Talk Elections

So yeah all candidates for NE governor are invited.  The gentleman from the State of Connecticut may speak first.

This must be a one on one debate.

I'm ready.

I'll moderate if ya'll want.

Gentlemen, what is your stance on the following issue?

()

B, ftr.

Oh definitely

U sure?  What about Rowan?  He deserves representation too, IMO

I disagree and will not participate in a debate with him.

Why not?  If anything he splits my base (and vice-versa) more than yours, IMHO.  If that's your final opinion than I am thoroughly disappointed and hope you will reconsider, and I'd hope at least Rowan would debate me then.

I am not at all interested in debating him after being told about his record as Governor.

Nothing says you can't have both a three-man debate and a one-on-one debate with each other.

Also, Andrew might run just because he's the incumbent, now.  Not sure, though.

Really hoping this isn't becoming the 1980 debates....

Oh come on Napoleon, don't The People deserve to hear from every candidate?

No; nonserious candidates don't belong in serious debates.

Discussing in private whisper-speak with him...and by that I mean PM

If he's not a serious candidate than you have nothing to worry about, as non serious candidates can't win; if he pulls an upset then he's a serious candidate and you have nothing to worry about.  After all, it is the people who decide who is a serious candidate and who is not....and yes corporations ARE PEOPLE TOO GOSH!

Sorry. I am a firm no and will not be discussing it further. I find it a poor investment of my time and a disservice to my constituents, who don't want to see this race turn into a spectacle.

Really? Rowan should be allowed into the debate. This is a person who did serve as a Senator, Northeast CJO, and Governor. He deserves to be in it. By now allowing it, might cause more people to vote for someone other than you.

The only chance of myself and Rowan debating together relies on Cincinnatus moderating.

I actually agree with Napoleon. Rowan's shown no evidence that he's a serious candidate for the office, and all indications are that this will be the same as when he "ran" against Napoleon in the last Senate election - his name appeared on the ballot, and that was it. There was literally no campaigning whatsoever.

Normally I'd strongly support all candidates being included in a debate. But Rowan, as far as I can tell, is a candidate in name only, just like he was last time.

This should be a debate between the candidates who actually seem to want to be Governor.

I agree Oakvale. When Polnut appointed him GM, he had to remove his name from consideration after it was revealed (by Kal, I think) that his record as Governor was one of chaos.

Rowan has no campaign to speak of. What is there to debate?

My idea was Lincoln-Douglas, no moderators.  Can we please ignore that and allow him to say that, and let the people judge him in their vote.

Lincoln-Douglas is a two candidate debate format, which was my intention, as only two candidates are campaigning. If there is to be a three candidate debate, we'd have to convince The People's Paper to moderate.

I thought we could be mature and allow each other to speak until finished, as we are able to do in text and as possessing more common courtesy than the sum of 90% of the U.S. congress combined.

I'd rather have a moderated debate to keep it on track. Three candidates in LD format is extremely hectic, if not impossible.

Alright, no coin toss that could accommodate three, so I'll say you can go first.

Furthermore, with all due respect, let's just get this damned thing going.  At this point, I dont care who the moderator is.

Huh?

Mr. Senator, your opening statement?

Is it just us two? I may be open to discussing the Rowan debate later, but he isn't here right now and we have no moderator.

Alright it's 1-on-1 LD till he comes back, your move, Senator ;)

This race is assured to be the most important regional election held since I joined Atlasia. There is a decision to be made that will have a long lasting impact on the region. I am running to bring about a Regional Renaissance, having authored and fought to pass a new, cleaner and more effective Constitution to get the balling. I have a history in this region and I'm tested. I offer experience, ideas, and unity.

I was a low key Representative at one point. That all changed when I saw the consequences of electing an untested, unknown Governor had. When Northeasterners put ideology ahead of experience and competence, I was sparked to step in and make a difference. Atlasian of all political stripes, including Homelycooking, 20RP12, and Cincinnatus, were brought together for the purpose of building a better region. While I respect my opponent's enthusiasm, I know that I am the only candidate able to rekindle this spirit.

I worked as a close advisor to friends and former Governors Winfield and Snowstalker. I know what it takes to run this region and I intend to lead by example.

I'll moderate.

I am Jerseyrules, and I realize that I have my work cut out for me in this election.  I've worked hard as an assemblyman, and while I haven't been in government very long, I firmly believe we can work together.  Until we find fiscal responsibility in this great state, find for liberty, I will fight everyone and everything that stands in my path.  I will strive to restore Constitutional liberties and core liberties.  You can label me a failure until that day.  Well, we were great once. We must restore our shining city on a hill, not through partisanship and petty politics, but through conviction and dedication to principals.  We can and will be great again.

