CH73

Cars are heavily influenced by government policies such as regulations and taxes compared to other products. The United States is the most important automotive market. Therefore, the presidential election was a crucial factor.

There was no need to ask Hyunjoo noona for help specifically; even a simple internet search overflowed with information.

In the United States, elections are so money-driven that they could almost be considered auctions. Having a lot of money doesn't guarantee victory, but without it, one cannot even enter the playing field. With astronomical costs involved in running an election, most people can't even afford to participate.

Ultimately, only the major parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, can provide the necessary funding, so the presidential election always plays out as a battle between the two.

Numerous candidates run for president, but since it's essentially a fight between Diane of the Democrats and Ronald of the Republicans, mentioning minor candidates is unnecessary. Let's define Diane in a few words: "She is a traditional political figure from the elite American political family."

The Underwood family is reckoned among America's political elites, along with the Kennedy and Bush families. Diane's grandfather was Governor of California, her father was Mayor of New York City, and her younger brother currently serves as Governor of Georgia. Numerous other relatives are also deeply involved in American politics.

After graduating from Harvard University, Diane, alongside her husband, gradually built her political career. She served as a senator and Secretary of State and has now been nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate, the first woman to do so.

"And Ronald?"

"He's the complete opposite. A true political extremist."

Ronald was born into the real estate mogul Stamper family, diving into the real estate business with his father from a young age. Despite facing several failures, he gained fame through TV appearances and successfully rebuilt his career based on his popularity. Nowadays, buildings and hotels bearing his name stand tall in Manhattan. His sudden leap into politics was for the presidential election, not as a Senator or Governor.

"This isn't his first time running for president."

He showed up in the political arena eight and four years ago, but his actions were quite baffling – boasting about his real estate and golf courses during campaigns, engaging in fights, and using foul language in debates. No one believed he was genuinely interested in politics; they saw it as a way to gain fame and promote his businesses – and this Republican primary was no different.

In the primary, prominent politicians and the Governor of Florida participated. Despite being a strong candidate, his chances of becoming a nominee were less than 2%.

The public viewed him as a mere card for the Republican primary's entertainment.

However, starting from 1.7%, Ronald's popularity soared steeply as the primary continued, eventually reaching a level where he was competing for the top two positions.

His campaign trail was nothing short of a solo act. People were more enthusiastic about his blunt remarks and insults rather than the polished words and policy explanations of established politicians.

The mainstream Republicans were taken aback by this unexpected turn of events.

Eventually, Ronald Stamper, a seemingly eccentric outsider, emerged as the Republican presidential nominee!

The method to eliminate a primary candidate is quite simple: cut off their campaign funds. Without money, continuing the election becomes impossible.

However, this method did not affect Ronald, as he was a tycoon himself. If campaign funds were cut off, he would simply use his own funds.

Ronald swept aside all established Republican politicians, causing a sensation.

Opinion polls indicated that Ronald had less than a 10% chance of beating Diane. Hence, the majority believed he should not be nominated.

When Ronald threatened to run as an independent if not chosen as the Republican candidate, a scenario where both Ronald and the Republican candidate would split votes emerged, ensuring a Democratic victory.

Reluctantly, the Republican leadership had no choice but to nominate him as the candidate.

The Democrats secretly celebrated because an easy win was anticipated when facing Ronald.

"However, things started to take a strange turn."

Surprisingly, Ronald also performed well in the final election. He attracted numerous fans everywhere he went, and his campaign events resembled concerts.

We searched for debates and campaign videos on YouTube.

Diane, with her poised appearance and soft-spoken demeanor, eloquently continued the debates, persuasively answering even uncomfortable questions.

She embodied the typical image of an elite politician. Voters seemed to understand why they supported her.

However, Ronald was completely different. Watching the Republican primary debate, we were left speechless.

After a moment, Taekgyu, coming to his senses, said,

"Is this a debate, or just a feast of words?"

"Hmm."

Isn't it more like a feast of words?

We read articles, but seeing it firsthand on video was very serious.

[I will build trade barriers for America!]

[Mexico is exporting drug dealers, criminals, and rapists to the US!]

[US manufacturing is being raped by China and Korea!]

[Illegal immigrants are overflowing in the US!]

[The media is completely manipulated!]

[Immigrants are stealing our jobs!]

Profanity, rude language, aggressive expressions, exaggerated gestures, and so on.

It was unbelievably vulgar for words coming from a presidential candidate of a country.

"But aside from that, it's incredibly entertaining."

"That's true."

This belongs more to a comedy show.

Could they be purposely aiming for this?

"Traditionally, Democrats are supported by progressives and Republicans by conservatives. But this election is a bit different."

"Why is that?"

"Ronald has no relation to Republican politics. You should see him as someone doing his own politics under the title of a Republican candidate."

This led to even Republican-supporting businessmen and financiers turning to Diane's side. Even some Republican stalwarts gave up their support for Ronald.

Taekgyu looked puzzled.

"Then, who is supporting Ronald?"

That is the critical point of this election.

For decades, the United States has stood at the forefront of neoliberalism, spreading the gospel of free trade to the world. Various trade barriers were dismantled, causing factories in the US to move to countries with lower labor and raw material costs, while American capital flowed into the global financial markets.

Entrepreneurs and capitalists operated factories in cheaper locations, earning even more money. American workers lost their jobs, with the government playing little role in addressing the situation. These contradictions accumulated and culminated in the explosion of the 2008 financial crisis.

Fortunately, the US managed to overcome that crisis, but in the process, seemed to once again favor the wealthy. This understandably led to dissatisfaction among workers.

