In the end, these attempts failed, but they pushed Anakin and Padm together that much more, which only cemented Palpatine's plans. It was during this period between The Phantom Menace and Attack ...
Palpatine is able to flourish on a city-planet, working to undermine the Jedi, corrupting the heart of the Republic. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace sets this up beautifully - and it is ...