Nyman Weekly

[Mike Thick]

Hello, all! This is the thread of Nyman Weekly -- an Atlasian newspaper dedicated to political and electoral analysis, interviews with public figures, and general coverage of happenings on the hill and around the country. Articles will be published weekly (shocker, right?) on Sundays, with occasional exceptions like election weekends, when pieces will be published earlier. If you have an idea for an article, would like me to interview you, or would like to publish an opinion piece, PM me!

Thanks!
-Editor-in-chief Ted Bessell

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #1: Sitting down with Leinad/Analysis of the Southern Gubernatorial Election
An Interview with Leinad: Yes, He's Running for Senate

Southern Governor and February 2016 Federalist Presidential Nominee Leinad

Yesterday, we were lucky enough to have outgoing Southern Governor and former Presidential nominee Leinad in for an interview.

We're glad to have you here, Governor.

Thanks for the interview, Ted! It's nice to be here in the Pacific, both for your interview and the recovery from the tragic terrorist attacks last week that occurred here.

1. A recent ISIS plot targeted Florida. What are you doing to prevent future attacks?

Well, we're working with the federal government and the National Guard to find threats. The Southern National Guard has been mobilized by executive order, and I think the fact we've kept one eye open for terrorism was the reason why 21 potential terrorists are now in custody, instead of on the front pages after engaging in an attack on Southern citizens.

2. You've endorsed Southeast Speaker Haslam to succeed you. Why is he the best person to replace you in the Governor's Mansion?

I think this is an important time in Atlasia. With the ConCon nearing completion, we need this era of Atlasia to leave a good taste in everyone's mouth, shall we say. The most important thing is activity. Haslam has been one of the two most active members of the Southern government since his election back in November, and along with that other member I alluded to is most responsible for turning the Southern government from me and the janitor in an empty building to a bustling center of activity. That activity and nearly five-month record of leadership equips him to end the Old South on a high and jump-start us for the Atlasia that is to come.

Haslam is more moderate than I am, but I trust him to continue the tradition of the South as a region of limited government, where individual liberty flourishes for all. With the reset, however, I think activity is more important, and that makes voting for Haslam a no-brainer.

3. What do you plan to do as a member of Governors Against Extremism to reduce violent extremism in Atlasia?

I think we need to actively combat extremism, violence, and hatred in Atlasia and across the world. This isn't a job for creating new laws and calling the problem "fixed." Yes, maybe some government action is needed, but that's never what fixes societal problems. We need to engage with our communities and encourage others to engage in theirs, we need to send the message that Atlasia is a place of peace and liberty--everyone has the freedom to believe what they want, and live how they want, and to disagree how they want--but not through violence!

Hopefully the five Governors can work together to spread this message, and yes, do what exists within the jurisdiction of the government to stop the cancer on society that is terrorism.

4. What do you think about the Education Reform Act, currently being voted on in the Senate?

I think it's a good idea, although I agree with Senator Potus that it's not quite perfect.

The most common occurrence in legislation is a well-intentioned plan to fix a real problem that ends up just putting more power in the hands of the inefficient government. That being said, some of these plans are better than others, where I might actually support them. This, for example, seems like a cost-effective measure to help students and grow the economy, without expanding government power beyond where it already is. If they can keep to that I'd support it.

5. Some people have complained that the Constitutional Convention isn't progressing fast enough. Are you happy with the rate of progress?

Well, people are always going to complain, aren't they? At least one person will complain about everything, and some people are generous enough to take up that whole job themselves. You know what haters do, Ted, it's best to ignore them.

Am I happy with the rate of progress? Looking at the big picture, I'm overjoyed with the rate of progress! Taking last summer into account, I'm overjoyed we're still having progress! I'm overjoyed Atlasia still exists to make progress on! It hasn't been as fast as any of us would've wanted it to have been, of course not. But hey, it's happening!

The Constitutional Convention is a movement of Atlasians that started last fall, and has accomplished more than most of us thought it would do at the time. It's proof that citizens can start a movement that makes a difference. I remember when this was nothing more than Classic and Cris's sideshow in the circus of last summer, but they pushed forward, the movement grew, and it became a reality! What an accomplishment that is? Under the leadership of Cris, Truman, and myself, plus countless other active Atlasians such as President Griffin, we've made a tangible difference.

Has it gone as fast as we might have hoped? No, but we don't measure to fantasy, we measure to reality. The reality was an Atlasia with membership dropping like dragonflies, movements created to end the game, one region wanting to leave, another becoming a communist theme park, notorious trolls and dissolutionists trying to get rid of the few functioning members of the federal government, and while things are far from perfect, sales of sunglasses have gone up across the nation due to the sheer brightness of the light at the end of the tunnel.

The reform movement is working, everyone. Slowly but very surely.

6. Is there a future run for office in the cards? Will you run for President in June 2016? Senate?

Ah, I'm glad you asked that!

First, will I run for President in June? Well, lots can change in three months, so it's hard to rule anything out, but most likely not. I'm not really wanting to be Atlasia's Thomas Dewey.

