Kalamaza To Make Senate Bid

Far-right CNS state senator to seek senate seat

VRISTO COLONADO, TRI--State Senator Randy Kalamaza (C-Vristo Colonado), who has made a name for himself in the state senate for his staunchly conservative and sometimes partisan views, has announced his candidacy for the senate in Trinton.

In a written statement sent out to media outlets, Mr. Kalamaza said he is running because incumbent "Grace Kemp's ultra-liberal voting record has disadvantaged the people of Trinton." In the statement, Mr. Kalamaza also says "the people of Trinton need a new voice in Mavocke...a voice that will listen when they want lower taxes, a voice that will listen when they want better health care and education, and a voice that will stand up for their values."

Kalamaza is the first Conservative to publicly declare candidacy. He is running for the seat currently held by two-term incumbent Grace Kemp (NAT), who is seeking a third term.

Kalamaza's entry into the race could throw a wrench in the plans of top party leaders, who are actively courting Rep. George Reedsworth, a moderate who represents central Trinton, to run. According to party sources, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, many party leaders view Reedsworth as the only candidate capable of beating the popular, but left-leaning incumbent Kemp.

Reedsworth has been toying with a run for the senate for sometime, and has even been urged to do so by former rival Senator Kelsey Frascanio (CNS), who narrowly defeated Reedsworth in a primary election in 2008. The congressman has yet to make an announcement yet, however.

Senator Kemp's office has not responded to calls from GNN News. However, a press release is expected tomorrow afternoon.

Lindselli: Stimulus 'Wrong For The Country'

Stimulus package a 'step in the wrong direction,' senator says

MAVOCKE, CEA--The $315 billion economic stimulus package passed earlier this week in both houses of Congress is "wrong for the country," Senator Nancy Lindselli (C-EDS) said Sunday.

Appearing on the GBC's Weekend Glance political news program, Lindselli, a strong Conservative from East Deschire, told host Gene Caughley the stimulus package is a "step in the wrong direction."

"What this bill did is it took $315 billion in new spending and it essentially doled it out to states for them to spend on infrastructure projects. That's $315 billion in new spending, and that's being added to our debt," Lindselli said. "And what's worse is that there are tax increases that are hidden in this so-called stimulus package, and that goes against the economic principles of a strong, progressive economy."

The bill may have been supported by President Menuhaeo and proposed by the Nationalists, but it passed with bipartisan support in the Senate by a vote of 55-35, and more narrowly in the Assembly, by a margin of 145-131.

When asked why 13 of her Conservative Senate colleagues voted for the bill, Lindselli responded, "there are obviously 13 misguided Conservatives in the Senate."

All four of East Deschire's Conservative senators voted against the measure. Only Senator Val Hennemott, the sole Nationalist representing the state, voted in favor of the bill.

For Senator Lindselli, her vote has a lot to do with not just her personal beliefs, but the beliefs of her constituents, she told Mr. Caughley.

"Back in my home state of East Deschire, most people there are opposed to the government adding debt. They believe the government should be reducing its debt and shouldn't be handing out free money right and left," she said.

Mrs. Lindselli added she plans to write a letter to President Menuhaeo requesting he delay signing the stimulus bill until talking with concerned members of Congress.

"I am going to write a letter to him, and I doubt he'll read it and I doubt it will make a difference. But it's my duty to write this letter, and I really feel a lot of us who are concerned about this stimulus plan and the overall economic principles being lined out by this administration are not being heard adequately and we need to be heard."

There was no comment from Collester on Mrs. Lindselli's upcoming letter.

Goodling Applauds Stimulus Package Passage

Treasury secretary says stimulus plan makes economic recovery 'more hopeful'

MAVOCKE, CEA--The $315 billion economic stimulus package passed by Congress this week will make economic recovery "more hopeful," Treasury Secretary Jay Goodling told reporters Friday.

Speaking to a group of business leaders in Mavocke, Mr. Goodling, who has lobbied for an economic stimulus package since June, applauded the senate and national assembly for passing the revised economic stimulus package, which is $335 billion less than the original $650 billion package proposed back in June. That proposed bill failed to pass either house.

"I'm extremely grateful to the members of the senate and the national assembly for passing this bill, because I know I've worked hard to get it passed, and the president has worked hard to get it passed and a whole host of other people have as well," Goodling told the media.

"But more importantly, I think this economic stimulus package is a step in the right direction. I think it makes economic recovery more hopeful of happening. I think it makes it more attainable, and it's a large piece that's part of a larger puzzle on how we can solve this economic downturn we are experiencing right now."

When asked to address critics of the stimulus package, who claim it is unnecessary now that the economy seems to be making a recovery, Mr. Goodling said he appreciated their concern but disagreed with their opinion.

"I understand the concern about wasteful spending and what's necessary and what's not necessary," he said. "But you can't just hold your breath and clinch your pocket book and hope that the economy recovers. You have to do something. And this was a good compromise because it scaled the stimulus back and reduced spending, while also providing money for crucial projects that will help stimulate our economy. This is really a win-win situation for everyone involved--the Congress, the states, the administration."

Goodling's office says the secretary will meet next week with congressional leaders and President Menuhaeo to discuss the bill's implications and the execution of the bill's mandates.

Stimulus Package Passes In Both Chambers

Stimulus measure sails through senate, narrowly passes in national assembly

MAVOCKE, CEA--The much-debated and long awaited stimulus package has finally passed both houses of Congress.

The senate passed the stimulus bill handily by a vote of 55-35. Several Conservatives joined with their Nationalist colleagues to pass the bill, which was previously held up in the senate for several months. Only two NAT members, Cal Sulley of Harvannah and Matt Hoffbourn of Remmington, voted against the bill.

It was a different story in the national assembly, however, as the bill did pass but narrowly, by a vote of 145-131. The vote was largely along party lines, with several Conservatives crossing over to vote for the bill, and only a few Nationalists opposing the measure.

The $315 billion stimulus package passed this week is significantly less than the $650 billion package originally proposed by President Menuhaeo back in June 2009. That proposed bill failed to pass either chamber, as Conservatives in both the assembly and the senate attacked the plan for a lack of tax cuts and wasteful spending.

After weeks of negotiating, Conservatives and Nationalists in the assembly agreed on a final version of the bill, which included tax cuts and some tax increases on wealthier Grassadellans. The stimulus package underwent a last-minute change in the senate, however, after Conservative senators chopped off $7 billion from the original price tag of $322 billion, thus making the package now worth $315 billion.

The bill's fate in the senate largely came down to "The Negotiators," a bipartisan group of three Conservatives and three Nationalists. The group included Senate Finance Committee Chairman Dana Glow (C-ARA), Curt Blaisek (C-REM), Jay Burns (C-DES), Jean Chaveau (N-DMG), Eli Dundree (N-KLN), and Stephanie Manning (N-LIA).

Mr. Glow, an economist and former corporate CEO, was adamantly opposed to the original stimulus package supported by Collester, but said he voted for the revised version because "a little stimulus will help the economy, as long as we don't over do it."

"Three hundred and fifteen billion is a lot less than six hundred and fifty billion," Glow told reporters in outside the senate chambers. "That's the ultimate reason why I supported this bill. The idea of a stimulus isn't wrong. It's just the amount that makes a difference."

Senator Blaisek told STAR News he supported the bill only because most of the money will go to small businesses and to pay for road and infrastructure projects.

"What this came down to for me was the road and infrastructure projects that our nation desperately needs. This money will help build roads and fix crumbling bridges and bring jobs through the construction industry and that's something that will help us in the long term," Blaisek said.

NAT members were pleased with the bill's passage as well.

"In Damoign, the unemployment rate is 9.09%, and this money from this stimulus package will help give jobs back to people who have lost them, and will help revitalize the economy in our nation's most populus state," Sen. Chaveau told the press.

Those opposed to the stimulus package were very vocal in their opposition, however.

Senator Shannon Barbieri, of POG, spoke for 25 minutes on the floor of the senate about why he opposed the bill.

"This is wasteful. We don't need it. People are voting for it just because it will bring road projects to their states, and that is wrong. This goes against democratic principles," he said.

Senator Evelynn Blankenship of Veroche admitted it was tempting to vote "yes" on the bill for political reasons, but said she was ultimately opposed to the bill because of the "massive amount of money."

"Many of my colleagues are voting "yes" on this bill because it is the politically saavy thing to do. Many of us, like myself, are facing a tough re-election in 2010. And so many of us are voting "yes" because we believe it will pay off politically and help us when the election rolls around. But I, for one, am not about to vote "yes" on this bill just to save my political career," she told her colleagues.

Collester Press Secretary Adam Kolbert said at a Friday afternoon press conference that President Menuhaeo is also pleased with the bill's passage, and he intends to sign it into law.

"The president is extremely well pleased with this bipartisan bill that has come out of the bodies, and he plans on signing it when it hits his desk," Kolbert said.

Inmate Wants To Stay In Prison Despite Already Serving Sentence

New Portsmouth man says prison "feels like home"


BURGTON, NWP--An inmate at the New Portsmouth state prison facility in Bakisming says he wants to stay in prison--even though he's already served his entire sentence.

Joel Grubly, age 49, was convicted in 1992 of 1st degree child molestation and sentenced to seventeen years at Plain View prison, a maximum-security facility in central New Portsmouth. On May 25th, his time in prison will be up--he will have served a full seventeen years without incident. The only problem: he doesn't want to leave.

"It really feels like home here, it's really the only home I've ever had," Grubly told the Boroughton Dispatch newspaper. "I can't imagine returning to the free world where I don't know anyone and I'm not accepted. I'd much rather stay here where I have friends and a place with a roof over my head."

Prison officials say they understand Mr. Grubly's concerns about returning to society; however, housing inmates is very expensive, and in a time when the state has little money to spare, they just can't afford to keep Mr. Grubly in his cell longer than necessary.

"A lot of inmates have concerns about leaving prison and adjusting to regular life," Sgt. Joe Warhoff, deputy director of the Hillsdale Prison Facility in Bakisming told the Dispatch. "But we just don't have the money to keep people around longer than necessary, nor do we have the room."

Mr. Grubly also claims he has received death threats from people in the community.

After learning that he will not be allowed to stay, Grubly has hired an attorney and filed a lawsuit, claiming that he should be allowed to stay in prison because he fears his life will be in danger if released, and because he believes he cannot sufficiently provide for himself if released.

"How can a felon get a job and make money to pay rent? Who's going to hire someone like me?" Grubly told the Dispatch.

Mr. Grubly's lawyer, Pete Doven, also explained his client's unusual situation.

"What you have here is a person who is afraid to return to society because he is afraid for his life, and he is afraid that he won't be able to make a living to support himself," Doven said. "If he's just going to end up homeless living under some bridge somewhere when he gets released from prison, then there's no point in even releasing him."

Despite the state's objections, some New Portsmouthians think Grubly should be allowed to stay.

"If he wants to stay in prison, let him stay there," said Pete Graham, a farmer who lives in Bakisming. "We don't want these people returning to the streets anyway."

New Portsmouth's Attorney General, Welma Sidley, has yet to speak her opinion on the matter. Mr. Grubly's lawsuit has been filed in the Superior Court in Boroughton.

Davidson Endorses Blankenship, O'Neil In Veroche Senate Races

CNS lieutenant governor backs conservative candidates over moderates

TWIN LAKES, VER--Veroche Lieutenant Governor Brad Davidson made two key endorsements Saturday in Veroche's senate primary races.

Davidson endorsed the two most conservative candidates running for Veroche's two contestable senate seats. First, he announced his support for incumbent Evelynn Blankenship, who is facing a primary challenge from former Lake City Mayor Richard Scholinger. Blankenship is popular among the party base for her fiery opposition to the economic stimulus and corporate bail-out plan, while Scholinger is a celebrated moderate in the party.

The lieutenant governor then threw his support to conservative activist Talley O'Neil, who is challenging incumbent Niles Gilcrest in Veroche's other senate race. O'Neil, who is the wife of Rep. Rich O'Neil, is extremely popular among the party faithful, while Gilcrest has been chided for voting with the Nationalists on issues ranging from the war in Afghanistan and national security to the environment and the economic recovery plan.

Speaking to a group of reporters in Twin Lakes, Davidson said that as a former secretary of national security, he believed Blankenship and O'Neil were the best-suited candidates to help protect Grassadella.

"Senator Blankenship has proven herself to be a fierce defender of our country's national security," Davidson said. "Likewise, Talley O'Neil has also pledged to support our country's security. Their commitment to national security is one of many reasons I am endorsing both of them for Veroche's two respective senate seats."

Blankenship and O'Neil were both on-hand for Davidson's endorsement. Senator Blankenship said she was "delighted" to have Davidson's backing, while O'Neil said she was "honored to have [Davidson's] support."

"Lieutenant Governor Davidson is a bold leader who is not afraid to speak the truth, and that's why I admire him so much, and that's why we're going to win this election, so we can partner with Brad and help secure our country's future," O'Neil said to supporters' applause.

Davidson's endorsements are proof of the growing divide between the right-wing and moderate members of Veroche's Conservative party. Prominent Conservative office-holders are already taking sides in the primary battles. In July, former gubernatorial candidate Steve Leona gave his support to Senator Niles Gilcrest, while Reps. John and Linda Bosworth announced their support for Blankenship and O'Neil.

Some Conservatives, such as Todd Argouth, who ran unsuccessfully for governor against Linda Van Auhn (NAT), are vowing to remain neutral during the primary race.

Nationalists are savoring the increasingly heated primary battle between the Conservative candidates. Party leaders believe a contentious primary on the CNS side will benefit their two candidates, David Acade, who's running for Blankenship's seat, and Neal Neeley, who is seeking the seat currently held by Gilcrest.

Independent polls have shown the NAT with momentum in Veroche, going into the 2010 election. But no polls specifically matching the CNS and NAT candidates has been conducted yet.

Innocent Spectators Were "In My Way," Parade Gunman Tells Judge

Man accused of parade shooting spree says ex-wife was main target

BLEKNEY, KLN--The man accused of opening fire at a community parade last month essentially admitted guilt Thursday, telling the presiding judge that while his ex-wife was his primary target and motive for the shooting, innocent spectators were in the wrong place and that wrong time.

Michael Dressey, 39, was making his third appearance in Sheppard County Superior Court when he was asked by Judge William A. Orenson how he would plea. Dressey responded by giving an off-the-cuff statement, saying his main target was his ex-wife, who was watching the parade in the crowd of spectators. However, the nine other innocent spectators he shot during the attack were "in my way," Dressey told the court.

On September 18, Dressey allegedly opened fire at a parade in the small town of Dunsman, about 100 miles southwest of Lamberth. During the attack, he shot his ex-wife, along with nine other parade spectators. He then fled the scene and was found an hour later hiding in a nearby garage, which he reportedly burglarized.

One victim died at the scene. Two others were medevaced to the hospital but died hours later. Three more victims later succumbed to their injuries in the following days, bringing the death toll to six. Three others, including the suspect's ex-wife, were injured but have been released from the hospital.

Because Kalnier's state constitution prohibits capital punishment, Dressey cannot receive the death penalty if convicted.

Dressey's trial is scheduled to begin November 3.

King To Appear On Duhame's Midnight Madness Comedy Program

Embattled governor to break silence in appearance on late-night comedy show

TREETON, MON--Embattled Monomi Governor Scott King (NAT), who has been embroiled in a corruption and prostitution scandal, will finally speak publicly about the scandal that threatens to topple his career.

The STAR network has confirmed that King is scheduled to appear on late-night comedian Carter Duhame's Midnight Madness television show on Monday, October 12.

The show, which is filmed in and broadcasted from Treeton, has been trying for weeks to get King to appear on the program. But the governor declined, citing an investigation by state Attorney General Ed Casey. Mr. Casey has since completed his investigation, concluding there was not enough evidence to indict the governor. Federal investigators also came to the same conclusion back in June.

During the height of the scandal, which has died down some but is still active, Mr. King declined to speak publicly about the allegations against him. The governor personally defended himself only once, back in August, at a press conference in the state capitol building. That occasion aside, King's lawyers have handled his public statements and media communication.

Midnight Madness producers are declining to reveal what questions host Duhame will ask King. But a spokeswoman for the show and it's parent network STAR confirmed the governor will address the scandal that has engulfed him in recent months.

While the governor may be in the clear regarding prosecution, he is still facing the possibility of impeachment and a recall effort, which has been certified by Monomi's secretary of state, Sharon Dimaggio, to move forward. The recall election date has been set for March 7, 2010, as mandated by state law, which requires an election to be held six months after certification of the ballot measure. However, that date could change if King successfully appeals Dimaggio's decision to certify the signatures of Monomi voters that were collected to prompt a recall election.

Fellow Conservatives Reluctant To Associate With Sherber

Scandal-ridden senator struggling to rally support from CNS colleagues

BROOKINGS, BIE--After admitting in June to an extra-marital affair with a senate aide, freshman Senator Driscoll Sherber's approval ratings plummetted, while Conservative party leaders publicly rebuked his behavior. But now, over three months later, Mr. Sherber is still struggling to gain support from his Conservative colleagues.

Sherber, who is up for re-election in 2010 after winning a close victory over Democratic-Reformist Julie Grendhau in last December's special election, has been trying for weeks to schedule fundraising events and campaign rallies with Biereland's prominent Conservatives. But so far, all have declined, according to the Greene Mountain Press.

The GMP reports Sherber's campaign first approached fellow CNS Senator Jhana Schueler, who is the most revered Conservative politician in Biereland. Ms. Schueler, who is a popular figure in Biereland politics, declined the invitation from the Sherber campaign, as did Senator Brad Bearns and Governor Jenny Duschowitz, all of whom campaigned heavily for Sherber during the final days of his 2008 election.

So far, only a handful of Conservative state legislators have agreed to endorse Sherber and appear with him at campaign rallies. The newspaper reports that privately, state CNS leaders want a stronger, scandal-free candidate to run against the embattled in a primary election. However, the party has had difficulties recruiting top-tier candidates, according to the article.

Sherber's office had no comment on the matter Tuesday, when asked by GNN and other media outlets. The Biereland Conservative Party also declined to comment.

Pottomeaux Announces Senate Bid

Former Brookings mayor will take on incumbent Kreighorn in primary


BROOKINGS, BIE--Nationalist Steve Pottomeaux is running for the senate, he announced Monday at a press conference in Brookings.

Pottomeaux's announcement means the former Brookings mayor will take on incumbent NAT Senator Michael Kreighorn in the July primary election. A moderate Nationalist, Kreighorn was elected last December in a special election, where he narrowly defeated Traditionalist candidate and Christian activist Sharon Anderson.

Since being elected to the senate, Kreighorn has tried to cast himself as a moderate, conservative-leaning Nationalist, often voting with the CNS on issues such as abortion and the military. But his middle-of-the-road voting record has disenchanted liberal Nationalists, who want a more reliable NAT vote representing Biereland.

"That's why I'm running...because we need someone who can represent all of Biereland and someone who does not let politics determine their vote," Pottomeaux said at his announcement press conference.

Pottomeaux is no stranger to state-wide politics. After serving as mayor of the state's largest city for two terms, he ran unsuccessfully for governor, losing by a small margin to then-lieutenant governor Jenny Duschowitz (CNS).

But Pottomeaux may have a better chance of winning this time. Though more liberal than most Bierelanders, the former mayor has strong name recognition across the state. Combined with Kreighorn's dismal popularity and the Conservative party's failure to recruit a top-notch candidate for the race, Pottomeaux's chances seem much brighter than they did in 2008.

Still, Mr. Pottomeaux knows that many Nationalists, particularly in rural areas, approve of Kreighorn's performance and support his moderate positions.

"I'm not taking any chances. Senator Kreighorn is a strong opponent and he has a large following. And for the next several months, my job's going to be to get out my message and get out my plan to the people of Biereland so they can decide who will best represent them in the senate."

The Conservative party has yet to recruit a top-tier candidate. So far, only former Senator Bob Kozzy, who lost his re-election bid in 2008 to NAT Steve Kolotano, has announced his candidacy. Last week, Darcy Marceau, a state representative who had been pondering entering the race, decided not to run. And in August, businessman Dick Klondis, whose family owns the Klondis Beer Company, announced he would not run.

Kreighorn's office has not commented on Pottomeaux's entry into the race. Senator Steve Kolotano, who is the leader of the NAT's senate campaign strategy for 2010, also declined a request for an interview.