The Land Of The Free: An American Political Roleplay (IC)

[Velahor]

“It was a mess, a godd*mn mess. You did good though, you handled the pressure well. Don’t call me a Democrat again though. But yes, my campaign manager is a bit of a fireball, but she’s an old friend, and she helped both Burkes win, so I trust her,” replied Paulson. “But if the feedback from the voters is that I went after you too hard, we’ll both know it’s time to adjust. You really think Porter did all that well? I thought he was on his heels the whole time, folded any time I pushed him, and gaffed bad on the math for his welfare crap.”

"She worked for the Burkes? I don't remember seeing her around at all in my time in the Administration." He blinked, shaking his head. "He entered the debate with floor-level expectations. He's going to soar from a solid performance even if it didn't make him look like Ronald Reagan. And his promises of free money are going to turn some heads." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know you're not fond of my spending plans but Porter'll bankrupt the country. Ugh." Jonah looked generally irritated about the whole debacle. "We've got to sink him. Kill him stone dead."

“He’s a snake in the grass, and he’s more power-hungry than even the worst in Washington. But there’s gotta be something to cut him down to size. It might be time to get everyone to agree to take him out. But if everyone attacks him too hard, they’ll make him out to be the next Wolf. Maybe we ignore him? He seems to make a fool out of himself on his own pretty well. Or maybe there’s a way to push the narrative of the race to make him seem really extreme? That’s part of what I was doing with the more ‘suburban’ rhetoric tonight though, dragging the window toward the center to make him seem extreme, but it didn’t look like it worked once we hit the social issues.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“He’s a snake in the grass, and he’s more power-hungry than even the worst in Washington. But there’s gotta be something to cut him down to size. It might be time to get everyone to agree to take him out. But if everyone attacks him too hard, they’ll make him out to be the next Wolf. Maybe we ignore him? He seems to make a fool out of himself on his own pretty well. Or maybe there’s a way to push the narrative of the race to make him seem really extreme? That’s part of what I was doing with the more ‘suburban’ rhetoric tonight though, dragging the window toward the center to make him seem extreme, but it didn’t look like it worked once we hit the social issues.”

"Nate Richardson still won't tell the truth about his wife trying to make me and Arnold Junior look like rapists, and I've not forgiven him for that. It makes me sick to my core, and..." He shook his head. "I am convinced Richardson will lose the next election for the Republican Party, but... Bernard Porter cannot be President of the United States. He is a tyrant, a despot in waiting. We have to stop him... somehow. And if I have to work with Richardson again despite his total lack of sincerity or sense of justice, so be it." It might not have been apparent to Diane before, and maybe Jonah just hadn't been like that in the past, but he had grown some principles.

[Sarenium]

Greenville, SC

Folks I'm here today to announce the first of what will form the plank of civil rights legislation I intend to pass as President. Fighting for and protecting civil rights shouldn't be controversial, and while it's not ideal for it to be an endless battle, it unfortunately is. Restoration of the Voting Rights Act, reforming our justice system and giving all Americans irrespective of the color of their skin is not just a path forwards, it's a path to making things fairer in America. I've represented a constituency where minorities formed the majority. I've been Governor in a state where we've implemented some of these plans and now we're seeing the rewards, more doctors where they're needed, more nurses where they're needed, more teachers, more engineers, more accountants, more skills, more jobs and more opportunities in communities where they're needed. We've begun addressing the generational wrongs, the institutional failures and the economic shortcomings. To go further, it takes the Federal Government. We can't tackle gerrymandering or explore reparations without a Federal involvement. Fairness comes when we pass landmark legislation. It's why I'm proud to endorse the Baker-Jeffrey Plan. I consider myself a feminist, but I'm not blind to how the feminist movement has failed African-American women. Hester Jeffrey was an inspiration of mine growing up, she and Ella Baker represent the next wave of democracy and women's rights. It's why I'm proud to name this plan after two women who have together given so much to the womens and civil rights movements.

After this, she would return to DC to meet with Senator Moore and if she could find him, Senator Little.

The Baker-Jeffrey Plan for Urban and Community Renewal

Preface: The Baker-Jeffrey Plan for Urban and Community Renewal calls for avenues of delivering jobs and opportunity to all Americans, and addressing race-based differences in our community.

