My friends-
We've come to the end of what I've been told is the longest campaign in the history of Atlasia. When it began- I wasn't engaged and now I am. I've seen the world during this campaign and found so many new reasons to love life. It has been a fantastic couple of months since this campaign began and tonight's result doesn't change that a bit!
A short while ago, I exchanged messages with President-elect Napoleon and gave him my sincere congratulations on his victory tonight. Napoleon and I have had our differences in this campaign and well before this campaign began...we have differences still. But I wish him the very best and hope that he will use this leadership experience to enhance the qualities which will make him very successful in his life...and I promise that from the Senate, he will hear from me very often. I recognize that for him- tonight is the culmination of much time and effort, of challenges and frustrations, failures and successes. To Napoleon, Kalwejt, and all of your supporters- you've earned this victory and I again congratulate you
I congratulate Oakvale and Cincinnatus for leading a campaign based on positivity and consensus- I hope they will continue to exemplify these important values and I am grateful for their friendship. I congratulate Young Tweed and Bgwah for surprising just about every one with the votes they earned in the election and the campaign they ran. I also thank 20RP12, Snowstalker, and Ben- I was honored to run alongside you and to have your support with your first and second preferences in this election
There are two people I must thank above all others. Yelnoc- thank you for agreeing to run with me, and for lending me your considerable political astuteness. I know the characteristics that bring you success on the web will bring you success in life and I am very thankful for the efforts you've placed in our campaign. ZuWo- my campaign chairman and Governor of the Mideast- I am grateful for your guidance, your efforts, and your genuine friendship. You- more then even me or Yelnoc- ran this campaign and brought us within reach of victory. Thank you, ZuWo!
Finally- thank you to all those who voted for me, who preferenced me, and who considered me. I am truly honored to be a member of a fine web community of very intelligent and diverse people...
I understand that to many- the result of this election is a disappointment. I speak now mostly to those on my side of the political spectrum- this is a game, and the victor of this election is to us what I am to them. If I had won this election, we would expect them to challenge us the next few months- strongly but respectfully. I urge all of us to act in the manner we would've expected our opponents to act had the result been different. That is what I plan to do with the President-elect... and to the current President- two bills of mine are on your desk for your signature!
I will also consider it my proud duty to welcome and mentor new and promising members- such as HagridoftheDeep and the many new Whig Party members- much as ZuWo, NC Yankee, PiT, and others did for me when I was a newboy here. Being on this board with so many young prodigies sure makes things interesting for me- and I am always delighted to lend my experience on this board and my far more extensive experience in life to the younger members
However- before any of that gets going, I'm going to have a drink and a couple nights with my fiancee without the computer. This board but particularly this campaign has truly been a heap of fun for this old sailor. I'm sorry to see it end- but grateful for the blessings around every corner that I've realized these past few months. Some folks may think I'm crazy- but I don't think it's too far a jump to partially attribute the turn in my luck, the change in my attitude, and the hop in my step to spending some of my considerable free time with a young, diverse, and smart group of folks like yourselves. And you ain't seen the last of me yet!
Thank you and God Bless
clarence & wendy
cue The Battle Cry of Freedom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCheCryopA