Lumine/Rpryor for President/Vice-President (Epilogue)

[Lumine]

Note: Due to the past Campaign Thread being so openly hijacked and derailed I'll be starting a new one, I'll quote the speeches of the campaign on this one and then carry on from there.

Lumine for President:

A New Dawn for Atlasia

Former President Lumine announces his third presidential campaign at a rally in San Francisco

Press Release: Following significant reflexion and the urging of several Atlasians to join the presidential race, former President Lumine announced today that he was indeed seeking the White House to be elected to a second full-term, more than three years after his first term. He is to run as an independent, separate from both Labor and the Federalists.

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Lumine.

[Lumine]

Campaign Info:

Endorsements:

Former Vice-President Rpryor
Senator Spiral
Former Assemblyman Poirot
Former Senator Cris
Former Senator Talleyrand
Lt. Gov. kyc0705
Former Justice Oakvale
Former GM Simfan
Senator Siren (2nd preference)
Mr. CMB222
Mr. SamTilden2020
Mr. wxtransit

[Lumine]

Yes, I complain about a move to the Left

Former President Lumine offers criticism of the current direction of the Atlasian center-right

Press Release: Deciding to answer to the latest claims by Speaker Yankee, former President Lumine spoke on further detail on his concerns regarding the Federalist Party leadership.

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[Lumine]

Why Unicameralism Matters

Press Release:Former President Lumine explained today one of his planks for Game Reform, outlining the need for a Unicameral System with both regional and at-large Senators like in the past:

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[Lumine]

Vice-Presidential Announcement

Press Release:Former President Lumine announced his running mate today at a rally in Los Angeles, unveiling as well his new campaign banner:

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Greetings, fellow Atlasians! Over the past few weeks, I have heard the siren call of Nyman in my heart and head, calling me to return to my adopted hometown. My dear friend Oakvale, a former candidate for President, inspired me and many other Atlasians to fight for what we believe in. Even though he has left the race, Oakvale's message of radical change has not died out. We need to shake up the Atlasian system.

We cannot trust our incumbent President. Not only did she vote for Jill Stein, but she has stated a variety of different viewpoints on issues over the last year. Socialist one day, conservative the next. When Simfan questioned if our President's "political transformation had less to do with ideological principles and more to do with her personal support for former president DFW," he had hit the nail on the head. When he admits that he is unsure if she is a crypto-leftist or a left-leaning libertarian, this should frighten all of us. When Labourite supreme Adam Griffin admits that fhtagn's position as a Federalist is due to getting her feelings hurt, this should scare any actual conservative. When leading statesmen have all agreed that there are doubts to the President's actual record of "conservatism." However, that truly doesn't matter.

Whether it's fhtagn or Harry Truman, we will continue to walk the same simple path we've been on for the last few months. Low activity, boring debates, and general small squabbles. If we're going to continue to walk the safe path, then we need a safe pair of hands like Truman. But we shouldn't walk that safe path, the path that continues the downward spiral we've been in as a nation. It's time to shake things up.

That's why I'm running for Vice President with Lumine. Not only is he a safe pair of hands and a respected statesman, but he has the ideas and disposition for change that none of his opponents have. Not only do we need to take a good look at our constitution, but we need to make sweeping policy changes, both foreign and domestic. We need to stand up for those Atlasians who feel disenfranchised by backroom dealings, IRC cabals, and thoughts of "we've always done it that way." There needs to be an alternative to this one-and-a-half party system we have running. That's why I'm here today. It's time for a new dawn for Atlasia and I'm excited to help lead it in.

