That would completely destroy the Democratic Party's election prospects in Pennsylvania. It would trigger a nationwide chain reaction and could even cause the Democratic Party to lose control of the Senate.
This is far more serious than thousands of workers losing their jobs, or a city going bankrupt.
For the White House, this was an absolutely unacceptable strategic disaster.
"You... You're insane."
Sanders's voice trembled slightly.
"Do you have any idea what you're saying? You're betraying the party that put you in this position!"
"No, Senator."
Leo stood up straight, his face expressionless.
"It was the citizens of Pittsburgh who put me in this position."
"I am the Mayor elected by the citizens of Pittsburgh, one vote at a time. Seventy-two percent of the vote—that's the trust hundreds of thousands of living, breathing people placed in me."
