Winds of Change: Decision 2015

[East Klent]

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✯ The Story So Far ✯

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On November 11, 2014 the Race for the Presidency went underway with former republican vice-presidential nominee Governor Robert Dockard announced his candidacy. Then, in a surprise move, Senator William Jones, the 2011 republican nominee, entered the fray forming a breakaway party. Jones and his "New Republicans" proclaimed their disillusionment with the Republican Party over such issues as gay marriage, the hawkish rhetoric concerning the future over the Colony and the fallout from the secret war in Brasilistan. Among the controversy surrounding these scandals, President Cash Willows announced that he would seek reelection, highlighting his part in bringing Klent up from the ash heap into a global power. In the following month Senator Jacob Estevez threw his hat into the ring, but has remained relatively under the radar thus far.

The primary season was streamlined due to the fact that only one candidate per party is currently running; this is the second presidential election cycle in a row that this has happened. Short of a draft movement at the respective conventions, each candidate is expected to win their party's nomination.

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✯ The Issues ✯

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• 
  

  Nathan Stuart

  On November 9th of last year, the New Klent Statehood Act (H.R. 2678) was passed by all three houses of Congress. This was a major leap forward in the Colony's three decade journey towards statehood. The movement started in 1992 only to be interrupted by the invasion of Western Cuba, and in order to protect New Klent, Morris Williams' administration ordered all documents relating to the Colony destroyed. It was also kept secret from the Mostrovites after they invaded in 2002. Interest in statehood was renewed in 2011 following the victorious outcome of the Independence War. The current administration had seemed hesitant to fully support the bill, while careful to not come outright against it. The Democratic plurality failed to defeat the bill as the Republicans and Unionists, along with a few Democratic defectors out voted them in Parliament, the House and the Senate.
  
  The bill then went to the President who vetoed it. This move was considered a 'shot off the bow' by many and the latest episode in the verbal war between President Willows and Governor Nathan Stuart of New Klent. Stuart immediately shot back with a press conference where he implied that the Colony may secede from the United Republic if the President were to be reelected. Detractors called this an act of war by the Governor. Several high profile Republicans, such as Speaker of the House Suzanne Randolph, Governor Dockard, and Senator Jones came out against the veto, as did former president Ramon Jupoi. Yet while Dockard and Jones may have agreed that the President should have signed the Statehood Bill into law, they drastically disagreed on Stuart's reaction to the veto. Jones considered the threat of secession abhorrent, while Dockard seemingly supported it.
  
  It seems that the division between the leaders of Klent could be foreshadowing more civil strife yet to come...
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  Flag of Brasilistan

  On November 5th, it was revealed that military activity in the nation of Brasilistan had been carried out by the Klentian Armed Forces. News of the bombings and skirmishes from the country had been explained as a coup, but was later revealed as a campaign to stop the kidnapping of our citizens into slavery.
  
  Operation Odyssey Rise as it was been officially named, was the response of the Klentian Military to the kidnapping of tourists in Brasilistan by the country's government and forcing them to work in appalling conditions in the nation's diamond mines. Apparently all diplomatic overtures were ignored, forcing President Willows to order military action. What were initially reported as wild fires were actually the result of napalm being dropped by the Air Force. The bombings were followed by special forces being deployed to the capitol, taking out the dictatorial government and military command.
  
  With our citizens rescued and the tyrants overthrown, Odyssey Rise was certain to be a boon for President Willows' already high opinion polls, yet the seemingly unilateral declaration of war combined with the fact that the operation was kept secret from the public for two whole weeks struck a nerve with the populace. Many accused the President of subverting the democratic process. It was revealed, however that he did in fact consult the 'Gang of Six' - six senior members of Congress - who approved of the action. Nevertheless, many decried the secrecy of the operation, including Governor Stuart who said that Willows had acted as "...an emperor..."
  
  A democratic regime has taken hold within Brasilistan itself, in large part due to the invasion.
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  Foreign Secretary,
  Joseph Rienburg

  Given recent events, many are beginning to skepticize Klent's place upon the world stage. The invasion of Brasilistan, the decline of our once illustrious ambassadorial program, the ongoing talks with the Carlsvadians; these were just a few of the grievances listed by the other candidates against the Willows Administration. Though the Embassy Program has been revitalized, the fact that it was allowed to wallow in inactivity for so long, caused many to question the President's foreign policy, a policy once lauded for evolving the URK from a minnow in international affairs to a superpower.
  
  Additionally, the friendliness between the administration and the Carlsvadian/Prussian regimes - the successors to the Centaurians - comes to many as an affront to all those who died fighting the Centaurians when they invaded alongside the Mostrovites. The protests outside the Defense Talks are evidence of scars left behind by the war. Governor Stuart has stated that such an agreement could involve Klent militarily in "...situations that we have no business being in, like Hippostania..." Another problem that was taken issue with was the fact that Klent was still officially tied to numerous alliances, alliances that had long since been inactive and Klent was only officially withdrawn from them after Senator Jones pointed out the fact in his speech.
  
  Whomever wins come November, our place in the world will certainly change.
• 
  

  Is Marriage Equality still an Issue?

  Though many had thought that the issue of gay marriage had been dealt with by President Henry McCurter in 1995 when he declared that "...all people of all walks of life shall be treated equal under the law." However, as it turns out,the Republican party has taken issue with this stance in recent years, and even went so far as to include their opposition to gay marriage in their platform during the last election.
  
  Governor Dockard has continued with this policy saying that "...they have violated the sanctity of marriage by allowing same-sex marriage..." This position taken my the Republicans forced Senator Jones and his colleagues to create their own party, the New Republicans. He noted the damage inflicted on his personal life because he went along with the platform in 2011, but has since come out in favor of keeping same-sex marriage legal.
  
  Several pundits say that the Republicans are taking a risk by reviving a long-resolved issue; time will tell.
• 
  

  To Kill, or Not to Kill?

  In the previous election, President Willows campaigned on the promise to eliminate the death penalty; now, with his first term coming to a close, he has done little to keep this promise. In fact, he has apparently changed his position on the subject, stating "...the simple truth is that there are... daemons that should not... walk this Earth." Governor Dockard has chastised him for this apparent flip-flop.
  
  Before Willows' apparent reversal on the matter, he had been completely silent anytime the issue came up; a fact that Senator Jones noted in his announcement speech. Members of the President's own party have also criticized him for his handling of the death penalty, adding more turmoil to the hurricane that is our political system.

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✯ The Candidates ✯

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Democratic Party

Official Portrait

President Cash Theodore Willows

Date/Place of Birth: June 4th, 1975/ Saunders, Williamsburg (Duchy of Tomes at the time), age 40.

Education: Magnum Cum Laude from Williamsburg College with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice; Masters in Political Science from Kent University; Graduated from Vianna's Military Institute.

Accomplishments: Author and signatory of the Treaty of Williamsburg; Has served as president since 2012; Oversaw the successful rebuilding of Klent's economy and infrastructure, in addition to the final reunification of East Klent and Centaurian West Klent; Commanded the Klentian military during the successful operations in Hippostania and Brasilistan; Cemented Klent's influence in world affairs by reestablishing the embassy program and forming special relationships and alliances with such nations as Noordeinde, the Carlsvad Union, Yohannes, amongst others; Also oversaw the rise in Klent's prominence within the World Assembly with the admission into the ICC and subsequent investigations in New Edom; Lead Klent and The Heartland through the Ineptia Crisis.

Political History: Two-Term State Representative for Williamsburg; President since 2012.

Military History: Awarded the Blue Heart and Excellence in Action Medal for being wounded in the War Against Jlop; Has fought in the War Against Jlop, the Three Day War, the Badinian Revolt, and the Independence War; Was Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces during the Al-Shabbab Incident, the Kavamkao Conflict, the Hippostanian Crisis, the Ineptia Crisis and Operation Odyssey Dawn.

On the Issues:

• New Klentian Statehood - Status Quo.
  
• Brasilistan - Of the opinion he acted within the law and democratic process.
  
• Foreign Involvement - In favor of expanding Klent's influence throughout the globe using diplomatic and economic ties.
  
• Marriage Equality - In favor of keeping same-sex marriage legalized.
  
• Death Penalty - Believes that the death penalty should only be used for the worst offenders.
  
• Abortion - Pro-Choice.

Ideology: Centre-Left "...[with] quite the libertarian streak."

Possible Running-mates: Most likely to be incumbent Vice-President - and former economics professor - Conald Fredricks (D-KT); There are rumors, however that career diplomat and serial charmer Benjamin Thomas Mason might be under consideration to take Fredrick's place.

Home State: Williamsburg.

Family: Son of war hero and founding father Theodore Willows; Husband of Maria Willows (Three Years).

Religion: Episcopalian.

Republican Party

Gubernatorial Portrait

Governor Robert Dockard

Date/Place of Birth: January 29th, 1958/ Loyalty, South Island (Colony of Badinian South Island at the time), age 57.

Education: Associate's Degree in Urban Planning from Freeson Community College; Bachelor's in Law Studies from the University of Freeson.

Accomplishments: Founded the company Dockard Construction right out of university, growing it to one of the foremost firms in Klent over a period of just five years; Oversaw the growth of Freeson, SI into a major center of business and trade; Contributed to the clean up after the South Island Incident; Revitalized South Island's infrastructure after several wars; Republican nominee for Vice-President in 2011.

Political History: Served of the Freeson City Council from 1989-1995; Three term Mayor of Freeson from 1995-2001; Governor of South Island since 2001 (Currently in fourth term).

Military History: Awarded the Blue Heart for being wounded in the Overthrow of the Badinian Monarchy in 1979; Has served as the Commander-in-Chief of the South Island National Guard since 2001.

On the Issues:

• New Klentian Statehood - In favor of secession.
  
• Brasilistan - Of the opinion that President Willows disregarded the democratic process.
  
• Foreign Involvement - Against the proposed Defense Treaty with the Carlsvad Union, and other such alliances; has made isolationist remarks.
  
• Marriage Equality - In favor of banning same-sex marriage.
  
• Death Penalty - Believes that the death penalty should be enacted as judges see fit.
  
• Abortion - Pro-Life.

Ideology: Right-Wing "...socially backward..."

Possible Running-mates: House Speaker Suzanne Randolph (R-ER); Former Congresswoman and wife Elisabeth Dockard (R-SI); Former Secretary of Commerce Constance Harris (I-HK).

Home State: South Island.

Family: Husband of former Congresswoman Elisabeth Dockard (Twenty-Four Years).

Religion: Catholicism.

New Republican Party

Senatorial Portrait

Senator William Jones

Date/Place of Birth: August 5th, 1944/ Freeson Beach, South Island (Colony of Badinian South Island at the time), age 70.

Education: Third in his class at Wiscaset University with a Bachelor's Degree in Literature; PhD in Political Science from Wiscaset University; Graduated from South Island Marine Academy.

Accomplishments: Successfully written, introduced and sponsored numerous Congressional bills including The Branding Act (H.R. 445), The Furtherment of Klentian Culture Act (H.R. 532), The Property Tax Act (H.R. 703) and The Embargo of Hippostania Act (S.R. 1846); Republican Presidential nominee in 2008 before the election was canceled due to the outbreak of the Independence War; nominated again in 2011.

Political History: Five term Congressman from South Island's First District; Senator for South Island since 1997 (Currently in third term).

Military History: Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for outstanding honor and valor for the Overthrow of the Badinian Monarchy in 1980.

On the Issues:

• New Klentian Statehood - In favor of statehood.
  
• Brasilistan - Of the opinion that President Willows acted within the law and democratic process.
  
• Foreign Involvement - In favor of the proposed Defense Agreement with the Carlsvadians; wants to overhaul the diplomatic core and streamline the system; In favor of military privatization.
  
• Marriage Equality - In favor of keeping same-sex marriage legalized.
  
• Death Penalty - Believes that the death penalty should be enacted as it is currently applied (i.e. Second-Degree Murder, Serial Rape and Mass Killings).
  
• Abortion - Personally Pro-Life, but recognizes that his personal beliefs should not be forced on the public.

Ideology: Centre-Right "...not entirely dissimilar..."

Possible Running-mates: Senator George Blackwood of (NR-ER); Congressman Duke Larringsight (NR-FK); Congresswoman Shauna Kemper (NR-HK).

Home State: South Island.

Family: Widower, formerly married to the late Sarah Tearn Jones who passed due to cancer (Forty Years); Father of Meredith Widmere Collins, Ambassador to the Union of Christian States; Grandfather of Jeffery Collins Jr.

Religion: Non-Denominational Christian.

Unionist Party

Photo from Website

Senator Jacob Estevez

Date/Place of Birth: September 23rd, 1964/ Cofield, Franklin (Duchy of Lace at the time), age 50.

Education: Fifth in his class at Northville State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Services.

Accomplishments: Rose to the Presidency of the General Assembly of Jaimiss; Successfully written, introduced and sponsored several bills while in Congress; Spearheaded several security initiatives; Became the House Center Leader in 2003; Performed many filibusters in the Senate; Unionist Vice-Presidential nominee in 2011.

