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

[Puertollano]

"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."

"Mhm. Is there anything else we should raise?"

[Lavan Tiri]

"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?"

She shrugged, biting her lip. "Unfortunately, a great deal of Republicans in the Senate have rallied behind Frankston. I'll reach out to some others, maybe some Governors and Representatives, to gauge their interest."

In her head, Kim ran through a list of Republicans she couldn't remember endorsing a candidate yet. Paulson, Chambers, Volker, Dietrich, Walker, Eliza, Dunn, Burkhalter?

[Emazia]

Several letters are sent out to the following, with each person receiving one letter for the superrally Porter had planned:

To: Governor Burgun, Senator Slater, Senator Dunbar, Congressman Renfus, Congressman Ruler, Congressman Tenson, Justice Cramp
From: Fmr. Secretary of Defence Porter

Hello, [Title and Name]

I hope this receives you well, and that you and your family have been doing well over the holiday season. As you know, recent and tragic events have unfolded regarding the recent flight from Tehran, leading to the deaths of 176 people. These are men, women, children, families...All dead.

But I believe as well all know, this was no accident. This wasn't fate nor the anger of nature - this was the terror of a brutal force that seeks to destabilise America and threaten our allies as they murder civilians on our streets.

Simply put, what Iran has done to us is unacceptable - they murdered civilians, blew up our military bases and will soon do far, far more. It is time that we create action. This is why, today, I am inviting you to speak at Washington D.C, on the 27th of February, 2020, in order to make our demands clear: immediate action against Iran, now!

Most sincerely,
Bernard J. Porter
Former Secretary of Defence (2017-2019)

[Puertollano]

Levi Murphy Rally
Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada

After spending a few days in Tennessee, and pushing into enemy territory, the campaign returned to some familiar turf. With Iowa not far ahead in the future, the campaign was looking to do some last bit of sand-bagging in another one of the early states where they had a lead. The event in Nevada, Las Vegas, was planned as a march to conclude in a rally for the campaign. The march, which was advertised as the 'March for Medicare for All' was conducted through the streets of Las Vegas. The purpose of it was to draw in all of the activists in the vicinity and then to draw them into the rally, where they would rostered on and signed up to join the campaign in building the final stages of infrastructure needed for the caucus. The Senator took the helm of the rally, flanked by mostly young, Latino American students with their signs emblazoned in pro-Murphy messages in Spanish and English. Local networks were invited to come to the event. Following the march, the masses of people would filter into the rally hall, where the political rally was to be held.

The stage was set up already, and to warm up the crowd, Latino surrogates took to the stage to warm the crowd up.The first was a Latino man, wearing his union gear. He warmed up the crowd in Spanish.

"En primer lugar, antes de que iniciemos este rally hoy, quiero agradecerles a todos por venir, pero la campaña quisiera agradecer especialmente el trabajo realizado por todos detrás de escena para que este rally suceda. Hay mucho eso continúa que la mayoría de la gente no conoce, como la configuración del escenario, las pancartas, la iluminación, los sistemas de sonido, etc. Son los trabajadores los que hacen que estas cosas sucedan, por lo que nos gustaría extender nuestro agradecimiento a ellos. Ese es el espíritu de nuestra campaña. Todos estamos unidos, no solo como nevadenses, sino que simplemente estamos unidos como estadounidenses y humanos. A pesar de lo que algunos del lado republicano puedan decirles, tenemos mucho más en común que lo que divide nosotros. Porque, después de todo, todos necesitamos refugio, comida, seguridad, un trabajo. Lo esencial. Desafortunadamente, la forma en que se ha estructurado nuestra economía, mucho de esto se oculta a los estadounidenses. Ya sea porque son negros, moreno, latino, de clase trabajadora, joven, discapacitado, anciano. Eso no debería ser un factor cuando Está buscando trabajo, tratando de obtener atención médica o ganarse la vida. Debería ser un derecho humano, para que todos podamos vivir con dignidad. Y conozco a un candidato que cree todo eso de verdad. Creo que puede saber quién es. Su nombre es Levi Murphy. Y se postula para presidente. ¿Podemos dar una fuerte bienvenida al escenario, nuestro amigo, aliado y próximo presidente de los Estados Unidos de América: el senador Levi Murphy!"

