Matson started to say something, but Senator Cannon cut in first. "He's right, Ed. We've got to use every weapon we have to win this election. Another four years of the present policies, and the Sino-Russian Bloc will be able to start unilateral disarmament. They won't have to start a war to bury us." Horvin looked nervous. "Uh ... Senator--" Cannon made a motion in the air. "I know, I know. Our policy during the campaign will be to run down the opposition, not the United States. We are still in a strong position, but _if this goes on_--Don't worry, Horvin; the whole thing will be handled properly." Before any of them could say anything, Senator Cannon turned to Representative Matson and said: "Ed, will you get Matthew Fisher on the phone? And the Governor of Pennsylvania and ... let's see ... Senator Hidekai and Joe Vitelli." "I didn't even know Fisher was here," Matson said. "What do you want him for?" "I just want to talk to him, Ed. Get him up here, with the others, will you?" "Sure, Jim; sure." He got up and walked over to the phone. Horvin, the PR man, said: "Well, Senator, now that you're the party's candidate for the Presidency of the United States, who are you going to pick for your running mate? Vollinger was the only one who came even close to giving you a run for your money, and it would be good public relations if you chose him. He's got the kind of personality that would make a good image." "Horvin," the senator said kindly, "I'll pick the men; you build the image from the raw material I give you. You're the only man I know who can convince the public that a sow's ear is really a silk purse, and you may have to do just that. "You can start right now. Go down and get hold of the news boys and tell them that the announcement of my running mate will be made as soon as this demonstration is over. "Tell them you can't give them any information other than that, but give them the impression that you already know. Since you _don't_ know, don't try to guess; that way you won't let any cats out of the wrong bags. But you _do_ know that he's a fine man, and you're pleased as all hell that I made such a good choice. Got that?" Horvin grinned. "Got it. You pick the man; I'll build the image." He went out the door. * * * * * When the door had closed, Governor Spanding said: "So it's going to be Fisher, is it?" "You know too much, Harry," said Senator Cannon, grinning. "Remind me to appoint you ambassador to Patagonia after Inauguration Day." "If I lose the election at home, I may take you up on it. But why Matthew Fisher?" "He's a good man, Harry." "Hell yes, he is," the governor said. "Tops. I've seen his record as State Attorney General and as Lieutenant Governor. And when Governor Dinsmore died three years ago, Fisher did a fine job filling out his last year. But--"