Objective 1: Investment in HBCUs

A Dayton Administration will move to deliver a dedicated $20bn dollar investment into Historically-Black-Colleges-&-Universities, for infrastructural expansion. This would be in addition to a pool of infrastructure-specific grants available to colleges and Universities.
*Key Point: Infrastructural expansion specific to HCBUs

Objective 2: The Walker-Lewis Initiative

The Walker-Lewis Initiative, named for black entrepreneurs Madam C.J. Walker and Reginald Lewis, would aim to triple the number of entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds over 10 years. The plan would create a fund to invest in minority-founded businesses, offer loan deferments and forgiveness programs to black college students who start businesses after graduating, and increase the amount of federal contracting funding given to small business owners from marginalized communities. The total for this fund would be at $75bn over a decade.
*Key Point: Jobs and Opportunities for Entrepreneurship for African-Americans

Objective 3: HECS-Program & Skill Diversification

The crowning legislative accomplishment of mine while I was Governor was the passage of a universal college access program which enabled students of all financial abilities to attend college with no upfront costs. As President, I would make this a federal program. After doing so, the deferred loans would be completely cancelled for any graduate who returns to a regional or marginalized community, giving a generation of students the opportunity to access a college education, while giving students from within that generation the opportunity to go back to their communities, meaning more teachers, more doctors, more engineers, etc. in African-American communities.
*Key Point: Delivers educational opportunities and more teachers, doctors and opportunities in African-American communities

Objective 4: Reforming the Justice System

Reducing mass incarceration at the federal and state levels by 50 percent. This goal would involve reducing arrests, decriminalizing drug possession offenses, closing prisons, and investing in social services, rehabilitation and diversion efforts. It is time we treat cannabis use as a health crisis not as a criminal matter, and thus, a Dayton Administration will make such rehab programs more easily accessible and better funded.
*Key Point: Reduces prison disparity and provides social justice and reduces the prison population

Objective 5: Political Fairness

As a Senator, I have been on the forefront of electoral reform in the Senate, a Dayton Administration would pass within the first hundred days a bill ending gerrymandering, enlarging the House of Representatives, introducing AVR and mail-in-voting, restoring provisions of the Voting Rights Act that were struck down by the Supreme court in 2013 and finally, moving election day to a Saturday and mandating that employers give employees the option to work on election day.
*Key Point: Ends the dilution of the political power of minority communities and offers avenues to being able to vote easily

Objective 6: Reparations for the Past

I am proud of most parts of Virginian history, but I am not blind to the wrongdoings of our history. I want a Select Congressional Committee to investigate and report on the feasibility, mechanism and process for reparations to those whose ancestry have been victims of slavery. I would want this committee to report on its findings within two years of starting up.
*Key Point: Explores and considers in depth, the avenues of addressing the lasting consequences of slavery

[Velahor]

“He’s a snake in the grass, and he’s more power-hungry than even the worst in Washington. But there’s gotta be something to cut him down to size. It might be time to get everyone to agree to take him out. But if everyone attacks him too hard, they’ll make him out to be the next Wolf. Maybe we ignore him? He seems to make a fool out of himself on his own pretty well. Or maybe there’s a way to push the narrative of the race to make him seem really extreme? That’s part of what I was doing with the more ‘suburban’ rhetoric tonight though, dragging the window toward the center to make him seem extreme, but it didn’t look like it worked once we hit the social issues.”

"Nate Richardson still won't tell the truth about his wife trying to make me and Arnold Junior look like rapists, and I've not forgiven him for that. It makes me sick to my core, and..." He shook his head. "I am convinced Richardson will lose the next election for the Republican Party, but... Bernard Porter cannot be President of the United States. He is a tyrant, a despot in waiting. We have to stop him... somehow. And if I have to work with Richardson again despite his total lack of sincerity or sense of justice, so be it." It might not have been apparent to Diane before, and maybe Jonah just hadn't been like that in the past, but he had grown some principles.

“I’m impressed, you’re sounding quite leader-ly with your own sense of justice. I do wish that there was a way that the truth would come out with Nate, I honestly like the kid, but he’s gotta lose the arrogant gloss, which typically in politicians only gets worse with age,” Paulson said, then took a quieter tone. “Between big pharma and his performance, Wolf Jr. isn’t going anywhere. Take out Porter, get Richardson out on Amandagate, and you and I can just run a fair, principled race against each other.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I’m impressed, you’re sounding quite leader-ly with your own sense of justice. I do wish that there was a way that the truth would come out with Nate, I honestly like the kid, but he’s gotta lose the arrogant gloss, which typically in politicians only gets worse with age,” Paulson said, then took a quieter tone. “Between big pharma and his performance, Wolf Jr. isn’t going anywhere. Take out Porter, get Richardson out on Amandagate, and you and I can just run a fair, principled race against each other.”

"Were it so easy, Diane. I think Amandagate'll pass without being confronted, if the moderators didn't bring it up we can't really do it either." He sighed, shaking his head. "He got away with that one. But yeah, I like Arnold Junior but he's not going to last long at that rate. I can keep Porter at bay if I can confirm myself as the continuity Wolf candidate, I think. Maybe I should have a word with the First Lady and with the RNC Chair..." He stroked his chin, shaking his head. "What a mess this is. What a goddamned mess."

