[Chapter 553: Election's End, Dividing Federal Interests]
By late October, the presidential election had reached its most intense phase. As the most influential superstar in America, Linton commanded a vast fan base whose voting preferences could decisively sway many ballots.
Being a political ally, Bill Clinton naturally seized this advantage, repeatedly inviting Linton to attend his public campaign events to rally support. Considering that Linton had already marked Bill with his binding "Soul Slave" imprint and their previous collaborations had gone smoothly, he was certainly willing to support Bill Clinton's re-election -- especially with Hillary being pregnant.
Although Linton declined to appear at his public campaign rallies, he arranged a joint interview with UPN and MCA Television, publicly endorsing Bill Clinton. During the interview, Linton highlighted Bill Clinton's achievements over the past four years, describing him as an outstanding leader who was steering America toward greater strength. In the end, Linton explicitly voiced his support for Bill Clinton to secure a second term as president.
During this period, media coverage was saturated with election news. Both parties unleashed relentless firepower through their affiliated outlets -- proclaiming their political platforms and strengths with full force while mercilessly smearing opponents. Not even childhood scandals, like someone peeping on a little girl bathing, were spared from the mudslinging.
Linton's media empire maintained a generally neutral stance, but due to his ties to Hillary, they inevitably released numerous favorable press pieces. Besides the paid-for media, most neutral outlets refused to donate applause for either candidate, but for the sake of ratings, every sensational scandal about either side was pursued with feverish enthusiasm.
Across America, audiences feasted daily on the abundant political drama. The juicy stories kept ratings and newspaper sales soaring. Yet compared to the ruthless tactics used by rival parties in later years, the current mudslinging was merely a light drizzle.
Moreover, due to Bill Clinton's overwhelming lead, the Republicans saw little hope and refrained from dirty tricks, like the last election's instigated Los Angeles riots engineered by the Democrats. Confident in victory, the Democrats also avoided reckless ploys that could backfire on them.
Overall, this election went down as one of the mildest in recent memory.
---
On November 5, Linton met with Leon Panetta, the rather unruffled White House Chief of Staff. Despite it being the most crucial election period, Leon still found time to fly out to Linton's small farm to deal with Vitality and Beauty Pills -- a testament to Bill Clinton's assured confidence in victory.
When Linton inquired about the election's status, Leon Panetta's expression radiated certainty. "Linton, thank you for supporting the president. Rest assured, nothing unexpected will happen. The president will be re-elected, 100%. I came in time because he asked me to bring you a message -- you can start thinking about what kind of benefits you'd like."
"Benefits? What kind of benefits?"
"Don't you know? After each election, the newly re-elected president rewards his financial backers handsomely. Otherwise, why would they invest millions before the election?"
"So it's basically a reward for service?"
"Exactly, a reward for your contribution."
"What sort of benefits are we talking about?"
"Various policy supports for your companies, financial subsidies, interest-free loans, tax credits... Every administration launches a Federal Economic Development Program, investing no less than 30 billion dollars annually to support targeted business groups."
Linton suddenly understood: the so-called Federal Economic Development Program was just a way to redistribute taxpayers' money as payback to the companies that had heavily sponsored the winning candidate in advance.
In other words, it was a winner's circle divvying up federal spoils -- paid with public funds nobody would begrudge since it was cloaked in politics.
No wonder government-business collusion thrived; capitalists were happy to funnel huge sums into political campaigns, knowing the spoils awaiting them if their man won.
Linton reflected that he himself had not done much for this election -- just a few favorable press releases from his media outlets and a public endorsement during his televised interview. He hadn't even contributed financially.
If that was enough to earn rewards, he was curious what else was on the table.
He asked Leon Panetta, "I don't think I contributed much to this election. I feel embarrassed asking for anything."
"No, Linton, don't sell yourself short. Even putting aside your media support, you might underestimate your own influence. Our calculations show your public endorsement could sway tens of millions of voters. That means you're more qualified than anyone else to sit at the table and share in the triumph's rewards."
