Frank keenly detects a political opportunity after discovering an editorial in a school newspaper. By leveraging the article’s inappropriate remarks about Israel, he constructs a narrative that appears to oppose U.S.-Israel alliances, directing blame toward the then-editor, Michael Kern. This move not only demonstrates Frank’s sharp political instincts but also reveals his deep understanding of how to manipulate media and public opinion for his own gain.
While in Chief of Staff Linda Vasquez’s office, Frank is tasked with cleaning up Donald Blythe’s mess. Seizing the moment, he turns the situation into an opportunity to showcase his competence and value to President Garrett Walker. By recommending six of the education sector’s brightest minds to draft an education reform proposal, Frank further solidifies his standing within the White House.
Frank’s attacks on Kern intensify. He approaches Zoe, using the editorial to publicly challenge Kern. Kern’s awkward performance during a televised interview deepens the media and public’s negative perception of him. Soon, outlets begin running stories claiming Kern mocked U.S.-Israel relations, even labeling him an anti-Semite. This relentless smear campaign severely tarnishes Kern’s reputation.
But Frank doesn’t stop there. He tracks down Roy, a drug addict and former colleague of Kern’s. With Peter’s help, Frank successfully persuades Roy to publicly declare that the controversial editorial was written by Michael Kern. This final blow utterly destroys Kern’s credibility and career, leaving him publicly disgraced.