[Velahor]

“I’m impressed, you’re sounding quite leader-ly with your own sense of justice. I do wish that there was a way that the truth would come out with Nate, I honestly like the kid, but he’s gotta lose the arrogant gloss, which typically in politicians only gets worse with age,” Paulson said, then took a quieter tone. “Between big pharma and his performance, Wolf Jr. isn’t going anywhere. Take out Porter, get Richardson out on Amandagate, and you and I can just run a fair, principled race against each other.”

"Were it so easy, Diane. I think Amandagate'll pass without being confronted, if the moderators didn't bring it up we can't really do it either." He sighed, shaking his head. "He got away with that one. But yeah, I like Arnold Junior but he's not going to last long at that rate. I can keep Porter at bay if I can confirm myself as the continuity Wolf candidate, I think. Maybe I should have a word with the First Lady and with the RNC Chair..." He stroked his chin, shaking his head. "What a mess this is. What a goddamned mess."

Diane saw the worry in Prendergast. She didn't know if he was faking it, she knew the man but not well enough to know for certain. Regardless, she felt the need to offer her support.

"It really is Jonah...we're going to have to make something big happen. You don't have to worry though, I do have faith that there's no way Porter wins a general election. That's what matters in the end, that he doesn't win, and that the socialists on the left don't win. Are you doing okay, Jonah? Like, how are you holding up?"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Diane saw the worry in Prendergast. She didn't know if he was faking it, she knew the man but not well enough to know for certain. Regardless, she felt the need to offer her support.

"It really is Jonah...we're going to have to make something big happen. You don't have to worry though, I do have faith that there's no way Porter wins a general election. That's what matters in the end, that he doesn't win, and that the socialists on the left don't win. Are you doing okay, Jonah? Like, how are you holding up?"

"Bah, I've been worse, it's just..." He shook his head. "Going around the country, Diane. I've seen things. I've seen what Wolfism has done to the country and I am trying to get ahead of it, trying to make sense of it, guide it onto tracks which can heal rather than harm. I..." He looked around, hoping he wasn't being overheard. "I went to Puerto Rico, quite early in my campaign. The things I saw there... we treat them like second class citizens. They're dying, Diane. They don't have a vote, they can't even declare bankruptcy. Where's the promise of the American Dream for them?"

[Velahor]

Diane saw the worry in Prendergast. She didn't know if he was faking it, she knew the man but not well enough to know for certain. Regardless, she felt the need to offer her support.

"It really is Jonah...we're going to have to make something big happen. You don't have to worry though, I do have faith that there's no way Porter wins a general election. That's what matters in the end, that he doesn't win, and that the socialists on the left don't win. Are you doing okay, Jonah? Like, how are you holding up?"

"Bah, I've been worse, it's just..." He shook his head. "Going around the country, Diane. I've seen things. I've seen what Wolfism has done to the country and I am trying to get ahead of it, trying to make sense of it, guide it onto tracks which can heal rather than harm. I..." He looked around, hoping he wasn't being overheard. "I went to Puerto Rico, quite early in my campaign. The things I saw there... we treat them like second class citizens. They're dying, Diane. They don't have a vote, they can't even declare bankruptcy. Where's the promise of the American Dream for them?"

“I’d hate for the Democrats to have more House seats than they already do, but Puerto Rico might need statehood, and it needs the aid a state in their scenario would get. This is what I was getting at with immigration, though it’s a little different, but there’s a part of this country that has stopped treating anyone different from them with any respect. There’s people out there who don’t have any compassion for those not born within our borders, and they’re gaining power left and right,” she said, pondering on it a bit.

“I don’t mean to give advice unasked for, but regardless of my ideological differences, I think that some of my compassionate message would do you well. It’s a tightrope to walk, but if you can take the patriotism aspects of the Wolf movement, and apply them to all Americans, you might have big success. If you win the primary, that’s the swing you need to make in the general.”

“As Junior fades, the Wolfist movement is going to stand more divided than it is now. The splinters are becoming more apparent. I just don’t know how this all ends, and it can’t end with Porter in office.”

“You know Jonah, it’s one thing that you’re the successor to Wolf, but in a way, I see you as an Eisenhower-type. Strong, effective leadership, big plans for the economy and infrastructure. Consistent, not easily shaken. Eventually, as the Wolf fever dies down when Senior passes and Junior drops out, there’s going to have to be someone to pick up the pieces. It needs to be you or me. We need a two-term Republican President who reunites our country and make our economy even better, for all Americans, not just the ones who vote for them. We either need a Reagan or an Eisenhower, another Wolf is just going to divide us further, if you get what I’m saying,” said Diane, and as she continued to speak, she sounded more passionate and serious than she normally did. This was very important to her.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I’d hate for the Democrats to have more House seats than they already do, but Puerto Rico might need statehood, and it needs the aid a state in their scenario would get. This is what I was getting at with immigration, though it’s a little different, but there’s a part of this country that has stopped treating anyone different from them with any respect. There’s people out there who don’t have any compassion for those not born within our borders, and they’re gaining power left and right,” she said, pondering on it a bit.

“I don’t mean to give advice unasked for, but regardless of my ideological differences, I think that some of my compassionate message would do you well. It’s a tightrope to walk, but if you can take the patriotism aspects of the Wolf movement, and apply them to all Americans, you might have big success. If you win the primary, that’s the swing you need to make in the general.”

“As Junior fades, the Wolfist movement is going to stand more divided than it is now. The splinters are becoming more apparent. I just don’t know how this all ends, and it can’t end with Porter in office.”

“You know Jonah, it’s one thing that you’re the successor to Wolf, but in a way, I see you as an Eisenhower-type. Strong, effective leadership, big plans for the economy and infrastructure. Consistent, not easily shaken. Eventually, as the Wolf fever dies down when Senior passes and Junior drops out, there’s going to have to be someone to pick up the pieces. It needs to be you or me. We need a two-term Republican President who reunites our country and make our economy even better, for all Americans, not just the ones who vote for them. We either need a Reagan or an Eisenhower, another Wolf is just going to divide us further, if you get what I’m saying,” said Diane, and as she continued to speak, she sounded more passionate and serious than she normally did. This was very important to her.

Jonah looked almost bug-eyed at Diane in disbelief, blinking a few times. "An Eisenhower-type? Diane, I'm flattered, but I'm just a man. I'm not a war hero, I've never served. I'm a man who has done his best from a relatively generous hand. I can't profess that before now, I've been the most generous or most outward looking person. It's only through my experiences on the campaign, seeing how badly my country is bleeding, that I'm even thinking about this stuff. Does that make me a better person, having discovered goodness after coming from a place of selfishness? I don't know. I'm not a priest. I can't qualify the weight of my soul against the weight of my sins. All I know is that I have to be a Wolf to win the primary. After that..." He shook his head. "I have no intention of being an imitation, I will be my own candidate, my own President. The wisdom of Eisenhower and Reagan will guide me closely, but I don't think either of them faced an America quite so broken before. So... defeated. How much longer before the nation is irreparably divided? How much longer until the House divided against itself can no longer stand?"

[Velahor]

“I’d hate for the Democrats to have more House seats than they already do, but Puerto Rico might need statehood, and it needs the aid a state in their scenario would get. This is what I was getting at with immigration, though it’s a little different, but there’s a part of this country that has stopped treating anyone different from them with any respect. There’s people out there who don’t have any compassion for those not born within our borders, and they’re gaining power left and right,” she said, pondering on it a bit.

“I don’t mean to give advice unasked for, but regardless of my ideological differences, I think that some of my compassionate message would do you well. It’s a tightrope to walk, but if you can take the patriotism aspects of the Wolf movement, and apply them to all Americans, you might have big success. If you win the primary, that’s the swing you need to make in the general.”

“As Junior fades, the Wolfist movement is going to stand more divided than it is now. The splinters are becoming more apparent. I just don’t know how this all ends, and it can’t end with Porter in office.”

“You know Jonah, it’s one thing that you’re the successor to Wolf, but in a way, I see you as an Eisenhower-type. Strong, effective leadership, big plans for the economy and infrastructure. Consistent, not easily shaken. Eventually, as the Wolf fever dies down when Senior passes and Junior drops out, there’s going to have to be someone to pick up the pieces. It needs to be you or me. We need a two-term Republican President who reunites our country and make our economy even better, for all Americans, not just the ones who vote for them. We either need a Reagan or an Eisenhower, another Wolf is just going to divide us further, if you get what I’m saying,” said Diane, and as she continued to speak, she sounded more passionate and serious than she normally did. This was very important to her.

Jonah looked almost bug-eyed at Diane in disbelief, blinking a few times. "An Eisenhower-type? Diane, I'm flattered, but I'm just a man. I'm not a war hero, I've never served. I'm a man who has done his best from a relatively generous hand. I can't profess that before now, I've been the most generous or most outward looking person. It's only through my experiences on the campaign, seeing how badly my country is bleeding, that I'm even thinking about this stuff. Does that make me a better person, having discovered goodness after coming from a place of selfishness? I don't know. I'm not a priest. I can't qualify the weight of my soul against the weight of my sins. All I know is that I have to be a Wolf to win the primary. After that..." He shook his head. "I have no intention of being an imitation, I will be my own candidate, my own President. The wisdom of Eisenhower and Reagan will guide me closely, but I don't think either of them faced an America quite so broken before. So... defeated. How much longer before the nation is irreparably divided? How much longer until the House divided against itself can no longer stand?"

"We've fixed this country before, we can fix it again," Diane reassured him. "It's going to take leadership, and frankly, it's going to take the Republican Party making peace with Hispanics and clearing out people like Porter to make room for them. They're good people, and most of them are really conservative at heart. Hard working, deeply religious, and entrepreneurial. Many grew up in poverty, and poverty breeds leftists, while leftism breeds more poverty. That's been the story in Latin America for years. But their values are more conservative than many Republicans. Before Wolf gained momentum in 2016, (not-Rand Paul) and I were both insistent that Hispanics needed to be the target voters for the GOP in future elections, then Wolf swept in and made them the scapegoat for his little narcissism trip. There's a massive opportunity there for a Republican who figures out how to do it right..."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"We've fixed this country before, we can fix it again," Diane reassured him. "It's going to take leadership, and frankly, it's going to take the Republican Party making peace with Hispanics and clearing out people like Porter to make room for them. They're good people, and most of them are really conservative at heart. Hard working, deeply religious, and entrepreneurial. Many grew up in poverty, and poverty breeds leftists, while leftism breeds more poverty. That's been the story in Latin America for years. But their values are more conservative than many Republicans. Before Wolf gained momentum in 2016, (not-Rand Paul) and I were both insistent that Hispanics needed to be the target voters for the GOP in future elections, then Wolf swept in and made them the scapegoat for his little narcissism trip. There's a massive opportunity there for a Republican who figures out how to do it right..."

"I like to think that tonight I talked about controlling immigration in a way that was not unduly parochial towards immigrants, but - well - who knows? I'll be waiting on the analysis tomorrow. I'm not a huge fan of Senator (not-Paul), I'll say with some warning. I think you're far less... preachy than he is. He's got a bad attitude on him which I find very grating. But you're both right that we need to do something about Hispanics. And, to be honest, African-Americans. African-Americans are inherently socially conservative, but they won't vote for a Republican because we've spent the past twenty to forty years waging war on them. That's not something we can fix on the campaign, it's something I'd have to fix from the Oval Office..." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Diane, I have seen the ugliest of this country. The decay, the pain, the bleeding. Sometimes there are Republican solutions, and sometimes... we should lose the partisan battle and let the Democrats have their way on some issues. But it is what it is."

[Velahor]

"We've fixed this country before, we can fix it again," Diane reassured him. "It's going to take leadership, and frankly, it's going to take the Republican Party making peace with Hispanics and clearing out people like Porter to make room for them. They're good people, and most of them are really conservative at heart. Hard working, deeply religious, and entrepreneurial. Many grew up in poverty, and poverty breeds leftists, while leftism breeds more poverty. That's been the story in Latin America for years. But their values are more conservative than many Republicans. Before Wolf gained momentum in 2016, (not-Rand Paul) and I were both insistent that Hispanics needed to be the target voters for the GOP in future elections, then Wolf swept in and made them the scapegoat for his little narcissism trip. There's a massive opportunity there for a Republican who figures out how to do it right..."

"I like to think that tonight I talked about controlling immigration in a way that was not unduly parochial towards immigrants, but - well - who knows? I'll be waiting on the analysis tomorrow. I'm not a huge fan of Senator (not-Paul), I'll say with some warning. I think you're far less... preachy than he is. He's got a bad attitude on him which I find very grating. But you're both right that we need to do something about Hispanics. And, to be honest, African-Americans. African-Americans are inherently socially conservative, but they won't vote for a Republican because we've spent the past twenty to forty years waging war on them. That's not something we can fix on the campaign, it's something I'd have to fix from the Oval Office..." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Diane, I have seen the ugliest of this country. The decay, the pain, the bleeding. Sometimes there are Republican solutions, and sometimes... we should lose the partisan battle and let the Democrats have their way on some issues. But it is what it is."

“It is, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we do this, to make real change in our nation and to make things better for every American. Anyone who isn’t In it for that reason has no business being our President, no matter what their ideology is,” replied Diane, “I’d only have this conversation with someone who I thought was doing this for the right reasons.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“It is, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we do this, to make real change in our nation and to make things better for every American. Anyone who isn’t In it for that reason has no business being our President, no matter what their ideology is,” replied Diane, “I’d only have this conversation with someone who I thought was doing this for the right reasons.”

"That means a lot to me, Diane. To have that level of confidence in me. That level of trust. To conceive, to bear the concerns and needs of the people above personal ambition, that is the defining characteristic of a statesman. I've always thought of myself as a wealthy powerbroker. A politician. A businessman. I've never felt like a statesman before, until you said the things you've said to me tonight." He rocked slightly on his heels. "I'm afraid I don't have the great, amplifying pep-talk in me right now, but if it means anything at all, Diane, I think you would make an excellent President of the United States. And whilst I slammed you on making hard decisions, I do know that we've got to find a way of resolving the trade war sooner rather than later."

[Velahor]

“It is, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we do this, to make real change in our nation and to make things better for every American. Anyone who isn’t In it for that reason has no business being our President, no matter what their ideology is,” replied Diane, “I’d only have this conversation with someone who I thought was doing this for the right reasons.”

"That means a lot to me, Diane. To have that level of confidence in me. That level of trust. To conceive, to bear the concerns and needs of the people above personal ambition, that is the defining characteristic of a statesman. I've always thought of myself as a wealthy powerbroker. A politician. A businessman. I've never felt like a statesman before, until you said the things you've said to me tonight." He rocked slightly on his heels. "I'm afraid I don't have the great, amplifying pep-talk in me right now, but if it means anything at all, Diane, I think you would make an excellent President of the United States. And whilst I slammed you on making hard decisions, I do know that we've got to find a way of resolving the trade war sooner rather than later."

“I know it won me no favors with Wolf voters to say it in the debate, but there’s a second phase after a trade war if one is absolutely needed in the first place. That second phase is opening the economy up wide with healthy new trade partners,” replied Diane. She was happy that she had cheered him up a bit, and it made up a bit for her guilt of attacking him on the racial profiling thing, knowing his real feelings about the state of the nation.

“Thank you for the compliment, I really do appreciate it, especially after how I treated you earlier. I’m going to run this race to its logical end, and I don’t know if what I’m saying, that we need to bring compassion back to conservatism and heal the divides in our nation, I don’t know if it’s going to stick.”

“But I hope so. I really hope so. If nothing else, to stop whatever this thing is that’s made this country sick. Because it is sick, something’s not right. I don’t know what it is, I don’t know if it’s God telling us something, but people are getting really awful to each other and it’s gotta end. We went through all these great triumphs with the Civil Rights movement, with Reagan, with women, we did so much good. Then something corrupted it all, and part of that something was Wolf. I know that saying that isn’t winning me any favors on the right. But it’s what needs to be said now. I know you’re not in a position to say it yet, I know that’s not the campaign you’re running. “

“But someone is going to have to, and as long as no one else is saying something, I’m morally obliged to keep speaking up and trying to fix the division in our country the only way I know how. Through giving the government less power so it can’t hurt people in ways that further the division.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I know it won me no favors with Wolf voters to say it in the debate, but there’s a second phase after a trade war if one is absolutely needed in the first place. That second phase is opening the economy up wide with healthy new trade partners,” replied Diane. She was happy that she had cheered him up a bit, and it made up a bit for her guilt of attacking him on the racial profiling thing, knowing his real feelings about the state of the nation.

“Thank you for the compliment, I really do appreciate it, especially after how I treated you earlier. I’m going to run this race to its logical end, and I don’t know if what I’m saying, that we need to bring compassion back to conservatism and heal the divides in our nation, I don’t know if it’s going to stick.”

“But I hope so. I really hope so. If nothing else, to stop whatever this thing is that’s made this country sick. Because it is sick, something’s not right. I don’t know what it is, I don’t know if it’s God telling us something, but people are getting really awful to each other and it’s gotta end. We went through all these great triumphs with the Civil Rights movement, with Reagan, with women, we did so much good. Then something corrupted it all, and part of that something was Wolf. I know that saying that isn’t winning me any favors on the right. But it’s what needs to be said now. I know you’re not in a position to say it yet, I know that’s not the campaign you’re running. “

“But someone is going to have to, and as long as no one else is saying something, I’m morally obliged to keep speaking up and trying to fix the division in our country the only way I know how. Through giving the government less power so it can’t hurt people in ways that further the division.”

"Arnold Wolf isn't the disease, Diane, he's the symptom. He's a product of thirty years of sickness. Truly, I don't blame him for taking advantage of an opportunity. Opportunism is the root of capitalism, and whilst it's dirty, it works. This all started with (not-Gingrich) when Burke Senior was in office. Hamstringing him for compromise. Poisoning what it means to be a Republican. He made fundamentalists out of our Party. It's... spiralled from there." He shook his head. "The days of collegial bipartisanship and country before party are dead, Diane, and so help me God, it is our duty to bring them back. We won't get them from Murphy, we won't get them from Westra, we won't get them from Richardson... It's down to you or me. But the cold hard truth is that if we're going to change the country, we've got to win elections first. I'm not afraid of making sausage. Are you?"

[Velahor]

“I know it won me no favors with Wolf voters to say it in the debate, but there’s a second phase after a trade war if one is absolutely needed in the first place. That second phase is opening the economy up wide with healthy new trade partners,” replied Diane. She was happy that she had cheered him up a bit, and it made up a bit for her guilt of attacking him on the racial profiling thing, knowing his real feelings about the state of the nation.

“Thank you for the compliment, I really do appreciate it, especially after how I treated you earlier. I’m going to run this race to its logical end, and I don’t know if what I’m saying, that we need to bring compassion back to conservatism and heal the divides in our nation, I don’t know if it’s going to stick.”

