October 2017 Federalist Party Convention - Partial Results

[Oakvale]

X Oakvale

Tremendous to be here!

[Oakvale]

Friends, Federalists,

I will, in the main, leave other members of the Party to discuss this bizarre vendetta among themselves, but if I could be permitted I will briefly defend myself against the spurious and cheap attacks on my integrity launched by this man.

Leinad has decided that my membership of this party - a party that includes among its ranks former communists, liberal Democrats and other assorted ideological quirks - is invalid or improper on, apparently, the grounds that I am too mean, or something. These adolescent histrionics are not, in and of themselves, of any particular interest. But when I see otherwise reasonable and respected members of this movement signing on to his unhinged motion, I am compelled to comment.

He talks, friends, about "discussing at length" my membership of the Federalist Party behind the scenes. How lovely. How charming. How transparent. Is there anything grubbier than someone running around in the shadows, desperately slandering and smearing in a last-ditch attempt to boot a Federalist in good standing from the party? He is so threatened by membership in this party that he feels the need to scuttle about shrieking to anyone who'll listen in an attempt to strong-arm party leaders into eliminating me.

I am, I suppose, glad, at last, that his one man campaign against me has emerged blinking into the light of day, where it can be exposed for the farce it is.

I was not active in Atlasian politics for much of Leinad's service in regional or federal office so cannot fairly comment on his record - for all I know, he was an exemplary public servant. It would be pleasant if, after a career spanning decades of game time, he could do me the same modest courtesy, but I no longer expect reason from some quarters. I do not know Leinad and have never had any significant interaction with him. Likewise he does not know me and is not qualified to assail my character. But, I'm an "asshole", he squawks, in statesmanlike manner. Well, he's entirely entitled to his opinions, of course. No matter. I've been called worse things by better men.

I must admit, my friends, he's right on one thing - Yankee and I have mauled the living sh!t out of each other for years in the most brutal way - but behind the scenes we've always been cordial and friendly, able to put aside the theatre and drama and enjoy each other's company, reminiscing about old times. The President and I went through a bitter and divisive, and often personal, campaign, but we both realised we had more in common than not, and I enthusiastically and unhesitatingly whipped votes for her re-election. Soon, I'll be, without reservation, voting for - believe it or not - Mr. YoungTexan for the Senate, after a truly acrimonious and bloody political dispute evolved into a relationship of understanding and mutual respect.

 The ability to separate politics and personality is important. More than important, it's crucial. I'd suggest this is a skill that poor old Leinad could do well to develop. He'll be a happier person, and a better Federalist, for it. Trust me.

In his vicious tirades, Leinad accuses me of "not sharing the values" of this Party. No one would ever accuse me of being the most orthodox Federalist around. But - as Yankee, among many others, can readily attest, I've long been one of the most vocal opponents of the Communist Party in this game. The Federalists are the conservative opposition to Communism. I am, thus, a Federalist, and proud to be so. My first re-entry into Atlasia after a lengthy period of retirement was to vote for - and to campaign for - dfw in his stunning upset victory for the Presidency. My vote is always counted for the Federalist candidate. I'm with you when it counts, and will be with you when it counts in the House of Representatives.

He or me, he says. Well. I will make no such narcissistic declaration. I have no issue sharing a political party with Leinad. All political parties are, to varying extents, big tents, and I've fought in the trenches alongside worse men. What of it? I'm a big boy, I can handle someone not liking me. I'd rather that wasn't the case, but I'll learn to live with it. There are far, far more important issues at stake.

I will, of course, accept whatever decision the party makes. I am confident, however, that the overwhelming majority of the membership will see this histrionic charade for what it is. In the extraordinary event that a major political party sees fit to expel its member, it should, surely, be for repugnant crimes or misdemeanours, not dramatic posturing from a single member.

Thank you.

[Oakvale]

My man, I'm not sure if it's slipped your mind but I ran a primary campaign based largely on my precise concern that this party was in danger of becoming merely "not Labor" - as everyone here will remember! I was criticised by many in the party for making  conservatism the very focal point of my campaign.

Don't be absurd -  my point was that I have worked with the Party when not a member to oppose Communism -  and recall in particular the dark DemPGH/TNF era - and, as someone returned to Atlasia find my natural closest home in the Federalists.

