The Land of the Free: American Political Roleplay (IC II)

[Bruke]

The receptionist greeted Jillian in return. “He’s waiting for you over there, Senator.” She pointed in the direction Jillian would have to go to reach Karel.

Karel himself was in a section of the office which he used as a quiet place for work or working meals. He smiled as soon as he saw his colleague from Virginia. “Welcome! Please, sit down and make yourself comfortable. Can I offer you a drink or healthy snack?” He gestured to the fridge. “I stopped having so much Papaya King- doctor’s orders.” He chuckled a little.

"I'll take water," she smiled, "my doctor says I've been a little dehydrated from the trail."

“Water it is then.” Karel handed her a bottle of water from the fridge.

“So.... we should start with the elephant in the room. Have you had, eh... problems with your email before?”

[United Hemand Insia]

@ArthurFranklin
Very disappointed in the Republican party for blocking the RAISE Act. Then again, we can't put the bar for them that high, can we?

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Aren't you one to talk.... Your bar went so low to call our former president SELFISH.

@ArthurFranklin
And I was wrong to do so. I have apologized multiple times.

[Sarenium]

"I'll take water," she smiled, "my doctor says I've been a little dehydrated from the trail."

“Water it is then.” Karel handed her a bottle of water from the fridge.

“So.... we should start with the elephant in the room. Have you had, eh... problems with your email before?”

She took the water, "I'd seen it," she sipped the water, "albeit I'd forgotten about the order, having been sent so far ago. While I'm here, I've paired on the ISA with an absent Republican, but yes, I'd seen and forgotten about the order of business, mostly by virtue of the length of the holidays, but there's no excuse for lousiness."

[Bruke]

“Water it is then.” Karel handed her a bottle of water from the fridge.

“So.... we should start with the elephant in the room. Have you had, eh... problems with your email before?”

She took the water, "I'd seen it," she sipped the water, "albeit I'd forgotten about the order, having been sent so far ago. While I'm here, I've paired on the ISA with an absent Republican, but yes, I'd seen and forgotten about the order of business, mostly by virtue of the length of the holidays, but there's no excuse for lousiness."

“I’ll take that as an apology, then. And you say you’re paired on the ISA with someone else? I’ll make a note of that...” He scribbled something in his notebook.

“Is there anything else that’s on your mind that I need to know, or that I can help with?”

[New Cobastheia]

"Maine and Colorado are definitely looking good for us, Ohio could flip if we get a good candidate. I'd take it you'd be aiming to win them on the Presidental level too."

"Definitely, but my campaign is obviously concerned with winning back the Blue Wall first: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. Possibly Ohio and maybe Iowa. While sand-banking in states like Minnesota."

"And what about expanding the map, I doubt North Carolina would vote for anyone other than Richardson if he ends up as the nominee, and I can't speak much for Georgia, but if Latinos break in your favor and I could turnout Natives, do you think it'd have a chance of flipping?"

[Sarenium]

She took the water, "I'd seen it," she sipped the water, "albeit I'd forgotten about the order, having been sent so far ago. While I'm here, I've paired on the ISA with an absent Republican, but yes, I'd seen and forgotten about the order of business, mostly by virtue of the length of the holidays, but there's no excuse for lousiness."

“I’ll take that as an apology, then. And you say you’re paired on the ISA with someone else? I’ll make a note of that...” He scribbled something in his notebook.

“Is there anything else that’s on your mind that I need to know, or that I can help with?”

"I'm fighting a three front war and it's becoming a very quick way to lose hair," she mused, "Levi sapping at my heels on my left, Mike refusing to die next door and Richie Rich gently readying up to secure his nomination and label our divided party a fractured or broken or whatever word he wants to use group of whatever, I gather Levi's been poking his head into offices all week, no doubt looking to secure endorsements, and every one of my endorsers gets themselves into a twitter war which then makes them political kryptonite on the trail," she bit her tongue, "if this party could organize, campaign and debate as well as it could pontificate we'd have a sixty-seat Senate majority and three hundred members of the House."

