Abortion-rights groups target Rob Mercheck in Damoign governor's race

Rival factions of NAT battle for nomination

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- He's the leading candidate to be Damoign's next governor, but Nationalist Rob Mercheck is finding himself not only in the crosshairs of Conservatives, but also fellow Nationalists.

Liberal groups have begun a major assault campaign on the centrist Nationalist, who is Damoign's secretary of state.

The abortion-rights group Choices has reserved $2.7 million worth of television advertising across Damoign, while the National Alliance for Reproductive Rights (NARR) has reserved $1.3 million in TV and radio advertising in the Grassadellia City media market, the nation's largest market.

The groups are hitting Mercheck for what they describe as his tepid support of abortion rights.

He has a complicated history with abortion.

While personally opposed to abortion due to his strong Lutheran faith, Mr. Mercheck says government should not tell women what to do with their bodies.

As a state representative, he voted with liberals on abortion issues, and received a 92% rating from Emily's List, a liberal abortion-rights group.

And as Secretary of State, he required polling locations to have brochures and a directory of abortion clinics available for voters to take after casting their ballot.

So what's the problem? Seems abortion-rights groups don't think Mr. Mercheck has been outspoken enough in support of abortion.

"He's pro-choice supposedly, but he never talks about it on the campaign trail, he never mentions it on his website, he never discusses it in any way. It's a minor issue to him, said Abigail Francis, state director of the Damoign NARR office.

Mercheck's top opponent in the primary election - Attorney General Jenna Duvan, a young, attractive and accomplished politician and strong feminist - has brought the issue up multiple times.

"I fully, 100 percent support a woman's right to choose," said Duvan (pronounced "Du-vonn") in a recent interview on Air 9 Radio.

"I think it's the most fundamental of rights and a woman's health should never be in danger because of restrictions on abortion, a woman should never have the government dictating when she can and cannot receive health care, a woman should never be denied birth control, a woman should never feel guilty for exercising their right to choose what they do with their body," said Ms. Duvan.

She frequently brings up the issue on the campaign trail.

"Rod Penora fought to protect a woman's right to choose. And we all know how Mercer Diego feels about abortion. He believes a woman should never be able to decide for themselves what to do with their body," she said in a town hall meeting in Fairside last week, speaking of Conservative gubernatorial candidate Mercer Diego.

"We need a governor who can follow in the footsteps of Rod Penora and make a sure a woman's health care decisions are never taken away from her or restricted in any way because of political reasons," said Duvan.

That kind of talk has earned praise from women's rights groups.

"We know Jenna Duvan wants to protect the basic health care rights of Damoign's women," said Addy Fischer, senior director of Choices Damoign.

"We know she's going to stand up for women, and not just because she's a woman also but because as attorney general she has fought legislation that infringes upon the right to choose."

Indeed, Duvan has sued companies and organizations who allegedly violated a woman's right to choose.

As attorney general, she has taken pharmacies to court for refusing to sell Plan B birth control due to religious objections. And she sued insurance companies for refusing to cover birth control under their coverage plans.

She has received a 99% rating from Emily's List, according to the same metric used to grade Mr. Mercheck.

In response, Mr. Mercheck spoke out in an interview Sunday on the TV breakfast program "Howard Goodman in the Morning."

"I'm pro-choice. I've always been pro-choice and will always continue to be," said Mercheck. "But I'm also a person of faith, and because of that, it is something that I am not personally comfortable with. But I have never tried to limit a woman's ability to obtain an abortion, I don't believe it's the government's business what a woman does with her body, and I don't believe the government should be dictating to people what they can and cannot do with their bodies. No matter what my personal feelings are, the question is, should the government be involved? And the answer is 'no.'"

Abortion is one of many issues where the moderate Mercheck and ultra-liberal Duvan disagree.

Recently, they've butted heads over immigration, with Mercheck calling for more background screening and saying he would accept a limited number of refugees from Syria and the Middle East, while Duvan called for an increase in the amount of refugees.

The two have also diverged on taxes. Mr. Mercheck has said he is hesitant to raise taxes at a time of economic recovery, while Duvan has called for a string of tax increases.

"This election is really a match up of the liberal wing of the NAT, represented by Jenna Duvan, versus the moderate, business-friendly wing, represented by Rob Mercheck," said Dr. John Little, a professor of Damoign Politics at Pennycreek College in Sexton.

It's early on in the race, but Mercheck is narrowly leading Duvan. Lost in the wake of the two front-runners are the lesser-known NAT candidates, Lt. Gov. Jeff Zeme, businessman John Brumley, Assemblyman Mark Ryutt, former Lt. Gov. David Armasson and Assemblyman Bill Blair.

Damoign is one of two states that elects all statewide offices in a series of sequential, smaller elections at the county level rather than one statewide primary election. Whichever candidate wins the most delegates will go on to face the CNS candidate and minor party candidates in the December election.
 

Senator: I'm 'scared as hell' of Donald Trump becoming US President

First Middle Eastern senator says Trump is a xenophobe

MAVOCKE – Grassadellian politicians appear to be split on the prospect of controversial US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump winning America’s top job. Some welcome his candidacy, others have been pointed in their criticism. But how does Grassadellia’s highest-ranking Middle Eastern politician feel about Mr. Trump?

 

“I’m scared as hell,” said Nadan Saralo, (N-Wellington), current Assistant Senate Majority Leader, the second-highest-ranking Nationalist in the Senate.

 

“I’m disturbed by the comments he’s made about minorities, about women. He appears to be a very self-serving individual who cares only about his own personal gain instead of caring for others. He’s a public relations nightmare for America, and I hope the American people reject him and vote Hillary,” said the Wellington senator.

 

Saralo – a who was born in Jordan and emigrated to Grassadellia as a teenager – cited Trump’s propensity for vulgarity and racially-tinged remarks as his main cause for concern.

 

“We’ve never seen in modern times, in US elections or Grassadellian elections, a candidate who so overtly uses race and class, pitting groups against each other and perpetuating hate,” said Saralo. “As a minority, that makes me very nervous, when I hear him talk about banning Muslims and deporting people who are different from the traditional white American stereotype. It’s very frightening.”

 

Saralo said he was “appalled” that some Grassadellian politicians have openly embraced Mr. Trump’s candidacy.

 

“It’s sickening, really. To see Conservative politicians endorsing him and saying things like they wish he was running for president in Grassadellia, they hope his ideals reach our shores. We should be ashamed that we have leaders in this country who are embracing his rhetoric and his platform.”

 

Mr. Saralo applauded President Brenton Menuhaeo and US President Barack Obama for swiftly coming out against Mr. Trump, but said more leaders need to do the same.

 

“I understand the concern by some world leaders, they’re worried about influencing elections in another country and stepping on toes, diplomatically-speaking. But we need to denounce racism and xenophobia and Islamophobia whenever we see it. And right now, we are seeing it potentially standing on the welcome mat to the White House,” said Saralo.

 

The Senate’s other Middle Easterner – Israeli-born Henry Mickeravi (N-Lial) – echoed Saralo’s remarks.

 

“Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, international stability and more specifically a threat to Muslims, people of Middle Eastern descent, and minorities in general,” said Mickeravi.

 

Saralo and Mickeravi’s comments come as Conservative Grassadellian politicians have recently endorsed Mr. Trump.

 

New Portsmouth Senator Nadine Pietrasaelis said Thursday at a campaign rally she would vote for Trump “in a heartbeat” over Hillary Clinton, the centre-left candidate from the Democratic Party. And Remmington Governor Jen Stevens (C) voiced support for Mr. Trump in an interview with the STAR Network recently.

 

Pietrasaelis went so far as to suggest Mr. Trump come visit her in Grassadellia.

 

“We’re trying to get Donald to come over here to visit. We could use his brutally honest style in this country. We’ve got a bunch of delicate daisies here, we need someone to come and toughen us up,” said Pietrasaelis, referring to Grassadellians.

 

Jean Larae Dowd, the assemblywoman for Bethany in central New Portsmouth, and the Nationalist candidate who is running against Pietrasaelis in the December general election, is already hitting at Pietrasaelis over her Trump-crush.

 

“The fact that any Grassadellian politician would embrace Donald Trump is just astounding, much less the way Nadine Pietrasaelis has wholeheartedly, unreservedly endorsed him. It really draws into question her judgment as a politician and as a person,” said Dowd.

 

Nationalists are hoping to capitalize on Mr. Trump's candidacy, hoping to tie Conservative Grassadellian candidates to the abrasive businessman.

 

Meanwhile, Conservative party leaders have quietly instructed their caucus to avoid mentioning Mr. Trump on the campaign trail, in news media appearances or on social media.

 

"Don't even go there. Just demur and say you're focused on Grassadellian politics and it's not appropriate for you to inject yourself into the American election," said a memo written by top party strategist Devin Calnones, according to the political gossip website The Grind.

 

GNN could not confirm the authenticity of the memo presented by The Grind.

Rosamond Burkes' Black Lives Matter comments draw ire

Controversial candidate calls protesters 'thugs;' says violent protesters need to be neutralized

DANAECKE, Ansleigha -- Comments from a high-profile candidate for governor in Ansleigha are drawing strong condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum.

Rosamond Burkes, the wealthy, eccentric and controversial mining magnate who is running for governor of Ansleigha, made her stunning remarks at a debate in the eastern Ansleigha city of Danaecke last night.

The seven candidates were asked by host John Rocklan, a correspondent with the Metropolitan News, about the Black Lives Matter movement, which has sprung up in the United States following several shootings of black men by white police officers.

Burkes was asked if she agreed with the Black Lives Matter movement.

"Yes I do agree partially. I'm all for combatting racism and opposing police brutality. There are some terrible cops out there and we need to weed them out. But I don't agree with throwing rocks and bottles and Molotov cocktails at cops. That's not protesting that's rioting, and it has no place in Grassadellia and no place in Ansleigha," said Ms. Burkes.

When asked what should happen to protesters who oppose police with force, Burkes responded by saying they should be shot in certain circumstances.

With the audience aghast and amid a growing roar, Burkes sought to clarify her answer.

"Let me speak," she insisted, while gently banging her clenched fist against the podium in a gavel-like manner.

"People - I don't care who they are, protesters or not - people who throw dangerous objects at a police officer, objects that could endanger the life or safety of a police officer; people that use deadly force or potentially deadly force against a member of law enforcement should be neutralized, either by being tackled or tasered, shot with a beanbag, whatever. Non-lethal force should be used whenever possible. But in some unfortunate cases where no other alternatives are available, deadly force is acceptable. I think that's justified and constitutional and appropriate protocol," Burkes said.

She continued, "Look, people have the right to protest. That's a right I will protect vehemently as governor. But you don't have a right to attack police. A lot of these people who are apart of this protest movement in America and here in Grassadellia are not legitimate protesters. They may have legitimate grievances but some of them are nothing more than violent thugs who are hell-bent on hurting police officers. And I will not stand for that. I will not stand for violence against our police."

Her most inflammatory remarks came next, however.

"A lot of these people protesting the cops are thugs. They're wanna-be gangsters. They walk around with their pants falling off their butt, they don't own a belt, a lot of them are high on God-knows-what drug and a lot of them are on welfare when they should get off their ass and go get a job. These people are losers. They're users, they're parasites of the government, and they need to clean up their act and provide for their families and give up the drugs and the guns and be productive, contributing members of society," said Burkes.

Many audience members booed her answer. One unidentified woman yelled "shame on you" to Burkes, who did not shy away from her comments.

She also vowed to require welfare recipients to pass a drug test before collecting benefits.

Her opponents on stage seemed almost dumbfounded by her audacious comments.

"I strongly, strongly disagree with what you just said, Rosamond," said Paul Biddington, the fiercely-liberal mayor of Churchtown. "You are assigning an unfair stereotype to African-Grassadellians and African-Americans."

Mark Haller, the tenuous front-runner in the race, said Burkes is entitled to her opinion but her tone and verbiage are "beyond offensive."

Paris Westerman, the progressive city councilor from Koeurn, said it would be hard to unite people and be a governor for all Ansleighans by saying what Burkes said.

"The governor of Ansleigha has to be a leader that can unite people and bring people together and be a governor for all Ansleighans of all ethnicities and backgrounds," said Westerman. "Dale Lindstrom is not that kind of governor, and I'm afraid Ms. Burkes would not be that kind of governor based on comments like that."

Businessman Russ Hawley, who has been leading some polls in the NAT race, said he was "troubled" by Burkes' comments, while Bill Seiffert called her words "poorly chosen."

Outside observers were quick to condemn Ms. Burkes' remarks.

"I can't think of a more ignorant thing to say in front of a television camera and a live audience," said Terrell Jackson, executive secretary of the African-Grassadellian Advocacy Organization (AGAO), the country's largest such group.

Tom Keller, chairman of the Ansleigha Nationalist Party, told the National Press Federation (NPF) that Burkes' comments were "unacceptable."

"It's simply unacceptable for a candidate for the Nationalist Party gubernatorial nomination to say something as offensive and insensitive as that," said Keller.

Keller's counterpart at the Ansleigha Conservative Party also criticized Ms. Burkes.

"What she said was incredibly ill-thought and inappropriate," said Tom Morales. "And coming from the so-called 'party of diversity,' the 'party that defends the interests of minorities,' it's especially stunning."

Burkes' campaign manager, Ian Gregg, attempted to clarify his boss' position.

"Rosamond is known for her candor and bluntness," Mr. Gregg told a local reporter from Danaecke's Channel 9 News. "She was by no means expressing support for police brutality or racism toward African-Grassadellians. Rosamond is and has always been strongly opposed to racism and police brutality. I think the point she was trying to make is that some protesters are using the banner of racial equality as an excuse to justify violence against police."

"Police brutality toward minorities is wrong, but so is violence against police. It's never okay to target law enforcement with violence."

Gregg went on to say he believed Burkes was implying that violent protesters should channel their violent tendencies and passion into positive avenues, such as work and family.

"Taking you anger out by throwing rocks and bottles at police is not a positive release of your emotions. Instead, why don't you take that passion and that righteous anger and channel it into an honorable career and family and community. I think that's what Rosamond was trying to say tonight. She worded it in her own unique way but I think that's the message she was trying to get across," said Gregg.

The Lindstrom campaign declined to comment on the controversy. A spokeswoman for Dale Lindstrom's campaign referred reporters to the Burkes campaign.

"You'd have to ask Rosamond Burkes about her comments, she's the one that said them," said Lindstrom spokeswoman Theresa Gammon.