Washington (US Political RP; 2016 ; Special Events ; OPEN!)

[Uttland]

"I'm not a foreign policy expert, but I'm not willing to put international security at risk by forcing Russia to back down via force. I'm also not willing to pressure our European partners to impose more sanctions, especially since history has proven they do not work. Any course of action we take should not prolong the war in Syria, nor should it put American and international civilian lives at risk. Those two factors are non negotiable for me when it comes to any solution proposed domestically or internationally."

GNC

"So you support Russian Intervention?"

[Sanabel]

"How would it be my right as a senator to pass a bill forcing another country to change it's foreign policy? I'd be a US senator, not a senator of the world as my neocon colleagues would believe. It would be my responsibility to make sure American lives are not put at risk, and to minimize the damage done to innocent Syrians. Telling Russia what to do is not in the job description, and I would never vote for war."

[Uttland]

"How would it be my right as a senator to pass a bill forcing another country to change it's foreign policy? I'd be a US senator, not a senator of the world as my neocon colleagues would believe. It would be my responsibility to make sure American lives are not put at risk, and to minimize the damage done to innocent Syrians. Telling Russia what to do is not in the job description, and I would never vote for war."

GNC

"But what do you think about the Russian Intervention? It's a matter of opinion."

[Tallahassee News Station]

"Shut up and let someone else talk!" someone shouted at the ANN reporter.

[Uttland]

"Shut up and let someone else talk!" someone shouted at the ANN reporter.

GNC

"Freedom of the press!" shouted Colombo back.

[Tallahassee News Station]

"Freedom of speech to tell you to shut up!" someone shouted back, to applause.

[Tectonix]

"Oi, let Alph respond!" someone else shouted.

[Sanabel]

"What do I personally think of Russian intervention? I'm flattered you think the opinion of a random Californian matters. I think Russia has a right to fight terror, not kill civilians. But the Shrub and Winston certainly haven't set a good example there. Now let someone else speak. I would've thought you right wing outlets wouldn't want to expose the right's hypocrisy on the whole Russia situation anyway."

He pointed to the guy yelling at the reporter, "This is about you. Mr. Colombo, there is also such a thing as freedom of speech. The people have just as much a right to ask questions as you. Besides, you'll probably spin it anyway." Looking back at the guy, he said, "Ask away, sir."

[Uttland]

"Freedom of speech to tell you to shut up!" someone shouted back, to applause.

GNC

"For what reason? Because I'm asking questions you don't like?" replied Colombo, who was starting to shout.

[Tallahassee News Station]

"Well thank you Mr. Alphonsey, you're a real gentlemen. I wanted to ask you what you want to do about the drought, because some of us are more dehydrated than Donald Johnson!"

[Uttland]

"What do I personally think of Russian intervention? I'm flattered you think the opinion of a random Californian matters. I think Russia has a right to fight terror, not kill civilians. But the Shrub and Winston certainly haven't set a good example there. Now let someone else speak. I would've thought you right wing outlets wouldn't want to expose the right's hypocrisy on the whole Russia situation anyway."

He pointed to the guy yelling at the reporter, "This is about you. Mr. Colombo, there is also such a thing as freedom of speech. The people have just as much a right to ask questions as you. Besides, you'll probably spin it anyway." Looking back at the guy, he said, "Ask away, sir."

"Thank you." Colombo replied angrily, walked away reviewing his notes, slightly disgruntled.

[Zain fiefdom]

America makes such poor choices

WHO WANTS TO JOIN ME IN WW3

[Sanabel]

"I'm glad you asked, Mr. Johnson has complained an awful lot about his thirst, but has himself yet to propose a solution! I have a few ideas on how to stop this crisis, starting with climate change! It is important to bolster our rapidly rising renewable energy sector, and to cap emissions as much as possible. We also must support a change from our wasteful municipal and agricultural irrigation systems, to drip irrigation and other systems, through subsidy or mandate. I also would like to see national investment into desalinization, which must be included in any form of infrastructure investment package, and along those same lines I want to restructure the dam system of California and nearby states, to minimize waste and allow for the natural water flow to bring water back to our cities and our farm fields. That's a brief explanation, but that is what I intend to do."

[Sanabel]

"As much as I would like to field questions all day, I must bid my leave. Have a nice day, all. Power to the people!"

Alphonsey departed the stage, and headed to talk to supporters.

[Tumblrena]

Portland, Oregon
Moda Center
1900
Tuesday
August 2
2016

The day had been a mostly successful one if not great. Some of the higher-profile candidates had not done too well though things were getting better. The big thing Walton was proud of was giving all the other Greens a chance to shine on-stage. Monroe's absence was very frustrating though.

Now it was her turn. She came out to the cheering crowd wearing in a simple white dress and smiling. She waved to them until the cheering died down, and went up to the podium.

"Thank you all for showing up here. It warms the heart to see so many fine people willing to stand on principle and progress."

"This is something new that we are doing. Here tonight we are not talking to you, but we are talking with you. It is about hearing what the people have to say and what you really care about. And we are doing something new on a broader stage too. A whole movement dedicated to being people-first instead of politician-first. We can make this about you because we don't have an establishment to control us or special interests to puppet us."

"So lets make it about you. People all around the country are listening and watching right now. Instead of just speeching away tonight we are going to let you be the center of it. So tell me what's going wrong. Tell me what's going right. Worries, hopes, fears, dreams. Lets make it different and have a real conversation."

When Walton finishes talking she then goes and takes a seat on the edge of the stage. Her feet dangle off the edge with the crowd circled around her. She takes a cordless microphone.

"Let's get started."

[Tectonix]

One of the reporters from the press box is the first to approach. "Mayor Walton, what is your position on our foreign alliances, like NATO and the UN?"

[Tumblrena]

Portland, Oregon
Moda Center
1911
Tuesday
August 2
2016

"NATO is a military alliance first and foremost. It is also one that can be very aggressive, and worrying for the United States. We are in this alliance that in the words of George Washington, is more and more entangling. There is a real risk of us being forced into a war, and losing American lives against our will. Now the UN, it is an institution that can do well, if flawed. I think working within it can be a good way to act by diplomacy instead of force."

[Tectonix]

"So, are you against or in favor of these institutions, Mayor?"

[Tumblrena]

Portland, Oregon
Moda Center
1911
Tuesday
August 2
2016

"I think we need to take a serious look at our involvement with NATO, and I think the UN can be a tool for good if used correctly."

[Uttland]

IGNORE

[Tectonix]

"Is that a yes or a no, Madam Mayor?"

[Uttland]

[Tumblrena]

Portland, Oregon
Moda Center
1913
Tuesday
August 2
2016

Walton saw the tweet come up on the prompter. She nodded and it came up on the screen.

"That's a very good question, thank you, even if it is a little white lie." She smiles. "For the audience, Ambassador Roland is talking about a study of test scores in Seattle from 2009-2012. What it found was that the city had one of the highest black-white achievement gaps in the U.S. That was one of the problems I inherited coming into the Mayor's office. And it is a problem that should be addressed. Right now, the system if rigged badly against the poor, and against minorities. Bad schools create a cycle of poverty. We're making real progress in Seattle, the scores are rising, in contrast to what Ambassador Roland claims, and we are working to narrow that gap. But we need to do more."

"This is part of a larger problem too. Our schools are getting more and more segregated. We have many schools almost all-white, and almost all-black. It is becoming almost a throwback to the 1960s. This is a nationwide problem, and one to be addressed. In fact, it is actually highest in the Northeast, not the south. Rezoning and working to integrate schools again is a step that we need to take. We have taken steps against this here in Seattle, with rezoning and bussing, and should do it nationwide."

"Now I know you just did this as a political attack Ambassador Lee, but thank you. This is a serious issue that needs to have attention brought to it. It is one we need to be sure to keep working on."

She smiles. "Yes, someone else? One of the people this time?"

[Tallahassee News Station]

"Mayor Walton, what are you going to do about our troops overseas in the Middle East?"

[Tumblrena]

Portland, Oregon
Moda Center
1925
Tuesday
August 2
2016

"I am going to bring them home."

"We are dealing with a six trillion dollar bill for our wars in the Middle East. We lost lives and bankrupted ourselves and we haven't gained anything. We are not the world police. I promise that we will not be occupying countries in a Walton presidency. That is not our job. The U.S. military has the job of defending this country. America comes first. We are going to pull our troops out of the Middle East, and pull back overseas deployments. The defense of our country is the job of the military. Not nation-building seven thousand miles away."