“But I hope so. I really hope so. If nothing else, to stop whatever this thing is that’s made this country sick. Because it is sick, something’s not right. I don’t know what it is, I don’t know if it’s God telling us something, but people are getting really awful to each other and it’s gotta end. We went through all these great triumphs with the Civil Rights movement, with Reagan, with women, we did so much good. Then something corrupted it all, and part of that something was Wolf. I know that saying that isn’t winning me any favors on the right. But it’s what needs to be said now. I know you’re not in a position to say it yet, I know that’s not the campaign you’re running. “

“But someone is going to have to, and as long as no one else is saying something, I’m morally obliged to keep speaking up and trying to fix the division in our country the only way I know how. Through giving the government less power so it can’t hurt people in ways that further the division.”

"Arnold Wolf isn't the disease, Diane, he's the symptom. He's a product of thirty years of sickness. Truly, I don't blame him for taking advantage of an opportunity. Opportunism is the root of capitalism, and whilst it's dirty, it works. This all started with (not-Gingrich) when Burke Senior was in office. Hamstringing him for compromise. Poisoning what it means to be a Republican. He made fundamentalists out of our Party. It's... spiralled from there." He shook his head. "The days of collegial bipartisanship and country before party are dead, Diane, and so help me God, it is our duty to bring them back. We won't get them from Murphy, we won't get them from Westra, we won't get them from Richardson... It's down to you or me. But the cold hard truth is that if we're going to change the country, we've got to win elections first. I'm not afraid of making sausage. Are you?"

“Oh no, not at all, that’s why I teamed up with you on AM in the first place. I’m no stranger to the more cutthroat tactics of the political arena, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“What exactly are you alluding to? What do you think it’s going to take to win?” she asked. She actually hadn’t asked as many questions in this conversation as was typical, and she felt a little guilty for that on top of her behavior earlier in the night.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“Oh no, not at all, that’s why I teamed up with you on AM in the first place. I’m no stranger to the more cutthroat tactics of the political arena, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“What exactly are you alluding to? What do you think it’s going to take to win?” she asked. She actually hadn’t asked as many questions in this conversation as was typical, and she felt a little guilty for that on top of her behavior earlier in the night.

"Becoming the very thing we're swearing to destroy. Vicious, partisan fearmongers. Uncompromising edifices of ideology." He said with a sour expression, clearly displeased. "That's the primary element. Then we hit the general and... we're going to have to drag the Republican Party kicking and screaming towards the center. All of the leading Democrats are radical in some way - we have to become the party of common sense. Somehow. After the past three years." He shrugged, shaking his head. "That's why I'm offering the big infrastructure jobs, the minimum wage rise. We've got to give people a real alternative to the Democrats."

[Velahor]

“Oh no, not at all, that’s why I teamed up with you on AM in the first place. I’m no stranger to the more cutthroat tactics of the political arena, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“What exactly are you alluding to? What do you think it’s going to take to win?” she asked. She actually hadn’t asked as many questions in this conversation as was typical, and she felt a little guilty for that on top of her behavior earlier in the night.

"Becoming the very thing we're swearing to destroy. Vicious, partisan fearmongers. Uncompromising edifices of ideology." He said with a sour expression, clearly displeased. "That's the primary element. Then we hit the general and... we're going to have to drag the Republican Party kicking and screaming towards the center. All of the leading Democrats are radical in some way - we have to become the party of common sense. Somehow. After the past three years." He shrugged, shaking his head. "That's why I'm offering the big infrastructure jobs, the minimum wage rise. We've got to give people a real alternative to the Democrats."

“How the hell are we going to do that in the primary if Porter is outflanking us on the right?” Paulson asked, “I mean, I understand the strategy, and I considered it myself. But I realized that no matter how far right you move on social issues, he’ll move two times as far right. And no matter how many concessions you made to government spending, he’s just going to say he’ll spend a bigger number. Of course every single plan is unfeasible. But as long as it has an American flag pinned to it, the new GOP will eat it up.

“I can do it, and I will do it, I can make the Democrats out to be monster thieves of the people’s livelihoods. I can’t betray my record on most social issues, or I will lose all credibility, but I can bring people out against Democrats...on economics alone I can make the strongest case for why Democrats are ruining America. And then you heard me on that stage! I’m good at giving alternative options to Democrats, I have my healthcare plan and my tax plan. Is this something we want to work toward? Porter does stand as a big obstacle...”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“How the hell are we going to do that in the primary if Porter is outflanking us on the right?” Paulson asked, “I mean, I understand the strategy, and I considered it myself. But I realized that no matter how far right you move on social issues, he’ll move two times as far right. And no matter how many concessions you made to government spending, he’s just going to say he’ll spend a bigger number. Of course every single plan is unfeasible. But as long as it has an American flag pinned to it, the new GOP will eat it up.

“I can do it, and I will do it, I can make the Democrats out to be monster thieves of the people’s livelihoods. I can’t betray my record on most social issues, or I will lose all credibility, but I can bring people out against Democrats...on economics alone I can make the strongest case for why Democrats are ruining America. And then you heard me on that stage! I’m good at giving alternative options to Democrats, I have my healthcare plan and my tax plan. Is this something we want to work toward? Porter does stand as a big obstacle...”

