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

[Sarenium]

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Boston, Massachusetts
March 28, 2020
Anniversary Day

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Their anniversary day being overshadowed by not knowing if President Baharia would endorse her, or endorse Levi or sit this out didn't dampen the mood as much as she expected. They arrived to their hotel room and Liam immediately ran a bath while she made her six calls that she needed. As Liam came out of the bathroom and points to it with a smile, knowing she'd want to bathe before dinner, he removed his tie and extracted a manila folder containing x-rays. Jillian finished her phone calls and closed the door to the bathroom as Liam continued examining notes and the x-ray in front of him. It was god knows how long before she opened the door, with a bathrobe around her and towel upon her head. She walked past him, completely ignoring him and in her own thoughts, when he finally spoke.

"Angry you is rather amusing," he said.

"I-" she turned at her husband, musing at how adorable he'd look slapped right that very second before replying very deliberately, "I am anything but angry. Frustrated. Irate. Galled. INDIGNANT," she picked up the hairdryer and returned to the bathroom, shouting through the open door, "I mean, how the fuck can he sit there and say he was ever remotely entertaining a ticket. How the fuck could he sit there, so arrogantly smug and say eoh, Rashid bro, I've got this man I'll win," she continued as Liam closed the manila folder, scribbling something down before standing in the doorway and watching his wife dry her hair as she continued,"...AND HE SMOKED IN THAT PLACE LIKE IT WAS A SHISHA LOUNGE ON A SATURDAY!" she concluded. Liam at this point was holding the dryer and drying her hair for her while she used her hands to do the talking.

"How very," he paused aware that at any moment the hair dryer could turn into a nose rearranger, "irate of you," he said as she turned around, her back to the mirror, well and truly in his arms as he grinned.

"Are you preying on my frustration at this hour?" she said with slight smile to Liam.

He placed the dryer down and picked her up, "absolutely not," he said as she laughed.

[Alozia]

White House

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Having received the AARA Richard skipped over to the Oval Office. Jumping across the hallways with his Secret Service staff, he high fived one of the staffers as he passed them by. Entering his official office he slowed down, slightly out of breath, and opened the side door to let some air from the outside. Using President Wolf's diet coke button, he requested a refreshing, cold drink which he waited for before sitting down behind the Executive Desk.

"I'm gonna miss you buddy." Tawney said, personifying the beautiful button.

Making sure not to spill anything over the incredibly important documents, Richard grabbed a pen and opened the file with the AARA. Looking over the bill he put his pen to the paper and, with the swiftness of the ancient samurai, signed it into law. Next up was the RAISE Act. Before he would act on it, however, he had to take a break - after all of the signing and skipping he had to briefly rest on the couch, playing with a baseball ball while staring into the ceiling. Returning to his desk Tawney raised his hand and signed the aforementioned RAISE Act. With that he headed out to participate in a very special event - he would visit a local animal shelter to adopt a dog.

[Dentali]

Nate Richardson
Chester County, Pennsylvania

(Image)

“Good Morning! Thank you all for being here this morning... It's really humbling…. I stand here today not just as the Presumptive nominee for the Republican party but as a father, a husband, and a concerned citizen not just for my future but for my daughter’s future and the future of all our children.”

“Today we are on the precipice of perhaps the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. A Crisis that won’t just affect those on Wall Street but those on main street. Working families across the country will be left without income or hope through no fault of their own. That’s not right. And while President Tawney and others in Congress are doing the hard work of providing relief to working families, the hard work of protecting jobs and wages… fighting this crisis will take many months, even years… And if we are going to survive this crisis and then prosper in the days after we need a plan to see us through the tough times and then invest in the kind of long term economic prosperity our working and middle class families deserve and are too often denied.”

“Today I am proud to announce the American Rescue and Recovery Plan. This plan’s goal is to make the distance between the American Dream and the American reality a bit closer. To make it easier to start a business or learn a trade… to go to school and raise a family… and to make the United States of America greater than ever before, by putting working people and working families first.”

“Because a job isn’t just about a paycheck. It’s about respect, it’s about dignity, it’s about being a part of your community and reaching the American dream. Protecting jobs and wages, then creating new jobs and growing wages, will not just be my priority in the first days of my Presidency but my ENTIRE Presidency.”

“The first step my administration will take will be investing in working American families. Raising the Earned Income Tax credit and increasing the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $5,000. This will go a long way toward helping working families, and children out of poverty while rewarding work.”

“We are going to couple this with Education Savings Accounts. Tax free accounts that let parents invest in their children’s future with the government rewarding the investment with matching funds. And we will be expanding our investments to trade and vocational schools, jobs training, and education that doesn’t involve a college degree but is linked to good paying and in demand jobs. This also means opening up pell grants for post secondary opportunities if the skills being taught are in demand.”

“On the subject of jobs… This crisis is going to cause a lot of people to lose jobs, and many have lost them already. People working in the energy sector and the healthcare sector have been hit especially hard. While we will continue to fight to save jobs and preserve businesses we must also prepare for the inevitable jobs losses. So in addition to expanding unemployment benefits we will be creating “Rescue Zones”. These function like the Opportunity Zones of the Wolf and Tawney administrations, allowing for investment and growth, and will be targeted on the areas hit hardest by the recession, where the most jobs and wages have been lost, that way aid gets to the people who need it most.”

“Building back our businesses, our communities and livelihoods is going to take a lot of work and a lot of support, and we need to make sure the aid doesn’t just go to big cities and financial centers as so much does today. Rural communities are overdue for investment, especially when it comes to internet access. That’s why I will be supporting a $100 billion investment in 5G infrastructure, starting with the rural communities that are most in need. From there any leftover funds will be used to give us a jump start on 6G technology and give us a massive edge as a nation.”

“This investment needs to be coupled with direct investment in businesses. Made in America Tax Credits, targeted towards industries which are most in demand, have the most potential for growth, and will provide the most good paying jobs. Like mining rare earth minerals, Domestic Manufacturing and Energy Production, investing in machinery, structures, and land developments… As well as conditional grants directly to states so they can customize their investments to fit their unique qualities, while requiring regulatory and occupational licensing reform to maximize investment.”

“Across the board these investments MUST focus on small businesses, especially when it comes to research and development. Coordinating expansion of R&D tax credits, and modifying the tax code so small businesses can write off more expenses will help level the playing field and create new jobs. Partnering this with practices such as the 10-20-30 formula will make sure that our most impoverished communities, many of them communities of color, get the maximum investment and benefit, which is so long overdue.”

“In general we must reform our tax code so it incentivizes raising wages and hiring workers over stock buybacks and corporate bonuses. So it incentivizes ending food deserts, improving neighborhoods and strengthening ties to local communities. Minority communities especially have significant detriment when it comes to accessing financial resources… that’s why my administration will make the Minority Business Development Association permanent and start a lending program to help small local banks in minority communities get off the ground and expand.”

“Investing in people isn’t just about dollars and cents… We need to invest in things like substance abuse initiatives, gun violence intervention, accountable policing, and community development. We need to invest in programs that WORK that demonstrate an increase in employment and income, that prevent violence and move people into better housing. And we need expanded access to federal funding for Community organizations devoted to these goals, that includes the churches that often do so much good work without getting our support.”

“But the most vital thing we need to do to invest in our future is invest in our infrastructure. Through private-public partnerships we will fund all major physical platforms our economy requires; power, communications, transportation, water, sewage. Every state and community MUST get funds, and the funds must go to disadvantaged communities first. This will be a sustained and substantial investment, partnering the state and local governments with the federal government and private investors. We do this right and we will see trillions in private capital ready and willing to be deployed.”

“This will be the next great economic boom of our nation. A boom that comes from the bottom up. Frankly we can’t afford NOT to make this investment, the cost is only going up, and we are only going to fall further behind, with more jobs shipped overseas every year, and more opportunities lost. A Good National Infrastructure is the single biggest advantage our nation could have in the years to come. It not only makes economic sense, but I consider it part of a moral imperative… to protect our children… help them grow and thrive… Giving them every possible advantage as they meet the challenges of the world.”

“Our nation has a saying… United we stand. Well I think its more than that… its United we CAN. We stand at the dawn of a new decade one fraught with great danger and great opportunity. It is in this new decade, the 2020s where we must once again redefine ourselves as a nation, reforge ourselves into a nation that works for the people. This will not be the first time has faced a crisis of the economy, of confidence, of spirit, and it will not be the first time we were unable to meet the crisis.”

“We are a nation born in crisis and struggle. From the fires of the revolution and civil war, to the desperation of the Great Depression, World War Two, the Cold War, 9/11, the Great Recession… We have met all these challenges and overcome them. We have the opportunity in this decade to not just overcome but get real wins for the communities that have struggled the most… not just in this crisis but in the decades that have come before, communities and people who never expected to truly experience the promise of America.”

“We as a nation are called to action. And we are ready. So let us go forth, with our shared faith in one another and meet this new challenge and find a new prosperity for the American people.”

Speech shared on all Richardson social media accounts, posted by supporters and sent to all new media as 'the first major speech from the presumptive nominee'

[Concerned American Workers]

Mac Faulhaber
@MemphisMac

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We must END unnecessary circumcisions in our lifetime. Pass the NO SNIP Act now! #ProtectTheChildren

[Lavan Tiri]

Representative Jason Evander
@JasonFromSD

I'd like to thank Congressman Faulhauber for paying so much close attention to children's genitals.

Wait. That came out wrong.

[Louisianan]

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

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Mac Faulhaber is INFRINGING upon our religious rights with his latest CUCKOO BILL!

[Concerned American Workers]

Torrie Volker
@TheOtherVolker

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I am honored to have been sworn in today as the newest senator of the people of Missouri. In recognition of their decision in 2018 and of the long time service by Barry Anderson, my first order of business will be a reintroduction of all legislation sponsored by my predecessor.

Torrie Volker
@TheOtherVolker

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After, it will be looking forward to an emergency tax suspension to provide immediate relief to ordinary Americans. The GOP has led relief efforts and the American people have benefited. Now we can't stop with half-measured. We have to go all the way.

[Concerned American Workers]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

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Mac Faulhaber is INFRINGING upon our religious rights with his latest CUCKOO BILL!

Mac Faulhaber
@MemphisMac

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There is literally a clause exempting those with religious beliefs and customs. Can you not read? Or do you not want to #ProtectTheChildren?

[Kargintinia]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

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Mac Faulhaber is INFRINGING upon our religious rights with his latest CUCKOO BILL!

Mac Faulhaber
@MemphisMac

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There is literally a clause exempting those with religious beliefs and customs. Can you not read? Or do you not want to #ProtectTheChildren?

Earl Tenson @BigEars4Gov You don't seem very keen on protecting children that haven't been born

[Louisianan]

Mac Faulhaber
@MemphisMac

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There is literally a clause exempting those with religious beliefs and customs. Can you not read? Or do you not want to #ProtectTheChildren?

Earl Tenson @BigEars4Gov You don't seem very keen on protecting children that haven't been born

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst

[Meelducan]

Fairbanks, Alaska

After flying a long, cold distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Tony hopped out of the Cessna 207 and onto land again. He was in Fairbanks today, on the campaign trail, whipping up the Republican city folk to join the Johnston Team. His campaign schedule was jammed packed with activities that he needed to attend, it reminded him of the 2006 days, where he would spend most of the day at campaign events, trying to hit Fairbanks and its suburbs all at once. Admittedly, he was a lot younger then, in his late thirties and early forties, but he still had the fond memories returning to him as he started back to political life. A great start to campaigning, retail politics.

Tony would start the day early in Fairbanks, just as the sun was rising. He would start the day by meeting with campaign volunteers and office staff in Fairbanks. He intended for the Fairbanks Office to play a major role in the campaign. Tony would then take a team of campaign volunteers to the centre of Fairbanks to meet with the members of the public to get his name out there and to promote his policies. He made an effort to link his accomplishments as Governor to what he would like to accomplish as United States Senator. Around midday, Tony would head to meet with the head of the Fairbanks Police Department and the head of the head of the local police union. While there, they'd discuss police issues and concerns, while also organising a specific date and time when Tony could address the law enforcement officers. As it was just after lunchtime, Tony decided to visit somewhere local to eat with some staff and to get some photographs. They ended up at Lavelle’s Bistro where he had some pictures taken and met with some patrons. They discussed a wide range of issues including his stances on social issues and the economy, while also facing questions on drilling and oil exploration. After leaving, Tony would head out to the suburbs of Fairbanks, delivering targeted mail at addresses. He would also take the chance to meet with more potential voters. Tony would head to the neighbouring community of 'College' located in the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area.

While at College, he would try and appeal to the youth of the area, especially those in attendance of the University of Alaska. He met with the local college Republicans, trying to persuade them to support his campaign. He would also try and partake in activities to show that he was down with the youth by participating in a debate and holding a mock Alaska Senate meeting. After his meeting with College Republicans, he was offered a tour of the campus, which he did with glee. He inspected some of the new interiors and halls, while also viewing some of the extra-circular activities. Acting impressed, Tony met with administrators before departing. He would next head to another city on the outskirts of Fairbanks, South Van Horn.

South Van Horn was a small city, honestly Tony didn't see the point of it. It really only had shy of 500 people living in it, but it was imperative that Tony visited it. He made stops around the Main Street of the city and spoke to residents. He also met the local state Senator while on the trip, where they discussed the city and had a bit of a joke. Tony stopped and met with local business owners and discussed the recent economic downturn and the inaction of congress. Before leaving the small city Tony and his team handed out bumper stickers and yard signs to the small city.

As night fell over the city, Tony got back into the plane. He had a very successful day of campaigning and couldn't wait to get back on the trail, however he had a very important meeting to attend to. He took off in his plane and began his flight to the location.

[Meelducan]

???, Alaska

After narrowly missing a dog, Tony landed his plane at a house that was out of the way. He stepped out of the plane and towards the house of the statesman, giving the door a knock and waiting.

[Azekopolaltion]

Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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President Tawney just signed two very important bills that will be crucial in fighting this downturn and shielding American workers. The first, AARA, is the bipartisan stimulus compromise that will protect the unemployed, assist small businesses, and most importantly, expand Medicare to non-elderly uninsured Americans for the first time in history.

Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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The second is my $1.4 trillion bill, the RAISE Act, to nearly double the EITC and make hard work truly pay for the American labor class. It is the biggest middle class tax cut in a generation and makes good on campaign promises from both sides.

Tim Westra
@WestraNJ
timwestra.com

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President Tawney and I have hardly ever seen eye-to-eye, but his recent actions expanding healthcare and raising incomes are a testament to the surging pro-worker movement in America. You did this. Let's keep fighting.

[Emazia]

Porter Stops 31st March - 3rd April

Date: 31st March, 2020
Time Spent: 5 hours retail, 3 hours meetings, 2 hour rally.
Location: Abilene, Texas
Area of Focus: Evangelical universities and churches.
Topics: Uninsured Crisis, Rebuild the Economy
Meetings with: Evangelical preachers and lobby groups.

Date: 1st April 2020
Time Spent: 4 Hours Retail, 3 Hours Meetings, 1 Hours Rally
Location: Midland, Texas
Area of Focus: Oil-producing areas
Topics: Energy, immigration.
Meetings with: Coal, oil and gas leaders and lobbyists

Date: 2nd April 2020
Time Spent: 5 Hours Retail, 1 Hours Meetings, 2 Hours Rally
Location: Odessa, Texas
Area of Focus: Oil-producing areas
Topics: Energy, immigration.
Meetings with: Coal, oil and gas leaders and lobbyists

Date: 3rd April 2020
Time Spent: 5 Hours Retail, 1 Hours Meetings, 2 Hours Rally
Location: Beaumont, Texas
Area of Focus: Oil-producing areas
Topics: Energy, immigration.
Meetings with: Coal, oil and gas leaders and lobbyists

Baxton Stops 31st March - 3rd April

Date: 31st March, 2020
Time Spent: 5 hours retail, 3 hours meetings, 2 hour rally.
Location: Oakland County, Michigan
Area of Focus: Suburban
Topics: Education
Meetings with: Education groups

Date: 1st April, 2020
Time Spent: 4 hours retail, 2 hours meetings, 2 hour rally.
Location: Livingston County, Michigan
Area of Focus: Blue-collar areas and areas with high unemployment.
Topics: Trade, immigration
Meetings with: Protectionist and anti-immigration groups, along with general Republican donors


Date: 1st April, 2020
Time Spent: 4 hours retail, 2 hours meetings, 2 hour rally.
Location: Monroe County, Michigan
Area of Focus: Blue-collar areas and areas with high unemployment.
Topics: Trade, immigration
Meetings with: Protectionist and anti-immigration groups, along with general Republican donors.

Date: 2nd April, 2020
Time Spent: 4 hours retail, 2 hours meetings, 2 hour rally.
Location: St. Clair County, Michigan
Area of Focus: Blue-collar areas and areas with high unemployment.
Topics: Trade, immigration
Meetings with: Protectionist and anti-immigration groups, along with general Republican donors.

Date: 3rd April, 2020
Time Spent: 4 hours retail, 2 hours meetings, 2 hour rally.
Location:Lapeer County, Michigan
Area of Focus: Blue-collar areas and areas with high unemployment.
Topics: Trade, immigration
Meetings with: Protectionist and anti-immigration groups, along with general Republican donors.

