(I'm a back bencher in Donald Trump's 26th floor office in Trump Tower. Mr. Trump has left the room to take a call and Corey Lewandowski and Paul Manafort have their first chance to visit privately).
Paul Manafort pulls his chair closer to Corey Lewandowski and says, "Corey, I'm going to tell you three things that you can take to the bank. First, I appreciate the great job that you have done. Without you, we would not be here today. I've been involved in Republican campaigns since Gerald Ford, since before you were born, and your work on this campaign has been outstanding. OK?"
Corey leans forward, "Got it. Thanks."
Paul continues, "It is usual to bring in additional staff at this point of the campaign because different skills are needed. It is supplemental. Not in place of. I told Donald that a condition of my working on the campaign is that you stay on. Now you and I will not agree on everything but I promise you that you will have input and will continue to run the day to day business with me. Fair enough?"
Corey replies, "Fair enough."
Paul leans back, "and I promise you one more thing. We are going to have a hell of a lot of fun; more fun than you've ever had in your life. That's a promise. And with your help, I am very confident that we're going to win."
At this point Donald Trump returns.
Paul says, "Donald, I just mentioned to Corey that without his great work, we would not be where we are today - and you would not need me. And that I'm looking forward to working with him."
Mr Trump: "Great. I second the compliment and Corey, if I haven't said thank you for your efforts, I'll say it now, Thank You."
And Mr. Trump comes around his desk and shakes hands with Corey.
And Donald returns to his desk, turns to Manafort and says, "and so how are we going to win this thing."
Paul Manafort pulls his chair closer to Corey Lewandowski and says, "Corey, I'm going to tell you three things that you can take to the bank. First, I appreciate the great job that you have done. Without you, we would not be here today. I've been involved in Republican campaigns since Gerald Ford, since before you were born, and your work on this campaign has been outstanding. OK?"
Corey leans forward, "Got it. Thanks."
Paul continues, "It is usual to bring in additional staff at this point of the campaign because different skills are needed. It is supplemental. Not in place of. I told Donald that a condition of my working on the campaign is that you stay on. Now you and I will not agree on everything but I promise you that you will have input and will continue to run the day to day business with me. Fair enough?"
Corey replies, "Fair enough."
Paul leans back, "and I promise you one more thing. We are going to have a hell of a lot of fun; more fun than you've ever had in your life. That's a promise. And with your help, I am very confident that we're going to win."
At this point Donald Trump returns.
Paul says, "Donald, I just mentioned to Corey that without his great work, we would not be where we are today - and you would not need me. And that I'm looking forward to working with him."
Mr Trump: "Great. I second the compliment and Corey, if I haven't said thank you for your efforts, I'll say it now, Thank You."
And Mr. Trump comes around his desk and shakes hands with Corey.
And Donald returns to his desk, turns to Manafort and says, "and so how are we going to win this thing."
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