Political History: General Assemblyman in Jaimiss; Three term Congressman for Jaimiss' Twenty-Sixth District; Senator for Jaimiss since 2005 (Currently in second term).

Military History: Enrolled in ROTC while attending Northville State University.

On the Issues:

• New Klentian Statehood - In favor of statehood.
  
• Brasilistan - Of the opinion that President Willows acted within the law but that the law itself is undemocratic.
  
• Foreign Involvement - Against the proposed Carlsvadian Defense Treaty; wants to continue the diplomatic program as is; In favor of military expansion.
  
• Marriage Equality - Regards it as a non-issue and thus does not have an official opinion on the matter.
  
• Death Penalty - Believes that the death penalty should be abolished.
  
• Abortion - Believes it should be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Ideology: Centre "In the dead Center..."

Possible Running-mates: Congressman and brother Timothy Estevez (U-JM); former president Ramon Jupoi (U-CR); Treaty of Williamsburg signatory Gregory Topil (I-SG).

Home State: Jaimiss.

Family: Brother of Congressman Timothy Estevez; confirmed bachelor.

Religion: Catholicism.

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✯ Coverage ✯

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You will be able to keep up-to-date on the election as we here at KAP, and our associates, bring you the latest coverage with articles, graphics, and televised news. We'll break down the candidates to see what makes them tick and discuss the issues. We'll guide you through the conventions and what are sure to be riveting debates.

The ball has started to roll as we count down to November 3rd, when we shall see what the future has in store for us...

Until then, feel free to vote in our polls, leave a comment or even endorse a candidate, if you'd like.

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This website is sponsored in part by The Klent Tribune Company, The Klent Times, Paper Corp, Post Holdings, Qua Incorporated, and the Turner & Warren Corporation.
All rights reserved.
©2015

[East Klent]

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BREAKING NEWS: MASONS DIE IN PLANE CRASH

Aberdeen, Grays Harbor 6/30/2015 - "Hello, I'm Jaime Xander and I'm bringing you breaking news. Diplomats Benjamin and Matilda Mason were flying in a private jet when it crashed into the North Founder Ocean about an hour after it took off from Aberdeen in Grays Harbor.

The first responders to the crash site were the crew of the UKS Duka, who were in the area on routine exercises. It is unclear at this moment what caused the plane to crash. We have been told that Delegate Jarred Stevens has been notified of his colleague's death, but we have received no word if President Willows - who has been in talks with the Carlsvadian delegation all morning - has been briefed on the crash.

Mason has been a possible running-mate of the President if current Vice-President Fredricks chose not to run.

Naturally the thoughts and prayers of everyone here at UBC are with the Mason family and their friends. The Masons helped shape the Republic and have been involved in the diplomatic service for decades. They are survived by their two sons, Peter and Craig, and their grandchildren, Julia and Gideon.

We will keep you updated as information keeps coming in."

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Stevens' office issued a statement praising the Masons for their decades of public service. EDIT: It has been brought to our attention that the death years above are erroneously listed 2016 when they should be 2015. We sincerely apologize for this mistake.

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All rights reserved.
©2015

[East Klent]

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PRESIDENT ADDRESSES MASONS' CRASH

Williamsburg, D.K. 6/30/2015 - "Good afternoon, I'm Paul Foster. We are getting word that President Willows has been informed of the deaths of the Masons and will shortly be making a statement outside the McCurter Business Center where he has been participating in talks with representatives of the Carlsvadian Union.

The Masons were personal friends of the President and his family; Benjamin Mason and Theodore Willows, the President's father, famously served together during the Overthrow...

Okay, we're getting word now that President Willows is stepping outside now..."

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President Willows speaks on the deaths of Doctors Benjamin and Matilda Mason (née Ross).

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"There... there are no words that can truly express what we have lost today. Ben and Matilda Mason were truly saints among the people. They dedicated their lives to the betterment of Klent as a nation and of humanity as a whole.

There are two more angels on the streets of Heaven today, too soon and too sudden. Though they may no longer be on this earth, they are still with us in our hearts and in the work we do to bring peace to a divided world. May God bless them, and may God bless you all, thank you."

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"Alright, that was a brief statement made by President Willows following the news of the tragic deaths of Matilda and Benjamin Mason earlier today. Delegate Jared Stevens will be shortly making a statement himself outside his office and we will bring you coverage of that once it is underway.

We will keep you updated as this story develops, but until then, I'm Paul Foster and you're watching TNN."