[Bruke]

“I’ll take that as an apology, then. And you say you’re paired on the ISA with someone else? I’ll make a note of that...” He scribbled something in his notebook.

“Is there anything else that’s on your mind that I need to know, or that I can help with?”

"I'm fighting a three front war and it's becoming a very quick way to lose hair," she mused, "Levi sapping at my heels on my left, Mike refusing to die next door and Richie Rich gently readying up to secure his nomination and label our divided party a fractured or broken or whatever word he wants to use group of whatever, I gather Levi's been poking his head into offices all week, no doubt looking to secure endorsements, and every one of my endorsers gets themselves into a twitter war which then makes them political kryptonite on the trail," she bit her tongue, "if this party could organize, campaign and debate as well as it could pontificate we'd have a sixty-seat Senate majority and three hundred members of the House."

“I suppose you’d like to know if our previous arrangement still stands.”

[Puertollano]

Levi Murphy Tour of Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee

After spending the day in Nashville, Levi's next day was in Memphis. The campaign crew took their cars into the city and their first stop was to the National Civil Rights Museum, the location where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated at Lorraine Motel. He and his campaign team toured the Museum, taking in the significance of the location to the civil rights movement and its historical context. It would be noted that it was his Latino and African-American campaign advisors that arrived for the tour of the Museum. While visiting, the local television stations were invited to arrive, to help engage some earned media with the local media markets. Following his visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, Levi had a planned rally in the city. Here was a short excerpt from the event:

"It would be rude of me not to comment on who makes the Democratic Party what it is. It's our African-American voters, who vote for a better future for their families, it's our union members, it's our Stonewall allies, it's our activists and volunteers. I believe in a radical idea that the party should start to be built, shaped and lead by them, not by an party bureaucracy. We have this unparalleled opportunity in 2020 to raise the mantel to fight for working class people again, and that's what I'm going to do. Let's fight for bold, brave and let's not concede our ideals our aspirations to the Republicans. Look, I've been told I am too ambitious on many occasions. They told me I can't do it. My simple response is: it's not me, it's us. We can do it, not me, we can get Medicare for All, we can get free and universal education in this country. We can provide for our families through a proper $15 minimum wage. The attacks on the roots of this party need to be stopped. Yes, we can get Medicare for All. No, it is no pie-in-the-sky. Yes, in fact it will eliminate costs for every American and reduce the overall tax burden on working class families. No, it will not impact our families, unless you appeared on Forbes Top 100 richest people in America."

The event was also used to enroll people to vote in the primary and the general election, as well as build a volunteer-base for the campaign. Since Tennessee was a Super Tuesday state there was still a lot of time to build some local support and build the volunteer army that he had amassed in some of the earlier primary states. The key to win Tennessee, in the campaigns eyes, was to win the African-American vote. So, that campaign would largely recruit African-American outreach officers, or opinion leaders to help turn the tide. According to polling, Murphy was third , but still close to his two opponents above him. The campaign team did not want to rule any states, whatsoever, out. With enough enthusiasm on election day, Tennessee could just easily flip to Murphy if the mood existed.

The next event in Memphis was called "Coffee with Levi", to attract some more undecided voters. The campaign booked out a few popular cafes in the downtown on Memphis City where the Senator would visit and have coffee with some of the local residents. It would broadly attract young, African-American activists who were still making up their mind. With complimentary coffee and pastries, it would probably be easy to convince these young college activists to join up in the movement. He made short speeches to each one he arrived at, but here is an excerpt from one of them:

"I campaign in Tennessee because there are many good, working-class people in this state that can join us in our fight to win the White House. But I also understand that it's important to be rallying the troops elsewhere across the country to get ready: get ready for whoever the Republicans through at us. So, unlike others, I have campaigning from Minnesota, to California, to Michigan, to Utah, to Massachusetts, to West Virginia. We need someone who will criss-cross this country to represent our values, to win over voters and create a movement that in unstoppable. I believe I have that. I hope you can all believe in me too, that I can get the job done. Because we're not going to win promising small change, or means-tested relief for a very few. We're going to win by promising big and fighting like all Hell for it - some chide me for not being pragmatic enough. I just say, working people are sick and tired of being pragmatic to the system that holds them down!