[Greater Arab State]

The Office of House Minority Leader Thomas Volker, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

The House Minority Leader was sat at his desk, deep in thought as he reviewed the papers on his desk. Although the primary still continued, the Republican Party had found its nominee, and so it was now his job to begin preparing for the general. To that end, having met with former Senator Gaspard in his office sometime before, Thomas waited for the next Porter backer to enter his office.

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
A minimum wage increase I 100% support! But the raise must be reasonable, indexed to inflation, and tied to tougher penalties for companies who employ illegals!

[Concerned American Workers]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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The newly appointed senator arrived outside the office of her now colleague from Georgia. There was much to discuss and if she wanted to pass her bill, securing sponsors would be important. Torrie had not heard back from Senator Slater and with Dunbar incapacitated, someone like Gardner could be helpful in eventually submitting the bill, hopefully in mere days. She entered the office and presented herself to the secretary.

[Emazia]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
A minimum wage increase I 100% support! But the raise must be reasonable, indexed to inflation, and tied to tougher penalties for companies who employ illegals!

George Baxton
@WolverineBaxton

Undocumented immigrant labour needs to stop now. It is bringing down wages. It is a threat to the economy, and a threat to hard-working Americans across this nation, and even to the people from the same countries that they came from that came here legally.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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(Image)

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Last time, there had been many people visiting the Speaker of the House which had annoyed Ruler. So before it ended up cutting into his lunch plans, he had left the waiting room and let her chat as long as she wanted with the little twat from Tennessee. But having just eaten Mexican food and more than a few plates of spicy chimichangas, the man came to the office of the woman. Thankfully there were not many people or visitors waiting though why would there be? She had gotten pretty boring as of late and she wasn't exactly pretty. But she had authority over the Democrats and so John Logan presented himself to the secretary.

Christian glanced up at Representative Logan and wrinkled his nose. He was sure something smelled about him and it damn well wasn't a metaphor. "The Speaker's free to see you, head right in."

Caroline was seated at her desk, juggling some emails and a sandwich, though at the sight of Ruler, she tucked it back into its tupperware, wanting to be polite (and losing her appetite). "Congressman?"

[Concerned American Workers]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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"Madam Speaker, hello there. How are you doing?" he replied, happy he had finally scored an audience with her.

"I hope you are not too busy."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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(Image)

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"Madam Speaker, hello there. How are you doing?" he replied, happy he had finally scored an audience with her.

"I hope you are not too busy."

"Handling correspondences, mainly, nothing I can't push down the queue a little. What brings you here, into the lion's den?" She smiled softly, remembering just how anxious she'd been whenever Douglas had summoned her before her own ascendancy to one of the highest offices of the federal state.

[Dentali]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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(Image)

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The newly appointed senator arrived outside the office of her now colleague from Georgia. There was much to discuss and if she wanted to pass her bill, securing sponsors would be important. Torrie had not heard back from Senator Slater and with Dunbar incapacitated, someone like Gardner could be helpful in eventually submitting the bill, hopefully in mere days. She entered the office and presented herself to the secretary.

Gardner welcomed her in smiling broadly "Senator its a pleasure to have you here... I hope youre getting settled?" Gardner ushered her in, shook her hand and gestured to a chair as he sat behind his desk

[Concerned American Workers]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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The typically shy senator had not overcome her quietness and spoke softly.

"Hello Senator Gardner...I am, though it is all taking some getting used to. Especially given the need to suddenly staff a whole new office. Thankfully Senator Anderson already had many smart people working with him, we've been able to retain many of them." she said, stopping herself to avoid rambling.

[Greater Arab State]

The Office of House Minority Leader Thomas Volker, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Congressman Volker, continuing with his task of uniting the Republican Party, or at the very least, the House Republican Conference now that the primaries had produced a presumptive nominee, waited for the day’s next Porterite to arrive.

[Concerned American Workers]

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U.S. Capitol Building
Washington, D.C.
April 2020

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"Ah yes, hold on." he said, pushing his longer hairs to the side. Reaching into his pockets, he pulled out a number of wrinkled up post it notes. His staff had noted down what he needed to say but there were many reminders. Feeling a bit rushed, he began to read one aloud.

"Can you endorse me? I would app-" Ruler began, before stopping, making a face, and realizing that was the wrong note. "Sorry, that's not for you." he said blankly, rummaging for the correct note.