Now it will be a long and difficult journey, and the odds are against me.  But I will fight for liberty, and today I ask you to join me.  I have a great deal of respect for my opponent, and I enjoy debating him in this polite and civil manner.  I've never been an advisor, and I'm only a representative our assembly, but I know where I stand.  I will not shrink from the awesome responsibilities of this great office.  Join me, and together we will go forth in unity to conquer the beast of big government, shadow states, and unfair taxation.

I've worked across party lines to create policies that benefit Northeastern families, workers, students, and citizens altogether. I brought federal funding for job creating and growth spurring high speed rail, also helping to conserve energy and the environment in the process. I created a federal plan to make education policy globally-sound, paving the way for our posterity's prosperity. I've fought on behalf for your civil liberties and will continues that. I will review every law we have on the books and keep the good policies, fix the flawed policies, and repeal the failed policies. I will continue being an advocate for a better future as Governor. I truly care about this region.

The Northeast needs a leader who is ready on day one. My opponent says he is against unfair taxation, yet his tax proposals saddle workers with even more income taxes than mine does. That is not fair at all.

Well, Senator, you and I both know that is just not true.  Only those making over $10 million per year would be taxed at 10%, and that was my compromise for the liberal-leaning assembly.  My proposal would keep income taxes at under 5% for 90% of Northeasterners.  Now, Senator, I am convinced that this is much better than taking 30% of income at the state level in addition to the federal taxes, wouldn't you?  I care a great deal about the Northeast, but I will not try to spin the record of my opponent, come up with fancy campaign slogans or one-liners, but to spread the message of liberty.  I firmly believe that my proposal is temporary, and a good compromise until we get to shrinking them further, because let's be honest: I tried to repeal state income taxes, and failed.  I want us to have no income taxes, but let's face it, that's not going to happen with this current assembly.  My plan includes capping property taxes at current level and lowering them by 1% each year for 5 years to spur the housing market.  I am all for low taxes, and smaller government, but it's not going to happen overnight.  I would like to force our branch of the Fed to back our currency with gold, and increase our stores of precious metals to set an example for the federal government.  I was a staunch advocate of the high-speed rail and continue to be.  I believe that public funding and private execution is the best way to go.  Now senator, if I may turn to a different subject, what is your position on abortion?

I think 30% is too high and I think 10% is too high. I don't support saddling workers with the burden of excessive income taxation. This has been my platform the entire campaign. You have no right to accuse me of lying.

Well, Senator, I agree with you completely, but as I said, you should tell that to my colleagues in the legislature, and if you win, I'd be glad to help enact your tax policy.  But the truth is I tried to eliminate state taxes outright, and my proposal was a counter-compromise to the Speaker's, and that those making under $10,000 per year would pay only 1% in taxes, and only millionaires would pay more than 9%

As a former Speaker, I have an excellent understanding of how the legislature works and how to get bills passed. We need revenue, eliminating taxation altogether is a silly and unrealistic proposal. I will take a more pragmatic approach, and I will rescue this region from financial collapse without stunting economic growth.

So...  Who is moderating this debate?..

No one, strangely enough.

So now you're to my left on fiscal policy?  When did that happen?!  Anyhow, I am firm in principals, and I know we can lower taxes drastically in several years.  As I have said, compromise is necessary, which is why I introduced my proposal.  Either way, whomever wins, I look forward to working closely with the Senator after the election, and I believe that lower taxes and relaxed regulations is the way to rescue our economy from the brink.  I know we have heard the experience argument before, but I'm sorry Senator; that dog just won't hunt this time.

Lincoln Douglas.  See, Napoleon, I told you we could be civil in Lincoln-Douglas. ;)

I was always up for a one on one debate.

Oh yes.  Well, I think one more wouldn't be too hectic.  Anyway, as I said, I we've all heard the experience argument before, and I admire experience, but I'm sorry senator, that dog just won't hunt this time. :)

You can say that all you want but it doesn't erase the fact that many of us remember the disaster following an election where ideology and party affiliation were the only factors contributing to the candidate's victory. My experience, competence and creativity are certainly more valuable to the future of this region than simple ideology. Voters who want to see this region flourish once again can take comfort in knowing that I will set a new standard for the Governor's office. If elected, I will be more prepared for this job than any Governor since, I suppose, AndrewCT (although I guess he is Governor now too). Throughout my terms as Senator I've remained in close touch with regional government. I've been involved consistently but I'm ready to do more.