At the end of the day, the 1% is only 1% for a reason. We don't need to be stumping in Beverly Hills for a bit of cash. They only represent !% of the population of this country, let alone the electorate. It's time that we appeal and win the 99%, who wants action on climate change, action on our awful, for-profit health insurance industry, who want good-paying union jobs, who want a decent education for their children! Baharia didn't win asking for complacency. We win when asking for more of our government, for asking for change, and a real difference. So, I believe we should be making a real difference in 2020. Be true to ourselves and party. And work again for the many, not the few. Thank you."

[Puertollano]

"Definitely, but my campaign is obviously concerned with winning back the Blue Wall first: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. Possibly Ohio and maybe Iowa. While sand-banking in states like Minnesota."

"And what about expanding the map, I doubt North Carolina would vote for anyone other than Richardson if he ends up as the nominee, and I can't speak much for Georgia, but if Latinos break in your favor and I could turnout Natives, do you think it'd have a chance of flipping?"

"I think having you on the ticket will help us in Arizona. That is a possible extra victory. That'd also help shore up New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. Georgia, too, is on the table. I don't expect us to do any well in Florida. It's already been trending Red and I think it would be a waste of resources trying to court the state too intently."

[Louisianan]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Aren't you one to talk.... Your bar went so low to call our former president SELFISH.

@ArthurFranklin
And I was wrong to do so. I have apologized multiple times.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Then get off of twitter, and do your job while you still have it.#FireFranklin

[New Cobastheia]

"And what about expanding the map, I doubt North Carolina would vote for anyone other than Richardson if he ends up as the nominee, and I can't speak much for Georgia, but if Latinos break in your favor and I could turnout Natives, do you think it'd have a chance of flipping?"

"I think having you on the ticket will help us in Arizona. That is a possible extra victory. That'd also help shore up New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. Georgia, too, is on the table. I don't expect us to do any well in Florida. It's already been trending Red and I think it would be a waste of resources trying to court the state too intently."

"I mean, I'm not that surprised about Florida, I can only imagine how much money the Republicans would put in ads featuring your comments about Venezuela and Maduro. I wouldn't mind learning what your strategy for Georgia is looking like though."

[Puertollano]

"I think having you on the ticket will help us in Arizona. That is a possible extra victory. That'd also help shore up New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. Georgia, too, is on the table. I don't expect us to do any well in Florida. It's already been trending Red and I think it would be a waste of resources trying to court the state too intently."

"I mean, I'm not that surprised about Florida, I can only imagine how much money the Republicans would put in ads featuring your comments about Venezuela and Maduro. I wouldn't mind learning what your strategy for Georgia is looking like though."

"The strategy for Georgia is to basically rally the base, the mostly African-American base, in the cities. They're the silent majority, not the middle-aged white women that voted for Wolf in 2016."

[Lavan Tiri]

Senator Kimberly Dunbar

During a brief recess in the fight over the RAISE Act and the ISA, Kimberly left the Senate chamber, giving Geraldine instructions to call her if anything happened.

She wasn't exactly proud of blocking the RAISE Act, even if it was written by Westra, but she reasoned it could be taken up later. Iran needed dealt with now.

The gentlewoman from Kansas made her way to one of the House office buildings, scanning doors and signs for her destination. When she arrived outside Crawford Clay's office, she set her shoulders, adjusted her jacket, and knocked once, firmly.

Representative Crawford Clay

---

Clay looked up from his computer screen at the rap on his office door, pausing the campaign video he had been reviewing. Crawford tried not to use his time as representative selfishly, but devoted every spare moment on Capitol Hill to the senate race. After all, beating Frankston in the primary was important for the people of Texas.