Regarding the second question, I actually have a bit of an announcement to make: I plan to run in this upcoming month's at-large Senate election! I've had an interest in joining the Senate for a while, and with five spots open in an election coinciding with my Gubernatorial term ending, it's the perfect opportunity! I plan to make my official announcement in the coming days, and I look forward to running an active campaign and making Atlasia better and freer in the Senate should the people elect me.

Again, thanks for the interview, Ted, and good luck both in your political career and this newspaper!

Taking a look at the Southern Gubernatorial Election

Speaker Haslam2020, the prohibitive frontrunner for the Governorship this April

The Southern Gubernatorial contest is heating up. Regional Speaker Haslam, long-touted as a possible successor to the man we interviewed above, has announced the campaign he'd been planning for weeks behind the scenes. He's quickly emerged as the consensus Federalist choice: endorsed by the outgoing Leinad, one of his close friends, and Assemblyman Pingvin, who had previously been thought of as a potential challenger. Secretary of State Classic Conservative has also come up as a potential candidate in some Federalist circles, but insiders say he currently has his dream job and is unlikely to attempt to move up further (at least for now). At this point it's safe to say that the quasi-libertarian Haslam, a near-perfect fit for the South's conservative sympathies, won't face any major opposition from the right.

Labor's contest is more complicated. Assemblyman Steelers has been a loyal Laborite, but he suffered a decisive loss to incumbent Senator PiT in February and his activity has declined dramatically since. However, as Labor's only prominent officeholder in the Region, he should be the party's favorite if he chooses to run. Southern Gothic, a candidate for Assembly in the March elections, failed to knock out Steelers for a spot in the Assembly, but his populist, genteel style could make things a bit more interesting than your ordinary contest -- and, if he isn't running against an incumbent, running an effective campaign should be somewhat simpler. The wildcard here is former Governor Flo. Flo has been somewhat inactive recently, but still has the name recognition and political heft in the Labor Party to mount a bid. Needless to say, look for an interesting race here.

The general election is, as of now, unlikely to be very competitive. The two parties' turnout machines will be in overdrive for the Senate elections, but the sheer voter registration for the Federalists is probably going to deliver this one. So, we're calling this LIKELY FEDERALIST for now. The only reason it isn't safe is the amount that can change in the coming weeks.

Happy Easter!

[Mike Thick]

This is really excellent, Ted. Well done!

Thanks, guys!

[Mike Thick]

Aw, shucks *blushes*

[Mike Thick]

This is really some of the best reporting I've since Lumine's political/election tracker

Thanks!

Read all about it

     We're breaking from our usual political coverage to report that multiple ISIS operatives in the Pacific were arrested in a raid last night. The cell of six, based in Oregon, was apparently one of the very last remaining in the Pacific. SAOC forces stormed a Salem apartment late at night, and were able to catch the terrorists without any injury on either side. The six are in police custody, and are expected to be charged with various terror-related offenses. This marks a key victory for Governor Bessell, whose battles with the terror threat have been compounded by a drought and a budget crisis just as the midterm cycle begins and he faces re-election.

     *Note - My "e" key is broken. Sorry for any typos.

[Mike Thick]

We're going to be delayed a bit in publishing today (although we will publish today) because I'm driving home from a vacation, and would prefer to write this up when I have laptop access.

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #2: Smith on ISIS, More Midterm Analysis

Smith: A Plan to Defend Our Nation

Atlasian soldiers in the Middle East

I have always considered myself an avowed non-interventionist when it comes to foreign policy. I have always believed that we shouldn't attack ISIS until they attack us on our soil. But they've attacked Atlasian territory now, and we have no choice but to defend our country.

I believe that our top priority should be to minimize any loss of Atlasian lives; putting anything above this would undermine our goal of self-defense. First of all, this shouldn't become a drawn out affair similar to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ideally, we should be able to take down ISIS as quickly as possible. I would also choose not to send in ground troops if possible, but as ISIS grows, we may have no choice.

Of course, we would also need to remove ISIS from Dearborn, Michigan, which could be difficult as well. However, I have confidence that we would be able to succeed in this goal before too long, and all of Atlasia would be free of ISIS.

-Northeast Lieutenant Governor and Senate Candidate C.X. Smith

Contests Heat Up as Midterms Grow Near

Southeast Spaker Haslam2020 and Pacific Governor Ted Bessell, the frontrunners in their respective contests

The April midterm contests are closing in. Here's our take on a few races:
Southern Gubernatorial:
We had previously rated this race as "Likely Federalist" due to the sheer amount that can change. However, Regional Speaker Haslam2020 has garnered the endorsements of almost all prominent Federalist officials, prominent center-right indies such as Kingpoleon, and Laborites like Southern Gothic. Former Governor Flo has ruled out a run, and Assemblyman Steelers is nowhere to be found. For these reasons, we're calling this race SAFE FEDERALIST -- there's a decent chance that Haslam will win unopposed.