If we want to really talk about experience, let's talk about experience. I am the only person in this race to have served as Governor, Lt. Governor, Assemblyman, CJO, At-Large Senator, and Regional Senator. I was also nominated across party lines for the position of Game Moderator. No one is more prepared for this office than I.

You were also forced to remove your name from consideration due to an abysmal track record.

I admire your qualifications, Senator, and as I have said I admire you.  I do not accuse you of being out-of-touch, nor do I suggest that you love this region less than I.  I merely believe that people are craving a fresh face and new ideas.  Now, Senator, can we focus on more pressing issues, such as state budgets and abortion?

?  I would welcome him to a debate, though I don't agree with his past.

I'm proposing reforms to promote activity, reforms to how the legislature works, reform to how tax and budget policies work, and you want to talk about abortion? Okay...where do you stand on abortion, Representative?

I'm proposing reforms to promote activity, reforms to how the legislature works, reform to how tax and budget policies work, and you want to talk about abortion? Okay...where do you stand on abortion, Representative?

Alright, I didn't know that was pressing.  On abortion, I consider myself pro-life, while not being an extremist.  I believe that partial-birth abortion is horrible, and would not be necessary if we keep abortion and the morning-after pill safe, legal, and rare.  While I confess that I don't have much in mind for legislative reform, I was going to talk about balanced budgets, etc.  I'd like to enact a proposal, and in fact I proposed this to the legislature, which would require holding spending at or below inflation, and requiring a 2/3 majority to increase taxes.  I believe this is an efficient way to keep spending low and stop the expansion of tax rates.

All that does is tie our hands and prevent us from effectively managing economic circumstances. That's too extreme for an environmentally conscious, business-friendly region. The chance of the legislature passing a pro-life bill is 0%.

Well I appreciate your cancern, Senator, but in extraordinary circumstances tax hikes can still be passed, they just require a 2/3 majority, as they should.  This would ensure bipartisan support for any tax increases.

Has that policy ever worked?

It hasn't ever been tried ;)

I'll be back in about an hour or so.

I am the only pro-life and pro-business candidate in this race. If you want someone who will maintain the status quo, then vote for my opponents, but if you want someone who will turn things upside down and shake things up, then I'm your man.

Care to provide any evidence for your claims?

Is there any doubt that my experiences in public office have been completely out of the ordinary from the Atlasian elite?

I wouldn't know. I'd rather not risk finding out.

What have you done for the region lately? What policy changes do you propose? Why did you run an inactive campaign in October? Why are you running an inactive campaign now? And the question we are all asking, which Atlasians are the elites?

I would rather not descend to personal attacks, nor will I question a candidate's love for this great nation and our great nation, though I believe that I have worked very hard in my short time in public office, and I appreciate certain aspects of what both candidates have done for our great region.  But I will say that I will strive for excellence if you put me behind that desk, as will the others, but that we differ greatly in our methods of reaching excellence.

I am merely bumping this.  Next debate will be next weekend?  This one can last till 11:59 pm Sunday, though with the upcoming Super Bowl I doubt a lot of posting will be done tomorrow.

Also, as your governor, I would fight the federal government and try to replace the Atlasian public healthcare system with market-based alternatives in order to cut costs.  I would spend my own money to bring this issue before the Supreme Court, but my primary goal would still be on tax and spending cuts, as well as getting the government off of the backs of the private sector.  I believe in lowering rates but also minimizing loopholes to simplify the tax code, which is so complex that many Northeasterners have to pay an attorney to do their taxes for them, which is a burden on the working class.  While deductions mean well, by the time they get their deductions almost all of it goes to the lawyer who spent hours, sometimes days doing the grueling process that we all loathe.

I think the voters have learned enough in this debate. I might be interested in a moderated debate but it needs discussed. By the way, are you running for regional assembly? Why won't you commit to running for one office as I have?

My campaign platform is to do the opposite of whatever Napolean will do.

Because in the event that I do not win, I wish to continue my fight for liberty in this region and Atlasia.  If I am elected I will resign my seat in the assembly.  However, I will be honest, Senator, I believe you are avoiding the real issues.  I brought up the budget, the reform, spending, and taxes, yet you descend to this?  I believe Atlasians deserve more than that, Senator.

From my experience in this region, I have come to understand that such practice is frowned upon by many voters. To say it is not an issue is naive.
Debate is over, however. :)

I would like to invite you to debate again, next time with a moderator. :)