Jonah had misgivings about her flat tax plan, and he wasn't sure any of the Republican healthcare plans would come close to addressing the issues at hand, but he certainly didn't express any of that out-loud. "Porter can't move any further to the right else he'll legitimize everything he's sought to deny tonight. He's backed into a corner, he has to make a play to mainstream conservatives and I think if I keep up my regular campaign pressure, I'll be able to lock them down. He's been a fumbler with regular campaigning. And the donor money is inevitably going to dry up for him. He's hardly wealthy enough to bear that burden alone - I'm the only candidate who can self-fund, but I think my ties with donors are good too. Porter can't win if he runs out of money."

[Velahor]

“How the hell are we going to do that in the primary if Porter is outflanking us on the right?” Paulson asked, “I mean, I understand the strategy, and I considered it myself. But I realized that no matter how far right you move on social issues, he’ll move two times as far right. And no matter how many concessions you made to government spending, he’s just going to say he’ll spend a bigger number. Of course every single plan is unfeasible. But as long as it has an American flag pinned to it, the new GOP will eat it up.

“I can do it, and I will do it, I can make the Democrats out to be monster thieves of the people’s livelihoods. I can’t betray my record on most social issues, or I will lose all credibility, but I can bring people out against Democrats...on economics alone I can make the strongest case for why Democrats are ruining America. And then you heard me on that stage! I’m good at giving alternative options to Democrats, I have my healthcare plan and my tax plan. Is this something we want to work toward? Porter does stand as a big obstacle...”

Jonah had misgivings about her flat tax plan, and he wasn't sure any of the Republican healthcare plans would come close to addressing the issues at hand, but he certainly didn't express any of that out-loud. "Porter can't move any further to the right else he'll legitimize everything he's sought to deny tonight. He's backed into a corner, he has to make a play to mainstream conservatives and I think if I keep up my regular campaign pressure, I'll be able to lock them down. He's been a fumbler with regular campaigning. And the donor money is inevitably going to dry up for him. He's hardly wealthy enough to bear that burden alone - I'm the only candidate who can self-fund, but I think my ties with donors are good too. Porter can't win if he runs out of money."

“So then what next. What’s the move for us to see this thing through?”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“So then what next. What’s the move for us to see this thing through?”

"Porter has to be stopped. It's a moral imperative. We'll talk to Richardson. I'll have some words with people on Armed Services, see if there's anything dodgy from Porter's confirmation..." He frowned, shaking his head. "It's important that we're not seen to be coordinating a hit on him, else he'll emerge with some impunity, but when push comes to shove, some of us are going to need to drop out before Super Tuesday to stop him from sweeping the South."

[Velahor]

“So then what next. What’s the move for us to see this thing through?”

"Porter has to be stopped. It's a moral imperative. We'll talk to Richardson. I'll have some words with people on Armed Services, see if there's anything dodgy from Porter's confirmation..." He frowned, shaking his head. "It's important that we're not seen to be coordinating a hit on him, else he'll emerge with some impunity, but when push comes to shove, some of us are going to need to drop out before Super Tuesday to stop him from sweeping the South."

“There’s no doubt about it. I think right now we stay the course and he probably falls apart. But if things are looking desperate before Super Tuesday, I think the ones of us with any common sense will need to have a contingency plan.”

“It’s doubtful that I will drop out before Super Tuesday though, I feel momentum behind my campaign. There’s a long time until Iowa, I know that I might sound out of the ordinary to some Republicans now, the narrative is being shifted in a way that is very favorable to my prospects.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“There’s no doubt about it. I think right now we stay the course and he probably falls apart. But if things are looking desperate before Super Tuesday, I think the ones of us with any common sense will need to have a contingency plan.”

“It’s doubtful that I will drop out before Super Tuesday though, I feel momentum behind my campaign. There’s a long time until Iowa, I know that I might sound out of the ordinary to some Republicans now, the narrative is being shifted in a way that is very favorable to my prospects.”

"I want you to do well, Diane, I really do. But if we're in a situation where Porter is still a serious threat by Super Tuesday, you, Richardson and I are going to have to bite the bullet and decide which one of us is going to take him on alone. If I have to sacrifice my campaign to do that, so be it, I'll yield to you or even Richardson if that is the case." He didn't seem to have any regrets or objections to putting defeating Porter before his own ambitions.

[Agarntrop]

(Image) Randy Cramp @RandyCrampy Former Secretary of Defense Bernard Porter proved to me that he is a wise, and strong-willed leader, someone capable of leading America through the storm in the next four years. I wholeheartedly endorse Mr Porter, a true Christian man and patriot for President of the United States. God Bless you. (Image)

John Atang
@JohnAtangNY3

Fools seldom differ.

[Dentali]

Nate Richardson
@GovernorRichardson

I sought the LORD, and he answered me,delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:5