Scott and her might be on the same side of the spectrum but he is more right than she is. Everyone who knows them think that they should date but if she were to date anyone in her group of friends it would be Marc. They might be different parties theoretically but they are much more alike then her and Scott. Personality wise they have always just clicked, while Sarah and Scott are much more passionate and forceful, Marc and Megan, while very powerful in their own right, prefer sitting in the background and gathering information to be used at a later date.
The first time the four of them met was at intro to politics POL100 waiting for the prof to get to the lecture hall. Scott posed a question about mandatory voting being the most unconstitutional thing to ever be even considered in any democratic society. Sarah apparently could not believe him and starting ranting at him, raising such intelligent points you would have thought she was a graduate instead of a first year just like her. Marc then got involved suggesting that there might be some form of compromise rather than it being one way or the other entirely. This was an important turning point because Megan realized that she wanted to keep having this debate, because it wasn't ending in a shouting match, but continuing to be an intelligent debate about the core values and concepts, rather than the person saying the statement.
The four of them didn't even realize when the prof showed up until he asked if they were done and he could begin teaching. After class that day they all went out and got coffee, talking more about who they are and why they believe what we believe, and from that moment on they were best friends, nothing has managed to shake that friendship, not even their vast political differences, and they do exist. There may be some times where Megan is sure that Sarah is going to kill Scott for something that he has said, but then someone tries to make a snarky comment and she is right there with the rebuttal, because the only one allowed to argue with Scott is her.
The Discovery.
Marc knew that there had been rumors about Bunker using some dirty tactics in order to gain delegates,but that has to be just an exaggeration by her opponents to ensure that she does not win. He is sure about that, because she is willing to play by the rules of the game, not ignoring them completely. He is sure there are some underhanded tactics but nothing serious, just normal aspects of campaigns. No one gets mad when people use attack ads because it is just part of the game. No one wins a political election by staying perfectly clean, because their opponents won't keep it clean. If you can't handle the heat then what are you doing in politics?
He heads into the office, logging into the computer system and taking a sip of his coffee.
He started going through the campaign email, making sure to send thank you emails to people who have made donations in the past day when he sees an email that he is sure he was not supposed to see. There was an email from a supporter saying that she had completed the request to hide ballots from Schwartz supporters, and that she is happy to ensure that Bunker will become the democratic nominee. She goes on to say that if there is anything else that will be needed later on, she would be more than happy to help, and if she can't she knows a lot of people all throughout the states and she would love to connect the campaign with some of them.
Marc actually cannot believe what he is seeing. He may not be as much of an idealist as Sarah but he cannot believe the outright cheating that he just discovered. This would change everything, if it was true. This must be some kind of mistake, or some prank because there is no way that Bunker is actually ordering people to blatantly disregard the entire democratic process. The point of these primaries are to find out if the American people want her to represent them, what does she gain by cheating? An angry group of Americans, all of whom probably have guns? She knows better than this, she has to know better.
He made sure to save a copy of the email that he can access later before getting back to work, or at least trying to.
He sent a text to his friends saying that they have to meet after work tonight to talk, and that it was serious.
Marc tries to go through the rest of the day as if he didn't see the email, knowing that the campaign workers would not be expecting that email to come to the campaign email address.
When his day was finally finished he rushed out of the office and heads to their regular Starbucks to ensure that he and his friends get a good table at the back, secluded from prying ears, he knew Sarah would be furious when he told her what he found.
The Rant.
"I can't believe people are actually cheating and everyone knows and no one seems to care? How is this okay? Why are you okay with it? Doesn't it anger you? How are we as a people not standing up and saying that if you cheat, you are no longer eligible to represent us? Why are we allowing these people to teach the children of this world the wrong thing? All we are doing is teaching the children that it is okay to lie and cheat and steal. That you still get to keep the prize in the end. It is like allowing thieves to keep the things that they stole when they get caught. The point of punishment is to ensure that someone does not do the same thing again. If we let people get away with such obvious cheating, by letting them keep the prize at the end then what are we teaching people? Why should people do good and moral things if they can get away with doing the wrong thing? If as a people we hold athletes to a certain standard, where Lance Armstrong lost his titles due to cheating, then why do we not hold our politicians up to the same standard? Why are we allowing blatant cheating in our political system and not doing anything about it? How do people think that this is even a little bit okay? I mean this is the foundation of our entire country and way of living, the fundamental being of this country and we just allow cheating without ramifications? In fact we seem to reward the cheating by allowing them to win. If they cheat they should not get the delegates, that simple, that way they do not keep fucking cheating." Sarah cannot believe what is going on and explodes at her three friends when they meet for their coffee at the end of the day.
"Sarah you need to calm down, you know as well as I do that politics is a dirty game." Scott tries to calm her down but it only makes her angrier.
"And that makes it okay? Maybe instead of just saying that politics is a dirty game so there is nothing we can do about it, we make a stand instead? We are the new generation of political movers and shakers, if we can't change the system, who can we expect to?" Sarah is practically vibrating with anger.
"You're right Sarah, cheating is wrong and we will eventually be in the position to change it, but do you really think that now is the time? Don't you think that we should spend this summer making contacts so that we will be in a better position to make these changes?" Marc tries to be the voice of reason, just as angry as you, but he is forever the politician.
"There is no better time then now, during an election, that we are active in. We might not be able to make all the changes that we want, but we can make a difference, if not now then when? When you are running for president, then you won't want to do it because you have too much at stake? If we wait too long then it will be too late, and we will be right in the middle of the game, and not be in the right position to change it. This is the time, this is our time, let's make our mark, and let's do it right." Sarah is determined, and her friends know she will do this with or without their help, but she will be more successful if they help her.
"Before we make any promises, let's do some research and find the best way to make these changes okay? We all want to help, but we need to make sure that we do it well. There is no point to trying to change the system if we haven't figured out how we are going to change it. Deal?" Megan is always the better voice of reason, and she sees Sarah start to calm down.
"Fine. But don't think you can just placate me and I will go away." Sarah still slightly glares at all her friends, angry and frustrated at the system.
"We never think you will go away Sarah, you are far too persistent for that." Scott just smiles at her as she calms back down and finishes her coffee.
The four friends stay at Starbucks till later that night, talking through different plots to try and change the system.
The Research.