Pacific Gubernatorial/Legislative:
Incumbent Governor Bessell is (according to a recent Karr Analytics poll) extremely popular, and has received endorsements from an ideologically diverse crop of Atlasians. There's no question that activity in the Pacific is trending up -- the problem Bessell could have, though, is a lack of concrete policy accomplishments in a time when new policies are desperately needed to counter various crises. There's a number of people Labor can run here: Emergency Commissioner Ebowed was previously an active player and may be looking to make a political comeback after narrowly losing his Senate seat to Potus in February, is a grizzled veteran of the game, and has deep connections both in the regional and national Labor organizations. Former Governor Turkisblau is another contender, but his perceived associations with radicals could weigh on a run. All in all, we're rating this LIKELY FEDERALIST for now -- Governor Bessell is the favorite, but a lot could change.

At-Large Senate Elections:
Another contest that's getting revved up. Southern Governor Leinad has received a lot of prominent endorsements, and if they're for first preference (as they appear to be) he'll likely end up with a Senate seat. Incumbent Senators JoMCaR and Kent stand as good a chance as any of winning re-election. Truman, The sole Laborite incumbent, is likely a lock for re-election -- and is in a very good position to run for President in June. Northeast Lieutenant Governor Smith also probably starts as a light favorite here. However, we're going to refrain from making any solid projections here: once again, a lot can and will change.

[Mike Thick]

We have a big announcement to make -- Nyman Weekly is merging with the polling firm "Atlasian Research Group!" Their CEO, Leinad, will crunch numbers in a semi-regular section called "Polls+" and assist with election night coverage. Administrative difficulties resulting from the merger have delayed the release of the issue of Nyman Weekly until tomorrow.

EDIT: Since it ain't getting done tonight, I'm just going to hold off until the elections on Thursday.

[Mike Thick]

That was part of

ISSUE #3: Midterms, Midterms, Midterms!
Pacific Elections: Meet the Candidates!

Tomorrow, Pacific voters will head to the polls to pick their Governor and Council after a brief term following March's emergency elections. Here are profiles of some of the candidates.

Governor: Incumbent Governor Ted Bessell

Ted Bessell ran for Governor in March having never held elective office in his life, having only worked as a lawyer and policy consultant. He blew out now-Councilor 1184AZ by a nearly 3-1 margin, shocking political observers. Since his election, ISIS's presence in the Region has evaporated. However, unemployment has gone up significantly, and legislative activity remains low. Bessell maintains a sky-high approval rating, though, and (being the only candidate running) is a lock for re-election.

Council: Incumbent Councilor 1184AZ

1184AZ rebounded from his Gubernatorial loss quickly, and after becoming Speaker of the Council for one day (one of, if not the single shortest tenure in history) introduced the Education Reform Act: a bill that, while not yet on the floor, would bring about sweeping progressive reforms to the Pacific's education system. Although there was some speculation that he would seek a rematch with Governor Bessell, he opted to endorse the Governor and work to keep his essentially safe seat. The only Laborite on the Council, 1184AZ appears to be a sure bet for their votes in this closely divided Region, and thus re-election.

Council: Incumbent Councilor Simfan34

Simfan served as Governor of the Pacific for over a year, and proved to be a controversial but effective leader, passing sweeping infrastructure and education reforms. However, a coup swept him out of office, continuing the long series of events that have shaped the Pacific as Atlasia's most troubled region. Since his election in March, Simfan has done a fairly good job, helping to get the nomination of former Councilor Wulfric as Pacific Justice through, but has kept 1184AZ's Education bill off the floor. Regardless, he's virtually certain to win re-election.

Council: Former President Lumine

Lumine has, far and away, the most diverse and accomplished resume of any candidate. He's served as a Governor, a Senator, and a State Legislator, both at-large and in three of the five regions. In addition, he served as President for one term, and was a key component in the founding of the Civic Renewal Party. Lumine's return to Atlasia, along with Wulfric's appointment as Justice, has breathed new life into what many say is/was a dying party, and could have national implications as it continues to provide Civic Renewal a base of operations in the Pacific. Governor Bessell's choice to fill SoFE RPryor's seat, Lumine's return to Atlasia is certain, as he'll be propelled to victory by the Pacific's massive center-right block.

Our Predictions:

GOVERNOR:
Incumbent Governor Ted Bessell (F)

COUNCIL:
Incumbent Councilor 1184AZ (L)
Incumbent Councilor Simfan34 (NPP)
Former President Lumine (CR)

[Mike Thick]

I just wanted to say Thank You for considering me a "moderate Libertarian", though I do despise the elitist "fiscally conservative but socially liberal" group usually. Also, it's "centrist independent". I can honestly say one of my biggest problems with CR is it calling itself a moderate "centre-right" party.

I think what he was getting at is that you're super-duper moderate and he's super-duper libertarian, and the candidates are somewhere in-between.

[Mike Thick]

Bravo, Leinad and Ted!

Thanks -- both to those who so generously compliment our paper and Leinad!