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This broadcast has been brought to you by Turner News Network, A Turner & Warren Corporation.
All rights reserved.
©2015

[East Klent]

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CARLSVADIAN TALKS AN APPARENT SUCCESS!

Williamsburg, D.K. 6/30/2015 - "Hello, I'm Mott Kelly and this is the NBS Evening News. Tonight's coverage includes the historic talks between the Willows administration and the Carslvadian Union, the upcoming New Klentian peace talks in Batavia, and the sudden loss of diplomatic heroes Matilda and Benjamin Mason. We will also be discussing its impact on the election in addition to the skyrocketing popularity of the new show IQ."

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"The CKDA represents a historic moment in the cause for peace and security..." ~ President Willows.

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"Today is a bittersweet one, as we welcome the news of the Defense Agreement between the United Republic and the Carlsvadian Union that promises to bring peace ans security to both our countries. Yet, with the good, so comes the bad. Today we were stricken with shock upon the devastating deaths of Ben and Matilda Mason."

"The influential couple had been holidaying in Grays Harbor and were on their way home when their plane suffered from engine malfunction and crashed into the North Founder Ocean. Their deaths come at a time when we needed them most; the ever delicate situation between the Willows administration and New Klent has escalated in recent weeks to the point that hawks on both sides are calling for war. The Masons were instrumental in the ongoing negotiations and their deaths could serve to exasperate the situation."

"However, Minister Kazinsky and President Willows' announcement of further talks hosted in Batavia brings hope and would certainly bring joy to the Masons."

"Between sympathy for the Masons and the success of the talks, President Willows has gained the lead in the polls, Governor Dockard suffering slightly from his outspoken opposition to the Agreement. He is now third behind Senator Jones. In the international polls, however, everything appears to be all tied up. No nominee has thus far received an endorsement from a foreign government, but that is expected to change as we progress further into this election season."

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President Cash Willows - 32%
Senator William Jones - 28%
Governor Robert Dockard - 26%
Senator Jacob Estevez - 14%

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"Following the CKDA press conference, Governor Dockard released a statement standing by his opposition, 'I believe such an agreement - an agreement with an enemy I might add - infringes upon our sovereignty and insults the memory of every soldier who died fighting the Centaurian aggressors.'"

"Veterans of the Annexation War have spoken out to oppose the Governor's words saying that they fought for peace and that this agreement represents the culmination of that fight."

"As we go to our first break, I would like to personally extend my condolences to the Mason family and express my gratitude for all the work they did on the world stage. We'll return in a moment."

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This broadcast has been brought to you by the National Broadcasting Service, A NBS Corporation subsidiary.
All rights reserved.
©2015

[East Klent]

Excerpt from;

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ISSUE 182

WEDNESDAY JULY 1, 2015

VOLUME X

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Survivor's Guilt

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An artist's impression of the fateful crash.

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EDITORIAL WRITTEN BY:
Willard Games

...Death; that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.

Death is final and it takes the ones we love away from us forever. Death is cruel but much too usual.

Death took my friends Ben and Matilda Mason away from me yesterday as they crashed into the North Founder Ocean. They had been vacationing in Grays Harbor, the first holiday that they had taken since their honeymoon, Ben had told me. They had been too busy serving the people of world, to busy changing the lives of millions for the better, to take time for themselves. It seems this one indulgence was enough for Death to punish them.

The plane they were using crashed due to faulty engines that cut out at 37,000 feet. That plane, that death trap that they spent their last moments in, was my plane. I didn't occur to me that when Ben asked me if they could use my jet that I was lending him the instrument of his demise.

I can't help but think that I contributed to the death of my friends. They were more than friends; they were a second set of parents. My father had served alongside Mason during the Overthrow. After Dad dies of cancer when was 13, the Mason's helped Mom look after me. They even helped me get through graduate school. My life could have turned for the worse had it not been for the Masons. Ben once told me that it didn't matter if I succeeded or failed, as long as I believed in what I was doing. Their devotion to public service inspired me to go into journalism and they were my first investors when I started this paper.

Now they're dead, and my plane caused that. I could have... I should have had it checked out, but I was too busy. I was too busy to have a simple task completed that could have saved my friends' lives.

To my readers, I plead that you don't become too busy to pay attention to the things in life that matter. Now is the time to talk to your parents. Now is the time to play with your kids or reconcile with an estranged friend or family member. Do not waste the precious time you have on this Earth, because you never know when Death will take it away from you.

I have learned this lesson all too soon, and far too late.