"Alright then, congratulations in advance on your victory. I'll seriously consider what I want."
---
November 7 marked the official kickoff of voting.
In Burbank, Los Angeles, the polling station was set up in the small plaza in front of Linton Tower. Most employees from Linton Media Group exercised their right to vote there, cast their sacred ballots.
When Linton and Winnie emerged from the building and approached the polls, they found a long line stretching out. Reporters interviewed voters on site, most expressing satisfaction with Bill Clinton's past four years and supporting his re-election.
Spotting Linton, the journalists quickly wrapped up their interviews and rushed over. "Linton, who are you voting for?"
"Of course Bill Clinton. I stated in the media before that I support the president's re-election."
...
After voting together, Linton and Winnie returned to the tower, with Winnie commenting as they walked, "Polls show Bill Clinton with a commanding lead."
Linton nodded. "Our cooperation with Bill Clinton has been smooth. His re-election aligns with our interests."
"Have you decided what demands to make if he wins?"
After returning from the farm the previous day, Linton had told Winnie about Leon Panetta's proposal, and they discussed what policy demands to push with the new federal government. But after much thought, they couldn't come up with anything significant.
Linton's three companies were already well-covered: the health products company enjoyed massive government contracts paid upfront with maximum tax benefits. Linton Media and Universal Group might only ask for federal tax reductions -- the kind of stuff they usually got from Bill Clinton.
But with 30 billion dollars annually set aside for such support, this mild ask felt insufficient.
"Yeah, I really can't think of much else we need. Do you have any ideas?"
"Nope. A tax break for the two groups would be nice -- could save us over a billion dollars a year."
"That's true. Well, can't be too greedy."
"It's mostly because you're too good at what you do."
"Yeah, sometimes being that good becomes a problem," Linton joked smugly.
Winnie nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Others would be complaining about their requests being too big for the federal government to fulfill. Only you run several enterprises so well that you can't even think of any policy supports."
It had been a while since Winnie had praised him so openly, and it stirred something inside him. "How about we head to my office and brainstorm some more?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Are you thinking something naughty?"
"Baby, aren't you?"
Winnie blushed. "You... Alright, I have no plans this morning anyway."
---
In Mountain View, Arkansas, amid hometown cheers, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton walked hand in hand to the ballot box. Hillary smiled warmly as they cast their votes. Flashbulbs popped, and a sea of reporters swarmed to capture every moment.
Hundreds of supporters chanted slogans backing his re-election. Bill held Hillary's hand with one arm raised, waving repeatedly to the crowd.
Stage-managed reporters took their turn asking questions. Facing microphones and cameras, Bill Clinton called on Americans nationwide to cast their votes for him.
Although the official electoral college vote would take place in December, the election outcome was effectively decided by today's voting.
The U.S. President is elected via the Electoral College: each state's vote count is based on population plus senators, totaling 538 electors. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win.
Most states operate on a winner-takes-all basis -- simply gaining over 50% of the vote grants all the electoral votes from that state.
Bill Clinton and Hillary lingered at the polls for over two hours before leaving together. As they got into the car, they silently released each other's hands and their expressions turned cold, completely shedding the affectionate appearance they had just shown.
The car began to move. Bill noticed his supporters lining the streets and said, "I'm going to roll down the window."
Hillary quickly restored her smile, gripped his left hand tightly, and nestled close again, performing Oscar-level acting.
As the windows lowered, Bill Clinton enthusiastically waved to the supporters, and Hillary mirrored his gestures with a radiant smile.
They even lifted their interlaced fingers to show off their loving connection, eliciting cheers and heartfelt admiration from the crowd.
"Those two really look like the perfect couple."
"I am jealous of their loving relationship -- the model American power couple."
...
The public only saw and heard what the political elite wanted them to. Yet without question, the image of Bill Clinton and Hillary as a harmonious, devoted family greatly boosted his re-election campaign.
As the sun set slowly in the west, voting closed around the country and tallying began. Each state started announcing results, staggered by time zones.