[Mike Thick]

Excellent work! And thanks for using Michael Heseltine to represent me, I don't know what the hell was I thinking when I went with John Major for a few months.

Google Images is a gift from God. So was your old campaign thread.

[Mike Thick]

Unofficial issues about the elections will continue.

Southern Gubernatorial: Meet the Candidates

Southern voters are currently heading to the polls to pick their Governor! Here's a bit about the two candidates.

Speaker Haslam2020

Southern Speaker Haslam has been one of Leinad's closest allies in the South, and has emerged as a major political force as his Governor presided over a boom in activity and ultimately became the Federalist nominee for President. It's widely believed that the legislator is Leinad's hand-picked choice to succeed him in the Governor's mansion as he attempts a political comeback through a Senate run. So, when he's very popular, and endorsed by a Governor that's more so, why is he facing such a stiff challenge in the race for the Governorship of Atlasia's most conservative region? The answer lies with his own political beliefs. Haslam's much more moderate and arguably less ideologically rigorous than the man he aims to succeed, which has raised eyebrows in the sizeable libertarian faction in the region that elected people like Maxwell, JBrase, and PiT. Haslam and Leinad have both campaigned tirelessly to ease those concerns, but it remains to be seen whether their efforts will bear fruit by assuring nervous Federalists, indies, and DRs that he'll govern as a libertarian.

Judicial Overlord Spiral

Spiral was confirmed as Judicial Overlord just last month, but wasted no time in jumping into the thick of what has become a wild and wooly Governors' race. He boasts a long and broad resume, having served as a Senator, a Governor, a Lieutenant Governor, a State Legislator, and now a Judicial Overlord. His two votes for President Griffin are both liabilities and assets: they appear to have solidly consolidated the support of Laborites behind him, but the real question is whether they will drive libertarians that might have otherwise voted for Spiral to go Haslam. Additionally, many have argued that he lacks the recent and strong record of activity of his opponent, and he did not actively campaign in public during the race. Spiral's path to victory is clear: unite hardcore libertarians, Laborites, and swing voters to defeat Haslam. A loss of the Governorship in their strongest region would be a shocking blow to the regional and national Federalist Party. What we'll have to see over the next few days is whether he's able to pull it off.

[Mike Thick]

I've essentially given up on the "Sundays" part. Maybe I'll get back to it after election season.

ISSUE #4: Capping the Presidential Field
The Presidential Election: A Broad Field for the Federalists

Senator Kent, a potential Federalist Presidential candidate in the upcoming elections.

The upcoming Presidential election will likely feature an extraordinarily diverse field from Atlasia's many parties. Here's a look at a few potential Federalist candidates.

FEDERALIST PARTY

Possible:
At-Large Senator ClarkKent: In many ways, Senator Kent represents the ideal candidate for the Federalists. He's a fresh face. He's the highest-ranking person of his political affiliation in the country. He appeals to essentially every faction of Atlasia's conservatives: there's arguably something for libertarians, moderates, and conservatives to love. However, many have concerns over Kent's relative inexperience and lack of accomplishments. "I like Marco Rubio," the Senator jokingly said in an interview last month, "but I don't want to be Atlasia's version of him." Kent has two months to build up his resume. We'll see if he gets in, and if it proves to be enough.

Southern Governor Leinad: Leinad's loss to President Griffin in February shocked many political observers, but left the Governor itching for a comeback. He found his opportunity in the at-large Senate elections, in which he's running to fill the Federalist seat vacated by longtime Senator North Carolina Yankee. If you asked pundits a month ago whether Leinad was going to run again, they would have laughed you off, perhaps saying it was likely he would stay in the Senate for a few cycles after getting in. However, now the suggestion may not seem so silly. Insiders say that Leinad, surprisingly, wants to wage a second White House bid, albeit not necessarily in June. Leinad has many critical connections in place from his February run, which could be a big advantage if he got into the race. However, many still doubt his interest. Additionally, running for President so soon in his term would be a risky move. "I don't want to be Atlas's Mitt Romney," he's said previously. We'll wait and see if that statement proves to be true.

Pacific Senator Potus2036: Few candidates present as much of a paradox to the Federalist party than the Pacific's Regional Senator, Potus. He defeated incumbent Senator Ebowed in a three-way race, in an election that also saw Federalist nominee Leinad carry the Region. Since taking office, Potus has led a major push to reform Atlasia's legal system, changed labor laws, and introduced legislation helping the ISIS fight overseas. Indeed, Potus has introduced a great amount of legislation, which enjoys broad support. "He's the most qualified person on policy issues in the entire party," says one Federalist higher-up. "Maybe the most qualified person in the game."

So, why are many people so uneasy about supporting him?

The answer lies in his past. From his stint in the Mock Parliament simulation to his vote for SomebodyWhoExists in October, Potus has done some things that have cast doubt on his reliability and potential radical ties. Potus has been considering a run since March. The question is whether he can assuage his own party's doubts enough to win the primary, and the general public's enough to win the general election.

