There were many power brokers in the old Washington, hidden figures of influence never referenced in civics textbooks or examined in graduate-level political science seminars. There was the operator of the center elevator on the Senate side of the Capitol, the one reserved for lawmakers' use, and thus the keeper of all the information about who was coming and going. There was the superintendent of the press gallery, the man with the bulging belly you had to take out for a boozy, expensive meal if you wanted a parking pass. There was the sandwich lady in the Capitol snack bar, who by caprice or calculation decided how much chicken salad was in your take-away lunch.
Then there were Duke and Mel.
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