Twilight's Last Gleaming: An American Political RP Special

[Dentali]

RESERVED

[Dentali]

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

Good Evening and Welcome to the first Democratic Debate, my name is Melissa Rodriguez from CNN and I will be moderating this debate hosted by CNN and the University of Colorado. Tonight our participants are all seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. And I will introduce them now.


(Candidates enter Left to Right crossing the stage and going to their assigned podium, the person with the highest national polling will be in the center)

Senator Everest Laakso of North Dakota, Former Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland Jean-Jacques St. Cierge, Businessman Nesbitt Baylor, Senator Carole Martel of California, Governor Upton Fleming of Pennsylvania, Congressman Robert Woolworth of North Carolina, and Senator Robert Wallace of Vermont


Rodriguez: Each candidate will now be given 90 seconds to introduce themselves and make an opening statement before the start of the debate.



OOC: Welcome to the first debate of the Twilight RP. It will function as follows. Their will be 1 debate question every day ie: Do you support Roe v. Wade . For the next 12 hours OOC each participant in the Debate will have 90 seconds to answer that question.

People speak an average of 140 words per minute, a fast speaker about 170 words and a slow speaker about 110. Most politicians speak at 120 words per minute because it's easier to understand and comprehend a slow speaker so don’t try and jam words in. The MAXIMUM number of words acceptable for a 90 second debate response is 260 words. The microphone WILL BE CUT OFF after 260 words and no one will hear the candidate.

After the 12 hour mark a period of ‘free discussion’ will follow, also 12 hours long. The candidates may engage and challenge one another, provided it is limited to the topic of the question. Once that 12 hour mark is up another question will be asked by the moderator. ANY POSTS REGARDING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER THIS POINT WILL NOT BE COUNTED .

Now we understand the irl comes first you might not be able to participate every day, thats fine you will get other chances to debate. If you can’t participate on a question in the IC, in the RP your character will have answered the question, it just wasn’t interesting or memorable.

[Jovuistan]

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

Good Evening and Welcome to the first Democratic Debate, my name is Melissa Rodriguez from CNN and I will be moderating this debate hosted by CNN and the University of Colorado. Tonight our participants are all seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. And I will introduce them now.


(Candidates enter Left to Right crossing the stage and going to their assigned podium, the person with the highest national polling will be in the center)

Senator Everest Laakso of North Dakota, Former Mayor of Baltimore,Maryland Jean-Jacques St. Cierge, Businessman Nesbitt Baylor, Senator Carole Martel of California, Governor Upton Fleming of Pennsylvania, Congressman Robert Woolworth of North Carolina, and Senator Robert Wallace of Vermont


Rodriguez: Each candidate will now be given 90 seconds to introduce themselves and make an opening statement before the start of the debate.



OOC: Welcome to the first debate of the Twilight RP. It will function as follows. Their will be 1 debate question every day ie: Do you support Roe v. Wade . For the next 12 hours OOC each participant in the Debate will have 90 seconds to answer that question.

People speak an average of 140 words per minute, a fast speaker about 170 words and a slow speaker about 110. Most politicians speak at 120 words per minute because it's easier to understand and comprehend a slow speaker so don’t try and jam words in. The MAXIMUM number of words acceptable for a 90 second debate response is 260 words. The microphone WILL BE CUT OFF after 260 words and no one will hear the candidate.

After the 12 hour mark a period of ‘free discussion’ will follow, also 12 hours long. The candidates may engage and challenge one another, provided it is limited to the topic of the question. Once that 12 hour mark is up another question will be asked by the moderator. ANY POSTS REGARDING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER THIS POINT WILL NOT BE COUNTED .

Now we understand the irl comes first you might not be able to participate every day, thats fine you will get other chances to debate. If you can’t participate on a question in the IC, in the RP your character will have answered the question, it just wasn’t interesting or memorable.

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
SENATOR CAROLE MARTEL

"Well, first let me thank CNN and the University of Colorado for making this debate possible. Seriously, you guys are doing so much for our democracy by giving Americans this platform. America today is not better than it was 7 years ago. Over the course of the Cush presidency, we've seen a prolonged, unnecessary, and disastrous war in Iraq that's taken far too many young American lives and destroyed our credibility abroad. Communities in New Orleans were abandoned by this President during Hurricane Katrina, apparently the people who lost their homes, livelihoods, and even family and friends just weren't worth his time. Our healthcare is broken and leaves millions uninsured, and our economy has stagnated with working families neglected and a mounting deficit.

This is not what America is or should be! We deserve better than this, and I am running for President because I believe there is better than this. You know, my grandparents believed in the American Dream, that's why they came here with nothing but the clothes on their backs and some pocket change, and now their granddaughter is running to be the next leader of the greatest country on God's earth. Stories like my family's are the uniquely American stories that define this nation, and my campaign and my whole life in public service has been about helping create more of those stories, because there's truly no country like America, and we can fix Cush's mess together. Thank you."

[Alozia]

COLORADO DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
SENATOR ROBERT WALLACE

"Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who made this debate possible, from the hosts - CNN and the University of Colorado - to the staff all around this building who have worked hard to keep us all in check in the past hour or so.

Look, if there is one thing that an overwhelming majority of Americans can agree on, it’s that our country has seen better days. The current administration has polarized this country more than any before, while failing to live up to the challenges of the 21st century. From healthcare to Katrina, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Cush Administration has pursued a policy that benefits the wealthy few, at the cost of the many ordinary Americans.

The last seven years have tested the average Joes and Janes of this country, and now they look to us for support and solutions. The midterms have shown this and I’m sure that the upcoming election will be no different. We have the trust of the ordinary Americans, but also the responsibility to rise up to the challenge.

How do we do that? As Democrats we recognize the fact that the government can and should be a force for the good. Presidents Roosevelt and Johnson knew that and the next Democratic president has to know that, whoever they end up being. We need a nominee who will be a champion for reform, for fair pay and universal healthcare. We need to give every American a fair shot at the American Dream and that is what I want to do."

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

Good Evening and Welcome to the first Democratic Debate, my name is Melissa Rodriguez from CNN and I will be moderating this debate hosted by CNN and the University of Colorado. Tonight our participants are all seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. And I will introduce them now.


(Candidates enter Left to Right crossing the stage and going to their assigned podium, the person with the highest national polling will be in the center)

Senator Everest Laakso of North Dakota, Former Mayor of Baltimore,Maryland Jean-Jacques St. Cierge, Businessman Nesbitt Baylor, Senator Carole Martel of California, Governor Upton Fleming of Pennsylvania, Congressman Robert Woolworth of North Carolina, and Senator Robert Wallace of Vermont


Rodriguez: Each candidate will now be given 90 seconds to introduce themselves and make an opening statement before the start of the debate.



OOC: Welcome to the first debate of the Twilight RP. It will function as follows. Their will be 1 debate question every day ie: Do you support Roe v. Wade . For the next 12 hours OOC each participant in the Debate will have 90 seconds to answer that question.

People speak an average of 140 words per minute, a fast speaker about 170 words and a slow speaker about 110. Most politicians speak at 120 words per minute because it's easier to understand and comprehend a slow speaker so don’t try and jam words in. The MAXIMUM number of words acceptable for a 90 second debate response is 260 words. The microphone WILL BE CUT OFF after 260 words and no one will hear the candidate.

After the 12 hour mark a period of ‘free discussion’ will follow, also 12 hours long. The candidates may engage and challenge one another, provided it is limited to the topic of the question. Once that 12 hour mark is up another question will be asked by the moderator. ANY POSTS REGARDING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER THIS POINT WILL NOT BE COUNTED .

Now we understand the irl comes first you might not be able to participate every day, thats fine you will get other chances to debate. If you can’t participate on a question in the IC, in the RP your character will have answered the question, it just wasn’t interesting or memorable.

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
GOVERNOR UPTON FLEMING

Since we're facing a predictably disastrous Iraq War and Cush Government, who's rare bipartisanship has been more destructive than constructive, I would also like to thank our hosts for giving the American people an opportunity to hear our arguments and interrogate our records.

I grew up in a Philadelphia, where I learned from family, friends and faith, to help the less fortunate. By the 80s, I learned a great deal of this misfortunate stems from our politics imposing costs on those with less for the benefit of those with more. By the end of the 80s, I learned that a forceful commitment to the economic well being of all can pull neighborhoods that once cast their lot with a segregationist, into a multiracial coalition for change.

In the 90s, I proudly served in the [Not-Clinton] Administration as staff to our then Ambassador to the United Nations, where I helped bring international coalitions together for justice. In 1997, I was elected to the office of District Attorney in Philadelphia, where we lowered the rate of murder at a rate significantly faster than the national average. It was record which allowed me to run for and become the Governor of Pennsylvania. There, I've managed to handle dealing with a republican legislature, to implement policies standing for solidarity, justice and merit.

We don't need, in our presidency, a right-leaning conservativism that refuses to engage with the challenges of the present, or a left-leaning liberalism with meek programs easily hijacked by special interests, but a forward-leaning progressivism that delivers direct, meaningful, change for all.

[Madrinpoor]

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

- snip -

"You know, I don't think that the problems in this country started just under Cush. In fact, I can trace it back a ways longer than that — when politicians started fighting for businesses and stopped fighting for people. Lobbying and big money donors rule Washington these days, and it's a disgrace — as we've seen recently with Harold Gunsley, it turns out that sometimes the politicians aren't even trying to hide their allegiance to corporations. It's gotten more and more blatant, and I'm done having big business in the White House.

The Cush years have shown us what damage a clueless politician is able to cause. We've seen disasters in Iraq, a bungled response to Katrina, an uncaring government, rising income inequality, and veneration of the super rich. Oilmen don't belong in the White House. Patriots do."

[Kargintinia]

Nesbitt Tripp Baylor

"Our country desperately needs new leadership. This absolutely incompetent leadership has led us into an unnecessary war in Iraq, greatly increased economic inequality, allowed disasters like Katrina and brought on rampant corruption. There is no question our nation is in crisis. It's disgraceful, really it is. Now more than ever we need a real outsider to replace John Cush and clean up this swamp that has invested Washington. That is why I am running for President. My name is Tripp Baylor, and I will clean up this nation. I will bring our boys home from Iraq, address climate change and make the economic situation for you, the viewer at home.

People close to me have asked, "Mr. Baylor, are you sure you want to give up this life you have?" And first I reply "Please, call me Tripp," than I say "For America? Of course." So here I am, you can call me Tripp and together we'll get things done."

[Vaquas]

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

Good Evening and Welcome to the first Democratic Debate, my name is Melissa Rodriguez from CNN and I will be moderating this debate hosted by CNN and the University of Colorado. Tonight our participants are all seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. And I will introduce them now.


(Candidates enter Left to Right crossing the stage and going to their assigned podium, the person with the highest national polling will be in the center)

Senator Everest Laakso of North Dakota, Former Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland Jean-Jacques St. Cierge, Businessman Nesbitt Baylor, Senator Carole Martel of California, Governor Upton Fleming of Pennsylvania, Congressman Robert Woolworth of North Carolina, and Senator Robert Wallace of Vermont


Rodriguez: Each candidate will now be given 90 seconds to introduce themselves and make an opening statement before the start of the debate.



OOC: Welcome to the first debate of the Twilight RP. It will function as follows. Their will be 1 debate question every day ie: Do you support Roe v. Wade . For the next 12 hours OOC each participant in the Debate will have 90 seconds to answer that question.

People speak an average of 140 words per minute, a fast speaker about 170 words and a slow speaker about 110. Most politicians speak at 120 words per minute because it's easier to understand and comprehend a slow speaker so don’t try and jam words in. The MAXIMUM number of words acceptable for a 90 second debate response is 260 words. The microphone WILL BE CUT OFF after 260 words and no one will hear the candidate.

After the 12 hour mark a period of ‘free discussion’ will follow, also 12 hours long. The candidates may engage and challenge one another, provided it is limited to the topic of the question. Once that 12 hour mark is up another question will be asked by the moderator. ANY POSTS REGARDING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER THIS POINT WILL NOT BE COUNTED .

Now we understand the irl comes first you might not be able to participate every day, thats fine you will get other chances to debate. If you can’t participate on a question in the IC, in the RP your character will have answered the question, it just wasn’t interesting or memorable.

---

Sunday, April 1, 2007
First Democratic Debate, Denver, Colorado
Senator Everest Laakso (D-ND)

---

"Folks, the failures of this administration weren't accidental. The American people were willfully lied to to create the pretext for a war in Iraq that should never have been started, and today our men and women in uniform are stuck paying the price, often with their lives. The American people were willfully lied to when they were told that President Cush's tax plan would benefit them, only for it to put more money into the pockets of the ultra rich, leaving workers behind. The American people were willfully ignored when they most needed help in New Orleans, when President Cush drug his feet not by accident, but on purpose."

"This administration's policy has been a policy of organized lies, failure, and incompetence, and that is a policy that will come to an end on day one of the Laakso administration. I'm running for President because I've got a proven track record of standing up for real, working class Americans, not stockbrokers and special interests. I was against the war in Iraq from day one, I took the lead on legislation to rebuild this nation's critical infrastructure and provide services to our rural communities, and I won millions in damages for victims of predatory companies as Attorney General of North Dakota. I'm running because there's a better way, America, one that brings us forward to new days of economic prosperity, peace at home, and respect abroad. Washington needs a major course correction, and that's what I intend to deliver to the White House."

[Dentali]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

[Jovuistan]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
SENATOR CAROLE MARTEL

"The American people have spoken on this: it's time to get out of Iraq. This war was built on a false premise and it's shameful that the President arrogantly lied to Congress about Saddam Hussein having WMDs. But we have Democrats leading Congress, now, and the only thing standing in the way of getting our troops home is President Cush. I'm going to propose a bill in Congress soon, which I hope my friends here on this stage will support, calling for and setting out a timeline for a phased withdrawal from Iraq. Americans made their position clear when they voted Cush's party out and voted us in, and it's time we push for what they want: an end to this war so we can focus on the real objective of taking down Bin Laden.

Now, to answer your question on the use of force, I believe there are two points where the United States should consider military action abroad: either when we or an ally we're obligated to protect are attacked, or when our national security is under severe and immediate threat. We need to be the leader of the free world, of course, but mindlessly invading other countries does nothing but leave a mess in that country and shoot our credibility internationally. As President, I'd focus on humanitarian support to countries suffering under crises, and being a diplomatic mediator on the world stage and using all the non-military tools we have to stand up to despots like Kim Jong-Il and Putin."

[Madrinpoor]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

"Under no circumstances, Mrs. Rodriguez! The war was a mistake, and it hasn't given us anything worthwhile. You know what it has given us? Dead American soldiers, a huge national debt, and international humiliation. If I were elected president, I would start the evacuation of US troops right away, from both Iraq and Afghanistan — of course, we need to support those governments monetarily, but the US cannot, for any longer, be totally focused on the rest of the world, when there are plenty of things to focus on here at home. It's ridiculous!"

[Kargintinia]

Nesbitt Tripp Baylor

”The United States must withdrawal from Iraq! When I am president I will ensure the United States fully pulls our troops out of Iraq by 2010. I have been fighting this war since the beginning. Organizing protests and rallies. No one is more qualified and committed to ending the War in Iraq as me.

I only support deployment of American troops in examples where there is a clear threat to the United States. Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden are that threat. After I withdrawal from Iraq I will focus our efforts on Afghanistan and bomb, bomb, bomb the hell out of A-Qaeda and the Taliban. I will negotiate with Kim Jong-Il and the Ayyatollah to ensure peace and discourage them from nuclearizing. I’ve spoken to world leaders before to make deals as CEO, and I’ll do it again as President.

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
GOVERNOR UPTON FLEMING

The Iraq War has been a disaster. I support a maximally safe and timely withdrawal. There's a sad irony that in a Cush presidency that's been largely void of bipartisanship, the most important example of it has been the authorization of the Iraq war, which has predictably destroyed countless lives, cost hundreds of billions and severely harmed the international goodwill the [not-Clinton Administration had built up. Most house democrats had the foresight to oppose authorization. Many Senate democrats, like Senator Martel, didn't, having voted to authorize an intervention she now suggests was 'mindless'.

I wouldn't be so harsh on you, Senator, intelligent people can get caught up in irrational hysteria, however such people aren't particularly leadership material. Look, we lacked agreement from the United Nations to go into Iraq. Most of our allies, who've been fighting the Taliban with us, refused to join us in a war on Iraq. [Not-Cheney] himself, during the Presidency of Cush's father, explained why an invasion of Iraq was not in our interests.

Those facts help illustrate when I'd be willing to consider deploying military force. If approval from the United Nations is forthcoming, if our allies are in agreement on intervention and/or if our security interests are threatened. To be clear, leading the free world is fundamental to our security interests, which must include unequivocally advancing human rights. As an example, I'd authorize capacity preserving interventions against genocide. Costly wars like Iraq are not, for example, capacity preserving, as we see how it has distracted us from our legitimate intervention in Afghanistan.

[Jovuistan]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
GOVERNOR UPTON FLEMING

The Iraq War has been a disaster. I support a maximally safe and timely withdrawal. There's a sad irony that in a Cush presidency that's been largely void of bipartisanship, the most important example of it has been the authorization of the Iraq war, which has predictably destroyed countless lives, cost hundreds of billions and severely harmed the international goodwill the [not-Clinton Administration had built up. Most house democrats had the foresight to oppose authorization. Many Senate democrats, like Senator Martel, didn't, having voted to authorize an intervention she now suggests was 'mindless'.

I wouldn't be so harsh on you, Senator, intelligent people can get caught up in irrational hysteria, however such people aren't particularly leadership material. Look, we lacked agreement from the United Nations to go into Iraq. Most of our allies, who've been fighting the Taliban with us, refused to join us in a war on Iraq. [Not-Cheney] himself, during the Presidency of Cush's father, explained why an invasion of Iraq was not in our interests.

Those facts help illustrate when I'd be willing to consider deploying military force. If approval from the United Nations is forthcoming, if our allies are in agreement on intervention and/or if our security interests are threatened. To be clear, leading the free world is fundamental to our security interests, which must include unequivocally advancing human rights. As an example, I'd authorize capacity preserving interventions against genocide. Costly wars like Iraq are not, for example, capacity preserving, as we see how it has distracted us from our legitimate intervention in Afghanistan.

"Look, obviously I'm not perfect, no one is, and if I knew what we know today, if Cush had just taken a little more time to work out the facts from the farce, I would have voted it down. My vote wasn't exactly made with enthusiasm in the first place. I apologize, I made an error when I didn't have all the information. Along with that, though, keep in mind that in the early days of the war polls showed the majority of American citizens supported the war. Most people from Congress to the kitchen table were fooled when the Cush administration went to the UN and said Hussein had WMDs, I don't think that makes them all irrational when our hands were tied with a rushed vote with incomplete intelligence. Put simply: Cush lied, people died.

This speaks, ultimately, to a need to change our approach from the stubbornness and impatience of Cush to a steady hand based on cooperation and deterrence that guides our foreign policy and restores America's credibility abroad. We can get that started before the election through the bill I'll soon introduce rolling out a phased withdrawal timeline, getting us out of Iraq by next year. It's our time to test Cush: will he listen to the will of Americans or will he remain stubbornly defiant to protect his legacy?"

[Vaquas]

---

"Senator Martel had all the same information I did and she still chose to send American soldiers into Iraq. I understand that she has come to regret that decision, but making excuses about lack of intelligence doesn't square with the fact that President Cush manufactured this entire affair from the ground up, and the Senator knows that. As someone who was actually against this war from the beginning, with the voting record to prove it, here's what I think: The top priority of the next President of the United States must be a swift and immediate withdrawal of all American forces in Iraq, full stop. Anything less than that is simply unacceptable, and that's as simple as it has to be."

"Now, to answer your question about use of force more generally, I believe that our military exists first and foremost to defend us from attack. If our nation comes under assault, as it did on September 11th, we must respond, and we did. Anything beyond acting in a defensive capacity to protect ourselves and our allies is a misuse of our armed forces as far as I'm concerned, and under a Laakso administration you will see no military action that violates that basic principle."

[Jovuistan]

(Image)

---

"Senator Martel had all the same information I did and she still chose to send American soldiers into Iraq. I understand that she has come to regret that decision, but making excuses about lack of intelligence doesn't square with the fact that President Cush manufactured this entire affair from the ground up, and the Senator knows that. As someone who was actually against this war from the beginning, with the voting record to prove it, here's what I think: The top priority of the next President of the United States must be a swift and immediate withdrawal of all American forces in Iraq, full stop. Anything less than that is simply unacceptable, and that's as simple as it has to be."

"Now, to answer your question about use of force more generally, I believe that our military exists first and foremost to defend us from attack. If our nation comes under assault, as it did on September 11th, we must respond, and we did. Anything beyond acting in a defensive capacity to protect ourselves and our allies is a misuse of our armed forces as far as I'm concerned, and under a Laakso administration you will see no military action that violates that basic principle."

"I agree with my friend here in that this was all a manufactured excuse to start a war, and had that been clear to myself and the American public from the beginning, I would have strongly opposed it. These aren't excuses, this is reality: Cush lied and pushed a vote that should never have been rushed. We need a President and an administration that doesn't rush into things without a plan, that is willing to use accurate and complete information to make a decision, that listens to our allies before dragging them into a quagmire, that doesn't purposefully distort the truth for selfish gain. That's what a Martel administration would be about, that's what everyone here can agree upon, so let's make it happen."

[Kargintinia]

Nesbitt Tripp Baylor

“Ofcourse, I wholeheartedly agree that Senator Martel’s vote should absolutely disqualify her, I find it awfully hypocritical that the man who managed to avoid the AUMF vote from a comfy seat in Pennsylvania is the first one to cast a stone.


Not only has he not been put to the test on the vote, he has no record to backup his opposition to the war. Since day 1, and I mean day 1 I was organizing protests against this unjust and unnecessary war in Iraq. I mean, we don’t really know anything about this guy. How do we know he’s got what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Kim Jong-Il or Hu Jintao? America, if you want to look for respect abroad, this is not your guy, trust me.

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

(Image)

Nesbitt Tripp Baylor

“Ofcourse, I wholeheartedly agree that Senator Martel’s vote should absolutely disqualify her, I find it awfully hypocritical that the man who managed to avoid the AUMF vote from a comfy seat in Pennsylvania is the first one to cast a stone.


Not only has he not been put to the test on the vote, he has no record to backup his opposition to the war. Since day 1, and I mean day 1 I was organizing protests against this unjust and unnecessary war in Iraq. I mean, we don’t really know anything about this guy. How do we know he’s got what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Kim Jong-Il or Hu Jintao? America, if you want to look for respect abroad, this is not your guy, trust me.

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
GOVERNOR UPTON FLEMING

Excuse me, Mr. Baylor, I did not sit comfortably in Pennsylvania, as governor, too many times I had to be there to comfort grieving Husbands and Wives, Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Sons and Daughters, who lost loved ones in this costly, tragic and unnecessary war. So instead of focusing on that which I had no vote on and antagonizing a republican legislature I had to work with, I focused on doing my part to improve the country that those men and women who fight died abroad intended to defend. Leadership in the public sector requires a painful sort of prioritization that simply doesn't exist in the corporate boardrooms that you're most familiar with, Mr. Baylor.

[Kargintinia]

(Image)

Nesbitt Tripp Baylor

“Ofcourse, I wholeheartedly agree that Senator Martel’s vote should absolutely disqualify her, I find it awfully hypocritical that the man who managed to avoid the AUMF vote from a comfy seat in Pennsylvania is the first one to cast a stone.


Not only has he not been put to the test on the vote, he has no record to backup his opposition to the war. Since day 1, and I mean day 1 I was organizing protests against this unjust and unnecessary war in Iraq. I mean, we don’t really know anything about this guy. How do we know he’s got what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Kim Jong-Il or Hu Jintao? America, if you want to look for respect abroad, this is not your guy, trust me.

FIRST DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
GOVERNOR UPTON FLEMING

Excuse me, Mr. Baylor, I did not sit comfortably in Pennsylvania, as governor, too many times I had to be there to comfort grieving Husbands and Wives, Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Sons and Daughters, who lost loved ones in this costly, tragic and unnecessary war. So instead of focusing on that which I had no vote on and antagonizing a republican legislature I had to work with, I focused on doing my part to improve the country that those men and women who fight died abroad intended to defend. Leadership in the public sector requires a painful sort of prioritization that simply doesn't exist in the corporate boardrooms that you're most familiar with, Mr. Baylor.

Nesbitt Tripp Baylor

”Governor Fleming, I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “multi-tasking right? In 2005 while I was in New Orleans helping organize relief efforts to make up for this incompetent administration’s failures, I also had volunteers working with my organization protesting the war in Iraq.

I think the truth is more evident here than ever folks. Little Upton is so far out of his depth. He doesn’t have the stamina to lead the free world, hell, he doesn’t have the stamina to lead Pennsylvania. America wants a leader, not a Boy Scout like Little Upton.”

[Jovuistan]

Carole cringed.

[Vaquas]

Senator Laakso’s mouth twitched slightly, a reaction noticed only by his wife.

[Dentali]

MODERATOR

"The candidates are asked to refrain from free discussion until all candidates have had a chance at the 90 second initial response. If this happens on further questions microphones will be cut."

[Madrinpoor]

snip

snip

J.J. tried to stifle a laugh.

[Alozia]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

COLORADO DEMOCRATIC DEBATE
SENATOR ROBERT WALLACE

"To answer your question Melissa, let me first say this - the War in Iraq should have never happened, I opposed it before it even started and I continue to oppose it to this day. Calling it a mistake would be a huge understatement, it was a disaster, plain and simple, a disaster that cost countless innocent, civilian lives. Many of my colleagues are right in saying that President Cush lied and we need to make sure that such a thing is never allowed to happen again. Senator Laakso is right to point out though that despite said lies there were many brave leaders who did not fall for them, such as Senator Laakso - who I consider to be a friend of mine - and, as mentioned before, myself.

Now, when should we use military force? This is a question that I touched upon in my announcement speech, so let me repeat what I said then - the United States needs to be the torchbearer of peace, not war. If we are to use our military and put the lives of our servicemen and women on the line that has to be only for the sake of preventing deaths instead of causing them. We can step in to protect human lives or to prevent genocide, but that should be done in a transparent way.

We should respond to attacks on America as well, I don’t think there is disagreement about that. If there is one thing I would use our forces for it would be to capture Osama Bin Laden."

[Mareadmonte]

Democratic Debate 1
Question 1

CNN: In November of 2002 Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 by a wide bi-partisan margin. Since the invasion of Iraq public support of the war has dropped significantly with many believing we had not effectively planned or established achievable objectives. Should you be elected President under what circumstances would you support military actions and deployment of troops overseas?

After making a forgettable opening statement, Woolworth took a sip of water. As Baylor, Fleming, and Martel argued, Woolworth could be seen sarcastically nodding and "Yep"ing, mocking them.

"I think, at this point in time and in the war, it's unfeasible to go to either extreme. We cannot just yank our troops out of Iraq with little to no preparation, time, or resources to adequately assure that the country remains stable and can grow economically and domestically. But, that being said, we sure can't stay forever. This ain't The Simpsons, however much folks in Washington want to make it out to be a simple, cut deal. We've got to establish meaningful agreement and discourse in government on a timeline for a withdrawl from Iraq. You know, it's a shame that this war is being used to defame and dishonor the fine men of our military forces. It breaks my ol', stubborn Christian heart to see our boys in uniform degraded by activists and Marxists in the name of pacifism. Peace on Earth, a noble and just goal, doesn't mean we can't have some men ready to rough up the Iraqis, or any other enemy that comes to destroy America and our American values. It means we have to respect each other. And out of respect, from the bottom of my heart, I think we have to honor the men that have died in this war and on the tragedy that was September 11th by having an organized pullout that minimizes loss of life, resources, and make sure our boys don't die in vain."