Almone Lambastes Gabler For Partisanship, 'Condescension'

Former governor general criticizes successor for 'cranked up partisanship'

LANSDALE--Former Governor General and current POG Gov. Donna Almone, a Conservative, told GBC newsman Gene Caughley she's disappointed with her successor's performance.

"I think the position has become more partisan than ever, with the politicization of the position leading to a sort of cranked up partisanship that puts party and self-interest first rather than the honor of the job and the good of the people," Almone told Caughley. "And I think that's unfortunate, because the governor general position is one that is supposed to be about problem-solving and reaching across political parties to come up with bipartisan decisions, and I don't see that happening now and I think that's very unfortunate."

Ceona Gov. Christine Gabler, a Nationalist who became governor general when the NAT won a majority of governors' seats in 2010, scoffed at her predecessor's criticisms.

"I don't know where she's getting her information but it's just plain wrong. I have never used this position to advance my own agenda or to help my party above the Grassadellian people's interests," Gabler told the Mavocke Capitol on Tuesday.

Almone specifically addressed Gabler's many fundraisers for NAT candidates, and her recent refusal to disclose information to Conservative governors about the president's economic agenda.

"Clearly this is a governor general who is very focused on her party's goals and on her party's agenda. And every governor is, to an extent. But the position of governor general is really meant to be beyond partisanship. It's meant to be a bridge-building, problem-solving position. And having clear, definite partisan motivations takes away from that part of the job, I think," Almone said.

Nationalists pointed out that Almone made numerous campaign appearances while she was governor general, from 2008-2010.

"Donna Almone's criticism of Christine Gabler is so blatantly hypocritical, it's laughable," spokesman Chris Anderson of the Nationalist Governors' Association (NATGA) told STAR News. "When she was governor general, she campaigned for Conservative candidates right and left. There is no difference between what Christine Gabler's doing now and what Donna Almone did then."

Almone responded by saying Thursday that she simultaneously served as governor general and head of the Conservative Governors' Association (CGA), the latter of which permitted her to appear at fundraising events.

"The difference is that I was heading both positions at the same time. Christine Gabler is not serving as head of NATGA. She asked Lynn DeMont to continue to serve in that position. So she really has no reason to be campaigning for gubernatorial candidates. But really, Gene, it's about more than just campaigning. It's really the tone. The tone that we're seeing from this governor general is so incredibly partisan. There is an attitude of exceptionalism, there is a condescension toward and a lack of respect for Conservative colleagues, and I think that's really a disservice to the governors in this country, to the constituents, and also to the governor general herself," Almone said.

"When I was governor general, I worked very hard to not favor one party or the other. I worked very hard to ensure that the position was largely neutral, and that my own personal and political feelings didn't creep in to what I was doing. I tried to put the country first and the position first rather than Donna Almone first," she said.

A spokeswoman for Christine Gabler's office did not return comment.

Trau: Libya Mission 'Very Important'

POG senator tells Menuhaeo to 'keep his word'

MAVOCKE--Grassadellia's mission in Libya is "very important," POG Sen. Dick Trau told the conservative National Defense Council (NDC).

"Moammar Gadhafi is losing overwhelmingly, and the rebels are on the verge of taking over a frazzled and uncertain Libya," Trau told the NDC. "The stakes are high in Libya, and Grassadellia must keep its commitment to the Libyan people to help financially and militarily in any way we can."

Trau also met with President Brenton Menuhaeo earlier this week to underscore his position to the president.

"I spoke with Brenton Menuhaeo a few days ago, and I told him how very important the situation is over in Libya, and I asked him to keep his word on this issue, to the Grassadellian people and to the Libyan people."

Trau's comments come on the same day British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy both arrived in Libya, the first foreign leaders to visit the war-torn country.

The Menuhaeo administration has already made clear they will support the Libyan rebels in the fight against the ousted dictator Gadhafi.

"We want to reiterate our support for the Libyan people--we stand with you, and we do not foresee, nor do we desire, just like the people of Libya, a future government that involves Mr. Gadhafi or members of his former regime," Deputy Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett said at a press conference yesterday.

Trau said he and other like-minded members of Congress will "keep up the pressure" on the president to maintain Grassadellia's role in the conflict "until the job is done."

"Grassadellians do not make a commitment and then run away from it. And I hope this president and his Nationalist colleagues in the bodies will understand that and support that," Trau said.

Gymbal Glad To Be Back In Assembly, Misses Governorship

Former Lial governor reflects on political career, says Senate is too 'uppity'

MAVOCKE--Former Lial Gov. Gavin Gymbal is "happy" to be back in the National Assembly, where he served for years. But he also misses his most recent job, the governorship.

"It's great to be back here in Mavocke with my colleagues and to try to address some of the issues that are facing this country at a national level," Gymbal told the Monvaille Star Journal. "But being governor was probably one of the greatest opportunities of my life, and one of the funnest jobs I've ever done. I do miss it, without a doubt."

Gymbal served just one term as governor. He decided not to seek re-election in 2010, but instead ran for his old Assembly seat, Mansill, in southwestern Lial, which he held prior to winning the governorship in 2006. He's the first governor since the 1800's to return to the Assembly after serving in a governorship.

Why did he not run for re-election?

"I really missed working in Mavocke collectively with members from all over the country. I loved being governor, and I do miss it. But I also missed the Assembly, and I hated the nasty partisanship that paralyzes Clothen. It's bad in Mavocke too, of course. But in Clothen, the Nationalist machine is so strong, so much stronger than the Nationalist Party as a whole throughout the country. So I don't miss that part of it," Gymbal said.

He also reflected on his legislative career, and what issues he's focusing on. Prior to 2006, Gymbal championed fiscal and defense issues.

"I'm still going to work on those things, but I'm also going to focus on the environment and particularly on education and civil liberties. When I served as governor, I learned so much about the environment and even more about the education system that is failing in this country. I tried very hard to improve the education system in Lial to help every child succeed and I want to help do that at the national level. And in terms of civil liberties, I think we're seeing a very quick and decisive erosion of them thanks, in large part, to the federal government. And I think someone needs to stand up and take a stand and say, 'enough is enough.'"

When asked why he ran for the National Assembly instead of the more prestigious Senate, Gymbal told the Star Journal that the Senate is too "uppity."

"The Senate, and I mean this with no disrespect to my colleagues in the upper house...but the Senate has a very uppity feel to it. There's a sort of arrogance, I think, to the Senate. And it is the upper house, of course. But the members are elected by the people just like the members of the Assembly. And the atmosphere is just so far from reality in the Senate. I would much rather work in the more down-to-earth Assembly any day. I think members of the Assembly are more in tune with what their constituents want. And I'm a very normal, down-to-earth person. I didn't run for office so I could become an elite and a power-thirsting politician. I ran for office so I could make a difference and be a loud-sounding voice for the common man."

Finally, the Star Journal asked Gymbal about his younger brother Luke, who is a freshman senator from Ansleigha, but recently lost in the Senate reduction lottery as the Senate is reducing the number of members from five per state to four.

"I think Luke is a bright guy and an excellent public servant. He did a great job of representing Ansleigha in the Assembly and then last year he was elected to the Senate in a very close race, but I think he's done a great job in the Senate. And I'm very proud of him. I know he's disappointed he lost in the lottery, and I am too because I think he's a great, effective voice for his state and for the conservative mission. But I'm confident that he will be back, whether it's in 2012 or 2014 or whenever. I think he will be back. I know he's not done serving his state, though in what capacity, I'm not sure."

Luke Gymbal is rumored to be considering a 2012 run against fellow Ansleigha Senator Jan Vanderhoogen, though his office has not confirmed if he will run.

Grassadellians Mark 9/11 Anniversary

President, dignitaries attend somber ceremony

MAVOCKE--Grassadellians came together Sunday to mark the tenth anniversary of the US September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania.

About people 13,000 turned out at Mavocke's Capitol Square for a remembrance ceremony at the foot of the Fountain of Enduring Hope.

During his speech, which headlined the event, President Brenton Menuhaeo recalled "that day of horror in September 2001," and noted that 38 Grassadellians lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"The world watched in horror and disbelief at what was unfolding in New York, and we here at home in Grassadellia were just beginning to count the damaging toll our own country would face, as well as that which our American friends would face," Menuhaeo said.

"But the September 11 terrorist attacks did not leave us living in fear, but rather led us to live in victory. The attacks did not dampen our desire for freedom and liberty, but only strengthened it. The gruesome killings of thousands of innocent people shattered our innocence, but did not destroy our spirits. Today, we grieve the loss of those we loved and those from other countries we did not know. But we stand victorious, we stand stronger than we were. We stand more resolved than ever before to see a free and open and accepting society emerge amid the best efforts of those who do not share our view of personal liberty and human dignity."

Former President Dan Byelle recalled the day of the attacks. Less than a year into his presidency, he was in Carova speaking at an education seminar when news of the attack broke.

"My heart sank and my mind tried to grasp the magnitude of what had happened," Byelle said. "My focus then shifted to protecting this country, making sure that the awful, cowardly acts of violence that were happening in the states would not happen here in Grassadellia."

"This was a tragedy that would come to define the United States of America forever, and one that would shake our security in this country and around the world," Byelle continued. "But, as we know, hope conquers fear. Love triumphs over hatred. Peace defeats bloodshed. Liberty overcomes oppression."

First Lady Carolla Menuhaeo led a children's choir and a candle lighting ceremony. Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren acknowledged the "ugliness of 9/11," but spoke of the resolve of the American people and the special friendship between Grassadellia and the US.

"I can say without uncertainty that the special relationship between our two great countries accounted for an expedition of the healing process and for an outpouring of support from Grassadellia to Americans and from Americans to Grassadellians," McCaren said. "Our two countries were brutally and ruthlessly attacked on that day, but we stood united and we stood determined to defeat the enemy that opposes freedom and exalts violence, and we continue to stand together."

Other speakers at the event included the American Ambassador to Grassadellia, Dave Oken, actor and peace activist Scott Kenard and former GNN newsman Fred Johnson, who holds dual US and Grassadellian citizenship. Singers Bali Durman and Lad Beckerstan sang, as well as a reading from poet Lucinda James Vernon. The band Angels of Dawn also performed.

Similar events were held in Grassadellia City, Lansdale, Treeton, Lanakis, Monvaille, and other cities across the nation.

Grassadellia's Ambassador to the US, James Alexander, was in New York for the memorial service at Ground Zero, where he unveiled a statue in honor of the Grassadellian victims.

A memorial to the Grassadellian victims opened back in 2007 in Mavocke, just south of where the memorial service was held. Mourners made a procession to the memorial, about three blocks away.

Rodgers Outraises Conservative Opponent 4-1

NAT gubernatorial candidate has overwhelming cash advantage

BLOMENBURY, Roddenclanshire--Welchford Mayor and NAT gubernatorial candidate Mona Rodgers is well-set for campaign cash in the state's special gubernatorial election.

Rodgers, who is highly favored to win the special election, reported raising $1.7 million from May to September. Her Conservative opponent, state Sen. Jim Curry of Brimedaw, raised just $342,000 in that same period.

Rodgers' campaign has spent about $820,000 since she entered the race back in January. Curry's campaign has spent about $480,000, and has about $167,000 cash-on-hand.

The Conservative Governors' Association (CGA) has put little effort into the special election, which the Nationalists are almost certain to win. Curry has acknowledged an "uphill battle" to victory, but has nevertheless kept up a steady fundraising campaign.

Rodgers has also hit the fundraising circuit, holding events with prominent Nationalists in the state. NAT governors from various states are also expected to campaign for her later on in the campaign.