"In the past, white working-class Americans were the mainstream in the US. However, now they are groaning under poverty and unemployment, competing for limited jobs with the influx of immigrants."

Why is the economy growing while my wages remain the same? Both the country and companies are doing well, so why am I struggling like this?

Above all, the fear of being pushed out of mainstream society was unsettling.

In the past, most immigrants worked in 3D industries. However, at some point, they began entering factories and offices.

Seeing white colleagues being laid off and replaced by Hispanic workers, there was no guarantee it wouldn't be oneself next.

"In such a situation, Ronald emerged in the political arena, promising to create trade regulations, erect barriers to stop immigrants, and promote US manufacturing to increase jobs."

Taekgyu nodded. "Did he accurately address the sore points of white workers?"

"That's right."

Workers who believed they had lost jobs due to factories moving overseas and immigrants embraced Ronald fervently.

Politicians usually have a habit of talking in circles, aiming to evade responsibility if they fail to keep their promises. However, Ronald did not hesitate to use straightforward language. Even if his expressions were harsh, those who empathized with his policies enthusiastically embraced them.

Cursing and verbally attacking others did not pose much of a problem for him. Instead, it set him apart from seasoned politicians.

I asked, pondering, "If you had to choose a side, which one would you lean towards?"

Taekgyu responded with a serious expression.

"When I look at Chinese history books…"

I asked in surprise, "Have you read Chinese history books too?"

Taekgyu corrected me, "When playing the game Three Kingdoms…"

"…"

Well, that makes sense.

"Anyway, this story comes up."

During the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao tried to recruit a strategist. When the strategist hesitated, Guo Jia advised him to follow Cao Cao.

When Yuan Shao questioned why he should follow Cao Cao despite Yuan Shao being strong and Cao Cao weak, Guo Jia explained, "Yuan Shao may be overwhelmingly favorable now, but it will be difficult to receive good treatment on that side. However, Cao Cao faces three disadvantages, and surrendering to him may earn you valuable treatment."

Following this advice, the strategist surrendered to Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao was defeated.

If you've read Romance of the Three Kingdoms even once, you would know this quite famous story.

Surprisingly, Taekgyu's words hit the nail on the head.

Even if you can easily win by staying still, will you get treated well if you go to the winning side? Conversely, the losing side will likely welcome you willingly.

"But in the end, isn't the winner Diane anyway?"

"That's right." Ronald's momentum had reached its peak.

The approval ratings that had been steadily climbing hit a wall at 40 percent. Meanwhile, Diane had comfortably maintained a lead of over 10 percent.

As the election neared its end, the Democratic Party still held the upper hand. If things continued like this until the end of the election, it was certain that Diane would become the president.

Should I make contact with that side?

Just as I was thinking, a hologram appeared before my eyes.

"…"

As I stood there in a daze, Taekgyu immediately caught on.

"What's this? Did you have a premonition about who will become president?"

"Wait a minute."

Is this for real?

Is Ronald really going to become president?

"Who is it? Hurry, tell me."

Instead of answering, I pointed at the TV.

Taekgyu asked in surprise, "Him, that person?"

On the screen, a Caucasian man in his 70s frowned deeply, raising his finger, and shouted loudly, "Make America Great Again!"

* * *

Currently, the ruling party is the Democratic Party, and despite the incumbent president nearing the end of his term, he recorded a support rate of over 50%.

If Diane becomes president, she is likely to continue the Democratic Party's policies, so there may not be significant changes from the current situation.

However, if Ronald becomes president, no one knows what might happen. While the overall strategy may not change much, even a slight shift in foreign policy could greatly impact neighboring countries.

Especially if Ronald's talk of protectionist trade policies becomes reality, countries like South Korea with a high export dependency on the US could suffer significant blows.

Fortunately, at present, the chances of Ronald winning were almost nonexistent.

"But why did the idea of Ronald becoming president come to mind?"

Taekgyu responded to my question, "Is there an unexpected variable?"

"A variable…"

Could it be that we are that variable?

I took out the card I bought at the mart earlier.

"Why Trump all of a sudden?"

"For some reason, Trump seems to fit well in this situation."

I spread the cards out on the table.

"If we compare the presidential election to a poker game… you have been dealt four cards, while Diane already has a poker hand."

I casually removed 8 cards and laid them out on one side of the table.

"In poker terms, it's just below a royal flush and a straight flush."

Taekgyu asked, "What hand did Ronald get?"

"In reality, it's like having no pair. He would likely lose to Diane if they were to compete now."

"But there's one card left."

I placed one card in front of Taekgyu.

"This is the card we currently have. We need to decide whether to give this card or not, and if we do, we have to choose who to give it to."

Ace of Spades.

It is the most powerful card with just one.

By the way, the reason why the Ace of Spades is particularly large and beautiful compared to other aces is that it was the first card to be marked for taxation.

"There's no point in giving this card to Diane."

The poker hand is already complete. At the point of holding four cards, there is no need to receive the remaining one.

"What if we give it to Ronald?"

Passing the card means getting on board a ship.

If you win, you can share the joy of victory together, but if you lose, you must also share the responsibility of defeat.

"Originally, it could have been a royal straight flush, or just a flush or a straight."

If you make a royal straight flush or a straight flush, you can beat the poker hand. But if it's a flush or a straight, you lose.

But luck is on our side.

If I pass the card, Ronald will complete his hand and win.

So, what should we do now?

TL/n:

Ronald Stamper is Donald Trump and Diane is the Hillary Clinton.

***

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