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

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"If I was the most 'qualified' of the Wolf Pack, I should really be running for President," Lilyana said. The maid brought back coffee. "There's not many people in the race at the moment, you and Richardson. Richardson was fervently against me doing that, and I suspect you wouldn't support it either. But President is the long-term goal. I certainly won't run in 2020 if Arnie Jr decides to throw his hat in the ring."

"Obviously to be totally honest and upfront, of course it'd fuck my campaign sideways if you ran. I'd have to do an embarrassing pullout. But you're also a bit young for the Presidency, and that could cause you issues down the road. We need to pad out your portfolio a bit more - counselor to the President alone isn't really enough to base a presidential bid on. Your father had a lifetime of business and a brief political career that all added up nicely when he decided to run. That said, I'm thinking of only going for one term. If you were to be the running mate of my successor, you could take over after him in turn, and hopefully, we can preserve the Wolf Pack, preserve the Wolf revolution, and secure years on years of Republican rule."

[Puertollano]

"If I was the most 'qualified' of the Wolf Pack, I should really be running for President," Lilyana said. The maid brought back coffee. "There's not many people in the race at the moment, you and Richardson. Richardson was fervently against me doing that, and I suspect you wouldn't support it either. But President is the long-term goal. I certainly won't run in 2020 if Arnie Jr decides to throw his hat in the ring."

"Obviously to be totally honest and upfront, of course it'd fuck my campaign sideways if you ran. I'd have to do an embarrassing pullout. But you're also a bit young for the Presidency, and that could cause you issues down the road. We need to pad out your portfolio a bit more - counselor to the President alone isn't really enough to base a presidential bid on. Your father had a lifetime of business and a brief political career that all added up nicely when he decided to run. That said, I'm thinking of only going for one term. If you were to be the running mate of my successor, you could take over after him in turn, and hopefully, we can preserve the Wolf Pack, preserve the Wolf revolution, and secure years on years of Republican rule."

"Well, that is very long-term," she said as she thought about his proposal. "That'd mean, if your plan all works, I would be President in 16 years, as long as your running mate doesn't go for a second-term either." Lilyana thought about it. "Look, I'm probably not going to run for President, just flouting it. If the speculative polling picks me up, I would be interested in running myself if I somehow polled first place." Lilyana took a sip of the coffee. "I have two other options, or maybe three. Run for Maine Senate and wipe out [not-Collins] in the primary or run for Maine's close second district.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Well, that is very long-term," she said as she thought about his proposal. "That'd mean, if your plan all works, I would be President in 16 years, as long as your running mate doesn't go for a second-term either." Lilyana thought about it. "Look, I'm probably not going to run for President, just flouting it. If the speculative polling picks me up, I would be interested in running myself if I somehow polled first place." Lilyana took a sip of the coffee. "I have two other options, or maybe three. Run for Maine Senate and wipe out [not-Collins] in the primary or run for Maine's close second district.

"Get rid of [not-Collins]... Now that's an idea we can run with. Again, I'd double check with your father and see what he and the R.N.C. have in mind, but she really screwed us on unraveling Bahariacare. You can't trust [not-Collins]." He shook his head, clearly taking a dim view of that particular Senator. "Maine is going to be difficult for the Republicans to hold in 2020. A fresh candidate could inject new blood into that race, and you've got all the good marks going for you for a New England Republican - socially liberal but low tax. I think we could make things work for you in Maine, if that's what you've got your mind set onto. We need to shake up the Senate anyway, it's full of RINOs and Quislings."

[Puertollano]

"Well, that is very long-term," she said as she thought about his proposal. "That'd mean, if your plan all works, I would be President in 16 years, as long as your running mate doesn't go for a second-term either." Lilyana thought about it. "Look, I'm probably not going to run for President, just flouting it. If the speculative polling picks me up, I would be interested in running myself if I somehow polled first place." Lilyana took a sip of the coffee. "I have two other options, or maybe three. Run for Maine Senate and wipe out [not-Collins] in the primary or run for Maine's close second district.

