Menuhaeo Welcomes Australia's First Female Prime Minister To World Stage

President hails 'historic achievement'


MAVOCKE--President Brenton Menuhaeo has congratulated Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, on her "historic achievement."

Collester released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying, "President Menuhaeo wishes to congratulate Julia Gillard on her historic achievement as Australia's first female prime minister, and wishes her success in governing one of the world's greatest democracies."

The statement went on to say, "President Menuhaeo is confident Prime Minister Gillard will continue to govern in a way that strengthens the special relationship between Australia and Grassadellia, and brings our two nations closer."

Collester Press Secretary Adam Kolbert said the President phoned Ms. Gillard Thursday morning to wish her congratulations. Collester also spoke of the former Prime Minister, saying "Kevin Rudd led Australia with strong personal conviction and a sense of service to his fellow Australians. President Menuhaeo thanks him for his service and wishes him the best of luck in this new chapter of his career."

Gillard ousted her former boss, Kevin Rudd, in a somewhat bloodless coup, after challenging him for the Australian Labour Party's leadership position and thus the prime ministership. Rudd, knowing he lacked support, decided to not oppose Gillard in a party leadership vote, and instead let his former deputy run unopposed.

In an emotional final speech before the media, Rudd listed his achievements, which included economic strength admist the global recession, work on infrastructure, eliminating the controversial "Work Choices" program, education, healthcare and a reconciliation and apology to the "stolen generations" of indigenous Australians.

"I was elected by the Australian people as prime minister of this country to bring back a fair go for all Australians and I have given my absolute best to do that, I've given it my absolute all," Rudd said in his final address.

Mr. Rudd was in power for just two and a half years, after his triumphant victory of former Prime Minister John Howard ended almost 12 years of the center-right Liberal Party's hold on power. His fall from office is the first time a first term prime minister has been removed from office.

Following Rudd's last speech, his successor, Gillard, made her first appearance in the House of Representatives, with Rudd sitting on the backbench in silence.

Gillard acknowledged her party's crisis of leadership, saying, "I accept that the government has lost track. We will get back on track. I have taken control for precisely that purpose."

Among her immediate priorities are opening up negotiations with the country's mining industry, which had been alienated by Rudd over new proposed restrictions and taxes. Gillard also said she will focus on energy and the economy.

The new prime minister will also be charged with declaring the country's next general election, which will happen "in coming months," though she did not specify exactly when.  Polls show the opposition Liberal Party and National Party coalition with the edge.

DeSalle Wins, Carr Holds On

Establishment candidates win gubernatorial primary, lose senate battle


LAMBERTH, KALNIER--Nationalist voters in Kalnier delivered a mixed result Tuesday night, sending an establishment-backed candidate on to the general election in the gubernatorial race, while rejecting the establishment candidate in the Senate race.

State Senator Karen DeSalle (N-Vitarick) held a small lead most of the night, until late returns from the Lamberth area came in and helped put her over the top to defeat former Governor Al McHugh of Lockwood. Mr. McHugh proved strong in northern and western Kalnier, while Ms. DeSalle performed well in the southern part of the state, and in the heavily NAT Lamberth area.

Having more money and more party support, the more liberal DeSalle was favored to win, but recent polls showed the race closer than originally expected.

At her victory celebration in west Lamberth, Ms. DeSalle thanked her supporters and vowed to defeat incumbent Conservative Governor Joe Gramma, who is seeking his second but first full term.

"Now we're going to charge Marble Hill and take our message of change to the very halls of the capitol," DeSalle said, referencing the capitol in Appenbaum, which is nick-named "Marble Hill" for the many buildings made with marble when constructed in the 1800s.

McHugh was expectedly less joyful, and acknowledged he was "disappointed" but also urged unity.

"We may not have gotten the result tonight that we wanted, but we all want a Nationalist governor in Appenbaum next year," he said. "Now is not the time for division but a time for unity."

Three hours to the west, endangered incumbent Senator Mark Carr was in Gatesburg, anxiously awaiting the results of the Senate primary, which pitted him against retired veteran and state Senator Robert Frost of Brookleigh. Carr's lack of accomplishment in the Senate made many party leaders unenthused about supporting his re-election, and many felt the more moderate and experienced Frost would have a better chance of winning against Conservative Rep. Samuel Tracy in the general election.

In the end, however, Frost's support from national party leaders was not enough to push him past Carr, who has had mediocre approval ratings in recent months. With 95 per cent of precincts reporting, Carr led Frost 52% to 47%. That was enough for the state senator to concede.

"I'd like to thank Senator Carr and congratulate him, and pledge our support to him this fall," Frost said at his campaign celebration in Donnsville.

Carr thanked Frost for his support but cautioned his supporters to be prepared for a tough general election.

"I'd like to thank Senator Frost for his pledge of support," Carr said. "I'd also like to thank the voters for really delivering tonight. It's going to be just as tough, if not tougher, in December. So we need everyone to get in election mode so we can win," a smiling Carr said to cheering supporters.

There were no major primary races on the Conservative side, as incumbent Governor Joe Gramma and incumbent Senator Shannon McCann are running for re-election, and Tracy is running unopposed for the Senate.

Senator Carr Fights For Political Life

Incumbent senator facing tough primary challenge from fellow Nationalist


BELLOCK, KALNIER--The 2010 election is expected to be a tough year for the Conservative Party, but some Nationalist members of Congress are having a difficult time navigating through tough primaries this year, as voters are not only expressing an anti-CNS sentiment, but also an anti-incumbent sentiment.

Chief among the "endangered Nationalists," as the media has dubbed them, is Kalnier Senator Mark Carr, who has struggled with low approval ratings since he first won office in a special election two years ago.

Though he's voted with his party on most major issues, Carr has maintained a much lower profile than Kalnier's other senators, and has been called by the Lamberth Regent newspaper "one of the most ineffective members of the Senate."

But the main reason for Carr's lack of likeability is his lack of visibility, says political scientist Dr. Tod Zucker, of McGrath University in Tawson, Kalnier.

"Mark Carr is never visible. He's never on TV, he's never in the newspaper. You don't hear a lot about him. And that's part of the reason he's not very popular, because no one knows who he is or what he's doing in Mavocke," Zucker said. "My guess is that the majority of Kalnierans don't know who he is."

And Carr's absence from the public sphere is primarily why national party leaders recruited a candidate to run against him in the NAT primary, which will be held tomorrow.

Korean War veteran, author, and state Senator Robert Frost (N-Brookleigh) initially declined to challenge Carr in the primary, but was persuaded after national party leaders made a visit to his central Kalnier home.

"Mark Carr is a nice man, but I look at what he's done and what he hasn't done, and it just doesn't add up," Frost says. "The people of Kalnier want someone who will accurately represent who they are and what they believe. And I don't believe Senator Carr is doing a good enough job of representing Kalnier."

Carr's campaign responded by pointing out the senator's work on legislation, including a bill, which has not yet been voted on, that would place more restrictrictions on child predators and pedophiles. Carr also highlighted his work on a bill that would provide a high-speed rail link from the northern Grassadellia-East Woodward border to the southern Grassadellia-Tundra border.

"Whether it's the economy, transportation, the environment, or protecting our children from criminals, Mark Carr has asked the people of Kalnier what is important to them, and he has listened," Seth Weatherbee, Carr's deputy campaign chief told the GBC.

While Carr may be unpopular in many circles of the state NAT party, Mr. Frost, who shares his name with the famed American poet Robert Frost, lacks the finances Carr has secured for his re-election bid. Frost also has a sizeable age gap in his support, with recent polls showing his support surging among older voters and senior citizens, but plummeting among younger and middle-aged voters.

Despite his money advantage, Senator Carr is considered highly vulnerable, and could be defeated by the much-more-senior Frost, who is some 25 years older than Carr. Frost appears to have the party establishment behind him, but the primary election will determine the nominee, not the choice of national party leaders. And with a high-profile primary in the race for governor between former Governor Al McHugh and state Senator Karen DeSalle, it's unclear which candidate will have the advantage.

A pre-election poll showed Carr receiving most of his support from western Kalnier and in the northern mountains region, including the city of Kirschner, while Frost appears to have most of his support concentrated in the south and central portions of the state. Both candidates are about even in the Lamberth area, which will be crucial to the final vote tally.

If Carr loses, he will be the first incumbent senator of the 2010 election cycle to lose his party's endorsement in what is shaping up to be a difficult election for both political parties.

McHugh, DeSalle Make Final Push In Last Debate

NAT gubernatorial candidates make differences clear


LANSFIELD DOWNS, KALNIER--With just three days to go until next Tuesday's primary election in Kalnier, the two Nationalist candidates for governor tried to establish themselves as the best candidate in the final debate for the primary.

The debate was held at Winslow University in Lansfield Downs, about 20 miles southwest of Lamberth, and was sponsored by the Kalnier League of Small Businesses. The debate mostly focused on economic issues, and both former Governor Al McHugh (N-Lockwood) and state Senator Karen DeSalle (N-Vitarick) tried to outline their respective agendas.

"The first and foremost challenge the next governor will face is the economy," the 67-year-old McHugh, who served as governor from 1986-1994, said. "We have to get businesses growing again, and people back in their homes, and workers back on the payroll. That will be my number one priority."

DeSalle also mentioned job growth and the housing crisis as chief concerns, but said the budget deficit is also a top priority.

"I agree with you Al, that we will have to get Kalnier working again. But we are going to have to make some difficult decisions and make some painful choices. We have a budget deficit that is ballooning and this recession may very well not ease up for a while, so we are going to have to go through the budget line by line and see where we can cut, responsibly, spending, and see where we may need to increase taxes."

McHugh blasted the idea of raising taxes.

"When I was governor in 1992, we had a $300 million deficit. And I was able to bring Nationalists and Conservatives, and all others in between, together to fix the hole in the budget. How did we do it? By looking at the budget and making common sense decisions. We did it all without raising taxes."

The two were also asked so-called "rapid fire" questions, only giving a "yes" or "no" answer. Both agreed on almost every issue, except for taxes and economic stimulation.

The debate marks the beginning of the final push before Tuesday's primary, where Ms. DeSalle has the decisive advantage. Having declared her candidacy back in August 2009, DeSalle gained the backing of national party leaders and has an overwhelming financial edge over McHugh, who entered the race late at the prompting of conservative Nationalists.

Still, despite her advantage, DeSalle is not breathing easy in what has turned into a closer-than-expected primary battle.

"We are taking nothing for granted and we will not stop or slow down until election night at eight o'clock," a smiling DeSalle told reporters following the debate.

McHugh appeared equally committed to the campaign, telling a local newspaper reporter that the race is "far from finalized."

"This election is not about Al McHugh or Karen DeSalle or anybody else. It's about the people of Kalnier and who they trust to be their next governor. And we will find out who they choose Tuesday night," McHugh said.

Both McHugh and DeSalle have a seemingly sizeable advantage over Conservative incumbent Joe Gramma (pronounced "Graw-mah"), who has mediocre approval ratings and is facing rising unpopularity due to Kalnier's ailing economy. Adding to Gramma's troubles, his lieutenant governor, Jennifer Knowles, decided not to seek re-election, and instead stepped down to resume her law practice in Appenbaum. Gramma nominated advisor Paul Crisp to be his next lieutenant, although the state Senate has yet to confirm Mr. Crisp.

Kalnier is a "ticket state," meaning candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run on the same ticket or team and are co-elected. Under state law, however, candidates do not have to pick their running mates until after the primary election.

If confirmed, Crisp will run side-by-side with Governor Gramma in the general election. Ms. DeSalle has hinted she will pick former state Senator Paul Myrick (N-East Gale Shore) to be her running mate, though her campaign would not comment on potential candidates for the position. McHugh is rumored to be considering state Representative Sheila DePonzier (N-Krislen Beach), but his campaign also refused to address the speculation.

Flights Grounded At Dube International Airport

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DUBE CITY, ARMANA--All flights have been grounded at Dube International Airport in southern Armana after a bomb threat was phoned into airline officials.

A spokesman for the German airline Lufthansa told the NPF a threat was phoned into airline officials at the airport. The spokesman would not give any details as to the threat or possible targets.

An airport spokeswoman told the GBC later that all flights have been temporarily grounded at the airport until the airport's bomb squad and emergency response team (ERT) assess the situation.

"All flights arriving and departing Dube International Airport have been temporarily suspended as a result of a bomb threat," spokeswoman Sheila Stivers said.

Stivers assured the media that all passengers and staff inside the airport are safe.

"The airport staff is committed to keeping all passengers and staff completely safe, and no one is in immediate danger at this time," she said.

Flights are being detoured to Maine City and Mavocke, according to the National Aviation Authority (NAA).

Flights should resume in about three hours, airport officials estimate.

Neighbor Accuses Candidate Of Being 'Closet Scientologist'

Candidate's campaign calls accusations 'outlandish'


ALDRIDGE, CAROVA--An unusual accusation has been made against Conservative lieutenant governor candidate Dave Emser: he is a "closet scientologist."

Scott Chansett, who lives next door to Emser in Aldridge, the small town where Emser formally served as mayor and later as a state legislator, says the 61-year-old Emser is a practicing member of the Church of Scientology, although he is "not going public with it," Chansett told the NPF.

"He is a scientologist, but only in secret, not publicly," Chansett said.

Mr. Chansett said he first discovered Emser was secretly practicing scientology when he broke into Emser's garage and found "scientology-related literature and items."

"There was just way too many books and items in there pertaining to scientology for someone not to be practicing it," Chansett said.

Court documents show Chansett was charged with third degree residential burglary after that case, and has a few other criminal acts on his record from the past.

A spokesman for Emser told the Carova Statesman newspaper that allegations Dave Emser is a scientologist are "absolutely without merit and completely untrue."

"Dave Emser is not and never has been a scientologist. He has always been a devout member of the Christian faith," spokesman Jordan Olds told the Statesman. "These allegations are completely false and outlandish. Mr. Chansett's bizarre behavior and sordid criminal record prove that his accusations have no standing whatsoever."

Critics of Mr. Chansett point out there is no Scientology church in Aldridge, much less the entire state of Carova, and that Emser has been a member of the local St. Paul Presbyterian Church for 16 years.

Mr. Emser himself declined to comment on the issue Wednesday, but is expected to speak about the subject soon.

The Statesman uncovered court documents that show Emser and his wife Charlene are currently in a court battle with Chansett and his wife, Marla, over a property dispute. Court records also show the Emsers sued the Chansetts in the past for noise violations and following Mr. Chansett's burglary and trespassing conviction. Chansett says he broke into the garage to turn off an alarm that was going off for no apparent reason.

"That time I burglarized their garage, that was not true," Chansett told the Statesman. "I went in there because  there was a security alarm going off for no reason and it was loud and annoying and disrupting my work."

An attorney for the Emsers declined to comment on Chansett's chequered history with his clients.

Dave Emser is running for lieutenant governor with Federal Senator Sam Byelle, who is running for governor. On Wednesday, Byelle had no comment on the matter but hinted Mr. Emser will confront the allegations in person later this week.

Eisinger To Take On Owen-Wilson

Southeast Remmington eye doctor to challenge state's senior senator


DRY SPRINGS, REMMINGTON--Senator James Owen-Wilson (NAT) will not have a free pass this election season.

Dr. Mark Eisinger, an opthamologist from southeast Remmington, announced Friday his candidacy for the Conservative nomination. He is the only announced candidate so far for the Conservatives.

In a campaign kick-off event in Dry Springs, Eisinger told supporters he is running because "there is a lack of vision and responsibility in Mavocke," and "Remmington deserves better than the status quo."

In an interview with the STAR News Channel, Eisinger said James Owen-Wilson, who is in his fourth term in the Senate and is seeking a fifth term, is part of the reason Mavocke is so dysfunctional.

"James Owen-Wilson is part of the problem, not the solution," Eisinger said. "We need a reformer, not someone who has been entrenched in office and is kicking back with his feet on the table."

Owen-Wilson's office fired back Friday, calling Eisinger a "typical two-faced Conservative" and rebutted his attacks by high-lighting his accomplishments while in Congress.

"Unlike Mark Eisinger, James Owen-Wilson has a clear record of standing up for Remmington families and bringing valuable funding to Remmington," spokesman David Stevens said in a statement.

The Remmington Conservative Party eagerly endorsed Eisinger, who eased their concerns when he announced his candidacy. The state party reportedly had virtually no willing candidates to take on the relatively safe incumbent.

"Dr. Eisinger is a great man with a great vision for Mavocke and for Remmington," state party chairman Don Todds said in a statement. "This December, voters will have two very distinct choices: James Owen-Wilson, an enabler of the liberal, anti-Grassadellian agenda being pushed through by the current Nationalist leaders in Congress, or Mark Eisinger, a proven conservative, champion of small business and the family."

While Owen-Wilson has the money advantage, the anti-incumbent mood sweeping the nation, especially in deeply conservative Remmington, may work against him. Remmington's primary election will be held July 14. Owen-Wilson has no NAT opponents thus far.

Almone Publicly Neutral, Privately Backing Dennings In POG Senate Race

POG governor officially not endorsing any candidates in CNS primary


LANSDALE--Despite publicly declaring she would stay neutral in the Conservative Senate primary, POG Governor Donna Almone is privately backing Congresswoman Julie Dennings (C-Westmont), sources close to the governor say.

Dennings is the only woman running in the crowded Conservative field, which, at one time had seven candidates. Yesterday, however, Assembly Majority Leader Mark Rolen (C-Tay Hills) dropped out of the race, following Rep. Tanner Zannie (C-Black Forest), who threw his support to close friend Rep. Reuben Stykes (C-Wyneok) after he dropped out. Rolen did not endorse any of his fellow candidates.

Dennings, who was elected to the Assembly last year in a special election, is considered a rising star in the CNS Party, but her campaign has struggled to gain traction in a state that is generally friendly to Conservative women. Although pundits speculated her late entry into the race would likely clear the field, Dennings has only won a handful of counties in the delegate race, and has never been in first place. She has remained in the top three throughout the race, however, and currently stands in second place with 396 delegates, behind Rep. Bobby Hafen Jr. (C-Elridge), who has 413 delegates. Congressman Stykes is in third with 394, after getting out to an early lead at the beginning of the race.

Still, despite her less-than-impressive showing so far in the delegate race, sources close to Donna Almone say the governor is "fully behind" Dennings, and is privately advising her.

"The two have talked on the phone regularly, discussing the race and where to campaign and what to campaign on," said one aide to the governor, who asked not to be identified.

A spokesman for Almone reiterated Thursday that "Governor Almone is committed to staying neutral in this race," and will not endorse until the primary season is over.

"Governor Almone believes all five Conservative candidates running for the Senate are good, strong conservatives," spokesman Jared Holtzclaw told the NPF.

Another source from the Dennings campaign, who also asked to remain anonymous, told the GBC that Dennings has already asked Almone for a post-primary endorsement, and has requested the relatively popular governor campaign for her, should she win the CNS nomination.

Julie Dennings' campaign did not respond to questions from GNN regarding the matter.

Monomi's Transfer of Power Relatively Smooth

Smooth transition as recalled governor exits, lieutenant takes over

TREETON--The transition of power at Monomi's Governor's Mansion has been surprisingly smooth and uneventful, according to sources within the governor's office.

In April, embattled Governor Scott King Jr. (NAT) was narrowly recalled by the people Monomi. That meant King's lieutenant governor, Erica Kinsley--whom he was co-elected with--would be next in line to take over the governorship. Kinsley was opposed by many people, however, who viewed her overt support for King's removal from office as proof she was trying to advance her own political career and move up to the governorship.

Just two weeks ago, the results of the extremely close recall election were certified by Monomi Secretary of State Sharon Dimaggio (CNS). According to the certified results, 60.04% voted to recall King, compared to 39.96% who voted against the recall measure. In Monomi, a super-majority of 60% is needed to recall a public official, meaning King fell to the recall effort by only 0.04%, or 1,700 votes out of more than 4.2 million cast, making King the first governor in modern Grassadellian history to be recalled. The last time a governor of a state was recalled was 1906.

Rather than challenge the unusually close election results, King accepted the results and acknowledged he had lost the trust of the people.

"The people of Monomi have spoken, and while legally, it may come down to a few hundred or thousand votes, the clear majority has made their voice heard, and I accept their decision," King said almost two weeks after the election, when the results became clear.

King's removal from office raised questions about his lieutenant governor, Erica Kinsley, who actively campaigned for his removal. Many voters question Kinsley's motives, and believe she betrayed her boss only to advance her own political career and agenda.

Kinsley denies her actions during the recall effort were motivated by a hunger for power or by a longing for the governorship.

"If I had my way, Scott King would still be governor, I would still be lieutenant governor, and there would never have been any scandal," Kinsley told the Treeton Sun newspaper. "But things happened. A scandal came and brought into question the integrity of our governor and his ability to govern. And that's why I spoke up when I did."

Monomians still remain unimpressed by Kinsley. A recent Insiders poll shows only 37% of Monomians approve of Kinsley's job performance, and only 31% say she is a likeable person.

Despite Kinsley's overt campaign against her former boss, in the final months of the recall effort, she remained largely silent, refusing to appear at pro-recall rallies as she did in the initial stages of the recall campaign. For months, King and Kinsley had tense relations, often hardly speaking to each other, though the two appeared to have improved their icy relationship in the final weeks of the recall effort.

That tense relationship concerned many, who feared it would lead to a messy transition of power following the recall election. However, sources for both King and Kinsley say the transition has been relatively smooth and uneventful. The two leaders even met privately in the governor's Executive Office for almost an hour, sources tell GNN News.

According to Kinsley's office, the new governor will be keeping some of King's old staff, however, most staff members from Scott King's tenure will be replaced. Many are leaving voluntarily, according to sources.

Governor Kinsley's next step will be appointing a lieutenant governor, who will have to be confirmed by the Monomi State Senate. Sources say she will likely appoint State Representative Neil Avery (N-Emory Gardens). The young state representative, who is in his second term, will become the youngest lieutenant governor in Monomi's history, if approved by the Senate.

Kinsley has not formally announced her re-election bid, although most believe an announcement is imminent.

Poll: McCaren More Popular Than Predecessor

Foreign Affairs Secretary is most visible member of president's administration


MAVOCKE--While President Brenton Menuhaeo's approval numbers have dipped in recent months, Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren remains deeply popular among the Grassadellian people.

According to a new Countrywide poll, 68% of Grassadellians approve of McCaren's job performance, compared to only 54% approval for McCaren's predecessor, former Secretary Richard Lanman, who served under President Dan Byelle.

McCaren was also found to be the most visible member of President Menuhaeo's cabinet, with 43% of respondents being able to identify him. Treasury Secretary Jay Goodling was next, with 36%, followed by Environmental Affairs Secretary Steven McIntosh (28%), Defense Secretary Jack Hastings Jr. (24%), and National Security Secretary Michelle Gates at 20 per cent.

It should be noted that Lanman served as Secretary for almost six years, and McCaren is not even two years into the job. Richard Lanman also had high approval ratings at the same point in his tenure, although his approval ratings were not as high and did not remain as long. Lanman took the brunt of Grassadellia's involvement in the Iraq War, and became a symbol of the relationship between former US President George W. Bush and Dan Byelle.

Since leaving the position after the 2008 election, Mr. Lanman has retired to his home in downstate Damoign. His children remain very active in politics however. His youngest son, Jared, was appointed to the Senate from Remmington, after disgraced former senator Dave Helgin resigned. Lanman's daughter, Beth Lanman-Trau, is the lieutenant governor of POG, and is married to POG Senator Dick Trau.

McCaren has a long resume in politics as well, having served as an ambassador, and later as a state senator, secretary of state, and briefly as governor of Damoign, following the death of Whit Meiyer.

In 2008, McCaren ran for a full term as governor, but lost in a three-way race between himself, Grassadellia City Mayor Sid Hoffa (CNS), and Democratic-Reformist Isaac Hjelms. McCaren was then nominated by President Menuhaeo to serve as Foreign Affairs Secretary, a position he was confirmed for easily.

Since assuming office, Mr. McCaren has focused on relations with North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and has also led the Grassadellian response in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Later this month, the secretary will be traveling to Iceland to address the island nation's economic crisis.