Magiscanti prevails in Harvannah Senate primary

Former senator, a moderate, defeats socially-conservative opponent

HARLYNE, Harvannah -- Conservative party leadership is breathing a sigh of relief today after their preferred Senate candidate prevailed in the state's primary election, routing a more socially and fiscally conservative opponent.

Eric Danzinger, 36, had been gaining momentum in the final week of the campaign. But the young, handsome Air Force veteran and married father of three young children was unsuccessful in his bid to bar the establishment's choice candidate, former Senator Andre "Bourret" Magiscanti.

A final vote count released by Secretary of State Jennifer Giorchani's office showed Magiscanti earning 56.64% and Danzinger receiving 43.36%, or 79,536 votes to 60,894 votes, respectively.

Mr. Danzinger, who lives in northern Saoca County and is currently enlisted in the Air Force reserves after fifteen years with the military, was once thought of as a nominal opponent with little chance of winning the party's nomination.

A first-time office-seeker with no name recognition and a small campaign war chest, Danzinger was brushed aside by Magiscanti's campaign as disregardable.

But it was that same dismissive attitude in the Magiscanti camp that led to Mr. Danzinger's sudden rise in the polls.

Magiscanti - a known moderate with socially liberal positions - had succumbed to entitlement, Mr. Danzinger argued.

When Mr. Magicanti declined to debate him, Mr. Danzinger called the snub "arrogant."

"He thinks the nomination is automatically his because he's a former senator. He thinks he doesn't have to debate me because I'm not in the same league, I'm not quite in the same tier. I'm just some nobody going up against a big-name former senator. But I'm here to tell you folks, the nomination is earned. You don't automatically get it because you were some big-name guy. You don't automatically get it because the party big wigs like you. You get the nomination because you earned it and the voters choose you," Mr. Danzinger said at a May 27 campaign rally in Flag Harbor.

Hal Swenson, a Conservative member of the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council (WHMC) from Bourneham County, said Magiscanti's refusal to debate Mr. Danzinger was unfair to Conservative voters.

"The voters should have the chance to hear all the candidates, to see where they differ in their policies and positions, and Mr. Magiscanti has robbed the voters of that," Swenson said.

The Magiscanti campaign responded by saying the senator's schedule was too full to accommodate a debate.

Mr. Magiscanti himself tried to downplay the debate issue, chocking it up to a scheduling conflict.

"I have no problem debating other Conservative candidates or anybody else for that matter. The voters of Harvannah know me, they know my positions, they know where I stand on the issues, so this notion that I avoided a debate because I was scared I'd lose is nonsensical," Magiscanti said.

In the end, Magiscanti's refusal to debate Mr. Danzinger didn't significantly hurt him at the polls. Voters interviewed at exit polls wanted a strong, well-known candidate who can defeat NAT incumbent Glenn Rosen.

At his election night celebration at the Nevington Boardwalk, Mr. Magiscanti appeared triumphant, telling the excited crowd "this is the first step on the road back to Mavocke."

"We sent a message to Mavocke tonight, a warning shot across the bow, if you will," Magiscanti said. "We are tired of the status quo. We are tired of the way John Morandi and the Nationalists are running the Senate. We're tired of the economic stagnation that's been happening under this administration for the past almost eight years. We are tired of politicians putting their own selfish interest first before the good of the people they have been sworn to serve," he said to applause.

Mr. Magiscanti was joined by his wife Ann, who serves on the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council (WHMC).

Mrs. Magiscanti represents District 9, which encompasses Nevington and the eastern outskirts of Harlyne, where the couple reside.

In the coming weeks, Mr. Magiscanti plans to cross the state on a "listening tour," where he will hold town hall meetings and hear concerns from citizens.

Early polling in the race shows both Bourret Magiscanti and Glenn Rosen locked in a dead-even race.

Quanson signs massive transportation bill with little funding for public transport

Most money will go to fund road projects

STARKSMIN, Well. -- A record $10 billion has been approved by Wellington lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Wade Quanson.

But the massive transport funding package is not without criticism.

State Nationalists and alternative transport advocates are decrying the lack of funding for public transport.

Most of the $10 billion -- about $6.9 billion -- will go to funding new roads, maintaining existing roadways and repairing bridges.

Only about $2.4 billion will go to public transport projects, including $393 million for new lines on the Starksmin light rail system and $272 million for light rail in Lunden Plains.

Critics say more money should be spent on alternative or "green" transportation.

"The bulk of this money is going to roads to support car-based transportation. We should be investing more in green transport, so that we can have cleaner air in Wellington, we can protect our wilderness and stop urban sprawl," Gail Curran, Director of the Wellington Environmental Protection Council (WEPC), told the Starksmin Frontiersman newspaper.

Nationalist state Sen. Ken Laramie said the funding bill does not reflect the environmental values of Wellingtonians.

"Wellingtonians care about the environment. They care about clean air and clean water. They care about protecting our forests and grasslands and wetlands, our lakes and rivers. The people of Wellington want safe, green transport that encourages ride-sharing, car-less travel and discourages gas guzzling vehicles and more and more asphalt," Laramie said.

But Mr. Quanson, a first-term Conservative governor, said Wellington's economy depends on road transport.

"Roads are the lifeblood of our economy in this state. We need roads to transport produce, timber, machinery. We can't invest all of our money in experimental so-called 'green' forms of transport when these transport projects typically are more expensive and over-budget and don't attract much interest."

Quanson points to the Starksmin light rail system, which, despite $500 million in new funding for new lines has produced few riders

"I'm not opposed to funding mass-transit or rail or bus, but we need to invest in projects that are going to be heavily utilized. Our roads are heavily utilized. Our trains aren't. Our buses are moderately utilized. We need to throw the funding at what's most utilized, so that the economy of our state can keep moving," said Quanson.

Nationalists in the state legislature are drafting a bill that would require future transportation spending bills to include an equal amount of funding for public transport as road construction.

Menuhaeo says Brexit decision will have 'severe repercussions' for UK

Grassadellian leaders react to UK's vote to leave European Union

MAVOCKE -- A day after voters in the United Kingdom voted to withdraw Great Britain from the European Union, world leaders took in the scope of the decision amid a shaky reaction in the world's leading stock markets.

President Brenton Menuhaeo told the Collester press corps Friday morning the financial panic that swept across global markets was "exactly the kind of response I feared would happen" if Britons voted for the "Brexit," an abbreviation for "British exit."

The Brexit was approved narrowly, with 52% of Britons voting to leave and 48% voting to remain.

The decision will have "severe repercussions in the near future and lasting effects in the long-term," Mr. Menuhaeo said.

"I'm no economist, but you don't have to be one to know that any time you have a massive political shift such as this one, which affects trade deals and taxation, you have to know it's going to cause a major disruption to commerce and financial stability," said Mr. Menuhaeo.

Stock exchanges in London, New York, Tokyo and Grassadellia City saw major losses Friday, as investor confidence has been shaken amid the uncertainty of how the UK's exit from the 28-member nation alliance will proceed.

Finance Secretary Jay Goodling said Grassadellia will feel the impacts of the Brexit vote.

"In our globalized society, the economy is like a giant pond. And when something substantial like the Brexit vote happens, it's like throwing a large stone in that pond. The stone might have been thrown in on the opposite side of the pond but the ripples and waves from that stone still travel across to all parts of the shore," Goodling said.

Most Grassadellian politicians reacted with a cautious calm.

"This will definitely impact our economy here in Grassadellia, but it's too early to say it's a 'Doomsday' moment. The sky isn't falling yet," Trinton Sen. Tim Blakewell (N), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, told the STAR Network.

Dana Glow (C), who serves as the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, said it's important not to panic.

"It happened. Yes they voted for it and the Brexit will take place. But the worst thing world leaders could do right now, CEOs and finance people could do right now, is panic and go in to hysteria mode. That will only worsen the situation," Glow told Reuters.

Grassadellian presidential candidates opined on the Brits' vote. Monomi Gov. John Densy (C) said he would have voted 'no' had he been able to, while POG Gov. Donna Almone (C) came under fire for not saying if she would vote for it.

"She's riding the fence (on Brexit) just like she does on most issues," Densy said of Almone, the leading CNS candidate. "I like Donna but sometimes I wish she'd pick a side and come down on one side of the line in the sand instead of having one foot on each side of the line."

On the NAT side, Damoign Gov. Rod Penora described the Brexit vote as "the dumbest thing (the UK) has done since Iraq," referring to the UK's joining forces with the United States during the Iraq War.