The second was a young Latino woman who was working with the campaign. She said the following: "We understand the uphill battle we had to fight, making our ideals and positions the mainstream - and truly, look how far we've gone. Even the more moderate of the candidates in the Democratic race are moving to the left on healthcare. But, we must also keep in mind, that is not enough. Considering our friend Baginski moved this race further to the left, we are still the only campaign stumping and barnstorming across this state and country for Medicare for All! At the Presidential Healthcare Forum, Levi was the only one standing up for Medicare for All. The same Medicare for All that Baginski stood up for valiantly in 2016 and came so close to clinching the nomination. I believe that if you want to call yourself a progressive, you need to carry that mantle, and that mantle must include Medicare for All."

"I spoke with a woman this evening, Loretta, and she told me she was welcome with the idea of me sharing her story. Loretta, who many of you may know, is a mother of three children, but a single mother and struggling to make ends meet. When her union went to bargain for healthcare, the business left them short, under-insuring her and her family. Now, after breaking her leg outside of work, she has no coverage and has had to take out massive loans to pay for her procedures. This is not an uncommon story in Nevada, or in the United States of America as a whole. It is the story of our broken healthcare system, a system designed to profit off of you, not provide you with quality healthcare. It is not designed to provide healthcare, the private health insurance industry is designed to rip you off, designed to make billions in profit as it does now and designed to undercut those who have their plans. Yet we have some Democratic candidates, well, actually all except for me, talking about the NEED for the private insurance. No, we do not need private health insurance. What we need is Medicare for All, the expansion of Medicare to cover everyone and eliminate private health in the process."

Following the warming up of the crowd, it was time for Levi to take to the stage. The crowd roared as he appeared in front of them, waving with his left arm while holding the microphone in his right.

"I love your energy, Las Vegas," Levi quipped, the crowd laughed and cheered. "This is the kind of energy, power and enthusiasm we need to win the Nevada caucus and win this primary. Our campaign has designed a simple recipe to win Nevada, first of all, all of you young people in the crowd today: check that you're enrolled! We'll need you in our political revolution. Tell your friends, family to enroll and then we can bring out numbers large enough to win a landslide in Nevada and work our way to the Presidency. But, of course, we also have a lot more work to do. Still more work to do in Nevada, because we not only need to make sure you're all enrolled, but we need to get you to the caucus sites! The coalition we need to win is a working-class, youth and Latino coalition, and actually, these groups constantly are inter-merged. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, you are the core of the Democratic Party. Despite the tall words during election season, after the voting is over, politicians usually throw voters like you to the curbside. Not me, not our campaign. Our campaign is about working for you, not the elite corporate lobbyists in Washington D.C. I'm not a puppet of any major corporation, like you, I have a mind of my own and I am willing to fight to get our progressive agenda through. Just like many of our fore-bearers."

"Now, I'm not sure if you have heard, but the billionaires are getting a bit afraid of our movement. I'm not sure if you have seen the - well - blatantly untrue advertisements being run by a certain powerful and rich billionaire, but we have them running scared. We have them running scared because we want to eliminate out of pocket medical expenses. Make insulin free, make cancer treatment free, make going to to the doctor free. And they're worried because it won't be the working class paying for the masses of medical expenses. It will be the richest 1% that will be paying for Medicare for All. Trust me, they will be paying it. So, I would like to use this occasion to debunk some lies. Our plan does not scrap anyone's healthcare, it expands and improves it. Did your union win you great private health insurance? Great! We're going to expand on it and make it better - by eliminating all costs! Was your union not able to win you great private health insurance? Don't worry! Medicare for All will cover you no matter what. It's only the elite that want to pit us against each other so that they can win, whether you have private health insurance or not, your health outcomes will improve under Medicare for All. That's a fact."

"For real action on climate change, we need a Green New Deal. If you have a look at my proposal online, it outlines very clearly what we need to do to avoid the catastrophe. The ideas in the proposal are based off the actual evidence of scientists, not conjecture, so that's something new," Levi laughed and so did the crowd. "We need to take climate change seriously and ACCEPT the science on the damage it will do to our eco-systems. That's why my plan proposes moving from coal and other unsustainable energy sources to solar, wind and so forth by 2040 at the latest. The plan will create 20 million new jobs and put real investment into coal country. Because the truth is, coal won't last forever, and we need to diversify the economies in places like West Virginia in order to prevent damage being done to the lives of workers. Our plan protects our air, water and breaks up the large factory farms and puts the power back into the hands of small, family farms. This will cut back on carbon emissions from factory farming. This is part of a bigger plan, to create an American that our children and their children's children can live on a healthy planet. It's the least we can do for them.

"I'm the only candidate - the only - supporting Medicare for All. I am the only candidate - the only - supporting a $15 minimum wage tied to inflation. I am the only candidate - the only - supporting free and universal college admission. I'm the only candidate - the only - supporting the push the abolish ICE. The choice this election could not be clearer. We can vote and advocate for a progressive future, or we can be held down by Wolf and their conservative cronies who blast the media with messages that nothing can be done about inequality in this country. It simply isn't right that we should concede our demands of justice in the United States of America. I have never conceded an inch to the billionaire class, the elites and this movement won't either, so long as we can win Iowa, win New Hampshire and win the state of Nevada!"

[The Orion Islands]

Colbert Twitter @EverittRigbyColbert
"Medicare for All costs $3 trillion a year. Dividing that by the June 1, 2019 US population of 331,808,807 equals $9,041.35. Where in the hell does Levi Murphy think the average American taxpayer has an extra NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS(!) just lying around? I'll tell you, if the average American taxpayer had that much extra cash, then this wouldn't even be a discussion."
"Last time I checked, Senators (including myself and Murphy) get $174,000 a year. He has that $9,000 laying around. Hell, he's probably a millionaire. Murphy's insane plan just costs too much."

[Louisianan]

Colbert Twitter @EverittRigbyColbert
"Medicare for All costs $3 trillion a year. Dividing that by the June 1, 2019 US population of 331,808,807 equals $9,041.35. Where in the hell does Levi Murphy think the average American taxpayer has an extra NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS(!) just lying around? I'll tell you, if the average American taxpayer had that much extra cash, then this wouldn't even be a discussion."
"Last time I checked, Senators (including myself and Murphy) get $174,000 a year. He has that $9,000 laying around. Hell, he's probably a millionaire. Murphy's insane plan just costs too much."

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst

[New Cobastheia]

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

"Mhm. Is there anything else we should raise?"

"I can't think of anything else, but, if you are serious about having me as your Vice President, just make sure you'd at least consult me before promising anyone else a cabinet position in a Murphy Administration, might be best to do that with anyone else your campaign is taking a serious look at for VP too."

[Puertollano]

"Mhm. Is there anything else we should raise?"

"I can't think of anything else, but, if you are serious about having me as your Vice President, just make sure you'd at least consult me before promising anyone else a cabinet position in a Murphy Administration, might be best to do that with anyone else your campaign is taking a serious look at for VP too."

"I'll be sure to keep you in the loop," Levi remarked.

[New Cobastheia]

"I can't think of anything else, but, if you are serious about having me as your Vice President, just make sure you'd at least consult me before promising anyone else a cabinet position in a Murphy Administration, might be best to do that with anyone else your campaign is taking a serious look at for VP too."

"I'll be sure to keep you in the loop," Levi remarked.

"Good to hear, like I said, other than that nothing else is coming to mind, so unless you can think of something, well I'm sure we both have busy schedules to get to."

