Lindselli would vote for Donald Trump

BIRCH HOLLOW, East Deschire -- He's been assailed for his racist, sexist and xenophobic comments, but outspoken billionaire US presidential candidate Donald Trump has one high profile supporter in Grassadellia.

Former East Deschire senator Nancy Lindselli (C) told a local radio station in Derosa that she would vote for Mr. Trump, the leading Republican candidate.

"Absolutely I would vote for him. Absolutely," she said eagerly when asked by host Chris Hennenberg of Talk109. "Trump is the only candidate in the race who is unafraid of the political class. He rebels against the party leaders of both parties and they can't stand it. But the voters want someone who will speak the truth and not speak with political correctness. He's bold, he's brave and he can't be stopped and that has Democrats and Republicans running scared."

Asked if she was troubled by Mr. Trump's controversial comments regarding Mexicans, Muslims and African-Americans, Lindselli gave an emphatic "no."

"He's not a bigot. He's not racist. The media is twisting his words and there are some people out there who just want to be a victim and find a victim. They choose to be offended. They find offense in everything. People need to grow up, the media need to get a life, and we need to stop being a society that is offended constantly," said Lindselli.

Mrs. Lindselli is no stranger herself to controversy. She's made controversial remarks about immigrants, people on welfare, liberals and feminists.

A hardline conservative figure, even after losing a bitter re-election campaign, she remains a revered, high profile king maker in the Conservative party and the conversative movement.

And like Mr. Trump with the leaders of the US's center-right Republican Party, Mrs. Lindselli too has rankled Conservative party leadership, most notably in 2014, when, against the wishes of top CNS party elders, she challenged fellow Conservative senator Denna Halitz in a heated primary.

Lindselli rebuffed claims that Mr. Trump's inflammatory behavior on the campaign trail is inciting violence and racial tensions.

"The great ones always are controversial. The leaders in history who made the biggest difference were always the ones who caused the most upheaval. We need to turn the government upside down in this country and that's what Donald Trump is doing in the States."

Most Grassadellian politicians have expressed dismay at Mr. Trump's vociferous campaign.

President Menuhaeo called him an "arrogant egomaniac."

Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) called him an "ignorant, racist buffoon."

Even Conservative POG Gov. Donna Almone, a leading presidential candidate on the CNS side, admitted she was "concerned" by the rise of Mr. Trump in US politics.

"It's not my pace to get involved in US domestic affairs, but I think there are some people out there who have hijacked the conservative cause and intertwined it with racism and xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment. And I think that's not only wrong but it doesn't represent the greater conservative movement. The majority of conservatives do not hold these views that Mr. Trump espouses," said Almone in an interview with the GBC.

Several NAT lawmakers have called for the government to ban Mr. Trump from visiting Grassadellia. A formal request has been made to the National Security Department but it must be approved by a judicial review before a ban could go into effect.

NAT leaders worry as Ansleigha governor's candidate list grows

NAT leaders beginning to worry about front runner's viability

KOEURN, Ans. -- Saying his work in Mavocke is not done, Assemblyman Lane Kearster (pronounced "Ker-ster") dealt a blow to his own party three weeks ago when he announced he would not run against first-term Ansleiga Gov. Dale Lindstrom (C) in the 2016 election.

Kearster's announcement threw cold water on the hopes of many party leaders, who viewed the assemblyman and former mayor of Koeurn - the state's largest city - as the most viable candidate to challenge Lindstrom.

"I came to Mavocke on a mission," Kearster said. "To obtain health care for all Ansleighans, to obtain better education for our children, to protect our environment, to foster equality and fairness for our citizens. That mission is not done. I have more work to do, and while I'm flattered to be considered a candidate for governor, I will not be a contender in 2016."

He will instead run for re-election to the Assembly, where he represents the NAT-leaning seat of Gowlinson, which encompasses much of the Koeurn region.

Kearster's decision leaves Nationalists with no well-known candidates, but a long list of lesser-known hopefuls.

The front-runner in the race so far, albeit narrowly, appears to be lawyer Mark Haller pronounced ("How-ler") who represents southeast Koeurn in the state senate.

Haller was the first to declare his candidacy and is an ideologically acceptable candidate in the eyes of the party leadership. But his fundraising has been mediocre and many Nationalists worry his (at times) aloof, less-than-charismatic personality will be a liability if and when he goes up against Dale Lindstrom, who is much more comfortable in front of the camera and interacting with voters.

Haller has raised about $1 million, far trailing the $3.5 million Lindstrom has in the bank.

Privately, many NAT leaders are fretting that Haller may not be a strong enough candidate to defeat Lindstrom in the fall.

"There is concern among some that [Haller] doesn't have what it takes," one NAT source, who did not want to be named, told GNN.

Haller supporters say the nervousness from party elders is needless.

"Mark Haller will be the nominee," said a determined state Sen. Andrew Kasinell (N-Cordeyon), who  was an early supporter.

But as Haller struggles to stay atop in the race, several other candidates are clamoring to take the front-runner mantle.

Churchtown Mayor Paul Biddington (pronounced "Bide-ing-ton") announced his candidacy last week. A strong liberal, Biddington is a good friend of Haller's and had been reluctant to criticize him. But Biddington argues he is more tenacious and stronger head-to-head with Lindstrom.

Jon Erickson, a 36-year-old state representative and Iraq War veteran from Charlottesville, is also running. With a decidedly more moderate voting record, Erickson plays well with younger voters but has struggled to gain traction with liberals.

Two new candidates emerged last week.

Russ Hawley, CEO of AgriTech, an agricultural technology company in Ambrose County, announced his entry into the race. Hawley is a centrist and his folksy demeanor has played well on the campaign trail.

Koeurn City Councillor Paris Westerman also launched his campaign. He begins the race at a clear disadvantage, lacking the name recognition and funding many of his opponents have. But his progressive views and wonkish, professorsorial personality appeal to the left wing of the party and young people.

Also running are Gilliam businessman Bill Seiffert and wealthy mining magnate Rosamond Burkes, who is well-known for her past anti-war activism and ardent defense of abortion.

Burkes has been criticized by some Nationalists, however, for her more conservative views on taxes, climate change and labor.

Regardless of who wins the NAT nomination, picking off Dale Lindstrom in the general election will be difficult. The incumbent remains popular and has not made any serious gaffes or mistakes since taking office in 2011.

It didn't hurt that Lindstrom served as chair of the Conservative Governors Association (CGA), thus giving him connections with prominent donors.

Endorsements have been few and far between, but Haller has received the most, as the party slowly coalesces around him.