[Lumine]

A Strong Defense Policy

Press Release: Former President Lumine spoke today about his plans for defense policy, noting the need to achieve a quick end to the War in Korea and raise the defense budget:

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[Lumine]

Fiscal Responsibility

Press Release: Former President Lumine spoke today about his beliefs on fiscal responsibility, citing three guiding principles for the upcoming budget

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[Lumine]

The Campaign Moves On

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The Lumine Campaign is grateful to The Nyman Questioner for its latest editorial, as it shares several of the concerns posed there despite a few disagreements. We believe there is a prevalent "consensus" that far from leading us to productive bipartisanship is doing active harm to the game as both main parties grow closer and closer (and we suspect that it takes place against the actual desires of many voters). In the meantime, we continue to speak up on our platform and our belief that Atlasia must move in a different direction to achieve what we call "A New Dawn".

PMRC/Atlasian Post Poll: October Presidential Election:
Of the following candidates, who would you vote for if the Presidential election was held today?

PM Harry S Truman (L-ND): 35.1%
Pres. Fhtagn (F-ME): 32.4%
Fmr. Pres. Lumine (I-UT): 27%
Other: 5.4%

We are also very thrilled by the latest PMRC/Atlasian Post poll, which places us in a close third with 27% and right on the President's heels. We realize that polling tends to be not very reliable in Atlasia, but believe it shows a trend of significant support for this campaign which we hope will translate into a very positive result come October.

[Lumine]

Statement on North Korea / Ukraine

Ukraine: The news coming out of Ukraine continue to deeply distress me. Not only because of the blatant repression of the Russian Government against Ukrainian protesters in the Crimea, but also because of the evident acts of pro-Russian terrorism at Kiev. My thoughts and my prayers go to President Poroshenko and the people of Ukraine, which are now more than ever threatened by Russian aggression and potential expansion after the reckless lifting of Atlasian sanctions on Russia. I deeply regret to see a country which has grown more and more as a potential adversary only being emboldened further.

North Korea: Yet another attack on Guam, and more Atlasian lives lost (almost 2000!) as any dither and refuse to come to terms with reality. Even more concerning, we stand at the brink with the Atlasian-Chinese deal still on debate on the Senate and contradicting views on reports on what exactly will China do. Understandable as it is that common citizens like myself not have access to the full intelligence, it doesn't seem like Congress has been appropriately briefed, which is a serious concern. My biggest regret is that shortsightedness and incompetence have led us to such a foreign policy crisis, sound to be bound by a treaty which irreparably harms our standing, economy and foreign policy on behalf of the foreign policy debacle we face.

When will we learn that foreign policy has its serious consecuences?

[Lumine]

My friend, you certainly seem determined to be a permanent presence on this thread whenever I make a statement, and if you'll allow a compliment on my behalf, it's been rather fun so far!

I don't mind stating health care reform was a step in the right direction, just as I don't mind pointing out you seem to be under the impression I consider any bipartisan initiative to be part of my idea of "echo-chamber consensus", which is far from anything I've stated (if anything, I've taken the time to point our bipartisan per se is not the problem). If you want my congratulations on taking a step towards fiscal responsibility on this particular matter, you only need to ask them and I'll be pleased to oblige, I don't think it was a bad move. But do keep in mind Health Care is one of the few issues which has seen a more active debate, and even then it hasn't been a very contentious one lately.

Yes, well, everyone seems to acknowledge the "need for a strong defence" and "a reasonable foreign policy" until we suddenly bomb North Korea, sign terms of surrender to China and Russia, unreasonably suggest we're not at war when we are or end up caving to the idea that defense is the immediate area to make cuts on (that's not a judgement on you, Yankee, just a general thought on what I've seen lately). Considering the harm done to our navy, to Guam and its military base, the costs of the war and the contingent we will deploy in North Korea (I really hope the War Powers Act had been invoked sooner), those seem to me like pretty convicing regions as to why an increase is actually necessary this year. And since China and Russia are about to be given free reign on a matter of issues, it is even more pressing to count on better defensive and offensive capabilities.

