I never understood this part of The Godfather

[Robbie3000]

How did Sollozzo expect Sonny to work with after killing his father?

Also, why did he feel so entitled to Corleone family political connects?

 

[get these nets]

How did Sollozzo expect Sonny to work with after killing his father?

Also, why did he feel so entitled to Corleone family political connects?

Everybody knew Sonny was a hot head, so they anticipated a war after they shot Don Vito, and that they (Sollozo and allies) would win a war of attrition.

The political connections of the Don were his greatest assets, and trumped whatever financial advantage any family had over him. Political protection provides immunity from law enforcement going after the heads, and gives leeway to their underlings who might get arrested. The Don had the criminal cheat code.

 

[AnonymityX1000]

He also knew Sonny wanted to sell drugs from him speaking out of turn at the meeting. With the Don gone he could do that, maybe their would be initial beef but maybe he thought he would come around eventually. Also, I would bet at least some of not most of the political connections were more personal/specific to the Don and wouldn't be extended to a successor.
Without that and the Corleone's not being in the drug game the family would be weaker going forward.

 

[Mr. Pink]

The only plausible explanation is that Barzini was playing Sollozzo and Tattaglia for fools. Otherwise killing Vito doesn't make one bit of sense precisely because of Vito's political connections. The politicians were tied to Vito specifically, like a feudal bond, no different than Bonasera or the baker. Sony wouldn't inherit those connections by default, and thus the pro-drugs faction wouldn't get to use them. If Barzini wanted to push drugs, killing Vito does nothing to further his cause, just the opposite. He gains nothing other than a war with the Corleones.

The only way it isn't a plothole is if Barzini's real objective was to kill Vito and be the top guy on the Commission, and he's just using the drugs excuse to egg the Families on and alienate Vito.

 

[jackswstd]

Vito never wanted to be involved in drugs, he knew it would be the family’s undoing. When there was talk of a Godfather 4, the plot was gonna be how Vincent destroyed the family by moving into the drug game. Like Vito said, politicians viewed gambling and the other shyt has harmless vices.

 

[John Reena]

How did Sollozzo expect Sonny to work with after killing his father?

Also, why did he feel so entitled to Corleone family political connects?

The same reason he even dared to have The Godfather shot......He saw how Sonny eyes lit up when he started going over the deal. He knew if Sonny was in charge, he’d have made the deal right then n there. The book itself explains it better than the movie.

Now the politicians.....that’s just a recurring mafia thing. They all greedy and want a piece of everybody action.

 

[Erratic415]

Also, why did he feel so entitled to Corleone family political connects?

It was largely Barzini who felt that way and allied with Tattalgia & the Turk to try to gain more power.

Vito is able to deduce it at the meeting. The beef is supposed to be between the Corleones & Tattalgias but Barzini was the one talking about what Vito has to do, sharing his political connections.

 

[Ukbrotha]

The only plausible explanation is that Barzini was playing Sollozzo and Tattaglia for fools. Otherwise killing Vito doesn't make one bit of sense precisely because of Vito's political connections. The politicians were tied to Vito specifically, like a feudal bond, no different than Bonasera or the baker. Sony wouldn't inherit those connections by default, and thus the pro-drugs faction wouldn't get to use them. If Barzini wanted to push drugs, killing Vito does nothing to further his cause, just the opposite. He gains nothing other than a war with the Corleones.

The only way it isn't a plothole is if Barzini's real objective was to kill Vito and be the top guy on the Commission, and he's just using the drugs excuse to egg the Families on and alienate Vito.

I think the assumption by Sollozzo was that Sonny would inherit the political connections also.