At the start of Chapter 12, Obama is at the Roseland MET jobs intake center with Rafiq as he prepares for the opening. Obama has agreed to hold the opening ceremony for the center at Rafiq's warehouse in the neighborhood. Many people, including Reverend Smalls and several aldermen, are excited about the opening ceremony because Mayor Washington has promised to make an appearance. The one thing Obama has asked of his staff is to recruit Washington for a DCP rally in the fall.

When Washington arrives, the crowd grows excited. When the mayor enters the room, he heads for and acknowledges Angela Rider (one of Obama's staff members) instead of engaging with Obama and some of the others who are eager to meet him. After Washington departs, the women on Obama's staff gush over all the attention Washington gave to Angela, but Obama is only concerned about whether Angela got the mayor to commit to the fall rally. Obama leaves in frustration. When Will tells him to he should lighten up and that Obama's impatience is the result of a desire to prove something, Obama denies the accusation.

In the aftermath of the success with the center and other projects, Obama's political stock rises, and he receives more invitations to participate in important projects with important people.