Turning to face Leeds, Tomlinson said, “Senator, I’m not ashamed of my family or my friends. They’ve done a lot for this state. Over past generations they founded the university, they financed research programs that have helped our farmers to be the most productive in the world. Far more workers in this state owe their jobs and their careers to what they’ve accomplished than to the federal pork barrel projects that soak up our tax dollars.”

Looking up at the tiers of packed benches, Tomlinson said, “I want to move us forward. If we don’t go forward we sink into complacency and corruption. We have tremendous opportunities ahead of us. We can use the knowledge coming out of our university to improve the properties of the state’s corn crop. We can use new technology to generate electrical power more efficiently and cleanly and reopen our moribund coal industry.

“The good senator talks about a small group of scientists. What he hasn’t told you is that this group of dedicated men and women can produce jobs for engineers and technicians, for store clerks and truck drivers, for coal miners and small business owners all across our state, all across our nation.

“We have a bright future ahead of us, if we can only recognize the opportunities that lie ahead and work to reach them.”

Glancing back at Leeds, he repeated, “I’m not ashamed of my family or my acquaintances. I’ve been blessed with great parents and wonderful friends.” Smiling brightly, Tomlinson said, “You know, they say that of those to whom much is given, much is expected. I’ve been given so very much. I want to use the gifts that have been granted to me to make your lives better.”

Pointing at the crowd, he added, “Much has been given to you, too: a land of freedom and opportunity, a state that is rich in natural resources, a tradition of hard work and solid achievement. Now, in this election, much is expected of you. You—and only you—have the power to move us forward into a brighter and better future. It’s not pie in the sky. It’s bread and butter. It’s the jobs and careers and new ideas that will feed your children and your children’s children.”

The crowd roared. They shot to their feet and yelled, whistled, stamped their feet until Jake had to clap his hands over his ears. The arena reverberated with the clamor.

Amy leaned close to Jake and hollered, “I guess he did all right!”

Jake nodded, grinning. He didn’t need the notes, Jake said to himself. He came through without them.

Summer of Discontent

SUMMER OF DISCONTENT