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

---

Crawford Clay for Senate Radio Ad
Broadcast Across Texas

Crawford Clay: "I'm Crawford Clay, and I approve this message."
[Foreboding piano music begins.]
Gravel-voiced narrator (somberly): "Joe Frankston claims to be a real conservative — but he supports Democrat policies."
Snippet from a Joe Frankston speech in Corpus Christie: "We can resolve our immigration crisis by working on a bipartisan solution —"
Narrator: "Joe Frankston's solution to immigration is to grant amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens, undermining our economy and taking jobs from native Texans. Does that sound like a real conservative?"
[The piano composition transitions to an uplifting track.]
Narrator: "Crawford Clay has been fighting against illegal immigration as a judge and attorney for two decades. Let's elect real patriots: vote Clay for Senate."
Narrator, at 1.5x speed: "Paid for by Texans for Clay."

---

Crawford Clay Rally
Fort Worth, Texas

Although it was the home of Randall Cramp, who had enjoyed a large turnout for the rally he had hosted there, Crawford felt he could count on Fort Worth to give him a warm welcome. One of the largest conservative stronghold cities, the town also had a huge Baptist community, and so Clay designated it to host one of his formal rallies.

Held outdoors on a Saturday evening to maximize attendance, the event attracted, as Clay and his campaign staff had anticipated, a sizable crowd, proof that Clay was a serious, electable candidate.

The atmosphere at the rally was casual but energetic; Hank Williams Jr.'s "A Country Boy Can Survive" played from loudspeakers as Clay took the stage to applause and cheers. He wore a suit and tie — again, to demonstrate his seriousness and electability; he was a member of Congress, after all — as well as a Stetson hat.

"Howdy Fort Worth!" Clay roared into the microphone, receiving a hearty "howdy" back from the crowd. "It's great to see so many country boys turning out to save America!" More whoops. "Because that's what we're doing, y'all — electing conservatives who know how to keep Texas the greatest state in the Union!"

Clay's energy mellowed slightly, his voice taking on a graver tone as he continued, "Now I know that these aren't easy times for us Texans, not by a long shot. I'm from right here in Denton, so I know what y'all have to deal with. The border is unsecured, jobs are scarce, and, above all, we've got to fight the crooks in D.C. at every turn. Elect me to the Senate, and I pledge to win that battle." There was another smattering of applause.

"Let's talk Joe Frankston. Don't get me wrong, y'all, he's a great man, a great veteran, and I have infinite respect for him, but he just doesn't got what it takes to win. I've heard him speak, and he's full of vague promises and empty words. Vague promises don't win votes. Empty words don't win the votes of our wonderful Christian community, or our hard-working minorities. Frankston will lose those votes, and he'll lose the general. But I'm not full of bluster, folks, oh no. I've got concrete plans on how to turn this state around and get Congress to work for us, as it should!

"Unlike Cramp and Frankston, I've got experience. I've served as district attorney and judge for eleven years, fighting crime and keeping our borders safe. I've worked to get bills passed to protect our farmers, our energy industry, and our unborn babies. I've fought tooth and nail against legislation from the Democrats that would destroy our 2nd Amendment rights. I know what it takes to get work done in Congress, folks!"

Clay proceeded to enumerate his platform: conservative social policies, lower taxes, deregulation of business, anti-corruption, and a strong border. He was an honest man, and so his message was much the same as the one he delivered across all of Texas, although of course he tailored it for every town he visited. Tomorrow Clay would hit the Dallas suburbs, where his anti-corruption and low-tax stances would be emphasized. When he next had a chance to hit the campaign trail, it was on to Amarillo and Lubbock in the panhandle, where his populist conservatism would take center stage.

Clay ended most of his speeches the same way: "In conclusion, we need conservatives, not compromisers! God bless y'all, God bless America, and God bless Texas!"

