Conservative Senators Help Lisbet Get Confirmed For Defense Position

Thirteen CNS senators join with Nationalists to confirm nominee for deputy secretary

MAVOCKE, CEA--With the help of Conservatives, President Menuhaeo's nominee for Deputy Secretary of Defense, Olivia Lisbet, was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday.

Thirteen Conservative senators crossed party lines to confirm Lisbet, who will serve under Defense Secretary Jack Hastings Jr. Many of Lisbet's Conservative supporters were "Sideliners," or moderate Conservatives who often bolt with the CNS party to side with the NAT. Among the sideliners were Sens. Victoria Albright (CEA), Dick Ammons (HVN), Ayden Benning (NWP), Chuck Danbury (ARA), Niles Gilcrest (VER), Robert Maclan (ARA), and Andre "Bourret" Magiscanti (HVN).

The remaining six CNS senators who voted for Lisbet are among those who rarely cross party lines. They included Sens. Greg Baxter (TRI), John BiGadi (LIA), Anna Corbev (MON), Denna Halitz (EDS), Seth Harkin (EDS), and Shannon McCann (KLN).

Senators Chuck Danbury and Anna Corbev were Lisbet's leading Conservative allies in the senate. During a speech on the senate floor, Danbury called Lisbet a "novel choice," and assured colleagues she "knows what she's doing." Corbev also stood up for the president's nominee, saying that while she personally disagrees with many of her political positions, [Lisbet] is "prepared to protect our country."

Critics of Ms. Lisbet, who at 31 years old, will be the youngest deputy secretary of defense and the first woman to hold that position, argued she is not experienced and lacks the knowledge a more senior military official would have.

"I'm not willing to put the safety and security of the Grassadellan people in the hands of a young woman that looks young enough to have just graduated from college," said Sen. Ruth Bennet (C-DES).

Sen. Kelsey Frascanio, a Conservative from Trinton, also slammed Lisbet for her inexperience.

"It's appalling to think this administration would nominate someone of Ms. Lisbet's experience level. We're talking the second-highest position in the Defense department. And we're giving it to someone who has very little experience? That's not okay with the Grassadellan people, and that's not okay with me," Frascanio said.

Senator Karen Coriano (N-CAR), came to Lisbet's defense in an interview with the GBC.

"There's this misconception in the Conservative party that the leaders of the Defense department have to be decorated war-hero generals, and that's just not the case. Olivia Lisbet has served several years working for the Defense department and various intelligence agencies, and no, she has not served in the military, but she can still hold down the job and do a good job," Coriano said.

Lisbet has worked for the Defense department since 2007. Before that she worked in the intelligence field. She has no official military service, but was awarded the Medal of Valor in 2006 by then-President Dan Byelle.

Despite objections about her qualifications and experience, Ms. Lisbet was confirmed by the senate by a vote of 55-35. Three Nationalists, Sens. Michael Kreighorn (BIE), James Owen-Wilson (REM), and Lincoln Pacinow (WEL), voted against her nomination.

President Menuhaeo said through a spokesman he is "delighted" to have Lisbet join the administration. Ms. Lisbet will appear at a press conference tomorrow morning with the president and Secretary Hastings.

Rosselli Signs On With GBC As Contributor

Magazine editor and political activist to serve as analyst at GBC network

GRASSADELLA CITY, DMG--Journalist and political activist Diane Rosselli has signed on as a political contributor with the GBC, the network confirmed Thursday.

Rosselli is the editor-in-chief at Metropolitan News magazine, one of the nation's leading news periodicals. She has served in that position since 2005. She is also a political activist and former candidate for public office, having ran for the Senate in Damoign in 2008 as a Democratic-Reformist, but losing to NAT Jean Chaveau.

Though she has worked as a print critic for years, Ms. Rosselli has nerver worked as a television commentator. A spokeswoman for Rosselli she is "elated" to take her commentary to the airwaves. A spokesman for the GBC said the network looks forward to "hearing Diane's unique perspective" on political matters.

Rosselli will begin giving commentary on various network shows starting May 1st. She will still hold down her current duties at Metropolitan News.

Poll: Monomians Split On Governor's Fate

Once highly-popular governor faces calls for resignation

TREETON, MON--A new poll released today by the Treeton Sun newspaper shows Monomi citizens are divided on the political fate of embattled Gov. Scott King Jr. (NAT), with some wanting him to resign, some wanting him to stay in power, and others unsure about what should happen to the governor.

The poll found 37% of respondents want the governor to resign, while 28% want him to stay on as governor. The remaining 35% are unsure of what should happen to King, who is serving his second and final term, due to term limits.

Most of the respondents who answered "unsure" in the poll said they will have a more clearer opinion of the situation once state and federal investigators announce if they will press charges against the governor. Currently, state and federal agencies are investigating King for possible fraud, extortion, bribery, and prostitution-patronization.

On April 2nd, acting on a search warrant, federal police seized a total of five computers from King's office and private residence. They also took security cameras which may provide footage of alleged crimes. Officials stress the governor has not officially been charged with a crime, but may be charged at a later date if enough evidence exists.

King is under suspicion for bribery crimes, after people close to the governor tipped off police he may have tried to bribe state officials to award grants to organizations and businesses owned by his friends and political donors. He has also been suspected of patronizing a major escort service in the Treeton area over the last several years.

King has denied all allegations, and said last Thursday he will "fight" for his reputation, which he claims has been "smeared."

"Everything that has been said about me is false. Every allegation, every rumor, every suspicion. It's all untrue," he said at a press conference.

While he hasn't officially been indicted, members of all political parties are calling on the governor to step down, or at least step aside until the scandal is over.

"This is a distraction that Monomi cannot afford to have right now," said Charlie Charman, the Monomi Conservative Party Chairman. "While hard-working Monomians are worrying about a failing economy, Scott King and his Nationalist allies in Treeton are busy worrying about his personal life and alleged corruption. We can't have that," the chairman wrote in an e-mail to supporters.

The list of individuals and organizations calling for the governor's resignation is growing, though so far lacking any state-wide officials. National Conservative Party Chairman Bob Viacrosa, as well as state party Chairman Charman, have called for King to step down. Conservative Reps. John Densy, Frank Barber, Pete Doonan, Sean Mellow, Ryley "Rill" Stevens, and Shannon Tribe have all called for the governor's resignation. The state's five senators, including two Conservatives, have so far been silent on the governor's scandal.

Talks of impeachment are on the table in the state capitol, Treeton. But speculation about removing the governor will have to wait until an ethics investigation, headed by the state assembly, is complete, which is expected to be sometime next week.

King, who at 42 years old is the youngest governor in Monomi's history, has held high approval ratings throughout his almost seven year tenure, with his approval topping 70% in 2005. That number has slipped to a modest 55% in January 2009, before the scandal broke. Mr. King has long-been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. It's unclear if this scandal will end a future shot at higher political ambitions. King is the son of former Monomi Governor Scott King Sr. (NAT), who served from 1982-1990.

Faller To Manage Harvannah Museum

Former Harvannah lieutenant governor will oversee state's largest museum

HARLYNE, HVN--Former Lieutenant Governor Robert Faller Jr. (CNS) will become the Chief Trustee at The Islands Museum of Culture and History, effective May 1st, the museum said in a written statement.

Located in Harlyne, the museum is the state's largest, with over 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than twenty major exhibits. Visitation records show over 80,000 people visit the museum annually.

Mr. Faller will be taking over at the museum after its former Chief Trustee, Dr. Richard Pope, resigned in March to take a position in Mavocke with the Menuhaeo administration. Faller was one of three finalists, the other two from out of state, according to a museum spokesperson.

Faller previously served as Harvannah's lieutenant governor until December 2008, when he was defeated by Mia Jung Xhi, a lawyer from Harlyne, by a vote of 53.87% to 46.13%, respectively. Xhi is the first Chinese-Grassadellan to be elected to a state-wide executive position, and is the youngest person and first woman to hold Harvannah's lieutenant governorship.

Mr. Faller's annual salary is expected to be around $180,000 a year, according to financial reports. His job with the museum will be the first he has had since his electoral defeat last December.

Remmington Governor Makes Geography Gaffe

Stevens-Taylor mixes up cities during speech

DRY SPRINGS, REM--Remmington Governor Jen Stevens-Taylor (CNS) was geographically confused Friday when he confused the names of two of the state's cities.

Stevens-Taylor was in the town of Dry Springs, located in Helona County in southeastern Remmington, taking part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new medical facility. However, during a short speech, the governor mistakenly thanked the residents of Redmand for inviting him to the event. It wasn't until Helona County Commissioner Mitch Kalliman corrected him that the governor realized his mistake and apologized for the mix-up.

"I guess I'm in Dry Springs, not Redmand," he joked. "I need to get my geography straightened out."

A spokesman for the County Commissioners' office said none of the local leaders were offended by the slip-up.

"It was just an honest mistake. No one was offended. It was clear the governor just misspoke," the spokesman, whose name was not identified, told the National Federated Press.

Redmand, the city the governor accidentally mentioned, is the state's second-largest city, located in Redmand County in eastern Remmington near the Damoign border.

State Nationalists have a different take on the governor's mistake, however, saying it's proof that Stevens-Taylor is not familiar with the state.

"It's clear that Jen Stevens-Taylor does not know the state of Remmington," Don Fleischer, the state NAT chairman told the Remmington Star newspaper. "Remmingtonians should be able to expect their governor to know the town they live in. That's not too much to ask for," he said.

The governor's office responded, saying state Nationalists are trying to make a simple mix-up into a political issue.

"It was an honest mistake and the governor apologizes if anyone was offended," spokeswoman Melinda Segal said. "Governor Stevens-Taylor knows the state of Remmington through and through. He is unquestionably familiar with the state's geography and people, so it's obvious this was just a slip-of-the-tongue."

The state Conservative party also responded to the NAT attack.

"How petty has the Remmington Nationalist party become when it starts releasing press releases and posting videos on You Tube about the governor inadvertently naming the wrong city," Bob Drollands, state CNS chairman told STAR News. "This is ridiculous. It's a political attack, and the people of Remmington will see right through this."

NAT Senator James Owen-Wilson, who ran unsuccessfully against Stevens-Taylor in the 2008 gubernatorial race, told STAR Radio News Monday that the governor's misstatement was "dumb" but "unintentional."

"Well I certainly wouldn't have mixed up Dry Springs and Redmand. That's kind of dumb," Owen-Wilson said. "But I don't think he did it on purpose. I'm sure it was unintentional."

Stevens-Taylor's gaffe comes just a month after the state's lieutenant governor, Heather Scantino, mistakenly referred to Winston as the second-largest city in the state during a speech in Jannappa. Scantino is the first female state-wide official in Remmington history, and is the youngest person to ever hold the lieutenant governor's office.

Manning Likes McIntosh For Environmental Post

Lial's fresmen senator says former rival would be 'top choice' for top position

MAVOCKE, ARA--President Menuhaeo is expected tomorrow to nominate former CNS senator Steven McIntosh (LIA) to head the Environmental Affairs Department, and already, McIntosh has one unlikely supporter--freshmen Senator Stephanie Manning (NAT).

It wasn't long ago that McIntosh and Manning were opponents. In December 2008, Manning, then a two-term congresswoman from Lial's southeast, defeated the moderately-voting McIntosh, who was running for his third term in the senate. Throughout the campaign, while McIntosh tried to portray himself as a centrist, Manning branded the two-term senator as a "Byelle puppet" who supported former President Dan Byelle's economic policies. This made for a sometimes harsh campaign of rhetoric and political attacks.

But now, Mr. McIntosh is receiving support from his former foe. Last week, in an interview with GBC Radio, Manning said she wants McIntosh to lead the Environmental Affairs Department.

"I think there's no question that Steven McIntosh has the qualifications for the job, and the tenacity and passion for the job, and that's why I plan on voting to confirm him" she said. "If I were the president, [McIntosh] would be a top choice."

When asked if their previous campaign made her less likely to support McIntosh's nomination, Manning gave an emphatic "no."

"Not at all. I ran against Steven McIntosh last year, and we had our disagreements during that campaign. But that doesn't mean that I can't support him. There is no question in my mind that Steven McIntosh has always been a supporter of the environment and I have no doubts that he'll work to protect our environment should he serve in that position, and I think you'll find most people in Mavocke, Conservative and Nationalist, would agree with me," Ms. Manning said.
Mr. McIntosh's office did not officially respond to Sen. Manning's endorsement, but spokeswoman Deborah Faller told GNN the former senator welcomes "every vote he can get."

McIntosh is expected to be nominated by President Menuhaeo tomorrow afternoon. GNN will have live coverage of the press conference.

Gilcrest, Blankenship Could Face Primary Challenges

Conservative senators may face tough primary elections in 2010

LAKE CITY, VER--Two Veroche senators are finding themselves increasingly vulnerable going into 2010. Not only could freshmen senators Niles Gilcrest and Evelynn Blankenship face tough general election match-ups, they may face tough primary campaigns, as several fellow Conservatives weigh running against them for the party's nomination.

Gilcrest, who served in the National Assembly before winning a senate seat in 2007, has long faced criticism from his own party because of his moderate voting record and his frequent deviance from the party's agenda. Specifically, Conservatives were angered by his call for troop withdrawals in Afghanistan, and his sponsorship of a bill that would have bailed out failing corporations. That bill, which he co-authored with Sen. Sylvea Stone (N-WIK), failed narrowly by a vote of 39-41.

While some members of the CNS party oppose Gilcrest because of his moderate positions, many oppose Senator Blankenship because of her exceptionally conservative views. Blankenship has come under fire from moderate Conservatives, who see her as too far-right and too extreme, particularly on social issues. While in the Senate, Blankenship has been an ardent pro-life advocate and a passionate same-sex marriage opponent. She has also fought stem-cell research.

Now, with both Gilcrest and Blankenship up for re-election in 2010, fellow Conservatives are considering challenging the incumbents. As of now, neither senator officially has a primary challenger, and no potential challengers have said if they'll run. But the list of potential primary opponents is deep. Possible challengers to Gilcrest include:

-Ethan Carr, 13th district representative
-Gary Kessler, 4th district representative
-Margaret Spellanous, 5th district representative
-John Bosworth, 12th district representative
-Linda Bosworth, 17th district representative, and married to John Bosworth
-Lonna "Talley" O'Neil, 9th district representative, and wife of Rep. Rich O'Neil
-Rachel Newbell-Lhands, former senate candidate
-Don Christaman, former senate candidate

The list of potential challengers to Blankenship is much shorter. The only real contender being mentioned is former senate candidate Dr. Richard Scholinger, of Lake City, who lost in 2008 to incumbent Mark Peoninski (NAT) by a vote of 56%-43%, respectively. Scholinger also previously ran for governor in 2007, but narrowly lost in a bitter primary. A moderate, Scholinger supports fiscal conservativism, but is moderate on social issues, supporting abortion rights and stem cell research.

Several Conservatives with state-wide name recognition could potentially challenge either senator in a primary election. They include Lt. Gov. Brad Davidson, and former gubernatorial candidates Steve Leona, Todd Argouth, and Steve Serpino. Leona and Serpino have expressed interest in running for the senate, while Argouth has not commented on his political ambitions. Davidson, who narrowly won re-election in 2008 as lieutenant governor, is believed to have his eye on the governor's mansion in 2012.

Both senators declined to talk about specific primary opponents. But Sen. Gilcrest's office released a written statement, saying the senator plans to "continue representing the people of the great state of Veroche in the Senate." The statement also high-lighted Gilcrest's controversial voting record, saying the senator has a "record of bipartisanship and independence that most Verocheans share."

A spokeswoman for Senator Blankenship would only say the senator is "confident" going in to the 2010 election.

Branlin Called 'Socialist' And 'Anti-Grassadellian' After Tax-Increase Comments

WIK Nationalist blasted for saying rich should 'give back to our country'

CHRISTON, WIK.--Senator Terry Branlin (NAT) has landed herself in the middle of the stimulus package debate, and recent comments have brought on accusations the Wilkonshire senator is a socialist.

Speaking last week on capitol hill, Sen. Branlin led a rebuttal against Conservatives, who complained President Menuhaeo's proposed stimulus package lacked tax cuts and instated tax hikes on the wealthiest 10% of tax-payers.

To that, Branlin said, "it's high time that the wealthiest of the wealthy, the highest on the socio-economic ladder, who received unlimited benefits during the Byelle administration...it's high time those people give back to our country."

That particular comment drew ire from free-market and anti-tax groups, who claimed the comment insinuates the senator is a "socialist" and "anti-Grassadellian."

"We can only conclude one thing from Senator Branlin's comments," Doug Fickey, President of the Newman Institute For Free Trade said in a written statement. "The senator clearly feels that Grassadellians have an obligation to pay more taxes to the government, and that wealth is something to be ashamed of and should be penalized."

John Rice, a conservative newspaper columnist who writes for the Canton Register in Canton, POG, wrote in his column Wednesday that Senator Branlin "confirmed her identity as a socialist" and "established herself as the torchbearer of the socialist movement."

Citizens Against Government Infringement (CAGI), a conservative organization that opposes taxes, also called Senator Branlin's comments "disturbing" and "anti-Grassadellian."

"Since when did Senator Branlin decide paying taxes is an act of restitution from those who earn success in the financial world to those who don't? Since when do people have to give back to the country?" Roger Brass, CAGI President, said on GBC's Weekend Glance television program. "Paying more taxes to subsidize the government is anti-Grassadellian."

Senator Branlin's office attempted to clarify her comments Tuesday, saying the senator was "speaking out of frustration" at the "greed and selfishness of a handful of the wealthiest Grassadellians."

"Like most people, Senator Branlin is appalled at the actions of the people who took advantage of the system and gambled away people's life fortunes," Mary Esting, a spokeswoman for the senator told STAR news. "She certainly wasn't trying to insinuate that all wealthy people are obligated to pay taxes, and she certainly does not advocate socialist policies. She just wants fairness and equality in the tax system."

Conservatives question the senator's comments. Former CNS senator Marie Antonnage (POG), who ran against Branlin in 2008 and is rumored to be considering a rematch, told host Connor Gevanna on GNN's Sunday Tea that Branlin's comments present a "dangerous threat" to the Grassadellian free trade system.

"We can't have senators and other leaders walking around talking about socialism and expect the Grassadellian people to be okay with that," Antonnage said. "Senator Branlin's words and philosophy are a dangerous threat to our free trade system, and Grassadellians all across this country need to wake up and realize this is the liberal agenda for our country. This is what they want to do. Their goal is socialism."

Branlin's office says the senator is not concerned about the 'socialist' name-calling, saying she is so focused on recovering the economy she does not pay attention to political attacks.

"Well she certainly resents the fact that she's being called a socialist, but to be honest, Senator Branlin is so focused on the economy recovery process, she doesn't pay attention to these sort of attacks," Esting said.

The Newman Institute for Free Trade and CAGI have launched a massive media campaign, and are expected to run TV advertisements in Branlin's home state of Wilkonshire. Branlin's office had no comment on the reported ads.