North Mexico 2012 Presidential General Election and Debates

[North Mexico]

This is the Confederate States of North Mexico’s presidential general election and debate.
(This was the Liberal Party Primary, and this was the Conservative Party Primary.)

But this isn’t just a poll, it's a debate too. Instead of posting a boring chart or long narrative about the candidates and their party’s platform, get interactive with it. Please feel free to ask the candidates questions, and they will respond. (That is, I will respond in the character of that candidate.)

The poll/debate will be open for 10 days, re-voting (that is, changing your mind) is allowed.

(OOC: the links are to the Wikipedia pages of the real-world people or their analogy, not anything in-universe, but the in-universe doppelgangers of the real-world people are remarkably similar with regards to their personalities and ideology.)

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, damas y caballeros, your 2012
Confederate States of North Mexico General Election candidates...



Mike Huckabee
Liberal Party Nominee
Former Governor of Chihuahua, current political pundit and author
Center-right, friendly to the Civil Rights Act, more pro free-trade and internationalist



Rick Perry
Conservative Party Nominee
Governor of Sonora
Far-right, hostile to the Civil Rights Act, more protectionist and isolationist
(NOTE: The in-universe version is a bit more racist – or more openly racist, anyway –
than the real-world version.)



Vuelta de Villa
(NOTE: The link is to the page of the early 20th century revolutionary Pancho Villa, but Vuelta de Villa IS NOT Pancho Villa,
he’s only somebody who models himself after him, even to the point of legally changing his name to “Return of Villa.”)
National Liberation Party Nominee
Former terrorist, current chairman of the Villista National Liberation Movement
Left wing, dismantling of the white power structure, pressure for democratic change
in Mexico Proper leading to eventual reunification

(Q: You used allegories of real-world politicians for the Liberal and Conservative parties. Why didn’t you use a real-world person for the NLP?
A: Because the northern states of real-world Mexico that make up in-universe North Mexico are all relatively conservative. No prominent politician from any of those states is left-wing enough to be the leader of the in-universe NLP. So I had to make somebody up.)

And again, this isn’t just a poll, it’s also a debate, so please feel free to ask the candidates questions, and they will answer (unless you’re an obvious troll, then I’ll ignore you).
Campaign ads and statements of endorsement are also welcome.
(Keep everything in-character, please.)

Call it a “historical” or “cultural note.”
Even though, with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, non-whites are allowed to vote in the Confederacy of North Mexico now, the ballot boxes of precincts from non-white neighborhoods tend to get “lost” on their way to the registrar-recorders’ offices, and those that do make it there tend to not get counted very accurately. So bear that in mind if you plan to vote for the NLP candidate.

So, we will now open the floor to questions and statements...

[Mexico Proper]

On-the-Record Statement
The people and government of the Mexican Fatherland support our
fellow member of la Raza Vuelta de Villa for president of México Norte!

If a pro-business administration doesn't remain in power in North Mexico,
we're going to have problems! By endorsing him, we just did the biggest
favor we can for you, so you pinche gringos better not let that anarchist
pendejo win the election!

[North Mexico]

On-the-Record Statement
The people and government of the Mexican Fatherland support our
fellow member of la Raza Vuelta de Villa for president of México Norte!

If a pro-business administration doesn't remain in power in North Mexico,
we're going to have problems! By endorsing him, we just did the biggest
favor we can for you, so you pinche gringos better not let that anarchist
pendejo win the election!

Relax, amigo. We're definitely simpático on that one.

[Bythyrona]

Neither terrorism nor oppression are the answers! Only through firm change within the system will the freedom of the mestizos as well as the whites be secured, and thus, the life of North Mexico.

Huckabee is the only proper choice in these regards. Mr. Perry's policies will lead to race riots, while Mr. "Villa" and his radical supporters are sure to cause the same type of criminal and economic strife present in South Africa today.

[Zokoria]

We support Rick Perry as President of North Mexico because we believe that he is more trustworthy and confident than his opponents and that he represents the Confederacy's best interests.

[Bythyrona]

We support Rick Perry as President of North Mexico because we believe that he is more trustworthy and confident than his opponents and that he represents the Confederacy's best interests.

The Confederacy's best interests? What about the people's best interests? Isn't it time for the common man to be treated with dignity and respect? Isn't it time for a president whom knows how to keep prosperity in North Mexico?

Decades of isolationism got North Mexico into the mess it's in; only through innovation and competition in a global, free market will the nation dig itself out.

[Welsh Cowboy]

We support Governor Huckabee.

We would like to ask, though, for each candidate's stance on the correct rate for income tax.

[Zokoria]

The Confederacy's best interests? What about the people's best interests? Isn't it time for the common man to be treated with dignity and respect? Isn't it time for a president whom knows how to keep prosperity in North Mexico?

Decades of isolationism got North Mexico into the mess it's in; only through innovation and competition in a global, free market will the nation dig itself out.

Huckabee?!? Are you serious? He is too liberal to lead the Confederacy! He and the so-called "Vuelta de Villa" will do anything to turn the Confederacy into a communist hellhole. And this IS not acceptable.

Rick Perry is the only person the Confederacy needs. Because he is the right man on the job.

[Social Republic of Trolls]

OOC: My vote goes to the Villa guy, cause he is the only left candidate.

IC:
"Social Republic of Trolls government supports "Villa", the only left candidate. We hope that he will win the election and free North Mexico from the current right - wing dictatorship."

[Durra]

The Durraec state reluctantly offer their endorsement to Rick Perry, a foolish man whom will slowly bring your country to ruin but is nevertheless superior to his lackwitted peers.

Her Majesty Queen Rhiannon Wishes for those in command of influence and power to know that Durra stands behind them in their wish to depose of these corrupted and vile politicians, to rise up against them would be a service to your country and your countrymen which cannot afford to be avoided.
To those whom are downtrodden, poor and meek, Her Majesty hopes that you will aid your superiors and give your life for their cause so that your children can live a pleasant life free of taint and not ever have to give their life to war nor live under the fist of buffoons.

[Bythyrona]

The Confederacy's best interests? What about the people's best interests? Isn't it time for the common man to be treated with dignity and respect? Isn't it time for a president whom knows how to keep prosperity in North Mexico?

Decades of isolationism got North Mexico into the mess it's in; only through innovation and competition in a global, free market will the nation dig itself out.

Huckabee?!? Are you serious? He is too liberal to lead the Confederacy! He and the so-called "Vuelta de Villa" will do anything to turn the Confederacy into a communist hellhole. And this IS not acceptable.

Rick Perry is the only person the Confederacy needs. Because he is the right man on the job.

While I won't disagree with your accusation of Vuelta de Villa's extreme leftist beliefs, Mr. Huckabee is anything but a "communist": he actually supports a free market, unlike Perry! Huckabee prefers a hamburger to a hammer and sickle and supports the right of all to make a living for themselves; I can't say the same for Rick and his big government interference with the economy so that the elite keep power. North Mexicans are not stupid- they will not stand idly by and be trampled on by the One Percent and their false accusations of honest politicians!

[The Andromeda Islands]

From the Andromedan Society in North Mexico:

1) What are your positions on trade with a certain island nation whose population is racially diverse? (read: Andromeda)
2) What are your views on gay marriage and interracial marriage?

[Astholm]

To the candidates:
1) What are your views on the motorist? Will you treat them fairly, and not as a moneymaker, as some governments across the world do?
2) What are your nation's traffic signs like? Will you take on the Vienna (Astholm) Convention on Traffic Signs and Signals for them, and replace your old ones with these European-style ones?
Example signs:

[spoiler=Waiting prohibited except for loading and unloading (example here has times indicated)][/spoiler]

[NewKeenya]

Newkeenya supports Vuelta de Villa mainly because he is the only Left presidential candidate.

[North Mexico]

OOC:
WOW! Lot of traffic on this thread overnight! That's great!
Let me try to respond to your questions and comments one by one...

[The United States of Mexico]

VIVA VILLA !!!!!!!!!!!

[North Mexico]

We would like to ask, though, for each candidate's stance on the correct rate for income tax.

MIKE HUCKABEE REPLIES:
As little as possible. Only what is absolutely necessary for the security of the Confederacy and to promote the spiritual and economic health of the nation.

RICK PERRY REPLIES:
I'll have to agree with my opponent. Taxes should be as small as possible and used to support just four things. 1) security 2) spirituality 3) economy and 4) uhh... uhh... four is.. uhh...
It'll come to me. Thank you.

VUELTA de VILLA REPLIES:
(Through interpreter) Taxes have a dual purpose. First to maintain a government that is responsive to the needs of the people, and second is to act as an organ of justice in society. Taxes are best if they are graduated, with a higher burden falling on the wealthy and little or none falling on the poor. There is no "correct rate" applicable to all circumstances.

[North Mexico]

From the Andromedan Society in North Mexico:
1) What are your positions on trade with a certain island nation whose population is racially diverse? (read: Andromeda)

RICK PERRY REPLIES:
As long as people from that island stay away from the Confederacy, I don't care what they do.

MIKE HUCKABEE REPLIES:
I have to agree with my opponent.

VUELTA de VILLA REPLIES:
(Through interpreter) You have not given me enough information on that island for me to offer a qualified opinion.

2) What are your views on gay marriage and interracial marriage?

RICK PERRY REPLIES:
As for the second part of your question: I and the Conservaitve Party take a firm stand against mixing of the races and will introduce whatever legislation we can to stop it.
As for the first part of your question: Are you calling me queer?

MIKE HUCKABEE REPLIES:
As for the second part of your question: It's self evident that God created separate continents to place the different races upon, and only by the folly of man was that design disrupted. But we will concede that it's too late to reverse that mistake. I and the Liberal Party believe that "interracial marriage" as you call it shouldn't be outlawed, but it should definitely be strongly discouraged as contrary to God's plan.
As for the first part of your question: Do I look queer to you?

VUELTA de VILLA REPLIES:
(Through interpreter) There is a lot of disagreement within the Nationl Liberation Party on those two issues. Intrracial marriage is not something I personally support, I definitely wouldn't want my daughter consorting with gringos, but I will allow for a debate within the movement on that issue. As for homosexual marriage... again, I'm personally dead against it, but again, I would be willing to hear the debate.

[North Mexico]

To the candidates:
1) What are your views on the motorist? Will you treat them fairly, and not as a moneymaker, as some governments across the world do?

Not sure we understand the question... The Confederacy has numerous Interstate highways that anyone with a car can drive on. Whether they have tolls are not is up to the local jurisdiction for public roads and the owner for private ones.

2) What are your nation's traffic signs like? Will you take on the Vienna (Astholm) Convention on Traffic Signs and Signals for them, and replace your old ones with these European-style ones?

MIKE HUCKABEE REPLIES:
"European Style" signs? Seriously, are you calling us gay?

RICK PERRY REPLIES:
Yeah, as much as I disagree with Governor Huckabee, I will concede that he is no queerbait!
And neither am I!

VUELTA de VILLA REPLIES:
(Throgh interpreter) As much as I am no fan of the white power structure of the Confederacy, the design of our traffic signs is something I see no need to change, except to make sure that ALL of them are written in Spanish.

[North Mexico]

Huckabee?!? Are you serious? He is too liberal to lead the Confederacy! He and the so-called "Vuelta de Villa" will do anything to turn the Confederacy into a communist hellhole. And this IS not acceptable.

Rick Perry is the only person the Confederacy needs. Because he is the right man on the job.

While I won't disagree with your accusation of Vuelta de Villa's extreme leftist beliefs, Mr. Huckabee is anything but a "communist": he actually supports a free market, unlike Perry! Huckabee prefers a hamburger to a hammer and sickle and supports the right of all to make a living for themselves; I can't say the same for Rick and his big government interference with the economy so that the elite keep power. North Mexicans are not stupid- they will not stand idly by and be trampled on by the One Percent and their false accusations of honest politicians!

(OOC: What you two got going on here is great!
I'm flattered by your thorough knowledge of my canon!)

[Armedland]

What are your policies on the military?

[Mexico Proper]

VIVA VILLA !!!!!!!!!!!

FOR THE RECORD
¡Sí! ¡Viva Villa!

¡Muerte a Villa! Do you realize how much a Villa victory would aggitate
los pobres on our side of the border? That pendejo better not win!

[Welsh Cowboy]

We would like to ask, though, for each candidate's stance on the correct rate for income tax.

MIKE HUCKABEE REPLIES:
As little as possible. Only what is absolutely necessary for the security of the Confederacy and to promote the spiritual and economic health of the nation.

RICK PERRY REPLIES:
I'll have to agree with my opponent. Taxes should be as small as possible and used to support just four things. 1) security 2) spirituality 3) economy and 4) uhh... uhh... four is.. uhh...
It'll come to me. Thank you.

VUELTA de VILLA REPLIES:
(Through interpreter) Taxes have a dual purpose. First to maintain a government that is responsive to the needs of the people, and second is to act as an organ of justice in society. Taxes are best if they are graduated, with a higher burden falling on the wealthy and little or none falling on the poor. There is no "correct rate" applicable to all circumstances.

OOC: Great Perry joke...

To Rick Perry and Mike Huckabee: You both mentioned spirituality as a role of government. Could you further explain your positions on the subject.

[South Kings]

To all candidates:

Would you agree to an international friendship with a liberal oriental nation if it benefited you greatly economically and security wise?

[North Mexico]

What are your policies on the military?

I'm sorry, to whom are you addressing the question?