Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 995

The governor's wonderful appearance greatly changed the public's attitude towards him, and he even fell in love with the Donkey Party candidate Dukakis.

Some people even publicly shouted the "fuck, we may have picked the wrong candidate" statement.This sentence was originally said by the media at the time after the current Grand Commander Ronald Sr. lost the primary election in [-] and gave a wonderful speech at the National Convention.

Everyone clearly saw a young version of the current grand commander, with a deep personal style and a good sense of humor.

It even drew the ire of actual candidate Michael Dukakis.Fortunately, the governor publicly stated on Johnny Carson's show that he would not be interested in running until his daughter grew up.This kind of public statement still counts in the political arena of America.

That's why the powerful figures of the donkey party didn't intend to suppress him.However, it is clear that the media controlled by the Donkey Party began to tone down the governor's report, and more news focused on the small economic miracle brought about by Dukakis' high-tech realization in Massachusetts.

For a while, Dukakis' approval rating skyrocketed in the polls of various newspapers.After the Persian Gate weapons scandal, everyone is a bit tired of a current general who has been emphatically reading for eight years.The two small economic miracles brought about by the high technology of computer and medicine in Massachusetts gave people new expectations.

Coupled with the attention brought by the governor of Arkansas, the approval rate actually exceeded the old George by 10%. For a while, the Elephant Party began to get nervous, and began preparations for the largest national convention in history in New Orleans. The focus has been pulled back, expecting a big rebound in approval ratings.

At this time, Ronald had already arrived in New York.Here, he and Douglas Jr., together with some leading figures in Staten Island, banker Bannon, New York City Council member Susan Molinari and others, held a meeting on "continuing to promote employment and Regular meeting of the Operation Prosperity Action Committee.

This action committee nominally promotes the policy philosophy of the current commander-in-chief with low unemployment and rapid economic development, and hopes that the next commander-in-chief can maintain it and bring benefits to the American people.In fact, it is a group of rich people from Staten Island and Wall Street who hope that after the election of Old George, the existing tax incentives and income tax deferred policies will not be modified.

When the National Congress of the Elephant Party was held on the weekend, the candidates of both parties were settled and officially entered the decisive stage of the general election.A battle, the most important thing is logistics.Barbara has hinted and stated several times that the committee continues to donate to George Sr.'s campaign.

Whether it is old George or Michael Dukakis, they are the kind of candidates who have no personal charm and rely on campaign funds to support advertising and marketing to gain influence and support.So donations are ammunition. Seeing that the shells are about to run out, the deputy commander is very anxious.

"It's not that we don't support the deputy commander. In fact, we have done more support than the general committee in the primary election stage. But the deputy commander just defaulted to the postponement of the tax cut bill, and he didn't express his position in public..." Douglas Jr. Became the spokesperson of this small political group, he made demands on behalf of Ronald and the local forces of the Elephant Party.

On the side of Vice-Commander, present were Roger Ailes and eldest son George Jr.Now is the most critical moment. Barbara has driven several children out to raise funds for her husband.The youngest son, Jeb, is also in New York, and he went to the Brooklyn Latino Center to raise funds.After the fundraising here in New York, the two will part ways, with little George going to Texas and Jeb going to Florida.

Barbara's family management is similar to that of the army. Everyone has to contribute to this big family, and rewards will be given after the work is done.An internal rivalry arose between the two sons.Everyone wants to win a fundraising contest.

"You don't have to worry about this, the deputy commander will make a formal statement at the weekend's national meeting." Roger Ailes assured him.

Little Douglas curled his lips. You said the same thing last month. Always investing money without seeing a formal commitment. This is not a good investment.

"Doug, my dad had his problems. Most people want to continue the economic policies of the current President, but the continuation policy does not make voters happy. They always want something new. Balanced budget, green environmental protection and so on. "

Little George is very anxious. This is an action committee with relatively strong fundraising capabilities in his "turf". Unlike those fundraisers on Wall Street, Ronald still has several factories in his hands, as well as their relatives and friends, supporting factories Many job opportunities in the service industry.The people of Staten Island are "simple" and they will vote for whoever asks them to bring bread home.