Jim McCaren, the former Foreign Affairs Secretary and current front runner NAT candidate, said he disagreed with the outcome of the vote but respected the will of the British voters.

"I don't agree w/ the outcome but I respect British voters' decision," McCaren tweeted.

He later said that while every country has the right to sovereignty and self-determination, a united Europe would be strongest.

"I recognize the frustrations of the British people. I understand the anger at the establishment and the political elites. But this decision divides Europe, which ultimately will weaken Europe economically, militarily, it will hurt national security and only add to the migration crisis," McCaren said.

Some Grass politicians were in support, however.

"The EU is nothing more than a collective of socialist, sovereignty-stealing states. The UK was right to secede from this terrible alliance," Conservative New Portsmouth Sen. Nadine Pietrasaelis wrote on her Facebook page.

Assembly Majority Leader Brandon O'Malley (C-Damoign) hailed the vote.

"The British are taking back their country. Now they can make their own laws without having to capitulate to the EU's ridiculous liberal policies. Each country should be able to make its own laws. The British took back their sovereignty, and now they can begin to repair the damage done by the EU and it's ill-conceived agenda," O'Malley said in a written statement.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Dawnelle Hunter-Garrett said Grassadellia will work closely with both Great Britain and the EU member countries.

"We strongly value our longstanding friendship with the United Kingdom and also our EU allies. We will work with both sides to help ensure a smooth transition and bring about stability," she said.

Kerry Paul to run for Monomi senate seat

Lieutenant governor and former Teedra mayor to run for Senate

TEEDRA, Monomi -- Conservative party elders got their wish this weekend. Lieutenant governor and former Teedra Mayor Kerry Paul will run for Senate in the fall election, challenging NAT incumbent Brad Fiodora, who is seeking a second term.

Paul is the preferred candidate of the party establishment, and she brings name recognition and connections with wealthy donors.

But for all her assets, Ms. Paul has some vulnerabilities. She's much more moderate than other lesser-known candidates in the race, and that could open the door to a challenge from a more far-right opponent.

Even before she confirmed her candidacy, the right-wing Grassadellian Conservative Union (GCU) was pre-emptively striking her with criticisms.

"Kerry Paul is another run-of-the-mill 'moderate' Conservative who will only half-heartedly stand up for conservative values. We need a real conservative, with demonstrated conservative values, to stand up for Monomi in Mavocke," the GCU's Deputy Director of Campaign Solutions Brent Alman said in a press release.

The GCU and other ultra-conservative groups are pushing a more conservative candidate such as Assemblyman Pete Doonan of Teedra or Assemblywoman Shannon Tribe of Trieton to run.

But Doonan has ran unsuccessfully twice for the Senate, and Tribe has not indicated any interest in running.

The best hope for far-right conservatives is Assemblywoman Sharon Osmorda of Devanough. A fierce Conservative, Ms. Osmorda, the former mayor of Devanough, is known across the country for her centre-right views and her devotion to causes she holds dear, such as fighting terrorism, advocating for farmers and lower taxes.

Ms. Osmorda has not expressed interest in running for the Senate, but she declined to rule it out in an interview Monday morning at the capitol in Mavocke.

"Right now, I'm just focused on serving the people of Devanough," Ms. Osmorda said.

Ms. Osmorda could prove to be a formidable opponent, should she enter the race.

As an icon in the national conservative movement, and a well-known face among far-right voters, she would have access to a large fundraising base.

Supporters of Ms. Paul say the former Teedra mayor has a better chance of winning in a general election.

"Sharon Osmorda is very extremely conservative. She can't win over independents and moderate Nationalists. Kerry Paul can do that. She has a proven record of reaching out and receiving support from the other side," said Joel Gosch, a friend of Ms. Paul.

Officially, Kerry Paul has not announced her candidacy yet, but sources close to the lieutenant governor say he has already informed her boss, Gov. John Densy, and other political allies of her decision.

An announcement is expected this week.

Alyssa Jones won't say if she'll endorse Roman Chatskovy

Former senator says she admires CNS candidate, but won't say if she'll endorse

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- Roman Chatskovy is "gifted," "talented," and "a common sense leader," says former Senator Alyssa Jones. But despite all the glowing compliments she lavished on him, Jones won't say if she'll endorse the Conservative senate candidate.

In an appearance on the STAR network, Jones was asked by host Joel Gussin if she would endorse Chatskovy, who is challenging incumbent Senator Shay Robertson (NAT).

Jones quickly side-stepped the question, saying she admires Chatskovy's leadership in the National Assembly and his hard work for the people of Libney, the suburban electorate Mr. Chatskovy represents, which lies southwest of Grassadellia City.

"I don't think he would want my endorsement anyway," Jones said, when pressed. "I lost my last election, so an endorsement from me would be somewhat of a negative thing for him," Jones said.

Political commentators were quick to point out that unlike the deeply conservative Jones, who is a devout Evangelical Christian, Mr. Chatskovy is pro-choice and much more socially moderate than many voters in the Conservative party.

A spokeswoman for the former senator said Mrs. Jones - who is married to prominent mega-church pastor Darren Jones - is "strongly pro-life" and "votes and makes political decisions with her conscience and her heart."

The Chatskovy campaign did not respond to request for comment.

Mr. Chatskovy is running for the senate seat currently held by Shay Robertson, the former senate minority leader.

Damoign is a heavily liberal state; the Nationalist party swept elections in Damoign in 2012. But moderate, fiscally conservative but socially liberal Conservatives have done well in the state.

Most prominent among Damoign's CNS community is former governor and Grassadellia City Mayor Sid Hoffa, who is running for president.

Damoign has been fertile ground for more conservative candidates as well. Jones won her Senate seat in 2008, and Mercer Diego - also a deeply conservative Evangelical Christian (and a mega-church pastor himself) - won the lieutenant governorship in 2008.

Diego came close to winning the governorship in 2012, but fell short to Nationalist Rod Penora.

And Assembly Majority Leader Brandon O'Malley hails from southwest Damoign, which is more conservative-leaning than the rest of the state.

Chatskovy, the 39-year-old bachelor assemblyman who is known in Mavocke and Damoign for his youthful good looks and peak physical fitness, trails Robertson in name recognition but has been a formidable fundraiser, having raised about $3 million so far, after only entering the race a month ago.

Robertson's last financial report showed him having $1.7 million in cash on hand. As the former minority leader, he is expected to have access to many donors, strengthening his campaign war chest.

However, the senior senator from Damoign has some pitfalls. Many Nationalists blame him for the party's losses in 2008 and 2010, and his adversarial personality has alienated many in his own party.

The Conservative Senate Campaign Committee hopes to capitalize on Robertson's unpopularity as the Conservative party seeks to regain some seats in the upper chamber, where they are solidly in the minority.

Kellan Kastol praises Sadiq Khan

Mayor of Grassadellia's largest metropolis lavishes London's new mayor with acclaim

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- The mayor of one of the world's largest cities has spoken highly of the newly-elected mayor of another major world city.

Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor of London less than three weeks ago, but his election has garnered international attention because Mr. Khan is the first minority mayor of London. He is also a Muslim.

A member of the centre-left Labour Party, Mr. Khan defeated the Conservative candidate, Zac Goldsmith, by a margin of 1,310,143 votes to Mr. Goldsmith's 994,614.

It was an historic moment in British politics, and also a controversial one, given Mr. Khan's religion.

Allegations of racism and xenophobia tainted the race, but Mr. Khan, an MP and solicitor, emerged victorious in what many political analysts are calling a rebuke of Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron's government.

Grassadellia City Mayor Kellan Kastol said Sadiq Khan is an inspiration to young Muslim children all over the world.

"Sadiq is living proof that anyone, even if they are from a humble background, can overcome intolerance and xenophobia and achieve great success if they are willing to work hard and stay true to their beliefs," Kastol said in a press conference.

Kastol met Khan recently at a climate change conference in London.

He described Khan as "the real deal."

"I had the privilege of meeting Sadiq and sharing our stories with each other and our ideas. He really is a genuine person with the heart of a leader, someone who wants to help those around him, those living in poverty and difficult circumstances."

Kastol also hailed Mr. Khan as a "hero of the working class" and a "champion of fairness and equality."

Kastol is serving in his second term as mayor of Grassadellia's largest city.

Officially an Independent, Mr. Kastol, who at 39 is the youngest mayor in the city's history, has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate, or a potential future federal senator or governor of Damoign.

Wildly popular among Grassadellia Cityites, Kastol was openly courted by both major political parties in an effort to persuade him to run for Damoign governor. He declined, however, choosing to remain in his current post.