"Come in," Clay called, rising from behind his desk and moving to the door. He was a tall man, well-built and handsome; but there were shadows under his eyes. Shuttling back and forth between his home state and D.C. was taxing on Clay's body. Yet he kept his back straight and his head up, spirit determined; he was willing to push himself to the limit in order to secure the senate primary without abandoning his duties as representative.

"Senator Dunbar," he greeted warmly, baritone voice somewhat refined but not free from a Texan twang, extending his hand for a firm shake. This meeting was important to Clay; it was high time he got endorsements from other Republican leaders. "A pleasure. Please, take a seat." Clay moved back behind his desk, but did not sit, instead gesturing toward the liquor cabinet. "I hope the senate proceedings are going well. Would you care for a drink?"

Kim bit her lip, considering, before nodding. "Whisky, neat. My heart wants a lot of it, but my brain knows I've got work to do today," she laughed.

"The Senate is a mess. You'll find out once you get there...the 'greatest deliberative body in the world' is half adults, half petty, bickering children. We're finally getting things done, though."

Kim sighed, leaning back in her seat. "Congressman, let me be frank. I feel a need to endorse you for the Texas Senate race. You're the only qualified, conservative, electable candidate."

[United Hemand Insia]

@ArthurFranklin
And I was wrong to do so. I have apologized multiple times.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Then get off of twitter, and do your job while you still have it.#FireFranklin

@ArthurFranklin
You are a funny one, Hypolite.

[New Cobastheia]

"I mean, I'm not that surprised about Florida, I can only imagine how much money the Republicans would put in ads featuring your comments about Venezuela and Maduro. I wouldn't mind learning what your strategy for Georgia is looking like though."

"The strategy for Georgia is to basically rally the base, the mostly African-American base, in the cities. They're the silent majority, not the middle-aged white women that voted for Wolf in 2016."

"We'll certainly have to make sure they know that's how we feel about them then, Black Women especially."

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Kim bit her lip, considering, before nodding. "Whisky, neat. My heart wants a lot of it, but my brain knows I've got work to do today," she laughed.

"The Senate is a mess. You'll find out once you get there...the 'greatest deliberative body in the world' is half adults, half petty, bickering children. We're finally getting things done, though."

Kim sighed, leaning back in her seat. "Congressman, let me be frank. I feel a need to endorse you for the Texas Senate race. You're the only qualified, conservative, electable candidate."

A smile broke out across Clay's face as he poured out two glasses of straight whiskey. He harbored no delusions about the state of Congress; that was why he was running, to put more sensible conservatives in the Senate. But the humor in his smile faded, replaced with sincerity as Dunbar revealed her desire to endorse him.

"I can drink to that, Senator," he grinned as he passed her one glass, raising the other. After taking a sip, he placed it on the desk and settled into his seat. "Your public endorsement would be a great boost to my campaign," Crawford began, "show folks that I'm not an underdog, but a serious contender in the primary."

[Louisianan]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Then get off of twitter, and do your job while you still have it.#FireFranklin

@ArthurFranklin
You are a funny one, Hypolite.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I am glad you think so, also, how long have you had in politics again? That is the real joke here.

[Lavan Tiri]

Kim bit her lip, considering, before nodding. "Whisky, neat. My heart wants a lot of it, but my brain knows I've got work to do today," she laughed.

"The Senate is a mess. You'll find out once you get there...the 'greatest deliberative body in the world' is half adults, half petty, bickering children. We're finally getting things done, though."

Kim sighed, leaning back in her seat. "Congressman, let me be frank. I feel a need to endorse you for the Texas Senate race. You're the only qualified, conservative, electable candidate."

A smile broke out across Clay's face as he poured out two glasses of straight whiskey. He harbored no delusions about the state of Congress; that was why he was running, to put more sensible conservatives in the Senate. But the humor in his smile faded, replaced with sincerity as Dunbar revealed her desire to endorse him.

"I can drink to that, Senator," he grinned as he passed her one glass, raising the other. After taking a sip, he placed it on the desk and settled into his seat. "Your public endorsement would be a great boost to my campaign," Crawford began, "show folks that I'm not an underdog, but a serious contender in the primary."