It is a shame you don't have the intellectual courage to respond to the rest of my speech. Oh well.  I will leave it there - friends, fellow Federalists, when this motion comes to a vote you know the right thing to do. I have faith in your wisdom, and dread naught.

[Oakvale]

Leinad has proven time and time again that he has the party's best interests in mind, and that he's constantly trying to do the right thing. Oakvale has not proved either of those things. Everytime I see him on iirc,  he's insulting someone.

Leinad has earned my trust, and I will be voting with him. Frankly, the lack of support for someone who has done so much for us is embarrassing. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

What an utterly absurd statement. "Leinad has done a lot for the Party so we must support his unhinged personal vendetta". It is you who should be ashamed of yourself for debasing yourself in such a manner.

[Oakvale]

Leinad has proven time and time again that he has the party's best interests in mind, and that he's constantly trying to do the right thing. Oakvale has not proved either of those things. Everytime I see him on iirc,  he's insulting someone.

Leinad has earned my trust, and I will be voting with him. Frankly, the lack of support for someone who has done so much for us is embarrassing. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

What an utterly absurd statement. "Leinad has done a lot for the Party so we must support his unhinged personal vendetta". It is you who should be ashamed of yourself for debasing yourself in such a manner.

The nature of Leinad is to help, and your nature is to destroy. I trust him. Supporting a friend when he's right is hardly debasing myself.

Tell me more about my nature, I haven't been psychoanalysed in a while. What a foul thing to say.

[Oakvale]

A-ha, I see the behind the scenes campaign is hard at work. Christ. Think for yourself, my friends. This is, without question, the most flagrant and disgusting thing I've seen in a near-decade spent in Atlasian politics.

There currently aren't even enough candidates for the House to fill every seat, let alone enough Federalist candidates. You are being bamboozled by the resentful babblings of a man who thinks I'm a big meanie and would thus rather you elect some random brainless zombie who'll never show up to work instead of me. Is that what we've become?

[Oakvale]

Oakvale, I have done my best to defend you through all of this because I really do like you....but maybe you should change your methods some if you really want some to embrace your style and campaigning. I'm not saying hide your feelings (as I am so constantly accused of doing myself), but maybe at least attack people less, don't attack people publicly in your own party I'd say is a golden rule.....This isn't an unsolvable solution but you don't have a golden past (nor do I really) so you can't just expect some in the party to not hate you or at the very least strongly oppose your existence as a candidate of the party. Maybe try reasoning in both PM and here without attacking but strongly making your case as much as possible and maybe apologizing for the attacks and it can all work out.

I'm sorry dfw, but while I have no issue with people hating my guts (I welcome their hatred, and so on) I won't stand for attacks on my character. I have not 'campaigned' for my retention but I've - very politely - asked a couple of members supporting the motion their reasons and without fail they've replied on some variant of "because PiT/Leinad do". Not a single person has yet provided a legitimate reason. This is a process happening entirely in the shadows. There is no transparency.

People can vote for whatever reason they like. I don't begrudge them that, and whatever happens I'll continue my campaign, because there's more important issues at stake here. And I'll work with anyone if I'm fortunate enough to be elected. But, my assessment of the situation is honest - it is obscene.

We're approaching a situation where, if Leinad gets his way, some random write-in candidate will be the official Federalist House nominee in my stead. That's intolerable.

[Oakvale]

...

Good God. I wasn't expecting much but even given that this is a shoddy pile of 'evidence'.

Friends, I stand accused of the heinous crimes of -

1. Supporting President Bore, a close personal friend and one of our greatest Presidents, a towering figure in Atlasian history who had the courage to step back and stare into the abyss.

I am proud to have supported him and make no apologies for it.

2. Of supporting regional independence. This attack is particularly odd since it is hardly a secret - surely, at least, poor old Leinad could have dug up my posts on the matter from, um, a couple of months ago in which I reiterated my position, to say nothing of my advocacy of such in my presidential bid.

Again, I make no apologies for this, and it is hardly a secret. I am an open and dedicated supporter of the right to regional self-determination for activity purposes, though I recognise the right of the people to determine their future in this regard.

3. Again, Leinad decides that the supposed evidence for my expulsion is a post in which I, uh, say the same thing I've been saying for years, including literally six days ago in my House campaign thread.

It's true, I believe the GM position has outlived its usefulness and should be abolished. Most of you know my view on this. I recognise that most people don't agree with me. If your standard for expulsion is that we have disagreement on an issue of policy, well, so be it. But I think we're better than that.

5. That I, as a protest, moved to expel all Senators who "Merrick Garland"-ed Bacon King's nomination to the Supreme Court. The shabby treatment of Bacon King, perhaps the most qualified Court nominee in our history, was a low point in Atlasian congressional history. It was exposed as a farce when, later, Crooked Harry Truman, one of the ringleaders of the scheme, fell ass-backwards into the Presidency on an interim basis and... appointed a Supreme Court Justice to little complaint. Unbelievable!

I understand if people will dislike this move on my part - when I was not a member of the party - but, obviously, the motion never had any chance of success and was a gesture of protest against a fundamentally unfair hearing given to a qualified nominee. I thus defend it.

The reason Leinad's case is so flimsy is because it is fundamentally based on histrionic appeal. People fear that Leinad - who they like and respect - will have a hissy fit and storm out of the party should I not be unduly expelled. This is what's at the core of this case and let's not pretend otherwise. He has a personal dislike of me and has threatened to take his toys and go home unless you see things his way.

Leinad is blackmailing you.It's that simple. You may like him. You may respect his service. You may trust him. But he is attempting to expel a member in good standing by threatening to depart if his demands are not met.


As I've said in my office - ignore Leinad, and, while you're at it, ultimately, ignore me, too - if all members take an honest look at the facts of this unfortunate matter, I am confident that reason will prevail and I have nothing to fear.

Thank you.

[Oakvale]

Nay.

[Oakvale]

Friends,

The result of this vote is a tragedy for democracy, a tragedy for the Constitution, and a victory for the grubbiest and most dishonest type of politics.

I take some small comfort in knowing that the 'victory' was only won due to the intellectual eunuchs on the victorious side frantically messaging unaware and uninformed inactive voters with lies and fraud. Sympathetic active members were bribed with adolescent threats of blackmail. If this cowardly Soviet-style purge had any lingering shreds of legitimacy to begin with, they are surely, now, dead and buried.

I will not be recognising the validity of this charade. Needless to say any attempt to alter my legal party registration as a result of this unfortunate incident will result in immediate legal action from my attorneys.

Over the course of a long and storied career I've encountered greedy little hustlers like Mr. Leinad et al on countless occasions. And, so, I rest assured in the knowledge, gained from experience, that in history's full course they are without any significance.

Thank you.

[Oakvale]

Thank you, Kal and dfw. I can confirm I did not "campaign", trusting only the active participants in this convention to support me. It is a shame that many zombie voters emerged out of the woodwork as if this was a regular election.

I did contact two outspoken members of the party who posted in this thread to gently ask their reasoning. They politely informed me of their motivation and that was the end of it.

Friends,

The result of this vote is a tragedy for democracy, a tragedy for the Constitution, and a victory for the grubbiest and most dishonest type of politics.

I take some small comfort in knowing that the 'victory' was only won due to the intellectual eunuchs on the victorious side frantically messaging unaware and uninformed inactive voters with lies and fraud. Sympathetic active members were bribed with adolescent threats of blackmail. If this cowardly Soviet-style purge had any lingering shreds of legitimacy to begin with, they are surely, now, dead and buried.

I will not be recognising the validity of this charade. Needless to say any attempt to alter my legal party registration as a result of this unfortunate incident will result in immediate legal action from my attorneys.

Over the course of a long and storied career I've encountered greedy little hustlers like Mr. Leinad et al on countless occasions. And, so, I rest assured in the knowledge, gained from experience, that in history's full course they are without any significance.

Thank you.

To be a little clearer here - I, of course, do recognise the results of the vote in its strictest sense and will not be attempting to participate in party business etc., but I intend to maintain my registration.

[Oakvale]

Friends,

I wish to apply for readmission to the Federalist Party as a full member in good standing.

I have been elected to Congress as a Federalist by the people of Atlasia and sit in that chamber as a member of the party. I will, God willing, soon be serving in the Cabinet of a Federalist president, whom I campaigned for and voted for in the last election.

In addition to these imperatives, I furthermore believe that there is reason to believe that the expulsion of political party members may, under current statute, be unconstitutional.

Let us turn the page on an unfortunate chapter in our history.

[Oakvale]

With the caveat that I intend to support Fhtagn's re-election bid Winfield has an obvious point that it seems strange for us to continue on as normal after our standard bearer abruptly left the party.