Broadcast networks offered live election coverage, streaming tally updates in real time.
Inevitably, Bill Clinton's lead was overwhelming. Even with over ten states still counting, he had already secured the 270 electoral votes necessary to clinch victory early.
At once, Bill Clinton delivered his victory speech at the White House.
---
After the election, Democrat officials were jubilant. Bill Clinton hosted a celebratory party in the White House, inviting Linton.
...
November 10, White House.
Linton's re-election victory party was underway in the grand hall. America's political and business elite filled the room, mingling amid sparkling crystal chandeliers.
Even at such an occasion, Linton was the center of attention, drawing crowds of admirers.
Yet he noticed others receiving equal attention: Bill Gates and Warren Buffett stood nearby.
Curiously, Buffett was known for backing Republicans. Linton recalled how Buffett had bought Vitality Pills through House Speaker Newt Gingrich's network, yet here he was at Bill Clinton's victory gala.
Then it dawned on him -- these seasoned players, including Gates, probably hedged their bets, investing in both parties to secure favors regardless of the outcome.
Microsoft, having poured massive funds into both campaigns, was guaranteed favor whichever candidate won. That's probably why Microsoft unabashedly leveraged Windows' monopoly, bundling software aggressively to crush competitors without fearing antitrust action.
To Linton's surprise, Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone, Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin, and Disney Chairman Michael Eisner were also present. Hollywood's major media giants, including Linton himself, made up a substantial portion of the room.
Considering MGM's decline and Sony-Columbia's limited media influence, those two barely made the cut. News Corporation was the only big media company that hadn't backed the Democrats this time.
...
Midway through, Bill Clinton approached, holding a glass of wine. He toasted Linton and then invited him into a private meeting room.
"Boss, thank you for your support. I've prepared a $30 billion annual package for you. Have you thought about what support you want? I'll make sure it satisfies you."
"I'm too lazy to think. I just have three companies: the pills company, Universal Group, and Linton Media Group. You decide."
"Alright, let me brainstorm." Bill Clinton thought silently, "Didn't I instruct Leon Panetta to talk you into this? But you keep avoiding thinking about it. Guess I'll just give you the best deals. Boss, I have a proposal."
"Go ahead."
"First, your health company already enjoys tax benefits. Since it's the nation's top biotech pharmaceutical, I'll grant $500 million annually for research funding, $50 million for staff training, $50 million for office expenses, plus a $200 million interest-free loan."
"Wait -- there's only me on the research side, and no formal lab. Are those R&D subsidies really justified?"
"That doesn't matter. The government cares about results, not processes. You developed the Vitality Pills. Who can question that?"
"Fine, research funding, staff training, and office subsidies sound good. But the interest-free loan is unnecessary."
"Thanks, Boss. Truly noble of you."
"Alright, what about Universal and Linton Media?"
"Since your Linton Film company's tax holiday ends this year, from next year onwards, all subsidiaries under those two groups enjoy 50% federal tax reduction for three years. Also, each group gets $200 million in cultural development funds, plus an additional $200 million interest-free loan."
"Sounds good. Let's do that."
Linton was amazed -- he had never imagined the federal economic development plan could be wielded this way. He realized how unimaginative he had been about the minds and methods of politicians.
Luckily, he hadn't asked for anything upfront. Otherwise, he might never enjoy such immense policy benefits. Counting just the cash subsidies, he'd be receiving over $1 billion annually -- not including tax breaks and loans.
His Washington trip had turned into a huge haul.
...
After business, Linton mingled with many new friends at the party.
Hillary seized a moment to pull him into another reception room.
"Darling, why don't you stay at the White House tonight?"
"No. That would look bad. Besides, I just accepted a huge gift from Bill -- I better keep things above board."
"Alright, then I'll see you at the hotel tonight."
...
That night, at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, two figures moved rhythmically in the shadows, sweet melodies resounding through the night.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
https://discord.gg/HjHHhUXPn7.