"Anyway, none of the people in Tammany Hall have clean hands!"
Niall knew this was a big deal, but when you're dealing with big matters, you can't afford to hesitate or be overly cautious. Although Tammany Hall seemed powerful on the surface, the Republican Party had its own significant influence as well.
If they didn't take advantage of the current moment while Hoover's Republican administration was still in power, it would be much harder to dismantle Tammany Hall once Roosevelt's Democratic government took over.
"Do you think it can be done?" Wilkie unconsciously turned to ask Niall.
"Why not!"
Wilkie's people had been blinded, but the fact was that the Tammany Hall had held a dominant position in New York City for more than half a century. In the past, they could rely on the flood of Irish, Italian, and Catholic immigrants to increase their votes and create a powerful "empire."
But now, immigration had slowed down significantly, and their ability to replenish their political support had long dried up. It was a corrupt empire filled with bribery and internal struggles. It was all show and no substance. Tammany Hall, which had once monopolized New York elections, was hollow inside now.
However, the question was: Who would dare to be the first to pierce the tiger's skin?
Maybe the analogy wasn't perfect, but the Qin Dynasty was a powerful empire that swallowed six kingdoms, drove the Huns to the north, and wiped out the Yue people to the south. It seemed like a time of great prosperity. But with the words "Is there a noble born to rule?" the peasant rebels Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose up, and within a few short years, the Qin Dynasty fell.
What was needed now was a figure like Chen Sheng or Wu Guang, someone to strike first against Tammany Hall. Once the first strike landed, others would quickly follow. It might not even require a victory, as long as the people saw that Tammany Hall's counterattack was weak or even nonexistent, the battle would be won.
Tammany Hall, which had ruled New York for over half a century, had countless enemies. Everyone was waiting for Tammany Hall to fall so they could rush in and grab a share of New York's cake.
"Do I need to step in?" Wilkie understood Niall's point and immediately asked another key question.
If they brought down Tammany Hall, Fiorello, who had been working in New York for over a decade and had built up a wide network of connections, would be the clear Republican candidate for mayor with no strong competition.
"He's the Deputy Attorney General, and he's eyeing the mayor's seat. Do you expect someone else to do the fighting for him?" Niall shook his head.
Wilkie could connect the various Republican forces in New York City and temporarily assist Fiorello in attacking Tammany Hall, but the first shot had to come from Fiorello. Wilkie could only work behind the scenes, and more importantly, he would use this opportunity to greatly consolidate the Republican support in New York City.
Once Fiorello secured the mayor's seat, Wilkie could use the momentum to unite the New York Republican base, with both sides benefiting.
"Phew..." Wilkie let out a long breath.
This wasn't the same as running a wholesale store or sending his wife out for charity work, which he was familiar with and confident in. But "party struggles" were something new to him. Even though Wilkie was an experienced lawyer, he was a novice in the world of political conflicts.
Of course, Niall was also a novice, but he had seen more from his two lifetimes and had been exposed to more information. In the future age of information explosion, he had witnessed plenty of political drama.
"Better to act decisively than be caught in confusion!" Niall tried to express this famous saying in English.
...
Wilkie didn't respond right away; he was still thinking. Niall didn't rush him and quietly waited for Wilkie's decision. Attacking Tammany Hall was a matter that could change everything, so Wilkie needed to be cautious. After all, he had to continue his career in New York. What if they couldn't defeat Tammany Hall? What would happen if they faced retaliation?
It wasn't hesitation or indecision; it was just the normal response of a reasonable person. Wilkie looked at the nearly completed wholesale market building and then glanced at Niall, weighing his thoughts.
"I understand, but I'll need to meet with them again. Wait for my news, and we'll go together." Wilkie had mostly figured things out in his mind.
It wasn't exactly a "golden opportunity," but it was a good chance to consolidate the Republican base in New York City. If Wilkie could use this opportunity to defeat Tammany Hall and bring those people under his wing, it would significantly boost his own influence and power.
From both an emotional and rational standpoint, this was something he could and should do. Why would Wilkie refuse such a good opportunity? As for the risks, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.
Unknowingly, due to some common interest, the once fragmented Republican forces in New York began to unite. Tammany Hall, which would have taken years to fade into irrelevance, was now being targeted by those who wanted to rise on its downfall.
The two finished their conversation, and Wilkie, his mind preoccupied, didn't bother to visit the construction site. He immediately turned and left to contact Taft and Fiorello, arranging a meeting to clarify things.
After all, it was better to act sooner rather than later. The New York mayoral election was just a little over a year away. If they couldn't bring down Tammany Hall and thoroughly discredit it within that time, the mayoral election would be in serious jeopardy. They had to act quickly.
Meanwhile, Niall stayed at the site, carefully checking the progress of the project. According to the construction company, the interior decoration and the asphalt paving outside were easy tasks. By November, the entire wholesale supermarket would be ready.
As for the procurement of goods and hiring staff, that was not their concern. Wilkie must have already made arrangements. There were plenty of unemployed people in New York, so hiring cashiers and stock clerks wouldn't be a problem. The work was simple, and after a few days of training, they could get started.
Wilkie, who had rushed back to the office, called Taft. The normally composed and elegant Wilkie was now panting on the phone, which surprised Taft. When he heard what Wilkie had to say, his surprise grew even more.