Secretary of State Classic Conservative: Classic has shocked insiders by, indeed, beginning to lay the groundwork for a Presidential run. The firebrand SOS hasn't shied away from controversy during his tenure, with some people even wanting to ban him from the forum altogether. However, Classic has spent his term making friends with top party figureheads, and could be a stronger contender than many think. To win, Classic will need to expand his appeal to those outside of his ultraconservative core constituency. Whether that can be done remains to be seen.

Potential Dark Horses:
Midwest Governor tmthforu94: It's no secret that longtime Atlasian Tmth considered a run against President Griffin in February, but ultimately bowed out. Now that he isn't facing an incumbent, one might assume he'd be an even more likely candidate. However, his activity has been relatively low, and he recently resigned his position as a ConCon Delegate, leading most to believe he won't go for it. If he were to mount a bid, though, he could be a contender.

Southern Senator PiT: PiT lost a Presidential election many years ago by a single vote. Since then, he's remained a constant figure in Atlasian Politics, serving to this day as the South's Senator. He's been mentioned in a handful of circles as (obviously) a potential dark horse contender. PiT would bring virtually unparalleled experience to the table. However, most doubt he's actually interested in running, and think he'd prefer to continue to serve in the Senate for a while longer.

Southern Speaker Haslam2020: Haslam's loss to Independent Spiral in the Gubernatorial election was devastating for the Federalist Party, and sent shockwaves across Atlasia. Compounding the blow dealt to Haslam by a loss in the Federalists' strongest region is the fact that many Federalists see it as the result of Haslam's organizational failures. However, this doesn't diminish the accomplishments Haslam made in the Southern Legislature, including various infrastructure reforms and a major jobs bill. He'd be the very definition of a dark horse: a national virtual unknown who goes for it in the hopes of success. However, don't count him out just yet -- he could gain traction if no one else in his "moditarian" lane gets in.

[Mike Thick]

We like seriously survived the apocalpyse last year. Spiral as South Governor is not a devastating blow.

I'm the media, I dramatize things . Also, thanks for the compliment!

[Mike Thick]

Great write-up, Governor.

Thanks.

[Mike Thick]

I'll have an article capping Labor's Presidential field up either today or tomorrow. I've been trying to get it done for a week, and for a week things have kept getting in the way .

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #5: A Big Field for Labor
Many Potential Presidential Candidates for Labor in June

At-Large Senator Harry Truman, the seeming frontrunner for the Labor Presidential nomination

Labor has Presidential candidates too! Let's take a closer look.

LABOR PARTY

First Tier:
At-Large Senator Harry Truman: The ConCon's Presiding Officer, Truman is perhaps the Laborites' ideal candidate: relatively moderate, well-known, active, and one of the game's most prominent reformers. In virtually any contest, he would start as the prohibitive favorite for the nomination. However, some have questions about his ability to inspire people in Labor's progressive wing, and whether this would open up a lane for someone to primary him from the left. Truman starts as the frontrunner. We'll see if this holds up.

Northeast Senator Blair: Blair would be a frontrunner for the Labor nomination if he chose to get in. There's no doubt that the freshly-inaugurated Senator wants to be President, and he brings a great deal of both executive and legislative experience to the table. However, his February primary challenge to President Griffin was a double-edged sword -- it made crucial inroads into Labor's national community, but it also left a bad taste in the mouth of many prominent Laborites. However, most people think he would prefer to stay in the Senate for a while before mounting another White House bid.

Second Tier:
Mideast Governor NeverAgain: As Governor of the strongest region for Labor in the country, NeverAgain has been a good soldier for the party and has passed progressive reforms, in addition to dealing with the most difficult ISIS situation in the country. NeverAgain lacks the national profile of Truman or Blair, which could pose problems if he were to pursue the Presidency. His decision not to hold elections to the Mideast Legislature could also be problematic. However, it remains to be seen how a NeverAgain campaign would pan out.

Mideast Senator darthebearnc: Dar is a devout progressive, as anyone who regularly reads the 2016 board can tell you. He's part of a very large wing of Labor that might be unsatisfied with relative moderates like Truman or even Blair, and has the potential to make major inroads with that faction. However, his activity in the Senate has been rather lackluster, and he hasn't publicly expressed interest in a bid. Most see him as more likely to run for President in a later cycle, say, October or even next February.

Third Tier:
Northeast Assemblyman SomebodyWhoExists: The firebrand, nee radical, State Legislator could run as a Laborite or an Independent in order to represent the dwindling anti-reform forces in Atlasia. However, he is unlikely to achieve much success either way.

Mideast Legislator VPH: As a former Governor of the Mideast, VPH would be an interesting candidate if he chose to run. However, he doesn't appear to be very active in Atlasia anymore, much less interested in a Presidential run.