"Get rid of [not-Collins]... Now that's an idea we can run with. Again, I'd double check with your father and see what he and the R.N.C. have in mind, but she really screwed us on unraveling Bahariacare. You can't trust [not-Collins]." He shook his head, clearly taking a dim view of that particular Senator. "Maine is going to be difficult for the Republicans to hold in 2020. A fresh candidate could inject new blood into that race, and you've got all the good marks going for you for a New England Republican - socially liberal but low tax. I think we could make things work for you in Maine, if that's what you've got your mind set onto. We need to shake up the Senate anyway, it's full of RINOs and Quislings."

"That's what I like to hear," she said. "[not-Collins] has not been an ally of the Wolf Pack, but Richardson was determined on protecting her position in the Senate. Maybe he wants to keep his allies? He also basically said that my relation to the President would hurt me in Maine. Which is crazy - the President is very popular in Maine!" To calm herself down a little, she drank more coffee. "I like that you think I've got a good shot in the Senate - but what were saying about the RNC? What do they even do?"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"That's what I like to hear," she said. "[not-Collins] has not been an ally of the Wolf Pack, but Richardson was determined on protecting her position in the Senate. Maybe he wants to keep his allies? He also basically said that my relation to the President would hurt me in Maine. Which is crazy - the President is very popular in Maine!" To calm herself down a little, she drank more coffee. "I like that you think I've got a good shot in the Senate - but what were saying about the RNC? What do they even do?"

"Your father is Maine's only native President. I think they'll be a little more proud of that than Richardson thinks. I mean, if you can't win the seat, then [not-Collins] would have lost it anyway, so is there really anything to lose? And then you can slide into the Administration anyway if the Senate doesn't work out!" He shrugged idly, thinking it all worked together relatively neatly. "Well, the R.N.C. coordinates all the campaigning and so on, so maybe they have their own ideas of how you can be deployed to help keep Wolfism alive. Richardson wants to keep [not-Collins] though so he can pivot the Republican Party back away from your father and his legacy once he's 'in'."

[Puertollano]

"That's what I like to hear," she said. "[not-Collins] has not been an ally of the Wolf Pack, but Richardson was determined on protecting her position in the Senate. Maybe he wants to keep his allies? He also basically said that my relation to the President would hurt me in Maine. Which is crazy - the President is very popular in Maine!" To calm herself down a little, she drank more coffee. "I like that you think I've got a good shot in the Senate - but what were saying about the RNC? What do they even do?"

"Your father is Maine's only native President. I think they'll be a little more proud of that than Richardson thinks. I mean, if you can't win the seat, then [not-Collins] would have lost it anyway, so is there really anything to lose? And then you can slide into the Administration anyway if the Senate doesn't work out!" He shrugged idly, thinking it all worked together relatively neatly. "Well, the R.N.C. coordinates all the campaigning and so on, so maybe they have their own ideas of how you can be deployed to help keep Wolfism alive. Richardson wants to keep [not-Collins] though so he can pivot the Republican Party back away from your father and his legacy once he's 'in'."

"Don't worry, I'll win it," she said playfully. "I'm glad people like you have my back, I will raise your loyalty to Wolfism with my father." Lilyana turned to a topic more closer to home for her, and possibly bring out distinctions between the pair. "If you do become President, what are your thoughts on paid maternal leave?"

[Sanabel]

Wolf did not reply at his being corrected by the other man.

“Really? Volker told me he might run for President. He’s a good man. He might run for President. Does he believe in you? Senator Anderson endorsed you but rescinded. Why did he do that? Does Volker believe in you? He might do that too, ok- why did that happen?”

Then he considered the other part. “The Iraq War was bad. A bad idea. Lots of lies. It was bad. You can drain the swamp more by winning back the House. Get the Democrats out!”

"Anderson doesn't understand loyalty. Prendergast bribed him Anderson just flat out, Volker told me he would only enter if I wasn't representing Wolfism, and I am doing that. As for the house I am prioritizing winning in Congress, i'm going to campaign everywhere to get house members elected, not just places that'll help me win in 2020."

“And what is your electoral strategy? Don’t be like Dirty Diane. She didn’t do rallies. I did rallies. The lying media said rallies wouldn’t wo- I did rallies, Dirty Diane didn’t. I won. You have to do rallies. You have to be like me and be a man of the people. What’s your electoral strategy?”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Don't worry, I'll win it," she said playfully. "I'm glad people like you have my back, I will raise your loyalty to Wolfism with my father." Lilyana turned to a topic more closer to home for her, and possibly bring out distinctions between the pair. "If you do become President, what are your thoughts on paid maternal leave?"

"I know this is very important to you, and I think it should be an important facet of the Republican Party. We want people to work, and work should pay. Having women quit their jobs when they're having children isn't great for the children nor is it great for the jobs. It's something I think we can get Democrats on board with too... Should stand you in good stead in Maine, for that matter."

[Sarenium]

"Is this list in any particular order?" she looked at the names with interest.

"Not at all... well maybe Davenport is on the bottom because she's never won a statewide race.. and Ive known Little longest... he's a friend and thats not nothing. But I didn't put them in a conscious order when i wrote it."

"Well, naturally I'd rather our campaign earns your endorsement over my competitors," she pursed her lips, "however as I've learned in DC, there is often a give and take scenario placed out in front of us, so I do ask, what would you ask of any candidate who does get your endorsement to give to yourself, in return?"

[Sarenium]

"Depends on the context of such action and the given situation. The United States unilaterally abandoning the Paris Agreement or the JCPOA are not situations I would be eager to repeat," she responded.

"Of course. That's not what I mean at all - obviously the President was starkly wrong to do those things. No, what I'm talking about is when an action is in the national interest but we don't necessarily have support from other countries. What if the US is the only power willing to act on, for example, Syria seeking nuclear armaments? What if the US is the only power willing to take forthright action to prevent a genocide? What if, for example, Saudi Arabia is hosting a known terrorist plotting an attack? Are you prepared, as Commander-in-Chief, to take responsibility for acting in a situation like that?"

She paused, then considered both situations being presented, "to prevent a genocide that we know is happening, yes. To prevent Syria from attaining nuclear weapons, provided that the pen has proven weaker than the sword, then yes. As for the Saudis, I would seek to reorient our relationship with Saudi Arabia, but in short, where diplomacy has failed or the advice I've received is overwhelming, I would be inclined to do what ought to be done. Each of these scenarios are nuanced, I'm not an absolutist."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

She paused, then considered both situations being presented, "to prevent a genocide that we know is happening, yes. To prevent Syria from attaining nuclear weapons, provided that the pen has proven weaker than the sword, then yes. As for the Saudis, I would seek to reorient our relationship with Saudi Arabia, but in short, where diplomacy has failed or the advice I've received is overwhelming, I would be inclined to do what ought to be done. Each of these scenarios are nuanced, I'm not an absolutist."

She nodded in understanding, meshing her fingers together and resting her chin on her linked hands for a moment. "Do you think it was right for President Baharia to set a red line over chemical weapons in Syria, establishing it as the defining condition that would result in Western intervention, and then back down from that red line?"

[Sanabel]

Veléz’s Twitter

Governor Mike Veléz
@FloridaGov

---

“I see my Democratic colleagues are making plans for a number of unity rallies. I can’t attend any of them because I shouldn’t leave my state during our very important legislative session. But I would like to urge our presidential contenders and big-wigs to leave their egos at the door, and understand that we are all on the same team.”

Governor Mike Veléz
@FloridaGov

---

“We have a big job to do, as a party. We need to focus on solving dinner-table problems, whether it’s expanding access to healthcare, providing working families with a living wage, ending gun violence, or making college affordable. If we don’t, then no one will.”

Governor Mike Veléz
@FloridaGov

---

“That’s what it means to be a Democrat and that’s what matters. Not petty squabbles, finger wagging, and division. The stakes are high.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Veléz’s Twitter

Governor Mike Veléz
@FloridaGov

---

“I see my Democratic colleagues are making plans for a number of unity rallies. I can’t attend any of them because I shouldn’t leave my state during our very important legislative session. But I would like to urge our presidential contenders and big-wigs to leave their egos at the door, and understand that we are all on the same team.”

Governor Mike Veléz
@FloridaGov

---

“We have a big job to do, as a party. We need to focus on solving dinner-table problems, whether it’s expanding access to healthcare, providing working families with a living wage, ending gun violence, or making college affordable. If we don’t, then no one will.”

Governor Mike Veléz
@FloridaGov

---

“That’s what it means to be a Democrat and that’s what matters. Not petty squabbles, finger wagging, and division. The stakes are high.”

Liked and retweeted by @SimoneNY12

[Puertollano]

"Don't worry, I'll win it," she said playfully. "I'm glad people like you have my back, I will raise your loyalty to Wolfism with my father." Lilyana turned to a topic more closer to home for her, and possibly bring out distinctions between the pair. "If you do become President, what are your thoughts on paid maternal leave?"

"I know this is very important to you, and I think it should be an important facet of the Republican Party. We want people to work, and work should pay. Having women quit their jobs when they're having children isn't great for the children nor is it great for the jobs. It's something I think we can get Democrats on board with too... Should stand you in good stead in Maine, for that matter."

"I was reading. United States and Papua Guinea are the only two countries that do not have paid maternal leave, in this case you need to think about the children. A child needs it mother in the first few months for their development. But, anyway, have you spoken to my father lately about your campaign?"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"I was reading. United States and Papua Guinea are the only two countries that do not have paid maternal leave, in this case you need to think about the children. A child needs it mother in the first few months for their development. But, anyway, have you spoken to my father lately about your campaign?"

"I'm waiting for the opportunity, but I'm planning on seeing the President sometime in the near future. I am going to see the Wolf Family Farm in Standish next week." He smiled warmly, seemingly quite genuinely interested to see it. "I think paid maternal leave makes sense as a policy, and I think it makes good politics. It'll help us retain suburban women in a way that, admittedly, we didn't do very well in 2018."

[Puertollano]

"I was reading. United States and Papua Guinea are the only two countries that do not have paid maternal leave, in this case you need to think about the children. A child needs it mother in the first few months for their development. But, anyway, have you spoken to my father lately about your campaign?"

"I'm waiting for the opportunity, but I'm planning on seeing the President sometime in the near future. I am going to see the Wolf Family Farm in Standish next week." He smiled warmly, seemingly quite genuinely interested to see it. "I think paid maternal leave makes sense as a policy, and I think it makes good politics. It'll help us retain suburban women in a way that, admittedly, we didn't do very well in 2018."

Finishing off her coffee, she said, "was there anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about?"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Finishing off her coffee, she said, "was there anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, I think it goes unsaid that I would like your support, Lilyana. The reason I'm running for President is because if we let Richardson or a Democrat win, then we'll see your father's legacy dismantled in a matter of months. What Wolf represents is more than simply a revival of conservative politics, it's a mass movement, a transformative movement, that hasn't just made America greater, but made conservative politics viable again. Baharia was a terrible President but he knew how to make his message 'cool'. Only the politics your father brought to the table, in spite of the Republican establishment, could overcome that. We can't afford to let Wolfism die next year. To do so would be the biggest, stupidest waste. But I'm not going to pester you about this because obviously you know every Republican candidate is going to grovel and you'll probably get very bored in the process." He smiled warmly, going to finish up the coffee he had presumably been sipping all of this time. "It's not for me to preach at you for what I think you should or shouldn't do in the meantime. It's for me to see how I can help you achieve your goals."

[Puertollano]

Finishing off her coffee, she said, "was there anything in particular you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, I think it goes unsaid that I would like your support, Lilyana. The reason I'm running for President is because if we let Richardson or a Democrat win, then we'll see your father's legacy dismantled in a matter of months. What Wolf represents is more than simply a revival of conservative politics, it's a mass movement, a transformative movement, that hasn't just made America greater, but made conservative politics viable again. Baharia was a terrible President but he knew how to make his message 'cool'. Only the politics your father brought to the table, in spite of the Republican establishment, could overcome that. We can't afford to let Wolfism die next year. To do so would be the biggest, stupidest waste. But I'm not going to pester you about this because obviously you know every Republican candidate is going to grovel and you'll probably get very bored in the process." He smiled warmly, going to finish up the coffee he had presumably been sipping all of this time. "It's not for me to preach at you for what I think you should or shouldn't do in the meantime. It's for me to see how I can help you achieve your goals."

"If I were to be honest, you are probably the most well-fitted to continue the legacy of my father, if Arnold Wolf Jr was not to run. There's a lot of speculation out there, so I'll have to speak with him myself. Of course, if he doesn't run, I'll watch you and the other candidates at the debates very closely. I plan on endorsing someone, most likely the person that earns the trust and respect of my father. Should you earn the endorsement of the President, I will endorse you for President. On the off chance that he endorses nobody, or if he .. or if he doesn't make an endorsement before his death, I will watch your campaign closely. My father is an honorable man, the best President we've ever had, I want to see all of what he done be concluded. A Democrat would demolish all of his life's work. I can't see that happen. If people are unable to raise to the challenge, I might have to run. Hopefully that won't be the case because I believe you would be a good flag bearer of the Wolf Pack."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"If I were to be honest, you are probably the most well-fitted to continue the legacy of my father, if Arnold Wolf Jr was not to run. There's a lot of speculation out there, so I'll have to speak with him myself. Of course, if he doesn't run, I'll watch you and the other candidates at the debates very closely. I plan on endorsing someone, most likely the person that earns the trust and respect of my father. Should you earn the endorsement of the President, I will endorse you for President. On the off chance that he endorses nobody, or if he .. or if he doesn't make an endorsement before his death, I will watch your campaign closely. My father is an honorable man, the best President we've ever had, I want to see all of what he done be concluded. A Democrat would demolish all of his life's work. I can't see that happen. If people are unable to raise to the challenge, I might have to run. Hopefully that won't be the case because I believe you would be a good flag bearer of the Wolf Pack."

"I'm honored that you think so highly of me, Lilyana. I won't forget this." He smiled earnestly, giving a nod gently. "Completing your father's work isn't merely a political objective, it's a constitutional imperative, as far as I'm concerned. People voted him in on that mandate, and because of RINOs and Democrats, we've not been able to finish his projects - the Wall, reviving the economy, making America's trade relationships fairer... He's covered excellent ground, but people expect us to get the job done. If we don't do that, Americans won't trust the Republican Party and we'll end up with some lunatic like Whitaker or Westra in charge." He exhaled sharply, finding that idea distinctly unpleasant. "As long as there's breath in my body, I will guard the legacy of Arnold Wolf, Lilyana. Have you... discussed funerary arrangements with him? Because if he wants Arlington like Kennedy or something, I'm sure it could be done. And it'd be obscene of me to ask him myself, really."

[Puertollano]

"If I were to be honest, you are probably the most well-fitted to continue the legacy of my father, if Arnold Wolf Jr was not to run. There's a lot of speculation out there, so I'll have to speak with him myself. Of course, if he doesn't run, I'll watch you and the other candidates at the debates very closely. I plan on endorsing someone, most likely the person that earns the trust and respect of my father. Should you earn the endorsement of the President, I will endorse you for President. On the off chance that he endorses nobody, or if he .. or if he doesn't make an endorsement before his death, I will watch your campaign closely. My father is an honorable man, the best President we've ever had, I want to see all of what he done be concluded. A Democrat would demolish all of his life's work. I can't see that happen. If people are unable to raise to the challenge, I might have to run. Hopefully that won't be the case because I believe you would be a good flag bearer of the Wolf Pack."

"I'm honored that you think so highly of me, Lilyana. I won't forget this." He smiled earnestly, giving a nod gently. "Completing your father's work isn't merely a political objective, it's a constitutional imperative, as far as I'm concerned. People voted him in on that mandate, and because of RINOs and Democrats, we've not been able to finish his projects - the Wall, reviving the economy, making America's trade relationships fairer... He's covered excellent ground, but people expect us to get the job done. If we don't do that, Americans won't trust the Republican Party and we'll end up with some lunatic like Whitaker or Westra in charge." He exhaled sharply, finding that idea distinctly unpleasant. "As long as there's breath in my body, I will guard the legacy of Arnold Wolf, Lilyana. Have you... discussed funerary arrangements with him? Because if he wants Arlington like Kennedy or something, I'm sure it could be done. And it'd be obscene of me to ask him myself, really."

"No, I have not spoken about funeral arrangements. It hasn't crossed my mind to talk to him about that, I can't even believe he's about to die. It seems so strange, part of my brain doesn't even believe that he will die. I'm sure if he wants to talk about it, he will talk about it to me first. Surely."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"No, I have not spoken about funeral arrangements. It hasn't crossed my mind to talk to him about that, I can't even believe he's about to die. It seems so strange, part of my brain doesn't even believe that he will die. I'm sure if he wants to talk about it, he will talk about it to me first. Surely."

"Of course, I shan't pry into it. It's not my place to. Right now, I'm just the Governor of West Virginia. But if and when I become President, know that there's nothing I won't do to help the Wolf Family." He smiled warmly, giving a gentle nod. "It's a terrible, tragic thing that you're going through right now. I won't pretend to understand it, I won't patronize you. But I want you to know that you're not alone."

[Puertollano]

"No, I have not spoken about funeral arrangements. It hasn't crossed my mind to talk to him about that, I can't even believe he's about to die. It seems so strange, part of my brain doesn't even believe that he will die. I'm sure if he wants to talk about it, he will talk about it to me first. Surely."

"Of course, I shan't pry into it. It's not my place to. Right now, I'm just the Governor of West Virginia. But if and when I become President, know that there's nothing I won't do to help the Wolf Family." He smiled warmly, giving a gentle nod. "It's a terrible, tragic thing that you're going through right now. I won't pretend to understand it, I won't patronize you. But I want you to know that you're not alone."

"Your support is appreciated, Governor. I'm sure the rest of the Wolf Family feels the same about you, I look forward to hear what the President thinks of you. At the end of the day, it's his word over anything else, so good luck. Is there anything I can get you?"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Your support is appreciated, Governor. I'm sure the rest of the Wolf Family feels the same about you, I look forward to hear what the President thinks of you. At the end of the day, it's his word over anything else, so good luck. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Right now? No. The coffee was lovely, and the company even more so. If there's nothing left for us to discuss at this time, I'd hate to impose on you any more than I already have done. May I Tweet something about having spoken to you? I can mention the importance of paid maternal leave?"

[Puertollano]

"Your support is appreciated, Governor. I'm sure the rest of the Wolf Family feels the same about you, I look forward to hear what the President thinks of you. At the end of the day, it's his word over anything else, so good luck. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Right now? No. The coffee was lovely, and the company even more so. If there's nothing left for us to discuss at this time, I'd hate to impose on you any more than I already have done. May I Tweet something about having spoken to you? I can mention the importance of paid maternal leave?"

"Okay, sure. I see no problem in that. Just don't make the wording sound as though I have endorsed you. It would look bad if I had to publicly backtrack, if that was what people thought. Your company has been a great pleasure though, I hope to hear from you soon."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Okay, sure. I see no problem in that. Just don't make the wording sound as though I have endorsed you. It would look bad if I had to publicly backtrack, if that was what people thought. Your company has been a great pleasure though, I hope to hear from you soon."

Standing from where he was seated, he went to give the young Ms. Wolf a handshake with a warm smile. "Of course, it's been a pleasure and an honor to meet you. I only hope my discussion with your father is as productive. Lot of pressure to impress, ahaha." He shook his head slightly. "Until the next time, Ms. Wolf. Let's get paid maternal leave done." A wry smile, and he waited until Lilyana had said her goodbyes before he went to head off.