Grassadellian conservatives split on Donald Trump

Some support US presidential candidate, others adamantly opposed

MAVOCKE -- Just like their Republican counterparts in the US, Grassadellian conservatives are split on the candidacy of controversial US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Since outspoken, former East Deschire Senator Nancy Lindselli endorsed Trump back in March, other conservative Grassadellian politicians have come forward to lend their support to the billionaire businessman, who is known for his abrasive demeanor and vulgar insults aimed at women, Hispanics and Muslims, among others.

Monomi Senator Cathy De Beers is the most recent to voice her support for Mr. Trump. In an appearance on the political TV program Inside Mavocke on Sunday, De Beers admitted Trump "lacks eloquence," but said he is "unapologetic in his fight against the establishment."

"I think people are rallying around Donald because they see someone who is not afraid to say what he thinks. He doesn't sugar-coat his words with politically correct terms, he doesn't care what the party establishment thinks. He just says what's on his mind and says, 'this is what I'm going to do' and people like that candor," said De Beers.

Nadine Pietrasaelis, the provocative Conservative senator from New Portsmouth, said she'd vote for Trump, if given the chance.

"Hillary Clinton is just as corrupt as the Afghan government," Pietrasaelis said in a speech to fellow Conservatives I'm Grantham, New Portsmouth last week. "And Bernie Sanders' ideas are pipe dreams, they'll never happen."

"Donald Trump is the only one of the bunch that will defend the world from Islamic terrorism and jumpstart the US economy, which directly impacts our economy here. And he supports the right to gun ownership and common sense immigration control, which are values we share as conservatives in this country," said Pietrasaelis.

Tanner Zannie (pronounced "Zane-ee"), MP for the seat of Black Forest in Onakiah and among the most inflammatory members of the Assembly, has been arguably the most vocal Trump surrogate in Grassadellia.

"Two words for you: Islamic terrorism. Donald Trump is not afraid of it, he's not afraid of political correctness, he's the only candidate willing to use whatever means necessary to take out ISIS and those who hate America and the West," Zannie said.

Mr. Zannie added that Grassadellia should help America "bomb the hell out of Raqqa" to eliminate ISIS, the terror group that has seized power and created its own 'caliphate' in parts of Syria and Iraq. The city of Raqqa, Syria is the makeshift capital of ISIS' territory.

Zannie's comments were swiftly condemned by many politicians and outside groups, including Muslims United, the nation's largest pro-Islam organization.

"Assemblyman Zannie's comments illustrate the blatant ignorance and disrespect many Conservative members of Grassadellia's government possess in the modern fight against terrorism," the group said in a written statement.

Allison McGint, leader of the NAT in the National Assembly, called Zannie's comments 'hurtful' and 'unbelievably simplistic.'

Still, it's conservatives like Zannie - both those affiliated with the Conservative Party of Grassadellia and those belonging to minor parties - that most identify with Donald Trump.

They're out-numbered, however, by pragmatic conservatives, who take offense to Trump's divisive rhetoric and general rudeness. Many are also concerned Mr. Trump's economic and foreign policies would wreak havoc on the world economy and security.

Remmington Senator Mark Eisinger, who is deeply conservative on many issues but also strongly libertarian, says Trump's proposed ban on Muslims is among the most concerning idea Trump has pushed.

"Donald Trump says he is a conservative, but he advocates a ban on Muslims that is completely unconstitutional by US standards and Grassadellian standards," Eisinger said in an interview with the GBC's Ian McCullough.

Eisinger likes Trump's foreign policy philosophy of staying out of other countries and focusing on domestic security rather than nation-building. But Trump's "careless disregard for basic civil rights" is a deal-breaker for the Remmington senator.

Others have been more stinging in their criticism.

Armana Senator Chuck Danbury, a moderate Conservative who is known for his military service and foreign policy expertise, lambasted Trump's military proposals as "elementary and astonishingly naïve."

Veroche Senator Niles Gilcrest, also a moderate, said Trump is invoking racial divisions to prey on the fears of Caucasian Americans.

"From my vantage point, as an outsider looking in, it appears that Donald Trump is using racial differences deliberately in an effort to inflame and motivate the white majority," Gilcrest said in a GBC interview.

Harvannah Governor George Garesby, a popular moderate Conservative who is facing a tight re-election race, announced on Twitter that he would not welcome investment in his state by Trump's companies.

"There is no room in Harvannah for the ignorant and hurtful ideas and rhetoric perpetuated by Mr. Trump," Garesby tweeted, hashtag #notwelcomeinhvn.

But the Conservative Party's most visible figure, centrist POG Governor Donna Almone, who is running for president, has been careful in her criticism of Mr. Trump.

She's been quick to condemn his proposed Muslim immigration ban and his call to withdraw US troops from the Korean peninsula, but she has been reluctant to question Trump's fitness for the presidency.

"I don't know Donald Trump, so I can't really give too much of an opinion about him. I've never met him, I've never met with his staff or his advisors. But from what little I know about him, I can make a few observations," Almone told the GBC's Katie McClintock.

"He's very knowledgeable about business. He's very candid. He's very open and honest with what he's thinking. He doesn't adhere to political correctness like most politicians do. He's very unconventional and very much a unique person and candidate. His campaign is causing so much controversy because of his unconventional policy ideas and his big personality and his uncanny ability to motivate middle class votes," said Almone.

She continued, "I also know that many of his comments seem to be very offensive, very hurtful to a lot of people, very close-minded and misinformed. I don't agree with him on immigration, I don't agree on him with his foreign policy platform of isolationism and withdrawing America from the international stage. And I think his tone, his general tone and comments that he makes are impolite, and I think if I were an American voter, I would expect not only an explanation of his remarks but also an apology for some of the insults he's hurled at certain people and groups," said Almone.

Almone added that she is offended at Trump's treatment of women.

Sources close to Almone say the POG governor - worried she may have to work with Mr. Trump if both she and he win Grassadellia and America's presidential elections, respectively - is attempting a difficult balancing act on Trump: condemning his most offensive comments, while also giving the US presidential contender room to apologize and make amends.

Her campaign said she would be willing to sit down with the Trump and discuss her concerns about his campaign.

"Governor Almone would be more than willing to sit down with Mr. Trump and discuss issues of mutual Grassadellian-American interest. If invited to meet with him, Governor Almone would welcome the chance to have an open dialogue where both parties could exchange concerns freely and have an opportunity to clarify past comments and policy ideas," a written press release from the Almone campaign said.

The Trump campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment from GNN NEWS.

For now, the split on the controversial Donald Trump seems to mirror the divide among US conservatives - some are rallying around Trump, many are reluctantly supporting him because he is the 'lesser of two evils' in comparison to the centre-left candidate, Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party. And some US conservatives are refusing to support his candidacy.

Trump opponents have unified on social media, causing the hashtag #nevertrump on Twitter and Facebook to explode in frequency.

It's unclear what effect, if any, Donald Trump will have on the Grassadellian election, which will take place just two weeks after the US election.

Political analysts will be watching closely to see if the US campaign influences the results of the Grassadellian election.

One thing leaders in both the CNS and NAT parties agree on: Trump should not define the Grassadellian election.

"Certainly he's relevant and his incendiary campaign needs to be addressed," Alden Gilbert, deputy chair of the Nationalist Party told GNN. "But Donald Trump is an American, and the Grassadellian election is Grassadellia's, not Donald Trump's."

Conservative Party Deputy Director Mark Andrews had similar comments, telling the STAR Network that Donald Trump is "uniquely and distinctly American."

"It's always fascinating to watch what's happening in US politics, but it's important to draw a line between US politics and Grassadellian politics. Each country has its own leaders, its own unique issues and its own ideas to deal with those issues. Donald Trump is not affiliated with the Conservative campaign in this country," Andrews said.

Still no clear front-runner in Ansleigha primary race

Only one of eight candidates has dropped out

KOEURN, Ansleigha – It’s the primary race everyone is watching this election cycle – seven candidates, no clear front-runner, and a skirmish between the liberal and moderate wings of the centre-left Nationalist Party.

The race for the NAT nomination for governor is vastly different from the past two gubernatorial elections in Ansleigha in 2010 and 2012, when Nationalist Elliott Androlov, a young, up-and-coming leader in the NAT, ran unopposed in each contest.

Androlov lost both the 2010 special election and the 2012 rematch to Conservative Dale Lindstrom, at the time, the Gowlinson County district attorney.

Now working in the private sector, Androlov declined to run for governor a third time in 2016.