WILDCARD!!!!!11!!!!!1!!!1!!!:
Vice President Duke: Polls consistently show that Duke is the most electable Laborite/moderate independent candidate, and he's repeatedly hinted at a bid. He has a number of options: running as a Laborite, running as a TPPer or independent, or even forming a fusion ticket with a moderate Laborite (Duke/Truman, anyone?). However, it' unclear whether Duke is actually interested in occupying the Oval Office once more or he is simply playing us for fools. If Duke were to run, he'd stand a chance at clearing the field, and would be the prohibitive favorite for the Presidency. The question that remains is whether he really will.

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #5+1/3: Broad Support for Ratification
As Ratification Looms, Elected Officials Voice Approval

Northeast Senator Blair speaking in support of ratification on CNN

As of posting of this article, the Fourth Constitution enjoys near-unanimous support across the four Regions currently voting. Indeed, an old era of Atlasia is over. A new one is just beginning. We spoke to a number of prominent elected officials, and got their takes on the referendum. (I had a whole article written up and ready to post, but I accidentally pressed "F5" and lost the whole thing. So, we get a list of quotes. There's an interview and an article by two of the nation's most prominent Laborites, so there'll be plenty more.)

"Well, to be honest, my opinion on this is very simple. This new Constitution is great for adapting to a new generation of Atlasians. I see no reason why anyone shouldn't vote to ratify it." -At-Large Senator Smith, regarded by many as a potential candidate for even higher office.

"I swear to God...if this doesn't pass, then I will burn the existing Constitution to the ground, run for a third term, win, and continue pushing this through until it happens. Do you really want me sticking around?" -President Griffin, whose sky-high approvals indicate people do want him sticking around

"There are good parts in this, there are bad parts in this; the one thing that's for certain is this will be different. Atlasia has been suffering from low activity levels, and one thing is for certain: keeping the status quo, like we've been doing, won't work. We need to evolve in order for the nation to continue on; we need to embrace change." -Game Moderator Enduro, one of the highest-ranking Federalists in the country

"This new Constitution is exactly what we need to make Atlasia great again. Under the new system, we will win, we will win, and we will win so much that everyone will say 'Please, stop winning! We're bored of winning!' But we will keep winning and we will win big." -Mideast Senator darthebearnc, a relatively new player and rising star in the Labor party

"Quite frankly, I'd describe it as vindication. If we backtrack to almost a year ago, there was a lot of skepticism that Atlasia could ever be reformed, and quite a few people were advocating in all possible ways to kill the game for good. And here we stand, having a new Constitution and having survived everything from a communist revolution to a rival country, all thanks to the tireless effort of the younger members of the nation." -Former President and now-Pacific Speaker Lumine, who was one of the first proponents of a convention

"I believe that this constitution is the product of hard work on the behalf of so many Atlasians. It gives us the opportunity to have a rejuvenated future, one where this game can prosper. I'm so proud that I was able to take a part in these historic proceedings, and I'm confident we have a bright future with this new constitution!" -Mideast Legislator VPH, a former Governor and now a ConCon Delegate.

"I think the upcoming referendum will be a crucial point for the future of our nation. The movement for a Constitutional Convention started on July 2015, almost a year ago. The Constitutional Convention debated about the better solutions for the prolems that Atlasia is facing and now we have a new proposed Constitution. If it'll pass, the Atlasia system will change. Nothing will be like the past. There will be new enthusiasm, new players will be involved. I'm sure the new Constitution will be approved by all regions." -Former Senator and October 2015 Civic Renewal Presidential Nominee Cris. So far, his prediction is completely accurate.

"I believe that every Atlasian should back the new constitution, as it gives a platform to help build a better nation. Atlasia is at a crossroads - we can choose to improve our nation or to destroy any chance of improvement for the foreseeable future. I don't believe the proposal is a perfect document - consolidation is particularly something that I disapprove of, but I feel that there is something for everyone within the new constitution. Any minor issues can be corrected at a later date, so people shouldn't vote against it because of small things. The people must support this to move Atlasia forward." -Former Registrar General Clyde1998

However, it's difficult to argue that former Senator Yankee's quote wasn't the best:

"This is the Leip's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes."

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #5+3/6: Truman Interview, Part One
Sitting Down With Truman

Senator Truman, obviously

1. The new Constitution is currently being voted on. How's the campaign for passage going?
I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. Experience has taught me to take nothing for granted in this game, so I won't exhale until the last ballot is cast; that said, this Constitution is a remarkable document and I can't for the life of me conceive of a reason not to ratify it. We have some extraordinary Atlasians working on the AYE campaign - the president is probably working harder on this than he did on his own reelection bid - and I'm confident that if we can keep that energy alive, nothing the Radicals throw in our path will stop us.

2. What sort of changes can Atlasians expect if the Constitution is passed?
Once the Constitution is ratified, there will be a two to three week transition period during which the new Congress and Regional conventions are elected. As soon as that happens, you're going to see several changes go into effect all at once that will collectively remake the face of the game. At the Regional level, you'll be consolidating the number of Regions from five to three and simultaneously increasing the breadth of policy under their domain. As a result, Regional elections will be much more important than they are right now: you'll see far fewer uncontested elections and far more efforts by both parties to win Regional offices. At the federal level, we're adding a second legislative house and revamping the Senate and the Supreme Court. That will change the dynamics within Nyman and also transform the way the public interacts with their national representatives. Finally, and most importantly, Article X - the reboot - will clear away all legislation passed in the last 11 years and provide a clean slate for lawmakers to fill afresh.

These reforms are important, but more so is the attitude of the Atlasian people as we enter this new era. Think of the Constitution as a snow plow clearing away the drifts that have blocked the path of our national locomotive: it removes many of the barriers that have held us back in the past, but it is up to us - not just the next president and Congress, but every Atlasian in every party - to fuel our national rebirth. The Constitution creates so many new and exciting opportunities for the future, but people have to take advantage of those opportunities. That, ultimately, is what drives activity.

3. What do you think about the ANB Privatization Act, currently being debated in the Senate? How much of the service should the Government own?
I feel like many people have a knee-jerk reaction to privatization proposals, which is a pity, because that's really not the best way to run a country. I've been working very hard to uncover all the facts surrounding this bill, no mean feat considering most of the Senate was under the impression that PBS still existed until a few days ago (it does not). From what I've been able to uncover, it appears that ANB is basically a more centralized successor to PBS.

After listening to my constituents and considering the facts, I do believe that the public should retain ownership of ANB. The great thing about a national broadcaster is that it isn't dependent on ratings to make a profit; this means that it is able focus on quality alone, take risks, and feature programing that, while perhaps not a money-making venture, is of profound cultural value. It just wouldn't be reasonable to expect a for-profit company to make the same kinds of decisions: their job is not to serve the public but to boost their bottom line, and while there is nothing in the world wrong with that, the ANB has a different mission that is better served by public ownership.

4. Governor NeverAgain recently postponed legislative elections in the Mideast due to low activity. Do you think that he was justified in this decision?
To be perfectly honest with you, I didn't know this decision had been made until after the governor announced it a few weeks ago. I've been so focused on bringing the ConCon to a successful conclusion and managing my responsibilities in the Senate that I barely check the Regional Government board anymore, and that an election was scheduled for March completely slipped my mind.

So, I was not involved with making the decision to postpone these elections. I have, however, worked in close concert with Never Again in the past, and I can testify that he is working harder than anyone to help the Mideast through these difficult times. This is not a case of Turkisblau canceling elections because he doesn't give a damn; Never Again has been proactively contacting potential Assembly members since he took office, and its thanks to him that we even have a working Assembly today. The governor is correct that, had elections taken place in March as scheduled, there probably would not have been enough candidates to fill the ballot. Had I been governor at the time, I probably would have held the election anyways, but I have nothing but respect for Never Again and remain confident that he will continue to serve his Region well.

5. Far-right political parties have experienced surge of political momentum around the globe, and the controversial film Death is Inevitable, viewed by many as racially charged propaganda, was the highest-grossing film since the ISIS attacks. What do you think is the best way to address the fears of citizens?
I think that the fears that are driving these frankly racist political movements are a lot more simple, and at the same time much more complex, that many people acknowledge. As human beings, it's ingrained deep in our nature to personify the forces that shape our world - ideas like war, famine, and disaster that are otherwise beyond our comprehension. We see this in the religion of the ancients, who ascribed the carnage wrought by natural disasters (for example) to the whims of vengeful gods. We humans also like to feel that we are in control of our destiny, and it can be very disconcerting to discover that this is not the case.

We're living in difficult and unpredictable times. Forces like globalization and terrorism and the innovations of the digital age are rapidly transforming our world and the very nature of modern life. Fifty years ago, a factory job was enough to get one into the middle class - now those positions are disappearing faster than they can be replaced. Terrorism has claimed victims, not just in the far-off Middle East, but in our own back yards. People are afraid for themselves and their families, and the emerging nativist movements offer an appealingly simple diagnosis: all our problems can be traced back to "Those People" (you know, the ones who aren't like us), and if we can just restore the glorious, monochromatic past, everything will be fine.

Now, of course, you and I know that this is utter nonsense not fit to manure a country garden, but an academic discussion of facts and figures is unlikely to satisfy people who feel they are at the end of their ropes. The best way to strangle nativism is to provide a positive alternative to such claptrap and to back it up with results. We can't reverse globalization, but we can rebuild the communities that have been effected by it. Second, we must demonstrate that we are taking the threat posed by ISIS seriously by defeating them on the battlefield and preventing home-grown terrorists from harming innocent civilians. Most importantly, perhaps, we must prevent this racism and dishonest tribalism from infecting our youth by partnering with schools and local communities to dispel this false narrative and replace it with the truth.

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #5+2/3: Truman, Part II

6. NASA is currently planning to put an American colony on Mars by 2020. The private business Space Inc. is also planning to send humans there. In addition, China has announced plans for a colony that may be established as soon as 2018. Do you support the approval of NASA's plan? Is it important to you that we get to Mars before China?
I am fully in favor of this project. Putting a colony on Mars would do great things for our understanding of the universe, and would strengthen Atlasian prestige with the world abroad to boot. If we can beat the Chinese to it, so much the better.

