The Porcupine Campaign Tracker: February 2011

[Jbrase]

I don't really see the point of doing those regional polls for presidency since this is a national election. Maybe doing these polls about the upcoming Senate races would be more interesting.

It can be helpful for the candidates to see how they are performing in the various regions, and I do plan on including the Senate races in the next polls, possibly the governor races.

[Purple State]

I don't really see the point of doing those regional polls for presidency since this is a national election. Maybe doing these polls about the upcoming Senate races would be more interesting.

It can be helpful for the candidates to see how they are performing in the various regions, and I do plan on including the Senate races in the next polls, possibly the governor races.

The bigger issue is that it doesn't account for second preferences, which, given the number of candidates, seem likely to matter.

[Jbrase]

I don't really see the point of doing those regional polls for presidency since this is a national election. Maybe doing these polls about the upcoming Senate races would be more interesting.

It can be helpful for the candidates to see how they are performing in the various regions, and I do plan on including the Senate races in the next polls, possibly the governor races.

The bigger issue is that it doesn't account for second preferences, which, given the number of candidates, seem likely to matter.

Well if you would like to Poll 2nd and 3rd prefs and map it, I'd me more than happy to post it for you

[Hatman]

How are these polls being conducted?

[Jbrase]

How are these polls being conducted?

I'll select ~10ish people at random in a certain region then PM them

[Jbrase]

Who won the 1st debate?

No one scored a decisive victory, but tmth has come out ahead winning a plurality in the poll.

Tmth - 31%
Marokai - 23%
Oakvale - 19%
Ben 12%

Rocky* - 15%

* No longer in the race

[Californian Tony]

I have the sad feeling that most of people didn't even know the debate and simply voted for the candidate they support. Just look at Rocky, who didn't even participate.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Just look at Rocky, who didn't even participate.

A little harsh considering that personal crises took precedence at the time.

[Marokai]

I have the sad feeling that most of people didn't even know the debate and simply voted for the candidate they support.

I certainly would agree that I share your same first concern.

[Jbrase]

                                         

Interview with Marokai "Blueman" Blue

Question: Past administrations have been accused of having very partisan cabinets. Should you win, how do you see your cabinet looking?

Answer: I don't really care about partisan affiliation one way or another. My cabinet will be put together with an emphasis based on experience, activity, and enthusiasm. How someone is excited for a particular job greatly affects how they will perform in the position and best utilize their past experience.

What I will not do is try to have balance just for the sake of balance. I'm not running to be Prom King of Atlasia nor will I try giving Miss Atlasia "world peace" type answers. I, and all the other candidates, are running for President to accomplish some tough problems and get the job done. To do that requires the best of the best.

When Purple State was President, I remember that he and I decided to appoint Winston as SoIA. That caught alot of flak from people, but we did it because that position needed someone to get attention to it, and based on Winston's Senate arguments at the time, we believed he could do it. We didn't give a damn about his political ideology, we wanted someone who would make the job work.

That's the sort of attitude I will carry to my cabinet appointees. I'm not going to sit here and make promises about making sure all parties are included in the process, though I won't shut anyone out at all. There will be no affirmative action in my cabinet for either side.

As for who will be in the cabinet, well, I intend, if I win, to run my cabinet selection similar to the way Purple State and I did it the first time, by opening applications up for every office (though this time, with the exception of the GM) and re-appointing everyone, even current officeholders (again, with the exception of the GM) to give them some oversight even if they're currently in office.

Question: I'm sure you remember catching some flak over a couple court case while you have been AG. Looking back do you see it as a double standard how you refused to prosecute Antonio, offering to have someone be appointed in your place, but went after Mint/Ghost_White for an arguably much minor offense?

Answer: Not at all, there are a zillion different distinctions there. For one thing, I was very biased in the Antonio case. I had argued in Antonio's defense before I came into the office, and then was expected to argue against him. That alone disqualified me from handling the case, and it's perfectly within my legal responsibilities to hand off the case to a more interested and responsible party than I was in that case.

That alone makes the distinction silly.

But it goes beyond that, if you really want to get into the details. Antonio, I believe, didn't break a law. (I think the law should be changed in Antonio's case to allow for more clear prosecutions of annoying wiki edits like that.) Mint did break the law, but I believe the law is incredibly silly, yet that doesn't matter, because he still broke the law.

I hate getting back into law matters all the time, but I seem to have a knack for it, so here goes: The law in Antonio's case says this:

5. Maliciously editing the AtlasWiki to remove legitimate content or create off-topic pages.

It specifically says malicious editing the wiki. Not just "editing the Wiki." Doing so maliciously. That was the tricky part in prosecuting Antonio, and why I publicly defended him before I became AG. For those that may be confused on what malice means, it has a definition specific to the legal term. It refers to "a party's intention to do injury to another party."

In evaluating all of the evidence in that case, I saw nothing at all which showed that Antonio was intent on maliciously editing the wiki. He, on multiple occasions, attempted to engage Libertas in discussion. He very clearly and elaborately explained his reasons for doing what he did. Nothing in anything he said whatsoever had any mean or mocking tone to it.

Now, I think Antonio was mistaken in editing the wiki in the way he did. It was clearly stupid to go beyond a certain point and it was rather clear he wasn't going to get anything accomplished, but that is irrelevant. What was necessary in that case was proving the legal term of malice in regard to Antonio's actions. While his actions were shortsighted, they couldn't be proved outright as malicious.

Part 2 up next

[Jbrase]

Citizen Blue Interveiw Continued

Question: I know how you love talking about legal stuff so here is another . This is a two part question. Say there is an opening on the Supreme Court, what would you look for in a replacement judge? and Why in your opinion have we not heard back from the SC yet on if I have been admitted to the bar or not, even though I applied on December 1st, well over a month ago?

Answer:  
Do you want to keep me talking all night with this stuff?

I would look for someone alot of history in Atlasia, experience on legal matters in Atlasia, good organizational skills, and a very open mind. Also, someone who works well with others behind the scenes. There's alot more give and take in the background during those private deliberations than people think. If you're strong, you can persuade others to change their minds, or give on certain issues. It's actually really fun and interesting.

I wouldn't prefer someone who takes a very literal standing, but I wouldn't want someone to go crazy either and start interpreting things out of thin air. The Supreme Court requires a very cautious mind, at times, when it comes to interpretation.

I remember the HAEV case, which I think you took the opposition side over, I believe? Anyway, I remember when I went into that case, I was very strongly in favor of it's constitutionality, but eventually, reading the arguments and then debating Sam in private, and re-reading portions of the Constitution, it was just an incredibly stretch allowing it to exist.

Eventually, Sam and I decided on an opinion that would allow HAEV, the body, to exist, but strike down the guidelines. It was a complicated ruling requiring alot of careful wording, but sometimes, even if you want something yourself, you have to realize that the wording just isn't there and you cannot allow something to continue.

Similarly, there was another case concerning the Southeast maintaining a separate voter roll where I initially went in under the opinion that it was wrong and shouldn't exist, but over the case, I realized there was nothing preventing the existence of it in a slightly more limited form. You really have to let your mind change on some things. I'd want someone who could be forceful in their arguments, but also open minded, as I believe I was. (I'm also quite a fan of Justices who ask alot of questions and argue a little themselves. It makes the cases much more interesting.)

As for you not getting into the bar yet, God only knows. If it were up to me, I'd let you in. We always approved people very quickly when I was on the court!

Question: When you were vice president, you and PS focused on game reform, what in your opinion was the administration's single most important reform?

Answer: http://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Third_Constitution

Beyond that, I think we did a marvelous job kicking off Wiki consolidation efforts.

Question: In 500 words or less, describe how The Porcupine has improved your life.

Answer: During the time I've had to write out these (extensive at times) answers, your interview gave me the opportunity to listen to alot of good music that I wouldn't have done otherwise, since I think much better with music pounding in my ears.

Otherwise, this interview has been a huge pain in the ass.

[Marokai]

I thank you for the interview.

[Jbrase]

Chaos in the UDL

What should be a simple task appears to be testing whether or not a new party can survive. The United Democratic Left became a major party overnight, attracting many members, many from the JCP. With such a large party it isn't hard to imagine more than one member interested in seeking the presidency, which of course led to the call for a primary. This should be relatively easy to just hold a vote right? Wrong. The UDL is locked in a bitter fight, not just over who to run, but how to even vote in the primary. Several members want to hold a private vote while others want everything to be open and hold a public vote.

Is the United Democratic Left really united? Or better yet, the question pops up, even democratic? Earlier Marokai Blue who is battling for the nomination, in anger, appeared to make a gaffe that could prove costly.   

...and a primary caused by a stubborn member who refuses to back down...

It is easy to see why someone would be frustrated over the drama going on, but to complain about being challenged for the nomination in a party that has "Democratic" in its name seems absurd. 

[Marokai]

What I meant in that comment, if it matters at all (and I don't think it does, people are intent on finding anything at all to bicker endlessly over, and those people seem to be multiplying) was that Ben refuses to drop out of the race, last I checked if he actually lost the race, so I felt like a primary was a pointless exercise to some extent. I will back out of the race entirely if I lose, but since Ben is hellbent on running anyway, it's nearly political blackmail at that point, since if I end up winning, he will forcibly split the vote anyway.

[Jbrase]

Thank you for the clarification.

[The Artist Formerly Known As and Now Again Known As Ogis]

What I meant in that comment, if it matters at all (and I don't think it does, people are intent on finding anything at all to bicker endlessly over, and those people seem to be multiplying) was that Ben refuses to drop out of the race, last I checked if he actually lost the race, so I felt like a primary was a pointless exercise to some extent. I will back out of the race entirely if I lose, but since Ben is hellbent on running anyway, it's nearly political blackmail at that point, since if I end up winning, he will forcibly split the vote anyway.

Ben said he would back out if he lost.

[Marokai]

Ben said he would back out if he lost.

Then I happily apologize for my error.

[The Artist Formerly Known As and Now Again Known As Ogis]

Ben said he would back out if he lost.

Then I happily apologize for my error.

Yay!

[Secretary Polnut]

I would like to make a brief comment.

As Chair of the UDL it is my responsibility to endeavor to do what is right by as many members as possible.  Since there were two (originally three) declared candidates, it is only right and proper that a democratic process takes place, regardless of whether or not the result is a foregone conclusion. I owed that to all candidates running, and those members who want to have a say as to who the standard barer of the party is, I'm deeply appreciative to both Marokai and Ben to act in the interests of the party in the event that they do not win the party vote.

This is democratic party, there is nothing that has happened or will happen that does not hold democratic principles as the most important element.

[Californian Tony]

This is disappointing, Jbrase. You had an occasion to distance yourself from the drama that was going on and bring an independent perspective on it. Instead you chose to involve in it and fuel it by picking a random comment and misinterpreting it.

[Jbrase]

This is disappointing, Jbrase. You had an occasion to distance yourself from the drama that was going on and bring an independent perspective on it. Instead you chose to involve in it and fuel it by picking a random comment and misinterpreting it.

Before Marokai elaborated on that comment it was something worth bringing up. And since I wrote on it we have all learned it was just a misunderstanding. Without the clarification we got from him here, the person who might be nominated for President would have gone on looking like he was bitter at the concept of going through a primary, now we know he was just under the wrong impression of Ben's intentions. So I would like to think me bringing attention to this did the UDL some good.

[Californian Tony]

This is disappointing, Jbrase. You had an occasion to distance yourself from the drama that was going on and bring an independent perspective on it. Instead you chose to involve in it and fuel it by picking a random comment and misinterpreting it.

Before Marokai elaborated on that comment it was something worth bringing up. And since I wrote on it we have all learned it was just a misunderstanding. Without the clarification we got from him here, the person who might be nominated for President would have gone on looking like he was bitter at the concept of going through a primary, now we know he was just under the wrong impression of Ben's intentions. So I would like to think me bringing attention to this did the UDL some good.

So far, nobody had given the impression that he found Marokai's comment particularly outrageous, it wasn't even an issue. And hadn't Marokai clarified it so early, your article had the potential to fuel again controversies among UDLers. It would just have needed anybody to post before Marokai. I'm not implying that you did it with any bad intention, but it certainly couldn't help people to chill out, and you should have been aware of that.

[Jbrase]

This is disappointing, Jbrase. You had an occasion to distance yourself from the drama that was going on and bring an independent perspective on it. Instead you chose to involve in it and fuel it by picking a random comment and misinterpreting it.

Before Marokai elaborated on that comment it was something worth bringing up. And since I wrote on it we have all learned it was just a misunderstanding. Without the clarification we got from him here, the person who might be nominated for President would have gone on looking like he was bitter at the concept of going through a primary, now we know he was just under the wrong impression of Ben's intentions. So I would like to think me bringing attention to this did the UDL some good.

So far, nobody had given the impression that he found Marokai's comment particularly outrageous, it wasn't even an issue. And hadn't Marokai clarified it so early, your article had the potential to fuel again controversies among UDLers. It would just have needed anybody to post before Marokai. I'm not implying that you did it with any bad intention, but it certainly couldn't help people to chill out, and you should have been aware of that.

Actualy I saw someone else bring it up in the UDL thread, which is how I came across it, so at the very least one maybe more in your own party was taking issue with it. And sure there was always the possibility it would cause more drama if he hadn't responded so quickly, but would you really prefer it was just left alone and several crucial voters on the left go to the polls with that in the back of their mind when they are deciding who to vote for? 

[Californian Tony]

This is disappointing, Jbrase. You had an occasion to distance yourself from the drama that was going on and bring an independent perspective on it. Instead you chose to involve in it and fuel it by picking a random comment and misinterpreting it.

Before Marokai elaborated on that comment it was something worth bringing up. And since I wrote on it we have all learned it was just a misunderstanding. Without the clarification we got from him here, the person who might be nominated for President would have gone on looking like he was bitter at the concept of going through a primary, now we know he was just under the wrong impression of Ben's intentions. So I would like to think me bringing attention to this did the UDL some good.

So far, nobody had given the impression that he found Marokai's comment particularly outrageous, it wasn't even an issue. And hadn't Marokai clarified it so early, your article had the potential to fuel again controversies among UDLers. It would just have needed anybody to post before Marokai. I'm not implying that you did it with any bad intention, but it certainly couldn't help people to chill out, and you should have been aware of that.

Actualy I saw someone else bring it up in the UDL thread, which is how I came across it, so at the very least one maybe more in your own party was taking issue with it. And sure there was always the possibility it would cause more drama if he hadn't responded so quickly, but would you really prefer it was just left alone and several crucial voters on the left go to the polls with that in the back of their mind when they are deciding who to vote for? 

I understand your point. But in my opinion what UDLers need now is really just to chill out. To just stop discussing about some subjects and focus on policy. I know this is probably too late to hope for this goal to be met, but still I would have prefered if we could avoid other comments on the subject. Still, I understand your purposes when you chose to comment it and I apologize for my early reaction.

[Jbrase]

Tmth leads in the NE

When asked who would they give their 1st pref to the region responded:

Tmthforu94 - 55%
Marokai - 33%
Oakvale - 0%
Undecided 11%