His declination opened the floodgates on the NAT side. A record eight major candidates entered the race (only seven remain). The large field of candidates has party leaders worried that, without a clear front-runner, a bloody primary battle will only damage the eventual NAT nominee and ensure a third Lindstrom term.

One-time front-runner Mark Haller, a state senator and lawyer from southeast Koeurn, remains the preferred choice of most party leaders. However, some within the leadership have lost confidence in Haller as his front-runner status has been erased.

The latest poll conducted in the race by the Koeurn Daily Courier showed Churchtown Mayor Paul Biddington and Carlinegan businessman Russ Hawley at the top of the field, tied with 15% each. Haller trailed them closely, with 14 percent, while state Rep. Jon Erickson of Kollandon and outspoken AnsEnergy owner and CEO Rosamond Burkes rounded out the top five, both with 13 percent.

Progressive Koeurn City Councilman Paris Westerman garnered 11% support in the poll, Pete Coble, an executive with Sudsill Oil Co., captured 10% and businessman Bill Seiffert of Gilliam lagged in last place with nine percent.

(Since the poll was conducted, Mr. Erickson announced he would end his campaign for governor and instead run for attorney general, where he will challenge CNS incumbent Richard Tierlot, who is seeking his third but second full term).

Mr. Biddington and Mr. Hawley sought to portray the latest poll results as confirmation that they are the strongest candidates to take on Dale Lindstrom. But with 15% support, the two top-poll-getters are hardly front runners. Their lead is statistically insignificant and tenuous at best.

The two men could not be more different in their ideology. Biddington is a hard-line liberal hailing from the state’s most liberal city. He called for war crimes charges against former President Dan Byelle, he spear-headed an effort to remove references to God and Christianity from the architecture of the Churchtown City Hall building, and under his leadership, Churchtown became among the first cities in the nation to implement a tax on plastic bags at grocery stores in an effort to cut down on pollution.

Hawley, on the other hand, is a moderate, business-friendly, pro-coal, low-taxes advocate. He built his agricultural tech business, AgriTech, from the ground up, and argues that low taxes and a business-friendly climate are key to Ansleigha’s economic strength. He supports alternative energy but wants to protect the coal industry, which is the lifeblood of southwest Ansleigha’s mountainous coal country. Hawley opposes a $15 minimum wage and a worker’s bill of rights, saying they would harm businesses, but he does support mandatory sick leave and maternity leave.

Mark Haller is notably more liberal than Mr. Hawley, but Haller’s policies are not as far left as Mr. Biddington’s, despite the fact that he and Biddington are good personal friends. Haller supports raising the minimum wage, but incrementally and only on some businesses. He wants to all but prohibit smoking tobacco at all government facilities, including schools and universities. He opposes legalizing marijuana, but wants to create a citizen’s commission to oversee police conduct to combat police brutality, which he argues disproportionately affects minority communities.

Mr. Erickson lacks the name recognition that many of his former opponents have. He also lacks deep pockets or strong connections with donors. Those reasons may have played into his decision to leave the governor’s race and run for attorney general instead. For his part, Erickson says he made the decision because he concluded winning the NAT primary would be difficult.

Additionally, Mr. Erickson told Ansleigha Public Radio last week that his campaign staff believe Tierlot would be easier to beat in a general election than Lindstrom.

A handsome state representative from Kollandon in central Ansleigha, at age 35, Erickson will likely be the youngest candidate for statewide office on the November ballot, assuming he wins the NAT primary for attorney general, something that is all but guaranteed since the party had no viable candidate before Erickson.

Mr. Erickson is an Iraq War veteran, and leverages his combat experience when speaking with voters, comparing his battlefield stories with battling “politics of fear” in Rawlingsworth, the state capitol.

With Erickson out of the governor’s race now, the candidate pursued most by the media – and the most unpredictable candidate – is Rosamond Burkes. Age 67, Ms. Burkes is the owner and CEO of AnsEnergy, a coal power company based in rural Chadwick County, about 40 miles northwest of Rawlingsworth.

Burkes is an unusual candidate. With a brash, tell-it-like-it-is personality, she’s been criticized for controversial comments and insults she’s hurled at her opponents and others. In a press conference earlier this week, Mark Haller referred to her as the “female version of Donald Trump.” Burkes is well-known for her passionate, angry rants that often contain many expletives.

In addition to her colourful personality, Ms. Burkes is a strange candidate because of her seemingly contradicting policy positions.

As the owner of a major coal company, she is strongly supportive of the coal industry and has strongly opposed regulations on coal producers in the past. In a 2006 interview with the Daily Courier, Burkes famously said she didn’t “give a damn” about the environment. “I care about money, about jobs, about powering this country, about the economy. I don’t have time for the earthy-earthy, hippy, pussy, wimps and their save-the-world s**t,” she said.

Burkes has also opposed fair trade and has been the target of labour groups’ grievances for her handling of workers’ rights cases involving her employees.

At the same time, while she holds pro-business and pro-coal positions, the fiery spinster (she never married, telling the GBC’s Ian Duncan in a 1999 interview.

“I don’t need a god-damned man), holds positions on the far left.

She’s staunchly pro-choice. She frequently rails against the political class in Rawlingsworth and Mavocke. She angrily vowed to take care of veterans, after alleged poor conditions and treatment at a veterans hospital in Koeurn. And contradicting her anti-environment remarks, Ms. Burkes is a conservationist. She’s donated millions of dollars to help save endangered species and to help protect millions of acres of old-growth forest in Ansleigha and neighboring Lial.

Burkes has been a magnet for media attention, with her rousing speeches and large campaign rallies. But she’s struggled to win over the party’s most liberal voters. She polls well with young voters, but struggles with seniors and upper-income, educated Nationalists.

Then there’s Koeurn City Councilman Paris Westerman, the goofy-looking professor who is known for his trademark bow tie. Westerman entered the race late, but his chances would have been slim had he been the first candidate in the race. With solidly liberal policies, he plays well with the liberal base of the party, including with college students and educated voters.

But his wonkish style and overly-intellectual personality put him at a disadvantage compared to other candidates who excel in communicating and identifying with average voters.

Pete Coble is one of those politicians. Folksy and down-to-earth, Mr. Coble has a knack for winning over blue-collar voters, primarily in coal country. Unfortunately, his campaign has failed to gain traction elsewhere across the state.

The same can be said of Bill Seiffert, the researcher and businessman from Gilliam. Educated and accomplished, Mr. Seiffert is attractive to a certain niche of voters but struggles to reach beyond educated white voters in northern Ansleigha.

With such a wide field of candidates, NAT party leaders are increasingly anxious, fearing a divisive primary would all but hand the general election to Dale Lindstrom, who faces one nominal primary challenger, inventor Bill Taitenaugh from Ebendale.

Dr. Kerry Rudgley, chair of Dulkalow University’s Edinough School of Government, rates the 2016 Ansleigha gubernatorial race as “CNS favored.”

Bomb found at Ansleigha pro-immigration rally

Crown Police say 'sophisticated' device was defused, no injuries reported

KOEURN, ANSLEIGHA -- No one was injured but residents of Koeurn, Ansleigha are on edge after a bomb was discovered at a pro-immigration rally in the heart of the city this weekend.

The bomb was discovered early Saturday morning outside the federal courthouse in downtown Koeurn in Vicar Square.

Organizers were setting up a stage and sound system for the planned protest when a volunteer discovered a homemade bomb inside an audio speaker. The speaker had been hollowed out in order to hide the device.

The concerned volunteer alerted police immediately, who evacuated the area and closed down streets while an explosives team and robot defused the device.

Koeurn Police, assisted by Crown Police (CP) and Federal Counter-Terrorism agents, swept through downtown Koeurn looking for other suspicious devices.

Koeurn Police Chief Bill Mundlin said authorities were concerned about a coordinated, multi-explosive terrorist attack.

"Our concern was that this could be a potential terrorist attack with multiple explosive devices located in various places around the CBD," (central business district), said Mundlin.

No other devices were found and the bomb was defused without incident.

The protest was cancelled and downtown Koeurn was largely shut down and brought to a standstill for most of the day.

Police cleared the scene and gave an all-clear around 4:00 PM.

Officials say the bomb was sophisticated and expertly made.

"Whoever did this knew what they were doing," Kevin Yost, director of the Crown Police's Ansleigha division, told the media in a joint agency press conference.

Yost added that the bomb had the potential to cause "substantial loss of life" and "wide-scale carnage."

"There's no question in my mind this would have been a mass casualty event" had the bomb gone off, Yost said.

Police have no leads on a suspect, but they are reviewing security camera footage from nearby buildings.

