1796

Adams.
Jefferson.
Pinckney.
Burr.
Fourth.
I came in fourth.

I ran on my record. I ran on my name.
I thought that the people would honor the game.
I thought that talent would rise to the top.
But the party machine is a heavy prop.
The Virginians blocked me. They held the line.
They drank their toasts with their Virginia wine.
They used me for votes in the North, it’s true.
But when it came time, they bid me adieu.

You can’t win alone.
You can’t win on your own.
You need a structure. You need a frame.
You need a machine to play the game.
1796. A lesson learned hard.
I was playing chess with a missing card.
Never again.
Never again.

Hamilton meddled. He wrote to the press.
He tried to create a political mess.
He hates me, he fears me, he knows what I am.
I’m the only one who can break his dam.
But next time, I won't be the candidate lone.
Next time, I’ll build a throne of my own.
I’ll organize the city. I’ll organize the street.
I’ll make sure the victory is sweet.

System.
Organization.
Mobilization.
Tammany.

You can’t win alone.
You can’t win on your own.
You need a structure. You need a frame.
You need a machine to play the game.
Watch out, 1800.
I’m building the machine.

Booting up.