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

She shrugged, biting her lip. "Unfortunately, a great deal of Republicans in the Senate have rallied behind Frankston. I'll reach out to some others, maybe some Governors and Representatives, to gauge their interest."

In her head, Kim ran through a list of Republicans she couldn't remember endorsing a candidate yet. Paulson, Chambers, Volker, Dietrich, Walker, Eliza, Dunn, Burkhalter?

"I would truly appreciate your help there, Senator," Clay said, nodding appreciatively. Dunbar had many more connections in Washington than he, and what help she could provide would be invaluable. "If there's anything I can do, other than winning this election..."

[Lavan Tiri]

She shrugged, biting her lip. "Unfortunately, a great deal of Republicans in the Senate have rallied behind Frankston. I'll reach out to some others, maybe some Governors and Representatives, to gauge their interest."

In her head, Kim ran through a list of Republicans she couldn't remember endorsing a candidate yet. Paulson, Chambers, Volker, Dietrich, Walker, Eliza, Dunn, Burkhalter?

"I would truly appreciate your help there, Senator," Clay said, nodding appreciatively. Dunbar had many more connections in Washington than he, and what help she could provide would be invaluable. "If there's anything I can do, other than winning this election..."

Kim raised her hand. "Win. That's all I want. Keep Cramp as far from any position of power as you can, and show the Frankstons that they can't win elections based on their name."

She rose, shaking Clay's hand again. "It's been lovely meeting you, Crawford. You can be sure I'll be working hard to get you to the Senate with me."

---

After bidding Clay farewell, Kim walked back to her own office, cursing her heels the entire way. When she arrived, she set her purse down and called for her crowd of aides.

"Alright people, listen up. There's a Senate race in Texas that I've taken an interest in, and we're gonna make things happen. Melody," she said, pointing at a young redheaded woman from Salina who was interning with her, "talk with Congressman Clay's people. Set up a date for a rally, you've got my schedule, I'm gonna endorse him publicly. Keyshawn," she jabbed a finger at a stout, bespectacled black teenager from Wichita who wanted to be a political scientist, "put together a list of every prominent Republican who hasn't made an endorsement, from here to Texas. Johnny! Go down the street, get me a 24 ounce cup filled with espresso and sugar, I'm about to pass out on the Senate floor."

The aides scattered, and Kim sat down, savoring the brief respite, before pulling out her work phone.

From: Senator Kimberly Dunbar
To: House Minority Leader Thomas Volker

Congressman Volker,

If you're available and willing, I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Senate race in Texas.

- Senator Kimberly Dunbar

One of her young aides then brought her the letter--an actual letter?--from Porter. She sighed and reluctantly opened it, quickly scanning the contents.

"Angelina! You're good at the Internet, right? Print out a rude meme and mail it to Bernie Porter--wait, no, don't."

She sighed again, rereading the message. "Angelina, come back. Get in touch with Porter. Let him know I'll be there, but I want the opportunity to talk in private first. Thank you."

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

Torrie Volker
@TheOtherVolker

---

As one former Texas Republican once said, you can't get fooled again! We nominated an inexperienced candidate once before in the Lone Star State and lost a long held conservative seat. Theatrics and legacies don't win elections. Experience matters and I am glad to finally see a worthy candidate enter that race.

[Lavan Tiri]

(Image)
Torrie Volker
@TheOtherVolker

---

As one former Texas Republican once said, you can't get fooled again! We nominated an inexperienced candidate once before in the Lone Star State and lost a long held conservative seat. Theatrics and legacies don't win elections. Experience matters and I am glad to finally see a worthy candidate enter that race.

Liked and retweeted by @KimKan

[Sarenium]

Sioux City, Iowa
Dayton Rally & Retail
January 27, 2020

Iowa, in a week you'll have a choice to set the tone. Let us choose hope, a vision of a fairer America, and a plan that is proven and delivered! There are some in this race who offer words and have no record of delivery, there are others in this race who say one thing and bend over backwards to do the opposite. When I was Governor, I passed the nation's most comprehensive college education plan of any state, it's affordable and gets every kid a fair shot not just the ones that were born to Jeff Bezos. As Senator, I've passed the Relief Act for midwestern states, including Iowa, the Dakotas and I did that in a bipartisan manner working closely with every state's congressional delegation and if I am elected your President, I make no pledges I don't intend to keep, and I pledge that we will raise wages, improve conditions and get our farmers a fair wage in life. No more family farms going under and no more country schools crumbling. We can do better, not alone we can't, but together, together we can deliver the best.

When I entered this race, I did so promising I'd battle in the arena of ideas, not that of personality. That pledge, I intend to keep, no matter how many fascistic ideologues seek to be the Republican nominee or how many Democrats with no actionable history run. Ultimately, I want your vote because you also believe that in a nation as wealthy as ours, nobody should be indebted for seeking an education, nobody should be bankrupted after an injury and that opportunity should transcend ZIP Codes, race and credit cards. That belief, that we can make a fairer America where you can succeed only by your own merit and hard work, not the size of your parent's wallet or your proximity to a major city but you own attributes. I'm running to extend jobs and opportunity to all Americans. To reorient American politics towards consideration of fairness. To make college affordable, protect and expand healthcare access, reform our tax code and give working families the respite they deserve. We can make this happen, we enact medicare-for-all-who-want-it. We enact a higher minimum wage. We make college education affordable. If we do this, if you support our campaign in doing this, I truly believe that by the end of this decade, we will make jobs and opportunity indiscriminate. We will have started the spark that lights the fire to make America fairer for all Americans. So let us go forward together, in this fight and in making this dream a reality.”

Because you all are here today, and that's what matters. I know many of you aren't decided just yet, but this campaign thrives off of your support. We're not bought and owned by friends of Senator Sharansky or Senator Hawthorne, nor are we representatives of the corporations of Wall Street. We're Americans, we're families, students, workers and above all else, VOTERS! This campaign relies on the support of ordinary Americans like everyone in this room tonight, we can't progress forth without it. And folks, I am nothing but excited for what we can achieve on the day we reach the White House, medicare-for-all-who-want-it, affordable college, a just transition from pollution-heavy jobs, a fairer political system, balanced trade deals and fixing our broken immigration system. We can't do it alone. We can, however, do it together. That's what distinguishes this campaign from all the rest, the vision, the dream, the goal, isn't one of the billionaires and millionaires who pull the strings of America. No, no, it's one shared by the factory worker and the wait staff. By the receptionists and baristas. By the parents and students. By the countless nurses and teachers, by ordinary Americans who have together called for real change, change that you can be sure of.

I have delivered for Virginia. And I know we can deliver for America. In fact, I characterize this entire campaign as one built around on our shared dream of a better America. Republican or Democrat, we all agree the healthcare system needs fixing. We all agree that schools need improving. We all agree that our trading relationship worldwide does not work for all Americans. We all agree that not enough of us have a secure, good paying job. We all agree that roads, bridges, and buildings in all fifty states are in a desperate state of inattention and disrepair. We all agree that every American deserves the opportunity to flourish, to excel, to build a better life for themselves and their families. That is the goal I am committed to. The goal of building jobs and opportunities for all Americans, not just the wealthiest 1% of us. Of ensuring that nobody goes bankrupt because of medical bills. Of making sure that no students are disadvantaged because their parents lived two suburbs over where the schools weren't as good, or because they couldn't afford textbooks or materials. Of keeping the promise that no teacher forfeits any part of their salary to offer classrooms scissors and pens.

She stepped down, thanked organizers then immediately proceeded to greet voters before being carted off to the next event. Iowa was getting all the attention now. The following day would be spent along the road to Des Moines before the day after that being spent at a rally in Des Moines itself.

[Sarenium]

"Oftentimes my mother nudges him to the left well before I could get to him," Joe smiled, "I appreciate you coming down to help us out ma'am."

"Well I wouldn't say I've come down to help, more so to find out if I do want to help," She paused to take a sip of water, "I want to make sure I want to endorse you."

"I'm an open book ma'am," Joe welcomed her queries.

Elsewhere, before shipping out to Iowa and New Hampshire for the foreseeable future, Jillian dropped past Nez's office...

[Sarenium]

"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.”

"I'd like for someone to pick up a phone, ring Tallahassee and wake him up," she alluded to Miguel, "either so I can be defeated or so we can unite our flank and prevent Levi Murphy from a 40 state blowout defeat."

[Bruke]

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

"I'd like for someone to pick up a phone, ring Tallahassee and wake him up," she alluded to Miguel, "either so I can be defeated or so we can unite our flank and prevent Levi Murphy from a 40 state blowout defeat."

“Hmm. Well, who knows what’s going on in his life? Perhaps there’s a family emergency, or he’s ill. At any rate, I don’t think anyone will be able to reach him until he’s ready to engage in public life again.”

[Sarenium]

"I'd like for someone to pick up a phone, ring Tallahassee and wake him up," she alluded to Miguel, "either so I can be defeated or so we can unite our flank and prevent Levi Murphy from a 40 state blowout defeat."

“Hmm. Well, who knows what’s going on in his life? Perhaps there’s a family emergency, or he’s ill. At any rate, I don’t think anyone will be able to reach him until he’s ready to engage in public life again.”

She rubbed her forehead, "with Nickolai in my corner in Ohio, I'm confident of winning back the blue wall, if anyone can guide this campaign through the rust belt it's the man in Ohio," she pondered, "I know you're officially staying neutral, but it may be time to begin pressuring the northeast into place."

[Bruke]

“Hmm. Well, who knows what’s going on in his life? Perhaps there’s a family emergency, or he’s ill. At any rate, I don’t think anyone will be able to reach him until he’s ready to engage in public life again.”

She rubbed her forehead, "with Nickolai in my corner in Ohio, I'm confident of winning back the blue wall, if anyone can guide this campaign through the rust belt it's the man in Ohio," she pondered, "I know you're officially staying neutral, but it may be time to begin pressuring the northeast into place."

Karel carefully considered his words before continuing.

He knew she didn’t like how he climbed up the political ladder, and yet she was asking him to call on those connections he made on the way there?

“That’s a big thing to ask, Jillian. The folks I know are all well-connected career politicians, so you should be able to squeeze some more endorsements and bodies on the ground out of them. They will endorse you if I say the word, but it’ll be pretty apparent who got them to support you.”

[Kargintina the Third]

Nickolai Dernilski stump speech for Jillian Dayton
Des Moines, Iowa
January 28th, 2020

"Good evening Des Moines! Many of you may know me, four years I was standing here giving a speech on behalf of the Late Senator Baginski. And that's because I want to see someone who values American workers in the White House. That's why today I wanna tell you about my good friend, Senator Jillian Dayton. In every office she has held Senator Dayton has fought for the average man and woman, not Wall Street or Corporate donors. She understands that everyone deserves good wages, a working social safety net, and protections from the parasitic hands of big businesses. She will grant more Americans access to good, affordable healthcare than ever before, more college opportunities for your kids and stronger wages.

I have served with Jillian in the Senate for years and rarely have I seen someone so dedicated to the average American. She has a clear vision of a better America for everyone, not just the chosen few born into a life of luxury. When she was Governor of Virginia she created thousands of jobs and made that state fairer for all who lived in it, and she will do that for Iowa and all of America too. She cares for all, the factory worker, the truck driver, the farmer, the immigrant, the poor and downtrodden. She will get America on a path away from the failed trickle-down economics of the Republicans and the lopsided trade deals of Washington.

You see the Republicans aren't interested in the average joe. They're interested in Corporate donors and big business. Time and time the extreme hands off policies of the Republicans have destroyed jobs in both industry and agriculture. I've seen it in Ohio, thousands of farmers destitute and out of a career as the big businesses drove their farms out of business. Factory workers barely able to put food on their tables as Republicans lower minimum wage to absurdly low levels. Jillian doesn't have their mindset. She cares about the average Iowan or Ohioan, she cares for all of us. She is the woman you can expect to take on Wall Street as soon as she gets into office.

The Iowa primary is within a week, and there is one woman who stands out amongst the crowd as one who will look after every last Iowan and every last American. I urge all of you to vote for Senator Jillian Dayton to be the Democratic Nominee for president and the next President of the United States. Iowa went blue for President Baharia in 2008 and 2012, and I believe she can do it again in 2020. So please Iowa, I ask you all to vote Jillian Dayton for President in 2020!"

[Sarenium]

She rubbed her forehead, "with Nickolai in my corner in Ohio, I'm confident of winning back the blue wall, if anyone can guide this campaign through the rust belt it's the man in Ohio," she pondered, "I know you're officially staying neutral, but it may be time to begin pressuring the northeast into place."

Karel carefully considered his words before continuing.

He knew she didn’t like how he climbed up the political ladder, and yet she was asking him to call on those connections he made on the way there?

“That’s a big thing to ask, Jillian. The folks I know are all well-connected career politicians, so you should be able to squeeze some more endorsements and bodies on the ground out of them. They will endorse you if I say the word, but it’ll be pretty apparent who got them to support you.”

"They chose to endorse of their own volition," Jillian smiled, "I'm sure our views align but I'd like to prevent a Northeast sweep by our friend from Minnesota."

[Louisianan]

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

According to Nikolai Dernilski, I as a Republican don't care for the average joe, although when I was in Washington for my job in the 1980s and 1990s and 2000s, I invited Louisianans who were visiting in DC to come and drink coffee with me.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

When I was at my home in Louisiana, I'd accept phone calls directly from my constituents. I have never accepted a penny from the big businesses, I sure as hell have never hurt agriculture since that's what my state is all about.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Miss Dayton probably lives in a large two story home, I, a Republican, on the other hand, live in my childhood home, three bedroom with an outhouse. I don't need no more than that. In Washington, I'd sleep in my office. Notice, how instead of attacking the ideas of a candidate, they attack the party of the candidate, and make sweeping generalizations that have no basis in fact.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

Francine Sullivan
@AlaskanAstronaut

---

All senators place countless hours, often alone, often alone in our offices, to serve our constituents. All senators welcome their constituents and their concerns. Why all? Because those who don't are voted out. But I nor any good senator should seek pity or praise for these actions or brag about them in a public forum. Because this is what public service is.

Francine Sullivan
@AlaskanAstronaut

---

If you need to put your struggles as a current or former senator on full blast, because you haven't bought the biggest house or the slept the most hours, I am concerned for what this entails for the future of public service. Because this is only a fraction of what millions of hard-working families see everyday.

Francine Sullivan
@AlaskanAstronaut

---

No senator shall ever earn my sympathy for simply doing the job they chose to do, were elected to do, and most importantly, entrusted to do. If they must seek sympathy or justice for what they have endured, I only ask them to open their eyes to what their constituents have endured and what greater sympathy and justice they too deserve.

[Louisianan]

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

@AlaskanAstronaut I assume you're talking about my post. I respect you very much, though I have never worked with you directly, I encouraged NASA's work and donated a good bit to them back in the day.

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

Anyway, I found it incredibly offensive for another person to say that we Republicans don't care about our people, the average joes of the nation. The people of Louisiana know me, they know what I've done, and they know what I will do, and Senator, frankly, the definition of a good senator has changed since I was in office. I don't complain about my home, my home is lovely, and you're welcome anytime!

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I'm sure that another retired politician like Mrs. Meredith Brookley could even agree with me on the fact that Mr. Dernilski's comments were offensive to those of us who do care about our constituents and have been long time Republicans.