Due to the location of the bomb, in the heart of Koeurn's city center, there is ample security camera footage for police to examine, Chief Mundlin said.

The bomb itself yielded few clues It was inconspicuously placed inside a hollowed out 28-inch Sanyo speaker. It was inside a plastic bag and crumpled paper was packed inside to hold the device in place.

The bomb was only noticed because a wire was sticking out of the speaker, Mundlin said.

There were no other identifying markers on the bomb.

Experts from the Crown Police's evidence laboratory in Taqqaraun, Marchenay just outside Mavocke showed he bomb was made with high quality aluminum, industrial strength glue, metal nails and a peroxide-based ingredient.

The CP declined to get more specific about the bomb's contents.

Meanwhile, authorities are trying to determine a motive.

It is believed the bomb was intentionally placed at the pro-refugee rally to target protesters, and whoever placed the bomb may have been motivated by political or anti-immigrant sentiments.

The protest was staged to show support for Syrian refugees, and to pressure the Menuhaeo Administration to allow more asylum-seekers into Grassadellia.

"It's very disturbing that someone would target a group of people, innocent, peaceful protesters who are advocating for diversity and inclusion," said protest organizer Samantha Beamer. "Racism and white supremacy are alive and well. This was very clearly a racially or religiously [or] culturally- motivated attack."

Crown Police would not confirm the bomb was motivated by racial or cultural bias, but they admitted that appears to be the motive.

"There are still too many questions we don't have answers to right now, so we can't definitively say what the motive was. But it certainly appears that this was an anti-immigrant, anti-minority type thing," said Mr. Yost.

The Department of National Security (DNS) confirmed an uptick in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes since the refugee crisis in Syria escalated in 2015.

But DNS said an increase in related hate crimes in Ansleigha was commensurate with increases in other states.

"We have no reason to believe that the situation is any worse in Ansleigha than any of the other states," Crown Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Frederickson, speaking about anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes, told the NPF.

Grassadellian leaders were quick to react to the attempted attack.

Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom called an emergency press conference Saturday in Koeurn. He was joined by Koeurn Mayor Martin Hannah.

"I want to thank our alert citizens, our dedicated law enforcement with the Koeurn PD (police department), the Gowlinson County Sheriff's Department, all of the CP officers and counter-terrorism officials for reacting quickly and decisively," said Lindstrom. "That quick thinking saved lives."

Mr. Lindstrom repeatedly denounced terrorism and exhorted Koeurnians to not be fearful.

"We want to say in the strongest of terms: terrorism is not tolerated in this state, in  this country. Whether it's terrorism perpetrated by foreign agents or by Grassadellian citizens, we will not tolerate it, we do not condone it, we will remain steadfast in our efforts to prevent it and stop it before it happens. We will never stop trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. And we strongly condemn any kind of violence directed at any group of people, but especially minority communities. We are a state that values diversity and inclusion and celebrates other cultures, and we will not let the scourge of racism or Islamophobia stain our state's reputation," said Lindstrom.

Lindstrom added that he has instructed his cabinet and the Ansleigha State Police to engage all resources to prevent terrorist attacks.

"We are using everything at our disposal, and we are working closely with our partners at the federal level to ensure Ansleigha remains a safe place where all people are welcome and protected."

Mayor Hannah said panic was the first thought he had when he was told of the incident.
"You immediately start preparing for the worst," said Hannah. "Thankfully, this was an act of evil that was halted because of observant citizens and valorous law enforcement."

President Brenton Menuhaeo was overseas for a state visit in Egypt but said in a press conference from Cairo that he was "angry" but relieved.

"Like everyone else, I am gravely concerned about what happened in Koeurn and I am monitoring the situation very closely, along with Vice President James and [DHS] Secretary [Michelle] Gates."

Menuhaeo continued, saying he was "angry that someone would endeavor to commit such a heinous crime targeting innocent civilians."

"It enrages me that this is something we have to deal with in our modern era," Menuhaeo said. "But this is the reality of the 21st century, and we have to accept that and not live in fear. We need to remain vigilant, but we cannot let the terrorists win by living in fear," said the president.

He added that the attempted attack emboldens Grassadellians and law enforcement to more vigorously oppose terrorism.

"This only strengthens our resolve."

In a joint statement, Ansleigha's four federal senators, Carol DelLorean (N), Jon Schauman (N), Jon Ralston (C) and Luke Gymbal (C) condemned the act of terrorism and applauded police and alert citizens.

"We are stunned and saddened at what happened in Koeurn, but relieved a horrific act of evil was prevented thanks to the heroic efforts of brave citizens and law enforcement officers," the statement read.

"This was not only an attempted attack on a minority community, but an attack on all Ansleighans and an assault on freedom and peace. This attack will not go unmet. Whomever is responsible for this act of evil will be found and brought to justice."

Crown Police are calling it an act of 'domestic terrorism.'

A $100,000 reward is being offered by Crown Police for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for this crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Koeurn Police Department, the Gowlinson County Sheriff's Departmemt, Ansleigha State Police, Crown Police, or any local law enforcement agency immediately.

Beamer pushes transgender bathroom bill

Deschire governor says transgender bathroom controversy a human rights issue

NORTHBRIDGE, Des. -- Calling it a "necessary protection of civil rights," Deschire Governor Jan Beamer threw her support behind a bill that would require the state's public schools to allow students to use the bathroom of their choice.

Under the proposed law, students at any public K-12 school or university would be allowed to use the  bathroom or locker room that matches their self-perceived gender instead of their physical anatomy.

Officially titled the "Make Schools a Safe Place Law," Senate Bill 77 would permit students to use the bathroom facility they feel most comfortable in, regardless of their physical appearance or sex.

The proposed law is meant to protect transgender students who may not feel comfortable using restrooms that match the sex they were born with. Under the proposed rules, a male student who identifies as female would be able to use a girls bathroom, and vice versa, regardless of outward appearance or physical characteristics.

But critics say the law puts other non-transgender students at risk of voyeurism. A male student, for example, could pretend to a transgender woman in order to gain access to female students undressing in a locker room, say opponents.

"This is just common sense. This [law] will be abused if it's passed. Male students will use it to their advantage to get inside a girls locker room and will use this law as a pretense. It's only common sense that this could be a problematic issue," Conservative state Sen. Jim Lerhbos, who opposes the bill, told the GBC.

But Governor Beamer played down privacy concerns.

"No one wants voyeurism, and we all want to ensure the privacy and protection of our children. That is our primary goal," said Beamer. "But at the same time, this is a civil rights issue. People should be able to use the bathroom that matches the gender they identify with. We have laws in place to deal with voyeurism. Those will remain in tact and strictly enforced. This law does not put students at risk. It's about inclusion."

The National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) endorsed the legislation, saying protecting minorities like transgender students is an obligation of the government.

"If we value human rights and we value fairness and equality, then we must protect transgender students. That's the responsibility of the government, to ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected, minorities especially," Cole Savilla, chairman of the NCCL, told the Berivian Emblem-Herald.

Critics also contend that local school districts and school boards should deal with the issue instead of a state mandate.

"Each school district and community is different. Instead of Northbridge dictating what each school can and can't do, why don't we leave it in the hands of the local school districts. They are more familiar with their community than some politician in Northbridge who has no connection to that community," said state Rep. Ericka Hawthorne (C-Humboldton).
Governor Beamer is not standing down. She said she will sign the bill when it passes the state Semate, which is expected to happen in the next week.

Beamer has gone further, issuing an executive order requiring all state agency buildings to allow transgender clients and citizens to use the bathroom of their choice.

Senator Jay Burns (C), who is running for governor and will likely face Beamer in the general election later this year, said he opposes the measure.

"Of course transgender Deschireans deserve fairness and equal rights. They shouldn't suffer discrimination, but this law is too far reaching and puts students at risk. This law invites sexual predators to take advantage of vulnerable young people," said Burns.

"Ironically, it's called the 'Make Schools a Safe Place' law, but it actually makes schools less safe and sacrifices students' safety in the name of equality," Burns added.

Similar legislation is pending in six other states.

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.

Penora seeks to nix term limit rules

Support growing for constitutional amendment to end one-term limit

GRASSADELLIA CITY -- In 2012, Damoign's governor's race was the most expensive and one of the most closely watched races of the season. The 2016 is already shaping up to be similar.

Damoign is the only state in the country where governors are barred from running for re-election consecutively. The rule came about in the 1990's as a way to combat widespread corruption in the state's government.

That means a new governor is elected every four years. A governor can run for re-election but must sit out a term before doing so.