As for the Vice-Presidency, it seems it will be your obligatory argument that since I didn't do "X" as Vice-President (even though the office was about as constitutionally vague as it comes) my argument is invalid, even when it was not my particular duty to do a certain thing. Having said that, I did admit earlier that was one of my most unsuccessful times in office (in all certainty the most), so while I refuse to accept this particular argument of yours, yes, I could and should have done more as Vice-President in that particular time. I hope I get to correct that mistake most actively if elected President.

[Lumine]

If you want me to be honest, I would actually appreciate it more if the President in question wasn't parachuted into the White House with some questionable views and if we weren't in the middle of a massive foreign policy disaster caused by a Federalist White House (you have no idea how much it hurts to me that this was allowed to happen under a President from the center-right), but yes, Yankee, I do sincerely congratulate you on doing your best to stand up for the President.

I would expect nothing less from a devoted and committed Party Chairman, and the President has my envy for having a devoted knight at her service.

I hope our interests on fiscal responsibility will indeed align, I think there is an important choice ahead of us and I will be the first to be delighted if the Federalist Party takes up a firm banner of "coming to reality" on fiscal matters, as you eloquently put it. I will be pleased to defend the cause of responsibility before Congress if necessary, elected or not.

[Lumine]

My, my, a lot to answer to. I'll be brief:

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Well, there's two I have in mind, actually. In terms of simple reform, I believe the Vice-President ought to have an Executive role (taking care of an area of policy or serving in the cabinet) instead of a Legislative one. In terms of radical reform, I've stated in the past that eliminating the Vice-Presidency is not bad idea, I don't think the office itself is a benefit to Atlasia, but I'll go on greater detail on an upcoming speech.

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Actually, yes, I can. I've always had an independent streak, I am trying to lead a campaign to differentiate from two main parties which have grown too close, and I'm trying to rally behind some ideals which seem left behind. If you want to go into the silly debate of who is more "establishment" or "anti-establishment" to make your candidate look better, sure, say I'm "establishment". It doesn't change the fact I'm trying to be an outsider to the current context, with experience as an asset.

And if you're going to bring activity against me of all people, well, it just shows how determined to are to shield the President at all costs. Particularly when you're well aware that in almost every office I've served in (and they've been several) I've been active and delivered results.

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Well, if you don't have an objection with the way in which the current President reached the White House then we have a diverging opinion, Yankee. The voters have a right to judge that the manner of her appointment looks questionable at the very least, and a right to judge whether she is a consistent leader for her party with views which are also consistent with it. And the voters may very well embrace the President and give her a landslide, just as they may decide those concerns are right.

I happen to believe those concerns exist for many Atlasians regardless of whether I was running for President or not, and I think it's important those views and those who oppose "echo-chamber consensus" or "Nyman consensus" have a voice on this election. And if I have to pay a personal price for that... well, I'm used to it.

[Lumine]

Well, the Presidential Squad in full display! Some people must be getting a bit nervous to waste so much energy trying to discredit this campaign:

Madame President:

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Indeed, when I heard Atlasia finally had its first female President (something I believe should have happened a long time ago) I was very pleased, and even more so that said President seemed to come from the right. I’ve even explained this before. Then I began to learn more facts, and my opinion soured dramatically.

Well, it’s more or less like this:

You became President after two sudden resignations, without a single ballot cast on your name, and after the Senate was reassured that the info that one of those resignations was on the way (leaked days before it actually happened) was not accurate, or that you had no knowledge of it. Add to that the fact that there were more Federalists more qualified to take office either as Vice-President or in case of Goldwater’s resignation (Yankee as Speaker, for example).

Other citizens have noted how the whole exercise (made worse into optics for me when I was told in no uncertain terms it was common knowledge you were very close to one of the Presidents who resigned) seems rather questionable as well, and I for one am not particularly convinced by the idea that two presidential resignations came out of nowhere and lead into a rather unexpected Presidency.

And well, perhaps I’m wrong! But the process seems questionable to me, to say the least.

