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

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

A young woman with short hair approached Clay's microphone.

"Hi, uh, hi. What's your stance on healthcare?"

"Thanks for your question. Our current healthcare system is simply unworkable. Bahariacare is overwrought and works for neither doctors nor their patients. Right now myself and other House Republicans are working on uprooting Bahariacare, repealing it and replacing it with packages that are state-by-state. That doesn't mean anyone's healthcare is gonna go away. As a Christian, I don't want to see any citizen of this country denied medical attention. But we need our system to be based on the needs of Texas, not on the needs of the entire country. And that's what I seek to accomplish as Senator."

A woman, blonde wearing fancy sunglasses and trench coat comes up to the mic, "Excuse me, Crawf... Representative Clay, what do you think about the state of the Democratic Primary in the Senate race?" the lady scurries away.

Clay chuckled. "Let's just say that if I end up being the Republican nominee, I'll be confident in my chances against either of those two Democrats."

[Dentali]

GOLDWATER POLLING TEXAS GOP PRIMARY FEBRUARY 10TH, 2020



TEXAS POLLING

Lt General Joe Frankston 32% (0)
Congressman Crawford Clay 20% (+5)
J.P. Randy Cramp 17% (+1)
Undecided 36%


TAKEAWAYS

As of right now Crawford Clay is the strongest campaigner in the primary, taking on the early frontrunner of Lt General Joe Frankston with a vigorous campaign targeting large swaths of Texan voters. It appears that the ceiling of the Congressman is much higher than J.P Cramp, whose coalition is much narrower. Crawford Clay however seems to have crossover appeal with a number of groups that Lt General Frankston might have thought would be easy pickups.

Some anonymous insiders in the Frankston campaign have voiced frustration with Frankston’s lack of campaigning recently compared to the very mobile campaign of Crawford, and the lack of upward mobility of the candidate is reportedly of great concern among donors and special interest groups who are now eying Congressman Clay as a potential recipient of their support. Still Cramp and Frankston lead Congressman Clay in name recognition by a wide margin, and if the election were held tomorrow Lt General Frankston would likely be the winner by a substantial amount. The question is can Frankston build on that lead or does Crawford prove to be the consensus candidate?

[Greater Arab State]

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

Monday, 3rd February, 2020

It was that time of the week again for the House Minority Leader to speak to the American people via Twitter. And thus, as per usual, Thomas went over his usual introduction and awaited the questions of the electorate.

"What is the effect of the Iran Liberation Act?"

“Thank you for your question. The Iran Liberation Act seeks to allow the President to provide support to groups within Iran that are designated as being opposed to the current regime. The act will allow for the United States to begin to take further steps to counter Iranian influence and belligerence within the Middle East through its proxy wars and so forth by comprehensively weakening the regime in combination with the Iran Sanctions Act.”

[The Orion Islands]

Colbert Twitter @EverittRigbyColbert
"Hypolite Gaspard thinks he is the best thing to happen to this country since the 60's. I've tried to give him advice and try and steer him out of pointless mistakes that could cost him his election, but he invested big time into the invincibility of himself, and he thinks that we should just hand him a Senate seat. Now, I am not Warrick, but I doubt he enjoys seeing one of his star candidates being ripped apart on cable news nightly. I don't"
"Men who don't take advice from anyone and go on pro-Confederate rants on Twitter do not deserve to be Senators. I hope we can find someone who has more than one ounce of common sense down there."
"The Civil War was fought over state's rights to own slaves."

[Lavan Tiri]

Senator Kimberly Dunbar

Kim, back briefly in D.C., rolled her eyes at Colbert's tweet.

Lord preserve me

She strode down the halls of the Capitol, heels clacking, coffee in hand, and knocked on the Utahns office door.

[The Orion Islands]

Senator Kimberly Dunbar

Kim, back briefly in D.C., rolled her eyes at Colbert's tweet.

Lord preserve me

She strode down the halls of the Capitol, heels clacking, coffee in hand, and knocked on the Utahns office door.

Colbert's secretary noticed the Kansan Senator and led her into his office. Colbert was a bit shocked by her presence, but made an effort to be friendly.
"Senator Dunbar, what can I do for you?"

[Puertollano]

Levi Murphy @LeviMurphy Polling is indicating that the people of this great country are joining and building our movement to take back the White House for the many, but the battle cannot stop here. We need to win the state of New Hampshire, then the state of Nevada and give a helluvah showing on Super Tuesday to win this!

[Sarenium]

---

Martins Ferry, Ohio
Jack Vichter for U.S. Senate
February 1, 2020

---

Out the front of his father's old factory, flanked by a collection of supporters stood Jack Vichter. His wife by his side, and behind and around him miners and factory workers. Some were his dad's colleagues, he'd joined many of them on the picket line. The campaign had prepared for this speech, and his entire campaign schema was a dark purple, pushing his desire to appear above the parties.

He approached the microphone and spoke with conviction, "well, my friends it seems like only yesterday I asked you to back me as your District Attorney. Since then, we've come a long way, for the last decade my biggest joy has been locking crooks who rob working people of their entitlements, I've had a job since I was fourteen, not because I wanted to be boring," he smiled as the crowd around him laughed, "but because I had no choice, I wanted to go to college, I'd seen what happens when working people find themselves at the mercy of the law when a shutdown mine led to my pops losing his job then that same mining company trying to withhold his pension, it infuriated me. I didn't understand how it was justice then, and frankly, I still don't see how it's just today. The value of our wages hasn't kept up with the inflation of rents or mortgages, the law still feels harsher on a working family than a top banker and now a decade on from the great recession, too many of us remain unsure of our futures. Our healthcare is under attack, our unions are under attack, Republicans up and down the ballot remain intent on privatizing Social Security, and the Washington bubble, a bubble of ego and spite which does nothing to represent what working people really need. For too long working families and working people have had the dignity of work snatched from us, our families struggle while unfair trade deals cost our jobs. I grew up here, in Martins Ferry, I have seen our communities change, and for too long Washington has chosen profits over workers, has prioritized waiving corruption and legitimizing corporate attacks on hardworking Americans."

"I am therefore, proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate, we need a Senator who won't be bought by the friends of Lukas Hawthorne, a Senate which no longer looks down on the hardworking American, a Senate which raises the minimum wage, which upholds justice for all Americans, not only those who can afford it and a Senator which represents Ohio, not Wall Street. That, is why I am in this race! The blueprint for America in 2020 is one which celebrates the worker, and when we fight for workers, we fight for all peoples, whether they punch a clock or swipe a badge, earn a salary or survive on tips," Vichter said with deep conviction, riling up the crowd, "whether they are raising children or caring for an aging parent. We will leave no working family behind, we will leave no retiree or worker behind, together we can fight to represent the hardworking Ohioan once more!"

Vichter stepped down, kissing his wife before they waved and the battle began.

[Lavan Tiri]

Senator Kimberly Dunbar

Kim, back briefly in D.C., rolled her eyes at Colbert's tweet.

Lord preserve me

She strode down the halls of the Capitol, heels clacking, coffee in hand, and knocked on the Utahns office door.

Colbert's secretary noticed the Kansan Senator and led her into his office. Colbert was a bit shocked by her presence, but made an effort to be friendly.
"Senator Dunbar, what can I do for you?"

"Call me Kim, please," she said, taking a gulp of her coffee, "I don't like the whole...stiffness of this place. There's no reason we can't be friendly, at the least with our own side."

She sighed slightly, adjusting her purse. "Look, Senator--may I call you Everitt?--I need to ask a favor of you. I like you, personally--I think you're a bright young man with a good future ahead of you here. But please, please, stop...attacking fellow Republicans on social media. Especially Senate candidates."

Another drink of coffee. "Mr. Gaspard is, in all likelihood, going to be elected to the Senate. You have your disagreements with him. I do too. As a member of the Senatorial Committee, it's my job to get as many Republicans elected as possible, and then to keep them here. Not just in the Senate, but in the party. And if Hypolite Gaspard is elected, with you and who knows who else opposing and attacking him, he may think he's popular enough in Louisiana--he probably will be--to leave us and become an independent. Which would be bad. For us."

[Dentali]

Jane Martinez
@SusanBMartienz

I would be open to accepting an ambassadorship to Bora Bora in the Dayton administration.

[Lavan Tiri]

Senator Kimberly Dunbar
@KimKan

I'd be willing to accept the job of Supreme Chief Oompa Loompa in a Dayton administration. #HintHint #Pathetic

[Louisianan]

Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I'm not greedy like my Fellow republicans here, in a Dayton Administration, I'll be happy as a White House Chef.

[Lavan Tiri]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I'm not greedy like my Fellow republicans here, in a Dayton Administration, I'll be happy as a White House Chef.

Senator Kimberly Dunbar
@KimKan

Whoa there buddy, calm down. You're asking a lot.

[Louisianan]

(Image)
Hypolite Gaspard
@HGLouisianaFirst

---

I'm not greedy like my Fellow republicans here, in a Dayton Administration, I'll be happy as a White House Chef.

Senator Kimberly Dunbar
@KimKan

Whoa there buddy, calm down. You're asking a lot.

Liked and Retweeted By @HGLouisianaFirst

[Lavan Tiri]

Governor Russell E. Long
@RussellLong

Y'all already know Mr. Vichter's got my support in Ohio.

[Puertollano]

Levi Murphy GOTV Campaigning in New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire

The Senator's skills of campaigning would be used again as he moved on to Manchester, New Hampshire. Polling had him within striking distance of winning the state of New Hampshire against Jillian Dayton, and her flailing campaign would be the boon to which Team Levi would win the primary against his competitors. Volunteers were activated across in the state, and in Manchester, flipping every and all vote they possibly could. Taking a surprise win in New Hampshire would not only take the wind out of the sails of the Dayton Campaign, but give new life and momentum to Team Levi. This new life was determinant on the campaigning that would be done now. The campaign arrived in Manchester to begin their Get-Out-The-Vote campaigning.

The first stop in the city was at the Palace Theatre, one of the most important cultural landmarks in the city. The event was designed to attract young voters, by hosting local bands and artists who supported the Senator's campaign. It was a mini-concert with the secondary purpose to raise momentum and awareness of the election, as well as raising money for local artists and the Presidential campaign. Young people flocked into the building and they were canvassed by other young volunteers before the music started, reminding them to vote, and sign them up to volunteer for the last stretch of the campaign. Then the music started and the musciains and their bands, in between songs, would give their reasons why they're voting and why they should vote for Levi too. After the music ended, the Senator took to the stage to say a few words to the supporters.

"I don't want to hold you all up for too long. So we can get back to the music. Politicians often get caught up in Washington D.C. and lose their connections to the real people who they serve - instead, these career politicians take the advice from their specially picked advisers and lobbyists embedded in their offices. I'm proud to having never taken their advice or money before, because they are not advising you about the positive steps in the future for this country, they are telling you how you can continue to line their pockets. Luckily, I maintained my sanity while in the Senate, but I have realized I will go insane if things keep going as they are!"

"The system is so blatantly rigged against working people in this country, against working people in Iowa, the Mid West, from sea to shining sea. President Wolf played to the pulse of Iowa when he ran for election in 2016, by speaking the good-game on the anti-worker trade deals such as NAFTA and the TPP, but once he was elected, he turned his back on the people that got him elected. That's why, I believe, the Republicans will have a tough time being re-elected if we, Democrats, select a nominee that will wrestle back the working-class voters that they lied to in 2016. They're bald-face liars. Yes, Wolf then turned around and gave massive tax cuts to the mega rich and wealthy and for large corporations. Yes, he only made the big corporate tax rate permanent, not the tax scraps he gave to us. It's obvious that he is not in favor of the working class, poor and the working poor. He's working for the swamp, that he personally picked from the big banks and massive polluters. If you send me in there, Iowa, I'm going to drain the swamp. And drain Wolf and his cronies out, for good."

"That's part of the plan, the other is to remove the corruption that has permeated Washington D.C. for too long now. I will not only overturn Citizens United, but I will ban corporate donations through an amendment and I will outlaw lobbyists and special interests in Washington D.C. You may here this from many other candidates that they want to overturn Citizens United, but you need to understand that it is not enough. Overturning it will say that money is not speech, but you've also got to remove the PACs, remove the lobbyists and ban their influence entirely. It's really simple, but that's one trick they have been using to portray themselves to be on the right side of history. When really, they're taking a a weaker position than they really could be taking. That's step one, removing the corruption from our political system, once the swamp is cleared, we can make great headway into the important issues - such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and transportation. I also want to pass an 2nd Bill of Rights that make free and universal access to all of this permanent. That's because receiving healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Housing is a right, not a privilege. Education is a right, not a privilege. These are things that belong to everyone, not just the rich and elite"

"I thank you all for coming around this evening. I'm trying to build a strong coalition of working class and young people that are sick and tired of the President, sick and tired of the two major parties and are sick and tired of the system that refuses to stand-up for the people of New Hampshire. If you can trust me with your vote, you can be sure that I will not take the partisan position, the Democrat position, I will take the good position. Actually not good, the best position for working families, the youth and our elderly members of society. I'm not even a fan of Democratic leadership! I will be the first to admit that, because, they too will need to take a look at their corporate contributions and reluctance to support universal healthcare and tuition-free university. So please, if you have a few nickels to spare, please donate to our campaign. It's not mine, it's our campaign. If you can, please volunteer to build a stronger future. I want to build a America that works for the many, not the few."

Next, the campaign would do some old-fashioned door-knocking in the Manchester suburbs of Amoskeag, Rimmon Heights, Notre Dame/McGregorville and Piscataquog/Granite Square. This was one of the most productive ways to directly reach the voters that they were aiming for. When the doors were knocked, if answered, they would attempt to persuade the voters to flip their support from their previous candidate to Levi, if not already supporting. If they already supported the Senator, they would remind them of voting times, day and locations closest to them. If interested any further, the purpose of their door-knocking was to also collect fundraising and volunteers. Levi Murphy joined them in knocking on doors and engaging directly with the voters, he liked this, as it reminded him from the days in the union. After a long afternoon door-knocking, the campaign stopped in a park so that the volunteers could have a rest and have a bite to eat. Local residents were asked to come along as well to meet with Levi. He made a little speech to the crowd of volunteers and locals, to keep their spirits high and enthused for the election.

"It's all good and well to talk the good talk, but you need to also fight the good fight. I've co-sponsored many progressive bills to introduce multiple half-measures on healthcare, but that merely is not enough. I've sponsored much legislation myself while in the Senate for a term, including a Bill to permanently raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. You can check out my platform at Levi2020.com, but I'll quickly summarize my main policies. A $15 minimum wage, Medicare for All (not Medicare for "America", or "for those who want it"), College for All (meaning free college degrees, because education is a right), a Green New Deal (to create a future that is safe and livable for the next generations), ending the costly regime change wars (that rip money from social security, medicare and kill our brothers and sisters overseas) and more. This is only the beginning a new progressive renewal, one that believes in the fundamental rights of all, as American citizens, as humans no less. It's a society that works for the many, not just a select few. Because that's how this country is operating right now. Like George Carlin said; "it's a big club, and you ain't in it!". We need to get corporate money straight out of politics - clean out the corruption - and, in the words of the President, truly drain the swamp. He didn't drain it, he was the biggest swamp monster yet."

[The Grand Duchy Of Nova Capile]

Representative Crawford Clay @CrawfordClayJr So exciting to see us soar in the polls! A true conservative message WINS Texas! #KeepTexasRed #ClayForSenate

---

Senator Buster Bunker @thebunkerbuster Is anyone else peeved that we have literal confederate apologists as Senate candidates? Our country should be better than this. #TearItDown #BurnTheConfederateFlag #RenameTheBases

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
RESTORE THE NUCLEAR FAMILY!

[The Orion Islands]

Colbert's secretary noticed the Kansan Senator and led her into his office. Colbert was a bit shocked by her presence, but made an effort to be friendly.
"Senator Dunbar, what can I do for you?"

"Call me Kim, please," she said, taking a gulp of her coffee, "I don't like the whole...stiffness of this place. There's no reason we can't be friendly, at the least with our own side."

She sighed slightly, adjusting her purse. "Look, Senator--may I call you Everitt?--I need to ask a favor of you. I like you, personally--I think you're a bright young man with a good future ahead of you here. But please, please, stop...attacking fellow Republicans on social media. Especially Senate candidates."

Another drink of coffee. "Mr. Gaspard is, in all likelihood, going to be elected to the Senate. You have your disagreements with him. I do too. As a member of the Senatorial Committee, it's my job to get as many Republicans elected as possible, and then to keep them here. Not just in the Senate, but in the party. And if Hypolite Gaspard is elected, with you and who knows who else opposing and attacking him, he may think he's popular enough in Louisiana--he probably will be--to leave us and become an independent. Which would be bad. For us."

Senator Colbert: "Yes, you can call me Everitt, Kim. I understand. It's just that this man went on a long Twitter rant about the Confederacy, witch is an extremely sensitive topic and could be used in attacks against us, not there, but in closer races as guilt by association. But I will stop if that's what you want."

[Emazia]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
RESTORE THE NUCLEAR FAMILY!

Liked and Retweeted by Bernie Porter and John Berkowitz

[Lavan Tiri]

"Call me Kim, please," she said, taking a gulp of her coffee, "I don't like the whole...stiffness of this place. There's no reason we can't be friendly, at the least with our own side."

She sighed slightly, adjusting her purse. "Look, Senator--may I call you Everitt?--I need to ask a favor of you. I like you, personally--I think you're a bright young man with a good future ahead of you here. But please, please, stop...attacking fellow Republicans on social media. Especially Senate candidates."

Another drink of coffee. "Mr. Gaspard is, in all likelihood, going to be elected to the Senate. You have your disagreements with him. I do too. As a member of the Senatorial Committee, it's my job to get as many Republicans elected as possible, and then to keep them here. Not just in the Senate, but in the party. And if Hypolite Gaspard is elected, with you and who knows who else opposing and attacking him, he may think he's popular enough in Louisiana--he probably will be--to leave us and become an independent. Which would be bad. For us."

Senator Colbert: "Yes, you can call me Everitt, Kim. I understand. It's just that this man went on a long Twitter rant about the Confederacy, witch is an extremely sensitive topic and could be used in attacks against us, not there, but in closer races as guilt by association. But I will stop if that's what you want."

She smiled. "Thank you so much, Everitt. I knew you'd understand. Now, before I leave...is there anything you'd like to talk about? Any legislation you want to bring to the floor?"

[Louisianan]

McAllen, Texas
Linda Lazare
February 6, 2020

---

Linda left Victoria early in the morning to continue her 'Roundabout Texas' Campaign and went back down to the border city of McAllen, today her speech was prepared to discuss healthcare and fine tune her comments about school choice,

"Good Morning McAllen! You guys have a wonderful town here, a town rich with history and diversity. People of McAllen, I'm here today to plead my case to you about why I should become your Senator. During my short 39 years on this wonderful earth I have seen more change when it comes to Science than ever before, when I worked in Hospitals I remember new information coming in everyday about diseases and virus'."

"Yet, with all of the research we do about these things, nobody is ensuring that everybody can use this information. We are researching diseases to come up with vaccines and other safeguards, and yet only the people who can afford it are the ones who get to benefit from all of the research."

"The way I think is very much common sense, if people pay taxes to the government, and the government spends it on research of diseases, shouldn't the people who pay taxes get a use out of the research? Yes! This is where I disagree with my Republican colleagues in congress, I think that since all people in this country pay taxes, then all people should be able to afford healthcare, and afford the care that they need."

"In 2018, 17.7% of Texans, so that would be about 5 million people, had NO health coverage, up from 17.3% in 2017. Both years, Texas had almost doubled the number of uninsured people compared with the national average of 8.7% in 2017 and 8.9% in 2018. It was one of only nine states to record an increase in the uninsured rate."

"Get this folks, Texas is one of 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid, and Expanding Medicaid would have filled coverage gaps for an estimated 1.1 million low-income Texans. Healthcare is a topic that Republicans don't like to discuss, they say they have a plan and when they come to you to get reelected they still say they have a plan but yet do not show us."

"What is the plan? On average, Americans spend almost quadruple as much for pharmaceutical drugs as citizens of other industrialized countries pay. High drug prices are the single biggest area of overspending in the U.S. compared to Europe, where drug prices are government regulated, often based on the clinical benefit of the medication."

"The American Nurses Association have been fighting for Healthcare reform for years, and yet we are still debating this issue. Why would you not listen to the people who your policies are directly affecting? We need healthcare reform, and if I am elected as your senator I will work hard for it, just like I did as a Representative of my district."

"Now, after my last event over in Victoria, I have been questioned about my stance on School Choice quite a bit which is very understandable, and I'm going to dispel your worries right now. I am in favor of INCREASING FUNDING FOR EDUCATION! That is a must have, but in order to do that, the people up on Capitol Hill need to agree to a budget increase, and until schools can get more funding."

"Until Teachers can get raises, until classroom sizes get smaller, there needs to be some sort of program allowing Teachers to teach comfortably in their class, and if that means allowing students to go to another school, then so be it. Look at Ms. Deyshia Hargrave from our neighbor Louisiana, she was arrested at a Vermillion County school board meeting, because she stood up for teachers when the Superintendent wanted to give himself a raise."

"Her classroom sizes practically doubled, her schools budget was very small, and she couldn't get much of anything done with them in a proper manner. We need to do something about Education, raise the funding, allow school choice, do whatever is necessary to fix the system. I am in support of our Teachers and our Students and I am willing to do WHATEVER it takes to help their situation."

"Thank you all for your time today! I hope I've encouraged you to get out and vote in the Primary! Remember, Vote BLUE 2020 and Vote Lazare 2020! We can Beat Baines, all we need is the help of the people!"

Linda left McAllen after meeting with local business owners and community leaders, to continue her Roundabout Texas tour.

[Sarenium]

Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

---

Just thought I'd add that I'd be open to the Presidency in a Dayton Administration.

[Greater Arab State]

(Image)
Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

---

Just thought I'd add that I'd be open to the Presidency in a Dayton Administration.

Liked and retweeted by @J.Marshall.

[Kargintina the Third]

(Image)
Jillian Dayton
@JillianDayton

---

Just thought I'd add that I'd be open to the Presidency in a Dayton Administration.

Retweeted by Nickolai Dernilski