7. Unemployment in Atlasia is currently quite high, with the national rate around 8.7%. What measures do you think are needed to create jobs and boost the economy?
Given the chaos of the past two years, I'm frankly surprised that the numbers aren't even higher. This is a country that's been through a civil war, multiple terrorist insurgencies, an attempted communist uprising, secessionist movements in several Regions, and the near collapse of constitutional government in July - naturally, businesses are wary and investors are hesitant to take risks. If it weren't for President Griffin's steady leadership over the past seven months, I'm convinced that these numbers would be far worse.

The first thing we have to do to turn things around is to restore stability and confidence in the long-term viability of the markets. The ratification of the Fourth Constitution will be an enormous boon on this front, as it will bring a long period of uncertainty and upheaval to a close. The second thing we have to do is to make it easier for individuals and businesses to take risks. We can do this by keeping the tax rate low for middle-class families and small businesses and by maintaining a cap on interests rates (of course, the latter power rests with the Federal Reserve). Third, we can stimulate growth by investing in our Regions and our national infrastructure. The 2016 Budget set aside funds for a Regional stimulus program - the next president and Congress will need to work together to pass such a bill once the Constitution goes into effect.

8. The DPRK was confirmed to possess nuclear weapons and the means to launch them, although it is unclear whether they are capable of reaching Atlasia. What should Atlasia do to address this?
We must remain vigilant and continue to work with our allies in NATO and Asia to isolate North Korea from the rest of the international community. The DPRK's fanatical pursuit of nuclear power is the act of a regime that has run out of tricks - we should be wary, but also recognize that we hold the upper hand and act accordingly.

9. What do you have to say to new players and forum users who may be taking a look at the game amid the buzz about the new Constitution?
This is a great time to get involved. When the Fourth Constitution takes effect next month, there will be an explosion of new opportunities. The men and women who are elected to lead our new Regions and to shape the character of our bicameral Congress will have the chance to shape the future of Atlasia for generations to come. If you've wanted to make the plunge into political life before, but we're waiting for the right opportunity, now's the time to get your foot in the door and make your voice heard!

10. Finally, the big question: Are you going to run for President in the upcoming elections?
I don't want to distract from the ratification battle by going into too much detail about my future plans. I will say this: the next president, whoever he or she may be, will need all the experience and strength of character they can get to successfully chart a course through the next four months. When sailing through uncharted waters, it's best to have a tested and capable captain at the helm - someone who knows how to run a ship, bring people together behind a common goal, and achieve what he sets out to accomplish. President Griffin has set a great example for future heads of state - we'll see what comes from here.

[Mike Thick]

Also, I've brought on At-Large Senator Smith and Northeast Senator Blair as contributors/partners/etcs. They're smart guys who will provide fresh voices to the paper.

[Mike Thick]

ISSUE #6: Blair Out in June Race
Blair: Not Running for President

Blair wrote an article for us!


In situations such as these in Atlasia the opportunity to use clichés are ever present- ‘we’re at a crossroads, we’re staring our future in the face, we’re about to jump into a new opportunity ’ … and this is just stuff I’ve picked out from my own speeches. Jokes aside- I’ll keep it simple- we need a stronger Atlasia.

The Constitutional Convention was a long task, and the architects of it- President Griffin, Former Senator Yankee and Cris, and Speaker Truman who took the rather heavy task of getting the nitty gritty done. I urge all voters to vote for the Constitutional Convention- because we simply need a stronger game. By creating a new House of Representatives we’ll bring players into the excitement of national government where we’ll be forging new polices on healthcare, workers’ rights, education, housing and so many more. We need regional consolidation to make the regions stronger, and more active and most importantly- we need a chance to start Atlasia a fresh.

It’s also for this reason why I’m writing my first article on here- we need Fresh Leadership in the most important role of all- the Presidency. The new President will have to shape the Agenda, bring new players into the game, and frankly be the heart and soul. After much deliberating, after much agonizing and after a frank thought into my own aspirations I’m announcing that I won’t be running for President in June. I’ve seen myself mentioned in several polls, and after going through a tough Labor Primary in January it’s time for another face to step forward and led the nation. I don’t want the song, and dance of a hypothetical primary hanging over the party for the next month- I’m not running. I do however intent to continue in Atlasia- namely doing what I’ve been doing for the last 7 months- fighting for the Northeast. I hope the voters in the Northeast, and sections of the Mideast give me a chance to continue to serve them in the New Post-Ratification Senate. If I’m giving the honour of another term in the Senate I hope that I can work with leaders from across all parties and across the land to chart our new destiny.

[Mike Thick]

I've been quite busy lately, unfortunately. However, I'll get it back up and running this weekend.

On an unrelated note, Nyman Weekly is happy to host and moderate debates for any purpose or election.

[Mike Thick]

Would Nyman Weekly mind hosting a debate for the North's senator?

Once the Labor primary is settled, sure.