said in her best Im-just-a-stupid-beauty-queen voice. But also strip mining. You know about strip mining, dont you? Surely someone has sued over it, she said sweetly, putting aside that she knew nothing about strip mining, other than the article in Texas Monthly she read. Golden Cheek Warbler habitat destroyed by strip mining; other habitats threatened. Nevertheless, Rebecca was prepared to fake her way through it and flashed Mr. Big-Ass Lawyer a very definite, very unperfect Rebecca-like smirk.
Matt clearly didnt like that, but before he could speak, Pat said, Shes absolutely right, which instantly cemented Rebeccas undying friendship for life. Even more incredibly, Gilbert asked, Arent there a lot of federal dollars for preserving natural habitats? Isnt that something we ought to look into?
What does this campaign have to do with a bunch of birds or salamanders? Matt asked.
Its not about birds or salamanders, Matt, Pat said with a hint of snippiness in her voice. Strip mining is devastating to the environment, destroys natural habitats and threatens our groundwater. Its about our environment.
What about heat? Dont you think we need coal? Or uranium? What about all the jobs the strip mining industry provides to Texas? Look, he said, holding up a hand before Pat could argue, Dont get me wrong. Im not antienviron-ment. Im just saying its not a huge issue in Texas, and its a topic I think we should avoid altogether. Trust me, in a statewide campaign, no one is going to want to talk about a bunch of pits.
But what if they do? Rebecca heard herself ask. People feel strongly about it. There are some pretty passionate feelings just here in this room.
Matts eyes narrowed, zeroed in on her as Tom quickly agreed, Youre right, Rebecca. We should at least have a position in case it comes up on the campaign trail. Cant hurt, right?
Now Matt looked as if his head might blow off his shoulders in pieces. Cant hurt, he said tightly, dragging his gaze from Rebecca to Tom, but weve got to focus on the economy. The jobless rate is the highest its been in two decades, the Homeland Security initiative is putting the urban counties into fiscal straits like they havent seen in a century, and minimum wage is not keeping pace with inflation.
Dude, youre so rad! Angie laughed. You really know your stuff!
Yes, youre absolutely right, Matt, Tom agreed, but grinned at Rebecca. And so is Rebecca! You seem to have a sense of whats important around the state I knew I was
right about you. Folks, meet our new campaign strategist!
Campaign strategist? Rebecca let out a little cry of happy surprise at that unexpected announcement it even sounded like a real position! Gilbert said, Cool! But Popinjay blinked at Tom in total, unfettered, disbelief.
Tom, are you sure? she asked, smiling so broadly that her cheeks hurt. Im not really
I am very sure, he said, nodding emphatically. You bring just the right touch of empathy to this crew, he declared.
Was this real? Could Rachel be right about all the cosmic stuff? Rebecca beamed at Tom, did not notice the looks of surprise exchanged between the others at Toms unexpected announcement.
Nor did Tom. He grinned right back at Rebecca and asked, Say, wheres that pizza? Im starving! Rebecca, you like pizza?
Love it! she lied, and as Smarty-Pants glared at her from across the table, she shrugged out of her Chanel jacket and rolled up her sleeves to get down to work.
Chapter Seven
Stubbornness is also determination. Its simply a matter of shifting from wont power to will power
PETER MCWILLIAMS. LIFE 101
Campaign strategist?
Matt tossed his briefcase onto one of several overstuffed leather armchairs gracing his law offices, punched his fists to his waist, and glared out the plate glass windows at the shining dome of the state capitol. Campaign strategist .. implying, naturally, that the person knew a little something about campaign strategy. Which she obviously didnt. Strip mining, for Chrissakes!
That
Matt clearly didnt like that, but before he could speak, Pat said, Shes absolutely right, which instantly cemented Rebeccas undying friendship for life. Even more incredibly, Gilbert asked, Arent there a lot of federal dollars for preserving natural habitats? Isnt that something we ought to look into?
What does this campaign have to do with a bunch of birds or salamanders? Matt asked.
Its not about birds or salamanders, Matt, Pat said with a hint of snippiness in her voice. Strip mining is devastating to the environment, destroys natural habitats and threatens our groundwater. Its about our environment.
What about heat? Dont you think we need coal? Or uranium? What about all the jobs the strip mining industry provides to Texas? Look, he said, holding up a hand before Pat could argue, Dont get me wrong. Im not antienviron-ment. Im just saying its not a huge issue in Texas, and its a topic I think we should avoid altogether. Trust me, in a statewide campaign, no one is going to want to talk about a bunch of pits.
But what if they do? Rebecca heard herself ask. People feel strongly about it. There are some pretty passionate feelings just here in this room.
Matts eyes narrowed, zeroed in on her as Tom quickly agreed, Youre right, Rebecca. We should at least have a position in case it comes up on the campaign trail. Cant hurt, right?
Now Matt looked as if his head might blow off his shoulders in pieces. Cant hurt, he said tightly, dragging his gaze from Rebecca to Tom, but weve got to focus on the economy. The jobless rate is the highest its been in two decades, the Homeland Security initiative is putting the urban counties into fiscal straits like they havent seen in a century, and minimum wage is not keeping pace with inflation.
Dude, youre so rad! Angie laughed. You really know your stuff!
Yes, youre absolutely right, Matt, Tom agreed, but grinned at Rebecca. And so is Rebecca! You seem to have a sense of whats important around the state I knew I was
right about you. Folks, meet our new campaign strategist!
Campaign strategist? Rebecca let out a little cry of happy surprise at that unexpected announcement it even sounded like a real position! Gilbert said, Cool! But Popinjay blinked at Tom in total, unfettered, disbelief.
Tom, are you sure? she asked, smiling so broadly that her cheeks hurt. Im not really
I am very sure, he said, nodding emphatically. You bring just the right touch of empathy to this crew, he declared.
Was this real? Could Rachel be right about all the cosmic stuff? Rebecca beamed at Tom, did not notice the looks of surprise exchanged between the others at Toms unexpected announcement.
Nor did Tom. He grinned right back at Rebecca and asked, Say, wheres that pizza? Im starving! Rebecca, you like pizza?
Love it! she lied, and as Smarty-Pants glared at her from across the table, she shrugged out of her Chanel jacket and rolled up her sleeves to get down to work.
Chapter Seven
Stubbornness is also determination. Its simply a matter of shifting from wont power to will power
PETER MCWILLIAMS. LIFE 101
Campaign strategist?
Matt tossed his briefcase onto one of several overstuffed leather armchairs gracing his law offices, punched his fists to his waist, and glared out the plate glass windows at the shining dome of the state capitol. Campaign strategist .. implying, naturally, that the person knew a little something about campaign strategy. Which she obviously didnt. Strip mining, for Chrissakes!
That
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