Current (and outgoing) Gov. Rod Penora (N) has spearheaded a citizens initiative to amend the state's constitution to allow governors to seek re-election to a second consecutive term. Penora has openly said he would seek a second term if Damoign's constitution permitted. 

His argument is that four years is not enough time for a governor to adequately enact an agenda. Having an additional four years to implement policy would be beneficial to the governor and the state, he says.

"The polls show the voters like my policies and want more of the same," said the customarily confident and brash Penora, in a recent interview with the Grassadellia City Times. "But because of this outdated rule in the constituion, I can't run for re-election, even though the voters want me for four more years and I want four more years too so I can continue the progress we've started."

The rule is not necessary anymore because there is more transparency in state government, argues Penora.

"Back at that time, in the 70's and the 80's, it was needed. We did have a lot of corruption and we had several administrations that did kick backs and cut back room deals and cheated. It was necessary back then. But now we have more safeguards in place. We have more transparency than ever before, we have a stronger attorney general position, we have oversight from the federal government and a citizens transparency committee. This rule is not needed any longer, it only limits the executive's ability to bring about change and progress," said Penora.

His views are shared by many conservatives, including his predecessor, former Gov. Sid Hoffa. 

"I think the times have changed, and, while there is still corruption in our modern age, we don't have the systemic problems we used to have back in the 1970's and 1980's. We've come a long way and I think allowing a governor to seek re-election is fair. We should trust the voters to make the right determination. If someone is corrupt, they will be found out, they will be investigated, they will be charged accordingly, and the voters will see that corruption and vote them out," Hoffa told the Times.

Not everyone is on board with the proposed change to the law, however.

The Center for Responsible Government (CRG), a Damoign-based government watchdog  organization, says there is good reason for the current rules.

"These rules were put in place because of abuse of power, corruption, and cronyism. It hasn't been that long since this kind of corruption was widespread in this state. It's a good firewall against government mismanagement," says Chris Kay, Vice President of the CRG.

Long-shot political candidates also oppose changing the rules, which they contend will only favor the political parties and party bosses.

"Damoign is notoriously the most corrupt state in the country, we are a state where the political parties have historically and still do to this day have an extraordinary amount of power and influence, much more so than in other states. We desperately need more transparency and fresh blood. We don't need Rod Penora and Sid Hoffa for eight years, we need someone new and fresh. If you can't run for re-election, then there is no incentive, or less incentive, for corruption," says wealthy businessman Rick Tesario, a Conservative from West Lake, who says he would only serve one term if elected. 

Ultimately, the decision will come down to the voters. Penora and other advocates of the constitutional amendment have gathered more than 1.7 million signatures, and the issue is likely to appear before the voters on the 2016 ballot.

If the single four-year term limit is overturned in the 2016 election, the incumbent governor will be able to seek a second consecutive term beginning in 2020. 

Karen DeSalle dodges questions on political future, confidantes say she will return to politics

Former Kalnier guv still active in government despite 2014 electoral loss

LAMBERTH, Kaln. -- On a brisk autumn morning, at a small café on Lamberth's south waterfront, donning a casual North Face fleece sweater and jeans, Karen DeSalle sat with reporter John Lerin from the Lamberth Regent.

It was not a secret meeting, but a non-descript one; a far cry from days past, when the two regularly met in the governor's office in Appenbaum.

This time they were not discussing the governor's agenda, political skirmishes or the campaign trail. They chatted about regrets, accomplishments the former governor is proud of, and her political future.

The big question: what will the ousted leader do next?

After her disappointing 47%-53% defeat in 2014 to her ascending Conservative opponent, businessman Tony Ritonio, DeSalle largely went into obscurity. Intentionally, she says.

"After being in public life for a long time and being in the thick of an intense campaign, and after losing, you need a break," said DeSalle.

First thing she did after her electoral defeat? A two week vacation to the British Virgin Islands for some rest and recuperation with her partner, Nick Patton.

But upon her return to Grassadellia, she stayed under the radar. She and Patton quietly bought a house in the leafy, upscale Mavocke suburb of Leightide, Roddenclanshire. Rumors began to swirl.

Would she be appointed to President Brenton Menuhaeo's cabinet? The common speculation was DeSalle, a longtime, loyal ally of Menuhaeo's, be appointed Secretary of Health and Social Services?

At the time, both DeSalle and the Menuhaeo Administration remained tight-lipped and still are.

DeSalle never was appointed to a cabinet position. But she has been serving as an informal adviser to Menuhaeo and to current secretary, Elizabeth Deedrick. Many suspect DeSalle is being groomed to replace Deedrick when she retires at the end of the year.

The former governor wouldn't comment to John Lerin on her specific plans. But she did say she plans to remain active in government, and she skillfully dodged a question about running for public office again.

"I don't know exactly where my path will lead, John. But I do plan to stay active in government life. In what role, I'm not sure. But I want to be active. I have a lot of experience and a lot to contribute, I think. And as far as running again, well, I just don't know what the future holds. I'm not planning on running for anything at the moment. But I will continue to contribute, working in Mavocke, and of course, traveling back to Kalnier regularly, as this is home," said DeSalle.

She praised Elizabeth Deedrick for her leadership of the DHSS. And she said she didn't want to wade into state politics, but she still had plenty to say about her successor in the governor's mansion.

"Look, he won, the people spoke with their vote, and I respect that. He is the governor, and just as I governed the way I wanted to, he has the ability and the right to govern the way he sees fit," said DeSalle, speaking of Tony Ritonio. "But am I worried about the direction Kalnier is headed? Yes, absolutely. Am I concerned about some of the policies he's espousing and implementing? Very much so. Do I think he's taking Kalnier backwards in terms of progress and equality, no doubt in my mind."

But she urged the people of Kalnier to oppose Mr. Ritonio's budget cuts, tax cuts, and legislation that weakens unions.

"He may be governor but he still has to answer to Kalnierans," she said.

While she hasn't joined any of the protest movements against Ritonio's policies, she has lent he support from afar in Mavocke.

And just last week, she penned a stinging critique for the Lamberth Regent denouncing Ritonio's efforts to limit the powers of labor unions.

"Kalnier has always been a state built on blue collar values. The governor himself has a rags-to-riches story, growing up in poverty in inner-city Lamberth, his dad working as a garbage man for the city, his mom working retail jobs to make ends meet. If anyone should understand the importance of labor unions and the vulnerable people they protect, it should be this governor. But sadly, he has been so blinded by his devoted allegiance to big business and the ultra-rich that he has lost sight of his working class roots," DeSalle wrote.

It sounds like she's still in campaign mode, but DeSalle insists she's not.

She also shot down questions she may run for president.

"Not a chance," she said, clearly amused. "That is not even close to being on my radar screen."

Would she run as the Nationalist candidate for vice president, if the NAT nominee offered her the job?

"Maybe. I never say never, but again, that's a long ways in the future and that's just wild speculation right now. I don't even know that I'd make anyone's short list."

For now, she appears content working in Mavocke as an adviser; her partner Nick Patton, whom she's been with for 17 years, working as a chemist for a major pharmaceutical company. Flying back to Kalnier once a month or more, serving as an advocate for liberal causes like combatting climate change, protecting labor, empowering the minorities rights movement, and her signature issue, women's reproductive health.

Friends and confidantes close to the former governor say they are certain she will run for political office again. Whether it be a campaign to regain the governorship, a Senate run, or running for vice president, they don't see Karen DeSalle leaving the political stage anytime soon.

"She loves campaigning, she loves governing. It's her passion. She has a real inner passion for government service and making accomplishments for progressive causes," said a college friend of DeSalle's, who did not want to be named for this story.

Even though she lost in 2014, DeSalle could feasibly mount a comeback. Kalnier leans liberal, with most political observers chocking Ritonio's 2014 win up to DeSalle's unpopularity and a national pro-Conservative tide. Most experts predict the governor's seat will revert to NAT hands in 2018 or 2022. That's plenty of time for DeSalle to redeem her popularity figures with the Kalnieran public.

A strong progressive, DeSalle defeated inaugural Gov. Joe Gramma (C) to serve  just one term from January 2011 to January 2015.

She is Kalnier's first NAT governor elected after the landmark 2007 Electoral Reform Law, and the first female governor elected. She is also the first and only unmarried governor of Kalnier, although she remains in a committed relationship with domestic partner Nick Patton.

DeSalle is from the North Woods region of northern Kalnier, and has a residence in Vitarick, about one hour north of Lamberth.

Almone says refugee ban wouldn't work, far-right doubles down

Refugee ban fails, bill increasing refugee scrutiny passes with bipartisan support; president vows to veto

LANSDALE -- She's not officially a candidate for president yet, but the prominent governor of POG is already weighing in on foreign policy issues.

Donna Almone, who is a leading potential Conservative candidate for president, told the GBC's Rebecca Ingraham in a sit-down interview that a proposed ban on Syrian refugees would not be effective in preventing terrorists from entering Grassadellia.

"If you ban people from one country or region, the terrorists will either sneak in anyway - they're very sneaky - or they will just go to another country and come in through another locale," said Almone. "There are many stepping stones to get here from international destinations, and a refugee ban is removing one stone, but the other stones are still there for terrorists to jump and zigzag across the stream."

Her comments come after many leaders in her own party - and  few in the Nationalist Party - have called for a ban on refugees from Syria and the middle east because of terrorism threats.

Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan, who made controversial anti-Islam comments following the Charlie Hebdo attacks that preceded last month's shooting attack in Paris, issued an executive order banning state agencies from processing immigrants from Syria and neighboring countries.

"I've ordered my cabinet to make it clear to state agencies that we will not accept any refugees from Syria or neighboring countries due to the increased threat of terrorism," he said.

Critics immediately pointed out that Jordan exempted Israel from his order, a move that Muslims and Muslim allies view as anti-Islam.

"So you put a ban on refugees from Syria and neighboring countries, but of course Israel is exempt because you Conservatives kiss the feet of Benjamin Netanyahu," tweeted Keith Camber, who is the director of Grassadellians Stand With Muslims, a pro-Islam advocacy group.

Muslims United, the nation's largest Muslim advocacy group, said Jordan's position is not only "untenable and nonsensical, but explicitly dangerous."

"This kind of policy harkens back to the days of Hitler and the exodus of Jewish people out of Europe. Countries didn't want the Jewish migrants, and rejected them in a time of great genocide. We have the same situation now but xenophobia and racist, bigoted comments by people like Mr. Jordan are giving ISIS (the Islamic State terrorist group) the propaganda they need to strengthen their position," said Mohammad Al-Houdad, the group's executive vice president.

Jordan said his exemption for Israel and the country of Jordan was only because those two countries are "much safer" than Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon.

He defended himself in a tense interview with GNN's Michael Micardi.

"This isn't a matter of race or religious discrimination. It's just common sense. When you have a large group of people trying to kill you and do you harm, and they all hail from one particular corner of the world, it only makes sense to temporarily halt the acceptance of people from that area."

He added that the ban is only temporary "until things calm down there."

"If the terrorists were coming from Sweden, or Canada, or Thailand, or any country, we would do the same thing. This has nothing to do with race and religion and everything to do with political correctness gone mad in this country," said Jordan.

Jordan acknowledged that not all Muslims are bad people.

"In fact, the great majority of Muslims are wonderful, hard-working people who love peace and freedom. But the problem is, at this point, we can't distinguish who is who when we are bringing in refugees to this country. And as we saw in Paris last month, the attackers had come in through the refugee program. That will happen in this country someday if we don't do something right away."

He continued, "I have an oath to protect the people of Biereland. And that's why I've issued this executive order, because the safety and security of Biereland is my highest priority."

His order, however, likely will be overturned through the courts. Most legal scholars, including Federal Attorney General Joel Oelselbach, agree that a state governor cannot ban refugees from being located in their country.

"That's not his job. That's the federal government's job. No governor has that legal right. He can't refuse anyone into his state," said a clearly annoyed Oelselbach at a press conference last week.

That may be true, but a state governor can make it more difficult for immigrants to come to their state by creating more bureaucracy in state agencies.

"He can't stop them altogether, but he can make it a hassle and make it harder," says Joseph Levin, a law professor at Wilkonshire State University in Jaffling.

Meanwhile, two additional governors - Greg Laskie of South Ceona and Wade Quanson of Wellington - have said they will not accept refugees either.

Another eleven governors - all Conservatives except Onakiah Gov. Paula Tulane - have not called for a ban on refugees, but have called for the federal government to increase scrutiny on Syrian refugees.

Almone is among those eleven. She says the government should increase scrutiny and be vigilant. But not panicked and xenophobic.

"That kind of rhetoric from my colleague in Biereland is not helpful. It's divisive, it's hurtful, and that strategy won't work anyway. Instead of sewing discord and division, we should be more vigilant but we should still allow refugees here. These people are fleeing war-torn places. They want to start a new life," she said. "Our country is based on the belief that anyone who works hard can succeed and everyone should have the same opportunity to succeed. This is a national security issue but it's also a human rights issue, and we can't lose sight of that."

Last week, the Senate voted on two measures. The first was a proposal to ban refugees from Syria altogether, sponsored by Sen. Mark Eisinger (C-Remm.) and Sen. Brad Bearns (C-Biere.). It failed overwhelmingly, 21-71 votes. Three Nationalists voted for the bill.

A second measure, this one not banning Syrian refugees but calling for increased scrutiny and an audit of how refugees are processed, narrowly passed 47-45 with bipartisan support. Nine Nationalists joined with all the chamber's 38 Conservatives and one Independent to tip the scale in Conservatives' favor.

President Brenton Menuhaeo opposed both bills and has vowed to veto the second one, if it passes the National Assembly.

"We will not live in fear. This bill does nothing but amplify fear in this country and increase animosity toward Muslim Grassadellians," said Menuhaeo.

If the Assembly does pass the second bill, the Senate will not be able to override Menuhaeo's veto, as two thirds of the Senate are needed to override a presidential veto.

In the meantime, Nationalists took to the press beat to vilify their Conservative colleagues.

"I can't believe in this day and age that we have this kind of fear-mongering going on. I thought those days ended decades ago, " POG Sen. Diane Coke said at a Capitol Hill press conference.

Freshman Sen. Jamie Scousenovy (N-Lial) said the two refugee bills will breed Islamophobia.

"Don't we want to be a welcoming society? A society that isn't paralyzed by irrational fears that are unfounded but a society that values diversity and the belief that all men are created equal and have equal unhindered access to freedom and acceptance?" she said in a town hall meeting in Ansleigha.

The issue is a tense one that has spread throughout the country, but is felt more directly in states with large Muslim populations, such as Marchenay, North Ceona, Ansleigha, Trinton, Armana, Lial, Damoign and Wilkonshire.

As the most populous state by far, Damoign has more Muslims than any other state. But per capita, North Ceona has the most.

The city of Churchtown, Ansleigha has the highest number of Muslims per capita of any city in the country.

That didn't stop North Ceona's and Ansleigha's Conservative senators from supporting the "Syrian Refugee Protection Act (SRPA)," the latter of the two bills voted on last week.

It should be noted Sen. Elizabeth Graham (N-North Ceona) also voted for the SRPA. She voted against the controversially titled "Protect Grassadellia from Syrian Terrorists Act" that failed to pass.

Nationalist governors also took to the airwaves to denounce what they called "Islamophobia."

"This type of behavior is typical of the modern day Conservative Party. Vilify minorities, use fear to scare the white majority. It's really sickening that they would stoop to this level," Lial Gov. Todd Pergich said in his weekly address to the media.

Wilkonshire Gov. Caroline Jepsey, a longtime ally of the Muslim community, said she was disheartened by the rhetoric coming from the far-right.

"This Islamophobia that we are seeing today from Conservative politicians has got to stop. This is not about protecting our country from terrorism. This campaign they're on is about demonizing Muslim Grassadellians and inciting fear and bigotry, and it has no place in this country. We are better than that," the two-term Nationalist governor said.

Sen. Joseph Milhaughly, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said his committee will not cooperate with any audit the SRPA mandates.

"We won't do it. We will not participate in any activitiy that is blatantly unGrassadellian, unconstitutional, and inhumane. I will not let the committee take part in such activities, even if it is mandated by law," said the Marchenay senator.

The National Assembly will take up both issues this week.

NAT governors, women governors most popular: poll

BLOMENBURY, Rodden. -- A new study has ranked all the nation's 23 governors in respect to approval ratings, and the results are telling.

The two governors with the highest approval ratings are Nationalist women, and on average, female governors had higher approval ratings than their male colleagues.

The study also found voters approve of NAT governors more than CNS state executives.

Data collected during the study, which was conducted by Nelson University's Political and Sociological Studies Department, showed Roddenclanshire Gov. Mona Rodgers (N) with the highest approval rating, at 68%.

Onakiah Gov. Paula Tulane, also a Nationalist, came in second place, with 64% approval, followed by New Portsmouth Gov. Charles Wornkin at 63%.

Conservative Govs. George Garesby of Harvannah and Dale Fulbright of Armana round out the top five, with 62% and 61%, respectively. Both are moderate Conservatives.

Overall, female governors were more popular, with an average approval rating of 59% compared to 51% for male governors.

And NAT governors enjoy higher approval than CNS governors. On average, NAT state executives received a thumbs up from 59% of voters, while Conservative guvs received a good grade from 54%.

There was no noticeable connection found between the governors' political ideologies and popularity. Voters seem to approve and disapprove of moderate and far-left/far-right leaders at a similar rate.

The professors who led the study say they are a variety of reasons why a governor may enjoy high approval or may lag in popularity, but one common factor is likeability.

"Whether or not it's a good reason to approve of a politician, a number of voters base their approval on the person's personality," says Dr. Ken Thunderson, professor of Sociology at Nelson. "'Does the person come across as a nice person?' 'Are they friendly and amiable?' 'Do they fight with their political opponents or do they seek compromise?' Those seem to be common factors in voters' minds when giving approval to a public servant."

Rodgers, for example, hails from a liberal state. She's not a moderate - she's decisively liberal. But she has worked with Conservatives on a number of legislative issues, and she has a likeable personality.

Unlike Rodgers, Onakiah's Paula Tulane is a moderate, and has been vocal in opposing President Brenton Menuhaeo's agenda on many occasions. Her more conservative stances on the issues plays well in centre-right, blue-collar Onakiah.

Contrast that with Carova Gov. Sam Byelle, who governs a Conservative-leaning state. Despite his views being in line with that of most Carovans, he still holds the worst approval rating - only 45%.

Byelle barely won re-election in 2014, and many dissatisfied voters in his state cited his many years in politics combined with his perceived lack of interest in the job were their reasons for disapproving of his performance.

Marchenay Gov. David Brown's (C) unpopularity can largely attributed to his serious personality. The former businessman and real estate mogul is more introverted and not as charismatic as most politicians. He often seems anti-social and uptight at public events. He won the governorship in 2014 notably based on a campaign of economic recovery, but has been widely criticized for a perceived lack of concern for social justice issues.

And then there are surprises, like Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan (C), whose hardline conservative positions on immigration and Islamic terrorism angered many Bierelanders and alienated minorities.

Even though the former prosecutor remains one of the most controversial figures in Grassadellian politics, his approval rating is still in positive territory, standing at 52%.

Surprisingly, Conservative Govs. Donna Almone (POG) and Tony Ritonio (Kalnier), who are both prominent rising stars in their party, have modest approval ratings, both at 56%.

And curiously, Damoign Gov. Rod Penora (N), who is known for his frequent profanity, derogatory comments and short temper, still has a high approval rating of 59%.

Voters may not like his personality, but they seem satisfied with how he's governing the state.

There are many factors at play, says Dr. Rufus Greenwald, who co-authored the study.

"There is no one issue that determines popularity for elected officials. It's part personality, part public perception, part economic strength or lack of strength, part bipartisanship, part national mood, part party ID. There are a number of factors that influence someone's approval," says Greenwald.

Overall, Grassadellia's governors appear to have positive numbers. Only three had approval ratings under 50%.

Most political analysts agree an incumbent politician who has an approval rating below 50% is at high risk to lose re-election.
 

Hoffbourn quietly consulting Bannich on possible gubernatorial run

FULKHAM, Remmington -- He's not officially running for governor yet, but former Remmington Sen. Matt Hoffbourn is quietly moving to build a campaign.

The centrist senator is reportedly consulting with another moderate Nationalist who successfully ran for governor in a conservative state - Scott Bannich, the former governor of South Ceona.

Despite the Primrose State's conservative tilt, Bannich won a special election in 2012 as an underdog against a favored CNS candidate.

Two years later, he lost to the same opponent by a narrow margin.

But allies of Hoffbourn - who is well-known and well-liked in Remmington - confirmed to the Mavocke Capitol the former senator is privately receiving advice from Bannich.

Hoffbourn has won legislative races in the past, but he's never ran for a managerial position, such as the governorship.

But out of all the potential NAT gubernatorial candidates, Mr. Hoffbourn is polling the best.

Even a poll conducted recently by the conservative-leaning Ace & Watkins firm shows Hoffbourn tied with or leading the top two CNS candidates.

He ties Sen. Jared Lanman (C), with both men earning 50 percent.

He leads Sen. Curt Blaisek (C), the state's senior senator, 55 percent to 45 percent.

But before he goes head-to-head with either Lanman or Blaisek, Mr. Hoffbourn will have to get past his fellow NAT candidates, including Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton, who is expected to make a second run for governor after losing the 2012 race by a sliver of the vote.

Alton lost the 2012 race to Conservative incumbent Jen Stevens Taylor by 531 votes, the closest governor's election in Remmington history.

Lanman crushing Blaisek in hypothetical match up

Senior senator trails sophomore colleague in primary race

REMMINGTON CITY -- He's Remmington's senior senator, but Curt Blaisek (C) is trailing his younger, less experienced colleague Sen. Jared Lanman (C) in a hypothetical primary race for governor.

The two senators are eyeing the governor's race in 2016, when current Gov. Jen Stevens Taylor, also a Conservative, will be term-limited.

Stevens Taylor's lieutenant governor, Heather Scantino, is not expected to seek the governorship.

That leaves an open field on the CNS side, and Blaisek is the state's most senior Conservative.

Yet it's Lanman -- who at just 36 years old is less tenured -- that's leading the CNS race for governor.

To be fair, he may have served less time in the Senate and politics and general than Curt Blaisek. But Jared Lanman is no backbencher. He quickly climbed the Senate leadership ladder to briefly become interim Assistant Majority Leader for three months in 2009.

A new poll released Thursday by the Remmington-based conservative firm Ace & Watkins found Lanman leading Blaisek 60%-40% in a hypothetical head-to-head match up.

It's hypothetical because neither candidate has officially announced they are running, though Lanman has all but said he will run and Blaisek has openly mentioned his interest.

The Ace & Watkins survey found Lanman leading among the most conservative members of his party, including Evangelicals. The handsome senator also polled well among whites and younger voters.

Lanman's supporters are more likely to oppose social welfare programs and have a stronger distaste for President Brenton Menuhaeo. They're also more likely to oppose immigration and favor making English the official language of Grassadellia.

Blaisek appears to be drawing strong support from the party establishment, including business leaders. He also polls well with Mormons, as he is a Mormon himself.

But his more moderate voting record is hurting him with primary voters.

Hard-line Conservatives first soured on Blaisek in 2010, when he joined a bipartisan group of senators and voted for President Menuhaeo's economic stimulus bill, something the right-wing of the CNS opposed and deemed unnecessary.

Both Blaisek and Lanman score well among college-educated voters, but Lanman leads among men and women alike.

One advantage for Blaisek: older voters. He has strong support from voters aged 60 and up, as many view Lanman as too young and inexperienced.

There is a caveat, however. The poll only measured a head-to-head match up between the two. It did not factor other possible candidates.

No other major CNS candidates are thought to be considering a run. But Helona County Commissioner Mitch Kalliman, who is a political ally and friend of Gov. Jen Stevens Taylor, confirmed to the Dry Springs Outpost he is weighing a run.

Kalliman lacks the name recognition of Lanman and Blaisek, however, and is not expected to garner much support, especially as many party elites are anxious to get new blood in Jannappa.

The NAT side is wide open as well. Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton, who lost the 2012 election to Stevens Taylor by just 531 votes, is likely to make a comeback. But former centrist Sen. Matt Hoffbourn could be a formidable contender, if he decides to run.

Lawyer and political newcomer Dale Lucie of Shanogowee is also contemplating running.

Jill Lassick, who lost the 2014 Senate race to Curt Blaisek, may also run. She currently serves as CEO of Trans Corp. headquartered in Remmington City and has a strong managerial resume.

However, Remmington has never had a female governor, and female candidates have not historically fared well in the state (with the exception of Lt. Gov. Heather Scantino).

Political observers familiar with Remmington politics say it's still very early in the race, but political maneuvering is already happening behind the scenes.

A lot will depend on the state's kingmakers, including Stevens Taylor and Remmington's other federal senators, Conservatives Pete DeBoor and Mark Eisinger (neither are expected to run).

Former Sen. James Owen-Wilson (N) could play an instrumental role in the NAT race. He has yet to publicly endorse a candidate, but sources close to the aging senator say he likes Graham Alton and Jill Lassick.