Kim threw back her whisky in one shot, grimacing slightly. "You should be in the lead, but Howard stuck his finger in and tipped the scales. Joe Frankston may be a hero, may be a good man, but he has no real qualifications for the Senate. If he ran for House I'd support him, but right now...the only reason he's ahead is daddy's name."

She looked Clay in the face, growing serious. "This is, obviously, all in confidence. I don't need enemies in my own caucus."

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Kim threw back her whisky in one shot, grimacing slightly. "You should be in the lead, but Howard stuck his finger in and tipped the scales. Joe Frankston may be a hero, may be a good man, but he has no real qualifications for the Senate. If he ran for House I'd support him, but right now...the only reason he's ahead is daddy's name."

She looked Clay in the face, growing serious. "This is, obviously, all in confidence. I don't need enemies in my own caucus."

Clay nodded gravely. "I respect Joe Frankston, I really do, but he's not right for the Senate."

He tipped his head again at Dunbar's next request, downing the remainder of his glass. "Of course, Senator. But does that mean your support will be entirely behind the scenes, or can I expect a public endorsement?"

[Lavan Tiri]

Kim threw back her whisky in one shot, grimacing slightly. "You should be in the lead, but Howard stuck his finger in and tipped the scales. Joe Frankston may be a hero, may be a good man, but he has no real qualifications for the Senate. If he ran for House I'd support him, but right now...the only reason he's ahead is daddy's name."

She looked Clay in the face, growing serious. "This is, obviously, all in confidence. I don't need enemies in my own caucus."

Clay nodded gravely. "I respect Joe Frankston, I really do, but he's not right for the Senate."

He tipped his head again at Dunbar's next request, downing the remainder of his glass. "Of course, Senator. But does that mean your support will be entirely behind the scenes, or can I expect a public endorsement?"

"Both. I'll work on bringing around some of my colleagues, and campaign publicly for you."

[United Hemand Insia]

@ArthurFranklin
You are a funny one, Hypolite.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I am glad you think so, also, how long have you had in politics again? That is the real joke here.

@ArthurFranklin
If you read my Wikipedia page, you'd know that I've been in politics for 10 years. Or is it 14? I can't remember.

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

"Both. I'll work on bringing around some of my colleagues, and campaign publicly for you."

Clay brightened considerably at this news, smile growing once more and chasing the dark shadows from under his eyes. "Fantastic, Senator. I'm excited to have you on my side. Do you know of any others who're considering my campaign?"

[Louisianan]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I am glad you think so, also, how long have you had in politics again? That is the real joke here.

@ArthurFranklin
If you read my Wikipedia page, you'd know that I've been in politics for 10 years. Or is it 14? I can't remember.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I've been in politics since 1968, about 50 years with short breaks in between jobs. So, your 14 years, with as little accomplishments as you've had, are still a joke to me pal.

[The Orion Islands]

Colbert Twitter @EverittRigbyColbert
"I am disappointed by the Republican refusal to bring up the RAISE Act. It appears Warrick was rushing the Iran Sanctions Act, but I want the RAISE Act's tax cuts to pass. I hope Warrick can put this bill on course to passing soon."
"Why hasn't Speaker Simone forced Arthur Franklin off Twitter? Perhaps she knows he's a liability and a disgrace to this Congress, and actually wants to #FireFranklin. I seriously doubt they enjoy seeing him ripped to shreds on (Not-Tucker Carlson) Tonight every week."

[Louisianan]

Colbert Twitter @EverittRigbyColbert
"I am disappointed by the Republican refusal to bring up the RAISE Act. It appears Warrick was rushing the Iran Sanctions Act, but I want the RAISE Act's tax cuts to pass. I hope Warrick can put this bill on course to passing soon."
"Why hasn't Speaker Simone forced Arthur Franklin off Twitter? Perhaps she knows he's a liability and a disgrace to this Congress, and actually wants to #FireFranklin. I seriously doubt they enjoy seeing him ripped to shreds on (Not-Tucker Carlson) Tonight every week."

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst