Office of Vice President Duke (vote for The Truth: the new constitution)

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

The results are in! I graduated!

Good job man.  I got a week til I find out if I do.

I'm sure you did fine! I was only worried about econometrics.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I want to make this as brief as possible, but I need to give everyone a heads up in case my activity declines over the course of the summer.

This morning, my dog was diagnosed with cancer. We aren't sure if it originated in her lungs or somewhere else, but it has progressed to the point where treatment would only do more harm than good. The doctor told us he would be surprised if she made it through the summer. She's almost 13 years old, and I got her as a Christmas present in 1998. Needless to say, this is a blow to the gut, and because she lives with my dad, who lives 300 miles away from my other, it kind of sucks because I planned on going home Friday. Who knows now.

Thus, I fully intend on spending as much time with my family, friends, and dog. I intend to make her last weeks or months on earth as comfortable as possible. While my time in Atlasia is not over, my activity on the site as a whole will likely decline, and all speculation that I will be running for President should end, because that is not happening.

Sometimes in life, things take a backseat to others. Spunky has given me almost 13 years of unconditional love, support, and good will. I want to be there every time she comes to the kitchen for a treat, rolls over for a belly rub, and hops on the sofa to lay her head on my lap between now and the day she passes on.

Any thoughts and prayers are welcome in this time of need. Cancer is a silent killer that takes loved ones from us every day, and while I can hope for a miracle, I just don't want her last days to be in pain. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you all off and on this summer.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Thanks everyone. There's not much else I can do. It's really awful because you're essentially waiting till your pet dies. As of now, she's in good spirits and it's as if nothing is wrong. Our vet is amazed she is as stable as she is, so I have this awful feeling she's due for a major downturn soon.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

My dog just lost her battle with cancer. While the pain I'm experiencing isn't something I ever want to experience, I feel better now knowing she's at peace and pain free. Over the past few days, her breathing became more labored, and her activity took a drop. Today, she would hardly move, and I noticed her tongue turning purple from lack of oxygen. We took her to the vet and decided it was time. It's been a good 12 and a half years. I'll always remember the day we got her, her first night getting caught in that box, the way she'd grab onto our socks as a puppy and drag us around.

Who knows why I'm typing this, but I guess it just lets a lot off my chest. The worst thing about having to wait for someone or something to die is the wait; the eventiable ending that you know is coming. Today, that ending finally came in a peaceful fashion.

Again, I apologize for any inactivity I may have in the next few days. I'm not sure I'll be traveling now or staying put. I don't know. I do know that for the next few days, I need to take a break from everything. I'll do my best to keep up with votes and the like, but it'll be off and on. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. It hurts. It really does.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Happy Independence Day to everyone that it applies to from my office!

I'm off the stuff my face with barbecue, Budweiser and ice cream before they shoot off the fireworks at 9!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Since it is abundantly clear my services are still needed in the senate, I will be running for reelection, for better or for worse. If you wish to donate to my senate campaign or buy my vote for a bill currently on the senate floor, you know how to reach my inbox. Obviously, in times like this, I will listen to any offers involving money.

It's election season! Let's get excited!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

You're a great Senator, Duke. You deserve to be re-elected.

My internal polling is showing all my support fleeing to young, attractive new faces! It looks like I need a hip, new campaign sign.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

This year, in order to draw in the kids and young people, I decided to make my sign hip, simplistic, and super cool. When you see a D, you know what it means.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Are The People willing to negotiate? I'm currently bracing for Hurricane Irene's impact, so please be hasty in your response before I am taken out to sea by the Lord.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

All this speculation is news to me, Teddy. I'm waiting to hear back from cinci before I can comment.

Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Let me check with my secretary on my current financial standing. If The People want something, I am inclined to take them seriously.

Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

On behalf of the Atlasian Occasional News - just to be clear, you're saying you consider a run for President if there was some kind of draft movement?

Also, on a related topic, what's your opinion of President Polnut's performance thus far?


*takes off journalist hat*

I said if The People wanted something, I would be inclined to take them seriously. I did not, in my statement, say I would run. If I am offered a large sum of money, anything can happen.

This press conference has been a very impromptu event. When I woke up this morning, I was planning on a hurricane and nothing more.

As for Polnut, I have been very supportive of his agenda in the past outside of a few minor details, which is why I had said in the past I did not plan to run for President in October. That said, October is a long ways out and we have a lot more to get through before the elections begin. A lot can, and will, change.

Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

TPTTAA - You've been a duke for quite some time now, are you disappointed that you've been passed up yet again for promotion to archduke?

Sometimes we do not always get what we want. I would love to be an archduke someday, but apparently my time has not come yet.

AtlasiaNow: Are you concerned about the implications of your party running a weak ticket two elections in a row? Would that be a factor when considering a Presidential run?

Obviously parties want to run the strongest tickets possible. I will be the first to say last election was an example of being caught with your pants down. It combined poor planning and poor execution and the results spoke for themselves. Atlasia has always been an elections game, first and foremost. I think we need hotly contested elections with quality candidates. It helps foster good ideas no matter the outcome.

Does that factor into my decision? Well, as I said, I have never really considered a run, but I do think it is unhealthy for the game to have someone win an election with 65-70% of the vote, especially a non-incumbent. October is a long way off, but it is our plan to have a ticket that can hopefully bring forward new and contrasting ideas and participate in an election that is good for all of us.

I'll take a few more questions.

 

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I think the better question is, do the trees laugh so hard they cry?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

The Occasional News again -

Sorry to keep beating this horse, but were you to run for the Presidency, what would you say your relative advantages and disadvantages were as compared to other candidates?

Next question will be on a different topic, I promise.

That's a great question! It would be even more relevant if I were considering a run at the time, but since we are all friends and I'm in a relatively good mood after a few beers and dinner, I will humor you.

A lot of my advantages are things Polnut has really embraced during his time in the White House at present. I've been working in regional and federal governments for the better part of two years now. I have been around. During my time there, I have rarely come across people that I literally could not work with. I think to have a functioning government, we need compromise, openness and honesty. It's a two way street, obviously, but I think I and others who I have worked with in the past know I am always open and willing to compromise and listen to ideas and viewpoints that could help this country. I compromised with Antonio on taxes and the whole left wing of the senate when I tried to pass cap and trade. I'll never be someone who will say "we believe different things, therefore I'm not interested in working with you." What does that accomplish? No one side has all the answers. I sure don't. I've never been one to serve one ideology or another.

And, I've been active and relatively easy to contact to boot. I have been around long enough for most people to know I mean what I say and I am trustworthy. I'm not going to screw most people. I'm too old to go off my rocker, and too old to do something crazy and disappear or whatever.

As for my disadvantages? Well, for all intents and purposes, Polnut has embraced these ideals. I have been pleased with his performance thus far, and there are few things I disagree with him on (maybe a few tax rates, but not by much), and I think he has governed with a level head. I also play really badly with many conservatives and libertarians here, and for electoral purposes, I would say that is a disadvantage for me. I'm also poor occasionally when it comes to attention to detail. Big picture wise, I am solid, but when you get down to the nitty gritty, the stuff Marokai loves, I get bored. He knows that, but hey, he still likes me.



Since I like this so much, I'll take a few more questions.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

TPP -  It's been announced that an agreement on the End of Imperialism Act has been reached.  Were you in anyway a part of this closed-door deal?  If not, what do you feel would be an agreeable amendment?

The compromise is along the lines of what I would expect and agree upon. I was not included in the discussion as the sponsor told me he did not expect my vote and had no intention on working with me. I am glad the final product is more in line with what I would want as opposed to the sponsor's original intentions.

#winning

Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

TPTTAA - Senator, given your recent comments, and the clear reaction voters would have; how do you intend to win back the fat chick vote

I would hope that fact chicks everywhere will give me a fair shake before knocking me. I only kid with them in jest. I understand they are people to, after all! With big feelings.

Actually I never said that.

Ok. You said no one expected my support as to why I was not involved in the discussions. Sorry for misstating your statement. At any rate, I was never for endless war, especially in Iraq and Lybia. I just opposed the original draft of the bill.

TPP - Senator.  What will you have to say about the obvious lack of security at this press conference.  The previous Gentleman has clearly failed to wear his press badge to this conference

Since we are all in the presence of The People, I have no qualms with Senator Napoleon speaking his mind. After all, I did misrepresent his statement, and that's my bad yo, you heard?

Moving right along. These are some excellent questions, press corps! Keep them coming!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

TPP - Senator.  Do you have any comments or encouraging words to give to those effected by the Hurricane?  Also, do you plan to visit any of the areas that have been impacted?

As someone who has experienced hurricanes in the past, most notably Hugo, I will say that I will be thinking about those in the Irene's path. This storm will likely be an expensive one, and I, along with others will be visiting the areas and making sure Nyman provides the areas with proper relief as soon as we can. In the meantime, stay inside, stock up on as much water and canned foods as you can, and prepare for the long haul. I hope it weakens before it hits the NE corridor.

The Atlasian Sentinel will be asking you a question sometime in the next 48 hours. I won't tell you when.

What if I say I'm done answering questions?




Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

TPTTAA - what if you say you are done answering questions?

Then I'm done answering them.

Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Well, I am a co-founder of the RPP, so that definitely influences my decision to be and remain in the RPP.

Second is the people. I have worked with and been a part of the party for my entire career in Atlasia. We have a great core group of hard working people in the party, and I feel very strongly that steady leadership trumps nearly everything else. If you examine the two major parties in the game now, both have been around precisely because their leadership core has remained intact. If it weren't for the people in the RPP, I would not be here today. NC Yankee and I are very close, and I consider him one of my closest friends around here. As long as those things are intact, I will feel comfortable here.

Third, while the RPP is made up of mostly conservatives, we have tremendous ideological diversity. We have a very strong moderate wing to balance out the conservative wing. We even have a few liberals sprinkled here and there, like our good pal Marokai. My convictions may be to the left of many in the party, but I think I do a good job representing the RPP's values at the end of the day.

But points 1 and 2 are my main reasons why I am so comfortable in the RPP. I need a steady environment. Plus, no one in any other party has really tried to poach me. Perhaps I'm only wanted in the RPP?

Next question?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

OK, so the Atlasian Sentinel never asked me that question.

I would like to tip off the press that I will be making an important announcement in the next 72 hours. I would like to preface by saying this announcement is not already decided, but it will be by the time I have a few PBRs on Labor Day. But, you know we have to start the hype machine anyway.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

What's your favorite video game?

Have you ever played Starcraft II? I don't usually play video games, but I love that game! I geek out whenever I hear about it!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

What's your favorite video game?

Have you ever played Starcraft II? I don't usually play video games, but I love that game! I geek out whenever I hear about it!

  Hell yes!


Oh, um, sorry Senator.  Please continue.

What race do you play?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

What's your favorite video game?

Have you ever played Starcraft II? I don't usually play video games, but I love that game! I geek out whenever I hear about it!

  Hell yes!


Oh, um, sorry Senator.  Please continue.

What race do you play?

I like the good old Terrans the most, but the Protoss are cool too. 

Me too. And Zerg is way too weird for me to learn.

I think the Senate SHOULD create a Starcraft II leisure club!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I will be making an important, lift changing announcement in the next few hours. Stay tuned. And please, gather the press corps.