is a military operation ordered by the president, and the army is only a tool to carry out orders, not a vehicle for responsibility. Although the matter has not yet been exposed, and even Norris does not know how many civilians are in those high-rise buildings, someone must be held accountable in the end.

Seeing that the president did not speak, Sternberg sighed, got up and said, "I'll go and draft the press statement, and I'll leave it to you later." The sooner something like this is announced, the better it will be for us. We have already suffered from propaganda and cannot afford to make the same mistake again. ”

Norris frowned and looked over to Sternberg.

"By letting the people know sooner, we can put the blame on the attackers, instead of convincing the people that it was our wrong actions that killed tens of thousands of civilians." Sternberg sighed and added, "Of course, we have to be careful with the wording. ”

"You're right."

Sternberg had just turned around when he heard the president's words and stopped his steps about to take.

"We must take the initiative and not let the attackers dominate public opinion." Norris rubbed his forehead again and said, "If Robert is allowed to do it, he will definitely do anything." While we were able to eliminate all the attackers and achieve victory, it was not the victory we wanted, nor was it a victory that would allow us to account for the population. Someone had to restrain him so that he could not do whatever he wanted. ”

"Archibald has a good personal relationship with him, let him go to ......"

"Do you think the Secretary of Defense will be able to put pressure on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?"

Sternberg smiled bitterly, these two people both represent the interests of the military, so it is naturally impossible to contain each other.

"With so much going on, no matter what the outcome is, I'm no longer fit to stay here." Norris's gaze lingered on Sternberg for a while, and he said, "I've already figured out that I'll nominate the campaign committee when this is over, and you will represent the Minkori Party in the general election." ”

"President......" Sternberg's eyes widened.

Although a month ago, Sternberg was considering whether to run in the general election, and in what capacity, but in the past few days, Sternberg has realized that it will be difficult for the Mingzhu Party to win in the upcoming general election, so whoever runs on behalf of the Mingzhu Party will have the same result.

Participating in a general election that is not destined to be won is definitely not a good thing.

Sternberg is not a fool, and if he has the ability to be secretary of state, handle tedious and routine government affairs for the president, and promote American values as the spokesman of the United States, he will not be a fool. It can be said that as a president, you don't need a high IQ, but the secretary of state, who is the president's most important aid, definitely needs a super high IQ.

Before the president said that, Sternberg had figured out that four or eight years would be the best time.

As an ambitious politician who wants to become president, Sternberg must avoid all political pitfalls, such as running in a supporting role in the election. Whether as Norris's partner or a foil to the Republican Party, he is a supporting role, not a glamorous protagonist.

Sternberg had already figured out that after Norris left the White House, he would return to Illinois and run for governor two years later, spending six years consolidating his political position and gaining more supporters. Wait until the Cyanchu Party recovers, or the Republican president makes a mistake, and then launch a sprint to the presidency.

As you can imagine, when Norris proposed that he run for president, Sternberg was not happy at all.

This is not to go to the general election, but to serve as cannon fodder on the political battlefield.

"I know what you're thinking, but we haven't lost, at least not yet."

"But we didn't have a chance to win." Sternberg did not hesitate to say that for the sake of his political future, he had to face the president directly.

"Really?" Norris smiled, "We may lose this war, but we have a chance to win the hearts and minds of the people. ”

Sternberg frowned, as if he didn't understand what Norris was saying.

"Disasters have already happened, and they may continue to expand. In the not-too-distant future, we face unprecedented challenges. If you want to be a leader who will go down in history, you must do two things well. Norris took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it and took two puffs, and said, "In addition to finding out the real culprit behind the scenes and avenging the dead compatriots, we must also lead 300 million people to complete the difficult reconstruction work and make the United States of America prosperous for a long time." ”

"Unfortunately, it's hard for us to find out the real culprit."

"It's a matter for the intelligence agencies, and of course we don't have much hope, but you know for sure, it's not who did it, it's who we should target." Norris smiled and said, "Regardless of whether the real culprit can be found or not, all the people need is a target to vent, a target that seems reasonable and in our interests." Fortunately, there are not many such objects on Earth. As long as we make rational use of public opinion, guide people's emotions, and add some necessary means, we can convince the people that no matter who we retaliate against, we have avenged the dead compatriots and let the real culprits receive the punishment they deserve. ”

Sternberg didn't laugh because Norris wasn't lying.

More than 10 years ago, in order to control oil prices and achieve the goal of dominating the world, the Republican president created public opinion and launched two wars on "trumped-up" charges, and the final result proved that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Saddam's lair.

"It's not about getting revenge, it's about convincing people that we can get through this and get back to glory."

Sternberg nodded, indicating that he understood what the president meant.

Rather than waging a war, it is the completion of reconstruction, especially the rebuilding of confidence, that is the key of the key.

"There is no doubt that war boosts people's confidence. When our armies return triumphantly, the population will believe that we are still the most powerful country in the world. Norris paused for a moment and said, "Admittedly, we are not as good as the Republicans in waging war, but when it comes to vital domestic governance, the Republicans are far from us." As long as we grasp this point, we can go further. ”

"Unfortunately, we can't wait until then."

"It depends on how you choose a partner."

"Partner?"

"In the wake of all these things, what the people need is a president who has a tough hand and the ability to help the country get out of this difficult situation, not just a president who only knows how to wage war." Norris smiled and said, "Unfortunately, no one has both, so you have to pick a suitable partner who can make up for your lack and win more support." ”

Sternberg was stunned for a moment, understanding what the president meant.

"Robert is in his sixties, right? If you can get him to take off his uniform, you're the best partner. Norris took two puffs of his cigarette, extinguished the cigarette butt, and said, "Only before you can stand on a stage and show the people how much energy you can explode when you work together." ”

"But ......"

"Rest assured, Robert is a military man with brains, and with the interest groups behind him, I believe that he will not miss the opportunity to go to the next level."

Sternberg pondered that the president's proposal did make sense.

"We don't know what the future holds, so we have to try to take advantage of the opportunities in front of us." Norris could see that Sternberg was already tempted. "Now is your chance to get on the pitch and win the hearts and minds of the people. We are not soldiers, but we cannot let them call their own shots. You must act to show everyone that you can command the most powerful army in the world, and as a leader, make this army invincible, defending the United States of America with steel and fire! ”

"Presidential ......"

"Go pack it up, I'll help you arrange the plane. You don't have to worry about the press statement, and when you come back, we will celebrate together. ”

Sternberg gritted his teeth and said, "I'll do my best and hopefully it won't turn out too badly." ”

"You have to believe in your own abilities."

Sternberg nodded, said nothing more, and left.

It wasn't until the secretary of state left that Norris let out a sigh of relief.

Whatever the outcome, there must be people who take responsibility for the innocent people who have lost their lives. In anyone's shoes, you don't want to be a scapegoat.

Sternberg is no exception, and Norris is no exception.

The difference between the two is that Sternberg is only the servant, while Norris is the master of all decisions. When the situation becomes out of control, Norris's first consideration is certainly not the national interest, nor the interests of the party, but personal interests. There is nothing to criticize because he is the biggest politician in the United States.

(To be continued)