Wherever Matthews speaks, he appeals to the regular people; floods of telegrams from “ordinary” citizens pour in, thanking him for his message. But the powers and would-be influencers behind the political scenes are very unhappy. Matthews makes a controversial speech in Wichita, calling big labor to account. Before he makes another speech in Detroit giving big business the same treatment, Thorndyke comes to the hotel secretly and persuades him to use a prepared speech to help his chances for the nomination. Again, there are floods of telegrams, this time from people who can deliver votes in the primaries. Matthews becomes obsessed with becoming president and surrenders completely to anything Conover wants him to do. Kay remains in the background, because knowledge of their affair would destroy Matthews’s chances for the nomination, all the more for the Presidency. Matthews makes deals with various repugnant special interests for their support.