Monroe's voice carried through the microphone, his volume moderate and his tone calm, an attempt to project the poise of a rational adult.
"You're belittling serious administration as mere clerical work, which just goes to show you don't know the first thing about governance. Pennsylvania is facing a fiscal deficit, insufficient education funding, and a collapsing healthcare system."
"These problems can't be solved by shouting. They require meticulous policy design, and a professional like me, who has balanced Philadelphia's budget deficit three times."
But Murphy ignored him completely.
He didn't even turn his head. He kept his eyes on the camera, speaking directly to the blue-collar voters who weren't in the room but were clear in his mind's eye, delivering his battle cry.
"Pennsylvania needs industry! It needs the return of manufacturing! Our steelworkers, our coal miners—they've been forgotten for too long!"
The two voices collided in the studio air.
