would distract from the real issues of this campaign, but also more fundamentally, I think that his views require me to sever my ties for the time being. I have an obligation to lead by example, and as much as it pains me, I have asked Richard to withdraw from campaigning and to refrain from speaking publicly again until the campaign is concluded. He is now out of the country on business and I do not expect him to return until the New Year.”
Levi shifted the pages of his speech, bringing the few remaining words to the front of his pile.
“As I mentioned earlier, I do believe in the power of people to change their lives, and to ensure that everyone in Silicon Valley has that opportunity, today I am announcing my family’s pledge of $5 million to the Vocational Service Corps, a leading job-training non-profit in the Valley. I was a member of VSC’s board of directors for many years and I admire them tremendously for the work they still perform every day. The donation is intended to establish a drop-in center where clients can walk in and immediately begin to find the information and tools they need to find new employment, or transition to a new career. I hope that this will help to demonstrate my belief that all of us have the power to change our lives, even in adversity. I hope as well that this gesture will end discussion of the events of two nights ago and allow us to focus on the real issues of this campaign. And now, if any of you have questions, I’d be happy to answer them.”
A row of hands shot up immediately.
“Can you confirm that you had no idea you were being recorded?”
I looked at Levi to signal I would answer the question. “Yes, I can,” I said addressing a reporter from a local TV station. “We only knew of the existence of the video after it had been uploaded to YouTube. We were not asked to comment prior to its publication.”
“Did you know a member of the press was present at the party?”
Again, I indicated that I would reply. “Yes, we were aware that Mr. Lyon had invited a reporter to interview guests, but the conversations were supposed to be obvious, on the record interviews, not a private discussion between two old friends at the end of the evening when they believed they were alone. It’s an unfortunate part of journalism today, but we acknowledge the comments were made and as you can see, we were prepared to respond.”
“Did you make the $5 million gift out of guilt for your friend’s remarks?” asked JP, clearly determined to draw blood before this campaign was through.
Levi looked over at me to let me know he was OK to respond.
“If you check with the Service Corps,” he began, “you will find that I had been discussing some kind of gift with them for several weeks. It’s unfortunate to have to do something like this under a cloud, but my donation is one that I intended to make all along. So, yes and no. I do take responsibility for Richard, and I want to make amends for his thoughtlessness, because I can.”
“You said you want to get back to the campaign,” JP said, asking a second question. “Do you have any comment on Lacy Smith’s demand that you withdraw from this campaign?”
“I’m sure Ms. Smith would love to spend the next six weeks talking to herself,” I said, generating laughter from the reporters. “But the fact is that Levi Barnes has done nothing wrong, and there is no reason for him to end his candidacy. In fact, our research indicates that voters continue to remain focused on the real issues, such as how unemployment, education and job creation will be managed by Congress. At this moment, the approval rating of the federal government has never been lower. The voters want to see new leaders and they want to see this debate continue, and that is exactly what we intend to do until the election.”
After that, the press seemed to calm down and the remaining questions from reporters all related to actual government policies—not the video. When the last cameraman had packed up his gear and left, we all breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as the door was locked, we returned to the back conference room. The moment we were away from prying eyes, Levi locked me in a forceful embrace that