Little George turned to look at Ronald, he wanted to get the support of his friends.

"The promise of the deputy commander is still trustworthy," Ronald said with a smile on his face. After all, this was a strategy he had discussed with Douglas Jr.One plays the questioner, and the other plays the good guy who trusts the other.In short, let old George know that their hosting is not for nothing, and it is time for him to promise something.

As soon as this was said, councilor Susan, Bannon, and Roger Ailes all breathed a sigh of relief.If there is no continued support at this time, the initial investment will be in vain.In the final analysis, this committee still has the final say on Ronald and Doug Jr.

"You've helped me a lot, I don't want to lose to that guy Jeb." Little George came over and thanked Ronald with the attitude of a good buddy, "However, you still have to help me." Do me a favor."

"Tsk..." Ronald felt a familiar feeling. Little George had been on the election committee for a long time, and he was acting more and more like a politician, similar to that governor.The more you invest in them, the more they will convince you to invest more.

Of course, this is also a common feature of successful politicians in America.Ronald didn't expect that the former playboy George Jr. would now have this level.

"I have to go to Texas right away, can you help me send someone to New Orleans, Louisiana? She's not convenient for commercial flights."

"Who?" Ronald was just going to visit the filming location of "Steel Magnolia" in Louisiana, and by the way, supervised Herbert Ross's directorial style and whether he was in harmony with the film queens.It's no problem for him to take a business jet with him.But little George used the feminine pronoun of her. Could it be that he was hiding from Laura's lover outside?

"It's your Hollywood actress, you understand. I don't want to be disturbed. When the time comes, you go to her house to pick her up. I will call her. She is very punctual."

"Where does she live? I'll find someone to pick her up." Ronald wondered why little George started dating actresses?Anyway, quietly piggybacking someone is not a problem.

……

"Oh, I never knew there was such a beautiful place in Manhattan, much like Beverly Hills in Los Angeles."

When it came time to go to Louisiana, Ronald and Douglas Jr., who wanted to meet George Jr.'s lover, came to pick the actress up.Little Bud drove all the way from the Broadway theater district to the north, along the Hudson River, passed through Washington Heights, and the high school district, and arrived at the North Broadway area. A large white Victorian house surrounded by hills.

The car drove up the road, passing through a large area of ​​tall trees, and more details of the house were revealed.The house is on the mountainside between two small hills. Except for a road, tall trees separate the hustle and bustle of the city.The very good air quality lifted Ronald's spirits.

This actress is from a rich family.

Ronald and the others walked along the road. There was a large yard next to the house. There were bright red and yellow roses planted in it. It seemed to be a special variety, and the color and size of the flowers were extraordinary.

When approaching the door of the house, the cover of the hill disappeared, revealing the scenery of the backyard.This is even more remarkable. It overlooks the Hudson River, and the river bank is very quiet in the morning. Except for a few boats on the river, the opposite bank of the river in New Jersey is also a high-end residential area.

"Ding dong..." Ronald rang the doorbell.

"Here we come." A short old lady who seemed to be over seventy came out to answer the door, "You are Ronald, right? Little George called me, and I have all my luggage ready."

Ronald was taken aback. Wasn't this Helen Hayes, the actor who played the stubborn and affectionate empress dowager in Ingrid Bergman's movie "Princess and False" in [-]?
"Mrs. Hayes, let me help you with your luggage."

Ronald was in awe of the veteran actor.Born in [-], Helen Hayes, known as the First Lady of Broadway, is a top actress in theater and film.Once won the Oscar Queen, Best Supporting Actress, Tony Award for Best Actress, and Golden Age Emmy Award for Best Actress.This is known as the triple laurels and is the highest honor an actor can receive.

The most interesting thing is that she also recorded audiobooks for record companies and won a Grammy Award for Best Language Recording.It is a veritable "EGOT (abbreviation for four awards)", the highest honor winner in the entertainment industry.

Why did the Elephant Party invite this 88-year-old actor to go to the national convention to build momentum?Ronald looked back at Douglas Jr.

"You should call Her Majesty the Empress Dowager." Douglas Jr. played a little naughty, and called Hayes with the character name in "The True and False Princess".

"Haha, I like you, young man, help me." Helen Hayes got into the car.

The old lady is in good spirits, but she is much older than when she played the Empress Dowager.Ronald told Bud Jr. to drive more carefully.

"Here is the rose I bred, and they call him Helen Hayes Rose." The old lady was full of love for this house, and introduced the front and back of the house to Ronald.

It once hosted Marilyn Monroe and John Gilbert, the male star of the silent film era. The author of "The Great Gatsby", Fitzgerald, Katharine Hepburn is also a frequent visitor here.Laurence Oliver and Vivien Leigh must stay here when they come to Broadway.

Ronald likes the play of the old lady very much. She played the role of the Russian Empress Dowager very vividly. Later, in "Airport", she played a retired teacher who evades fares. brought her an Oscar nomination, which she won.

The car goes south along Broadway Street.The old lady also pointed out to Ronald the charity hospital named after her.

Ever since she was appointed to the visitors' committee of the public hospital in a poor neighborhood in 70, the hospital wanted to use her popularity to secure more grants.They then changed the name to Helen Hayes Hospital.The old lady really regarded the hospital as her honor, kept running around, used her influence, won numerous appropriations from the city council, and successfully opposed the relocation plan proposed in the [-]s. Stayed in the communities that needed him most.

"I didn't even know there were supporters like you in Hollywood." After boarding the business jet, the old lady was still chatting with Ronald.

"In fact, when we were young, we were all leftists, sympathetic to those actors who were bullied by the studio. But after Franklin started, our income and freedom were reduced to the point that almost no one wanted to work in the film industry.

You see, even James Cagney, the former chairman of the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild, eventually became a supporter of the Elephant Party.Donkeys always talk about fairness and justice, but in fact they do things in a mess. "

What the old lady said was the truth. Back then, the actors were all disadvantaged groups, and the trade union had helped these poor low-income people a lot.But with the passage of time, it gradually corrupted, and now it only knows how to fight for power and profit, regardless of members' lack of work and income...

After all, she is 88 years old, and the old lady quickly dozed off on the plane.

When the plane arrived in New Orleans, Ronald personally helped Helen Hayes off the plane.The person who came to pick her up was already waiting at the airport.

"It's really nice to meet you. Next time my hospital does a charity fundraiser, you should come..." The old lady liked Ronald very much, holding Ronald's hand with both hands and refused to let go , until Ronald promised her to go back to raise donations for the hospital, and happily got into the car to the hotel.

She had a smooth life, engaged in the career she wanted to do, loved the person she wanted to love, and when she got old, she couldn't let go of a good friend like Lilian Gish, and she couldn't let go of the hospital named after her. .

Douglas Jr. remained in New Orleans to attend the national convention.Ronald also flew to Natosh, the filming location of "Steel Magnolia".

……

"Hmm... you're coming to see me so soon?" Diane hugged Ronald, very happy.She lived at the house of a friend of screenwriter Robert Haring.For filming, many people in the town went to live with friends and relatives, and gave up the houses with southern characteristics to the actors.

"I'm always here at the start. How is Herbert (director) treating you? Is the rehearsal going well?" Ronald scratched Diane's nose. It seemed that there was an important supporting role, and Diane's spirit much better.She really loves acting, more than anything else that comes with being an actress.

"Herbert treats me and Olympia (Dukakis), Sally (Field), and Shirley (McLean) are all okay, it can be regarded as a normal director-actor relationship. But..."

"But what? Was he bad for Julia (Roberts), or Dolly (Patton)?"

"It's not very good, Herbert is very strict..." Diane stuck out her tongue, "Isn't Dolly a professional actress, and Julia just made a movie. Herbert always blames them for their lack of acting skills"

"Tsk...", Ronald thought to himself, this matter needs to be resolved, there are so many actresses, and the director is too strict, it would be bad if they scolded them to tears.

The two hugged each other and lay on the sofa watching TV.Both Diane and Ronald treat their time together as a form of relaxation.

"I believe that just as he has done a great job as vice-in-command for eight years, he will also do a great job of greater importance, and I believe I have found for you the best man to continue leading the people of America. .”

At the meeting, the commander-in-chief once again endorsed Old George.

"As everyone knows, I'm an Elephant Party..." Helen Hayes also took the stage, praising the qualities of the Deputy Commander and giving him special affirmation.

Later, George Sr. finally took the stage to begin his speech accepting the Elephant Party's 1988 presidential nomination.

Ronald put his hand on Diane's shoulder, and he watched George Sr.'s speech intently.Roger Ailes promised.

Halfway through his speech, George Sr. began to explain his economic policies.Severe scrutiny of the southern border, avoiding the flow of illegal immigration and illegal drugs, a more balanced budget, environmental protection and more...

But what Ronald is most concerned about is whether to increase taxes or not.

"Look at my lips, there is no new tax increase!" Finally, when it came to the tax issue, the old George was very tough this time. Facing the TV camera, he used a cowboy-like statement, categorically saying that there would be no tax increase.

"Hahaha, that's fine," Ronald saw what he wanted to see, and was about to turn off the TV.

"I want to continue to support the voluntary organization, whose brilliant diversity spreads like stars, like a thousand points of light in a vast and peaceful sky.

We're going to keep America going, going forward forever -- for a better America, for one endless enduring dream and a thousand points of light. "

On the podium, old George read aloud the speech written for him by the writer in a dry tone.

"What is a thousand points of light?" Ronald couldn't understand at all. It was probably a metaphor in a literary work.

The next day, Ronald got up very late, and he read the newspaper outside the door as soon as he got up.The Washington Post and the New York Times all praised George Sr.'s speech yesterday.

According to a sample survey of voters, George Sr.'s approval rating also began to rebound sharply.

It seems that the sentence yesterday that there are no new taxes is indeed very effective!

Ronald thought to himself, many voters are actually looking to see if they can get some benefits.Doesn't Dukakis' so-called balanced budget mean paying more taxes?
Turn on the TV, and today's stock market has also started to turn green.Especially for Coca-Cola, Ronald saw the financial channel on TV, and the stock price of the blue-chip stocks he bought also ushered in the first big rebound this year after the negative correction.

Everything is going well, it just seems to have forgotten something important.Ronald rubbed his head.

"Ring, ring, ring..." the phone rang.

"Hello, Doug. How are you doing in New Orleans?"

"Fortunately, the room is too expensive. This is the second time that the Xiang Party National Congress is held in the deep south. There are only 3 rooms in the two entire cities, and more than [-] people came."

"Then what, can you call George Jr.? Who is the candidate for the vice-commander? People from our Action Committee kept calling me last night." Little Douglas chatted for a few words, or said The reason for disturbing Ronald in the morning.The committee also wants to invest in the candidate for the deputy commander, so now it can only do it in a hurry.

"I didn't have time to watch it last night. Didn't Old George announce it?" Ronald finally remembered something he forgot. At the meeting, he didn't announce the candidate for the deputy commander?

"George, I'm sorry to disturb you and Laura this morning. But people in New York have been urging me. Wasn't the deputy commander originally scheduled to announce at the meeting? Who the hell?"

"It's Quill, it will be announced in the afternoon, you can tell your companions."

"What's the trouble?" Ronald didn't understand.

In the afternoon, the TV station finally announced that Senator Dan Quayle from Indiana had become the candidate for deputy commander, running alongside George Sr.

"Tsk, I don't want to be robbed of the limelight." Ronald looked at the TV. The senator, who looked like a movie actor, finally understood why he didn't announce it at the meeting.

Old George knew that his image and affinity were not good, and Dan Quayle was a good-looking guy who competed with the governor of Arkansas.He didn't want the candidate for the deputy commander to steal the limelight from the governor of Arkansas.

(End of this chapter)