Janine Marill, Post 2

As the Stanton campaign seems to be stuck in a rough spot, Jack, Henry, and other campaign workers travel to Los Angeles to campaign. One could argue that it would be wise for Henry to quit the campaign, since the Stanton campaign was failing in New Hampshire and Stanton could potentially become involved in a paternity suit. Stanton’s alleged sexual encounter with a hairdresser made national headlines, and Stanton quickly became an embarrassment to the Democratic Party.

However, Henry remains faithful to Stanton. Henry’s faith in Stanton was built upon observations that most Americans would never experience in the same personal way. Henry watched Stanton connect with people in a unique way; Stanton absorbed and understood each person’s story as he shook hands.

Stanton had a sincere and fierce determination that Henry had never seen before. While some politicians enter a campaign for personal recognition or an alternate agenda, Stanton had an honest desire to improve the lives of all Americans.
When Stanton is almost certain that he is going to lose, he gives a candid speech to a group of working-class people in Portsmouth. Stanton tells them that he can’t give them their jobs back, but he will do everything he can to give them opportunities to succeed. This crowd may have been skeptical of Stanton, since they are frequent readers of national tabloids. Although they have heard about Stanton’s bad judgment in his personal life, they are still touched by Stanton’s sincerity and charm.

Henry has seen Stanton under a microscope during the campaign. They have discussed every detail of Stanton’s life and campaign. However, Henry is most moved by Stanton’s speech to the Portsmouth crowd. Henry is convinced that he will never find another candidate with the same exceptional qualities as Stanton. Despite Stanton’s flaws, he still has the strength touch the lives of Americans.