Mr. Reactionary:

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Thank you for dropping by, can I interest you in finding some more persuasive arguments relevant to this debate? I’ve never said the President should have held a special election or done nothing i office, and particularly, I would never call the Federalists stupid, so please do stop putting words in my mouth.

[Lumine]

And yes, I would appreciate it if matters unrelated to my campaign (such as whichever round dfw and Griffin are on their personal fight) were kept outside this thread.

Coming soon, a speech on the space program!

[Lumine]

Space Exploration

Press Release: Former President Lumine spoke today about his views on Space Exploration and the future of NASA, addresing the need to take a more ambitious approach towards space:

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[Lumine]

Campaign Poster N°1:

[Lumine]

Campaign Poster N°2:

[Lumine]

Campaign Poster N°3:

[Lumine]

The Campaign Moves On, II

Survey Atlasia Poll: October Presidential Election:
If the election for President was today who would you vote for?

PM Harry S Truman (L-ND): 38.2%
Pres. Fhtagn (F-ME): 35.3%
Fmr. Pres. Lumine (I-UT): 20.6%
Frm. Rep. LLR (P-NY) 5.9%

Some very good news out of the latest Survey Atlasia poll, which shows our campaign as a very strong third with very real possibilities of making it to a final round, where all the bets would seem to be off. With the election approaching we'll be hard at work with other planks of the platform, and in the meantime, remember to follow the debate!

[Lumine]

Endorsed! Lumine has the momentum!

Thank you, my good friend, onwards we go!

[Lumine]

Endorsed because you are a reformist and I like your game proposals. We need a President who doesn't believe all is fine. You have experience and have seen different situations over the years. You have leadership and can stand your ground facing political party goons who try to crush dissenting opinions. You are an Independent and can make decisions for the game without being blinded by party's interest. If elected I hope you remain Independent. Good luck and continue your campaign even if some try to disrupt your camapign thread.

Poirot, much appreciated! I am glad to welcome the support of a committed, truly independent voice such as yours.

[Lumine]

Although I have not been active in Atlasia for quite some time, I was delighted when I read a little bit about the upcoming presidential election and heard you were running! A quick look at the other candidates suggests you are by far the only candidate who cares about the future of this game, and has the competence and integrity to enrich it in the future. Although we have had our fair share of disagreements over the past 5 years, I have never doubted these qualities. Count on my vote (if I am eligible!).

That you very much, Talleyrand! My sincere gratitude for those words!

[Lumine]

I support my fellow Peace Party members and their ticket, but in the event that cookies and warm hugs aren't sufficient to take the country by storm...

I want to say that I'm very happy to endorse Lumine and RPryor for my 2nd preference. I don't usually give public endorsements, but I wanted you two to know that you have my total support. I'm really excited about some of your proposals, from constitutional reform, the space program, and the environment. I know from our time together in this game that you are passionate, pragmatic, and creative - and maybe most importantly, respectful of everyone regardless of their views. I think you are just the kind of leaders that Atlasia needs, and I would be super honored to call you my President and Vice President.

Endorsed.

There are so many good and active candidates, but Lumine is the leader that we need now. I've got the occasion to know him and to work with him multiple times. He's a great person, on both personal and political level.
He has strong leadership qualities, he'll always tell the truth. Not anyting is going well in Atlasia, and we need someone who recognizes that. I think that a debate about the necessity of a new game reform is a good thing, regardless of our opinion on that issue. Let's have a serious debate, various proposals, then the people will decide.
Lumine has a strong experience, and he is an Independent: he'll make decisions without being bounded to a party and this is a good thing for Atlasia.

Siren, Cris, your support is more touching than I could possibly say. I am honored and grateful to be able to stand with you today as the Presidential election draws nearer, let's make this New Dawn a reality!

[Lumine]

Governance

Press Release: Former President Lumine took his case to the Atlasian people directly on a televised broadcast from his home at Salt Lake City, Fremont:

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[Lumine]

Campaign Poster N°4: