The Mideast Record-Courier (Exclusive Interview with Roy Barnes)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

He was reelected in February 2014.

Oops. Fixed.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Mid-Week Update

April 2, 2015

• Newly-confirmed head of the Census Bureau Adam Griffin (Lab-NB) launched an ambitious re-conception of the department, expanding the traditional registered voters list to be sortable by party, region, and state to wide popular approval.
• Former Northeast Speaker Blair (Lab-MA) was appointed to the Senate by Labor Party Chairman Lief (Lab-VT), filling a vacancy left by Adam Griffin's confirmation as Registrar General.
• Former President Tyrion (aka Ogis24) was found not guilty by a federal jury. Tyrion had been charged by former Deputy Attorney General Rpryor (CR-NJ) of violating federal law by holding multiple accounts, albeit not simultaneously. The former president's lawyer, Attorney General Al Sibboleth (TD-CA), argued successfully that the blanket pardon issued by Mr. Tyrion during his brief tenure as chief executive exempted him from prosecution.
• A proposed Constitutional Amendment that would limit the president's authority to issue pardons has sparked a debate over whether this power should be eliminated entirely. Among those arguing in favor of this suggestion was former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH), who refused on principle to issue any pardons during his term.
• A bill that would cut taxes for so-called "Renewable Energy Companies" and raise taxes on those that produce electricity by non-renewable means is currently before the Mideast Assembly. It has been endorsed by Governor TDAS04 (Lab-VA).
• Mideast Lt. Governor Bmotely (DR-IN) announced his candidacy for At-Large Senate yesterday. Mr. Motley briefly campaigned for the Mideast Regional Senate seat last February, but dropped out in favor of former Governor Spiral (DR-MO).
• Southern Governor Flo (TPP-PR) announced that he would seek reelection in the upcoming regional election. Former Legislator DeadPrez (Fed-TX) has filed to challenge the governor.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

April 6, 2015

National

Survivors of the attack on the Atlasian Embassy in Iraq return home.

ISIS Attacks Atlasian Embassy

The details remain shrouded in secrecy and the full implications for the future remain unknown, but reports published by the Game Moderator's office indicate that last Thursday's attack on the Atlasian Embassy in Iraq was the work of militants affiliated with the terrorist organization known as "ISIS", an acronym for " the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria". While federal officials are yet to confirm the group's claim that it was responsible for the deaths of three Atlasians stationed at the Embassy, including Ambassador Dwight L. Sheisskopf IV, though current evidence suggests that the attack was the work of a well-supplied terrorist group, a description met by the so-called "Islamic State".

According to bulletins released by the Game Moderator, the attack took place in the late afternoon of April 2, when an attacking force of unknown size began bombarding the Atlasian Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq with mortar shells. While the attackers are not known to have penetrated the building, Ambassador Sheisskopf and two unnamed colleagues were killed during the fighting. Roughly 24 hours later, ISIS publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks in an undisclosed statement reported by the GM.

As the Atlasian public attempted to digest the horror of the assault, officials in Nyman had already sprung into action to protect the lives of those who remained in Baghdad. Having issued statements extending their condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and vowed swift action to bring those responsible to justice, President Bore (Lab-RI) and Secretary of State Superique (TPP-AK) launched a rescue mission to return the survivors to Atlasian soil. After several tense hours, Mr. Superique announced that all remaining diplomatic personnel were safely back in the Republic and that Ambassador Sheisskopf had been laid to rest.

While Atlasia has been actively attempting to roll back advances by the Islamic State since November 2014, when then-President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH) launched a global coalition to combat the terrorist organization, the attack on the Embassy in Baghdad increases pressure on Nyman to take action to diminish the group's strength.  For security reasons, the Bore Administration has declined to release specifics of the measures it is taking to combat ISIS in the Mideast. It appears that Secretary of State Superique has taken the helm in addressing these measures, with the president having pledged to support the chief diplomat "to the hilt". In a communique released April 3, just hours after ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks, Superique stated that the Administration was "doing our best to stop more tragedies", implying that those measures which have been taken are mainly defensive in nature. President Bore's pledge to do "all that we can" to combat the terrorists, however, suggests that a long-term offensive may be in the works. As of this writing, no request for an Authorization of Force has been put before the Senate.

Regional

Candidate for Southern Governor DeadPrez speaking with supporters.

Southern Gubernatorial Race Begins

In what is already being called one of the most interesting elections in recent months, the April 2014 Southern gubernatorial race is now in full swing, with incumbent Governor Flo (TPP-PR) seeking reelection after a fruitful term as the region's chief executive. Unlike in January, when then-Secretary of the Interior Flo ran unopposed in the general election, the governor has drawn a Federalist challenger in former Legislator DeadPrez (Fed-TX). With Southern Federalists itching to reclaim their influence in the Region after loosing North Carolina Yankee's once-safe Senate seat in February, the race promises to be highly competitive, with much depending on whether Mr. DeadPrez can effectively woo undecided voters who supported Governor Flo in January.

The campaign recently became the center of national attention when Mr. DeadPrez announced that he would support a repeal of the Duke-Glory Days Amendment passed in February, which changed the Region's name from the Imperial Dominion of the South to simply "the South". While the change was heralded by Governor Flo as an important step towards rebuilding the region's reputation as a hospitable place for newcomers and old faces alike, Mr. DeadPrez has attacked the amendment as unnecessary and said that it does not represent the will of the Southern people. This last remark drew particular ire from the governor's supporters, who pointed out that the Amendment was ratified with 80% of the vote, though the former legislator has stood by his statement, arguing that "I just don't understand how 80 percent somehow represents 100 percent."

On other issues, Mr. DeadPrez has cast himself as a classic conservative, championing welfare reform and "pushing individualism by promoting social issues". Governor Flo, meanwhile, has launched an ambitious platform calling for increased energy independence, consumer protection efforts, and measures to crack down on tax evasion. In terms of endorsements, the governor enjoys strong support from his own TPP as well as amongst members of Labor and Civic Renewal, while Mr. DeadPrez's base is predominantly Federalist. Both candidates have agreed to a debate moderated by former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH). (Note: The Mideast Record-Courier has endorsed Governor Flo.)

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Polnut And Blair Endorsed For At-Large Senate

After a disappointing special election in March, the upcoming election for At-Large Senate has been a refreshing display of capability and ideological diversity. From experienced legislators of the caliber of Polnut and North Carolina Yankee to promising newcomers such as Blair and dedicated reformers such as Poirot, the current field is an impressive array of young and old alike. While Atlasians would not go astray in voting for any of these choices, Senators Polnut (TPP-MA) and Blair (Lab-MA) in particular stand out as excellent candidates to represent the Atlasian people, and we heartily encourage our fellow citizens to grant them your first and second preferences.

Few in Atlasia today can claim to rival the experience and success of Jack Polnut, the most senior senator seeking reelection this month. Having twice served as president in addition to a plethora of other offices (including a stint as Governor of the Mideast), Senator Polnut has proven time and time again to be a competent and thorough representative of the people. Yet Mr. Polnut's most recent campaign is not a tired recitation of his past glories. Rather, the senator - who has pledged not to retire at the end of the next term - has proposed an ambitious agenda covering topics ranging from prison reform to education. His tenure in the Senate has shown him to be both moderate and outspoken, and in a sharp rebuttal of the myth of the "moderate hero", he has proven it possible to build consensus while remaining true to one's principles.

Mr. Blair, meanwhile, has the potential to bring new ideas and energy to a chamber filled with old faces. His campaign has been marked by articulate, bold proposals for Atlasia's future, and his time as Speaker of the Northeast Assembly provides credence to his ability to taking a leading role in debate. While still somewhat rough around the edges, Mr. Blair promises to be a fine senator and public servant. We have no doubt that he will do his country proud.

Flo's Tenure Warrants Second Term

While the Mideast Record-Courier does not often insert itself in the politics of other regions, the remarkable strides that have been made by the South since Governor Flo's election four months ago merit's our full support for his reelection. His term at the helm of the South's executive branch has been marked by landmark achievements for his region: the repeal of regulations prohibiting the use of drones for commercial services, a strengthening of laws against harmful pesticides, and an end to the draconian naming system that once labeled Atlasia's Southernmost Region the "Imperial Dominion", to name a few. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated an ability to work with politicians of all persuasions, from libertarians to conservatives to left-wingers, and his commitment to maintaining the "Introduction to Atlasia" thread provides a real service to new citizens across the country. The good people of the South would do well to return him to his post.

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, April 12.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

April 13, 2015

National

At-Large Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) campaigns for reelection.

Evacuation Leaves Once Man Alone In The Heart of Iraq

On the morning of April 4, following two tense days in which officials in the State Department scrambled to respond to an attack on the nation's Iraq Embassy by the terrorist group ISIS, Secretary of State Superique (TPP-AK) triumphantly announced that the evacuation of the remaining Atlasians in Iraq was complete. "[I am] pleased that the remaining members of our diplomatic team [are] back to their motherland," the chief diplomate stated in the pages of the International Tribune, framing the extraction as an early victory in the fight to degrade, and ultimately defeat, the terrorist organization.

One member of the Atlasian diplomatic team, however, was not among the evacuated personnel greeted by Mr. Superique that morning. Three days after the announced successful return of the Embassy's staff, an anonymous source revealed to the Mideast Record-Courier that one individual, a private contractor named Mark Lawson, remained behind and was "hopelessly unaccounted for." Mr. Lawson, a 33-year-old computer programmer from Atlanta, Georgia, was not on board the State Department plane when it took off for Nyman. His current whereabouts, and indeed whether he is still alive, remain unknown.

It is as yet unclear how soon after the rescue mission Mr. Lawson's absence was noted by State Department officials, or whether any action has been taken to locate him. As of this writing, neither President Bore nor Secretary Superique have publicly acknowledged Mr. Lawson's disappearance.

April 2014 At-Large Senate Voters' Guide

What is possibly to be the final At-Large Senate election in Atlasian history will be held this week, beginning on April 17 and continuing through the weekend. The the withdraw of Democratic-Republican candidate Bmotely to assume the governorship of the Mideast, six candidates remain on the ballot to contest the five available seats. For the convenience of our readers, a complete list of all those candidates who will accept votes in the upcoming election is provided below.

At-Large Senator Blair (Labor-Massachusetts) (inc.)
Blair was recently appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy left by Adam Griffin's resignation. He previously served as Speaker of the Northeast Assembly. Senator Blair has been endorsed by the Mideast Record-Courier.

At-Large Senator Cris (Civic Renewal-Kansas) (inc.)
Cris was first elected to the Senate in the December 2014 At-Large Elections. He was previously Archduke of the Midwest and was a member of the Federalist Party until February 2015.

At-Large Senator Lief (Labor-Vermont) (inc.)
In addition to his current status as Senator At-Large, Lief has served as Governor of the Northeast from July 2008 to January 2009 and President of Atlasia from July 2009 to March 2010, among other offices. His is currently serving as chairman of the Labor Party.

At-Large Senator Jack Polnut (The People's Party-Massachusetts) (inc.)
Polnut is a former Atlasian President and a long-time member of the Senate. He has been endorsed by the Mideast Record-Courier.

Fmr. Northeast Representative Poirot (Independent-Quebec)
Poirot is a perennial candidate and former Northeast Representative from Quebec. He most recently campaigned for At-Large Senate in the March 2015 Special Election, loosing to Adam Griffin (Lab-NB) and the February 2015 Northeast Gubernatorial Election, loosing to Governor Sawx (TPP-NH).

Fmr. Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee (Federalist-North Carolina)
Prior to his defeat in the February 2015 Southern Senate Election, Yankee was the longest-serving senator in Atlasian history, having taken office nearly six years ago. He is currently serving as chairman of the Federalist Party.

Regional

Mideast Governor Bmotely (DR-IN) after swearing in as chief executive of his Region.

TDAS04 Resigns, Elevating Bmotely To The Governorship

After serving nearly two months at the helm of the Mideast, Governor TDAS04 (Lab-VA) announced his resignation Friday morning, saying that real life circumstances would no longer permit him to commit the necessary time to leading the Mideast as its chief executive. With the Governor's resignation, Lt. Governor Bmotely (DR-IN) assumed the office of governor, effecting not only a change of parties, but an ideological shift that is certain to effect the course of the regional government in the coming months.

TDAS04's resignation is not the first time that a Mideast Governor has stepped down in recent months. TDAS04 took office himself after his predecessor, Isaac Tmthforu94 (formerly Fed-VA) deregistered as an Atlasian citizen following a scandal concerning his knowledge that former President Napoleon was a sock of banned poster Alexander Hamilton. Tmthforu94 in turn took office when former Governor TJ resigned to take his seat on the Supreme Court, and TJ became governor upon the resignation of Governor Potus2036 (then known as Riley Keaton). All in all, the last Mideasterner to be elected to and complete a term as Mideast Governor was former Governor Spiral, who served from January to May of 2014.

The ascension of Lt. Governor Bmotley (DR-IN) to the governor's office has large implications for Mideast politics. While the Assembly is currently controlled by a three-man progressive majority, Mr. Motley is a member of the libertarian Democratic-Republican Party, greatly decreasing the ability of progressives to enact their agenda. While the potential for compromise remains, this is nevertheless a marked change from the state of affairs just last week, when progressives could count on having one of their own in the Governor's Mansion. While it is expected that Governor Motley will nominate a center-left lt. governor in the interest of maintaining good relations with his opponents, the governor has yet to make an official appointment.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

President Bore One Of The Best I've Seen So Far

If I could wade back into the waters now after a horrible personal absence, I thought I could offer a comment on the public situation. First of all, Kalwejt has done amazing things as GM, putting the role up on a higher pedestal than even I left it at and I wanted to let everyone know how good I think he's done.

I'd also like to say that in the long periods I've been around here, President Bore, who I worked closely with when we were both Senators, has done a terrific job as President. He may be one of the best Presidents Atlasia has had. The Bore administration has faced over the course of its existence so far, increased terrorism both domestically and internationally, as well as some trouble economically because of the unease. Through all this though, publicly, the administration has come through with flying colors, the best example being the crushing of the PMA.

It's my view that the President and the administration have handled the situation in the best possible fashion. I've been around a long time, and if it isn't one of the best Presidencies we've had when all is said and done, I'd be very surprised.

Dr. Cynic (Pennsylvania)

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, April 19.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Mid-Week Update

April 16, 2015

• It has been twelve days since Atlasian citizen Mark Lawson disappeared in Iraq following the evacuation of the embassy in Baghdad on April 4. His current location is unknown. Federal officials have so far made no statement as to whether any attempt has been made to find and rescue him.
• At-Large Senate elections, as well as Regional contests in the South and Northeast, begin tomorrow. The Mideast Record-Courier has endorsed Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) and Blair (Lab-MA) for Senate and Flo (TPP-PR) for Southern Governor.
• Candidate for At-Large Senate Poirot (Ind-QC) was released from custody following his arrest earlier this week. Mr. Poirot has been charged by the Pacific government with "deliberately propagating a nuisance dangerous to public health" and is expected to face trial in the coming months.
• A Constitutional Amendment allowing Senators to serve as Registrar General was passed by the Senate. The Amendment was introduced in response to confusion surrounding Adam Griffin's appointment to lead the Census Bureau earlier this year.
• A vote to end debate on the controversial Policing the Police Act failed in the Senate, meaning discussion will likely continue into the next session. The bill, authored by Midwest Senator TNF (Lab-MN), would establish independent supervisory boards to oversee the activities of local police departments.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

Special Report On The At-Large Senate Election

Voting has been open for just under 24 hours, but already nearly a third of the nation has made its way to the polls to participate in the ongoing elections for At-Large Senate. As things currently stand, incumbent Senator Jack Polnut of TPP, the most senior senator on the ballot tonight, has a clear lead over his opponents, with 22 votes - or roughly double the current quota needed for election - already cast in his favor.

Jack Polnut (TPP): 22 (39.3%)
N. C. Yankee (Fed): 9 (16.1%)
Lief (Lab): 8 (14.3%)
Cris (CR): 7 (12.5%)
Blair (Lab): 4 (7.1%)
Poirot (Ind): 2 (3.6%)
Other: 3 (5.4%)

Turnout: 31%

Given these results, we are projecting that Mr. Polnut has been reelected as one of Atlasia's five At-Large Senators. While it is somewhat unorthodox to make a projection so early in the race, the Senator's lead as of this hour is so great that it would take overwhelming turnout to defeat him. Despite this projection, the other four seats are still very much up in the air, so we encourage all Atlasians to exercise their right to participate in the democratic process. Your ballot could very well decide the composition of the Senate for the next two months.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

2nd Special Report On The At-Large Senate Election

With less than six hours left in the voting period, it appears that the Federalist Party is poised to pick up a seat in the chamber, while Labor, TPP, and Civic Renewal are set to reelect their incumbent senators. Current counts show Senator Jack Polnut of TPP (previously projected to have won reelection) and former Senator North Carolina Yankee of the Federalists being elected in the first round, with the remaining three incumbents (Cris, Lief, and Blair) winning in the final round.

First Round (Quota: 19.4)
Jack Polnut (TPP): 31 (32.0%)
N. C. Yankee (Fed): 22 (22.7%)
Blair (Lab): 13 (13.4%)
Lief (Lab): 12 (12.4%)
Cris (CR): 11 (11.3%)
Poirot (Ind): 5 (5.2%)
Other: 3 (3.1%)

Wrtie-ins eliminated, Polnut and Yankee's surpluses redistributed

Final Round
Jack Polnut (TPP): ELECTED
N. C. Yankee (Fed): ELECTED
Cris (CR): 17.5 (18.0%)
Blair (Lab): 15.9 (16.4%)
Lief (Lab): 14.7 (15.2%)
Poirot (Ind): 9.1 (9.4%)
Exhausted: 3 (3.1%)

Turnout: 53%

Based on these results, we are projecting that former Senator Yankee has been elected to the Senate, giving the Federalists a seat in the chamber for the first time since Mr. Yankee was ousted from the South's Regional seat in February. As the possibility that Mr. Poirot will pull off an upset remains, we are withholding a projection for the other three seats at the moment; however, it appears that all four incumbents seeking reelection will be successful.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Technically Federalists had a seat until sometime in March I believe, when Cris switched affiliations

Cris switched parties while Lumine was still in office, IIRC, so the Feds officially lost their last seat when Hagrid replaced Yankee.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

Special Report On The April Regional Elections

In the Southern gubernatorial race, incumbent Governor Flo has a sizable lead over his challenger, former Legislator DeadPrez. Current counts in this race are as follows:

Flo (TPP): 17 (65.4%)
Dead Prez (Fed): 7 (26.9%)
Other: 2 (7.7%)
Turnout: 93%

Based on these results, we can confidently project that the governor has been reelected to office in a landslide.

In the Northeast, the Labor-TPP coalition headed by Governor Sawx seems set to retain its majority in the Assembly.

Altsomn J. Stmarken (Fed): 5 (23.8%)
Dr. Cynic (Lab): 4 (19.0%)
Pikachu (TPP): 4 (19.0%)
Castro (TPP): 3 (14.3%)
Clyde (Lab): 3 (14.3%)
DKrol (CR): 2 (9.5%)
Turnout: 47.7%

As of this hour, we are projecting that Altsomn Stmarken, Dr. Cynic, and Pikachu have been elected to the Assembly. We are furthermore projecting that the Labor-TPP coalition will retain control of the chamber, though the size of that majority will depend on whether Speaker Dkrol can win enough votes in the remaining hours to defeat either Assemblyman Clyde or Mr. Castro.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

April 21, 2015

National

Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) was reelected with 36 first preference votes, more than any other candidate.

Elections Result In Landslide For Incumbents

In a dual reflection on the general success of the current batch of politicians and the overall lack of viable alternatives, incumbent officeholders up and down the ballot were overwhelmingly reelected in last weekend's vote, with Regional Representatives and Senators alike enjoying a wide degree of success. Of the eight incumbents on the ballot in various regional and national races across the country, all eight were chosen to stay on by their constituents, while overall the partisan breakdown both in the Senate and in the regional legislatures will remain the same.

All things considered, it was a good night for The People's Party, which saw both its at-large senator and its most junior governor reelected by strong margins. In the South, incumbent Governor Flo (TPP-PR) easily beat back a challenge by former Legislator DeadPrez (Fed-TX), winning roughly 60% of the vote in a race that saw record levels of turnout. Nationally, meanwhile, Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA) was easily reelected to what he says will be his final term in the Senate. According to the Department of Federal Elections, Polnut received 36 first preference votes, more than any other candidate on the ballot. The Party also reelected Northeast Lt. Governor Pikachu (TPP-NJ) and came within a hair of picking up a seat in the region's Assembly.

The Federalist Party made important gains, adding a seat in the Northeast Assembly and returning longtime Senator North Carolina Yankee to the chamber after a two-month absence, though their failure to even come close to unseating Governor Flo stands testament to just how far the party has left to come. It is furthermore to be questioned whether electing Mr. Yankee, a storied public figure who served for nearly six years in the Senate without suffering a single electoral defeat, will do anything to rebuild the party's bench, which has shrunk since the collapse of Potus2036's presidential campaign in February and the formation of the Civic Renewal party, which drew several prominent former Federalists - including former President Lumine Von Reuental and At-Large Senator Cris - away from the party.

Despite the loss of their sixth seat to Mr. Yankee, Labor will remain the de facto majority party in the Senate, with Senators Lief (Lab-NY) and Blair (Lab-MA) having been returned to the chamber by comfortable, if unimpressive, margins. This bodes well for President Bore, who will continue to enjoy reliable support for his policies as he enters the second half of his term in office. Civic Renewal, meanwhile, held its single seat in the Senate, thanks to the support of independent voters and high turnout by the party's base. The party also managed to reelect Northeast Speaker Dkrolga (CR-MA) to the Assembly following his appointment by Governor Sawx (TPP-NH) earlier this month.

The new session of the Senate - the 67th since the founding of the Republic in 2004 - will begin on May 1.

Regional

Assemblyman JCL (Fed-IN) debating the Fix the Constitution Act.

Assembly Debates Constitutional Changes

As lawmakers in Nyman overhaul the method of electing Class B senators, members of the Mideast Assembly have taken on a much more expansive project: a complete overhaul of the region's Constitution. For nearly three weeks, the Assembly has been engaged in discussions of the proposed Fix the Constitution Act, drafted by Assemblyman (and Mideast Record-Courier Editor) Harry S Truman (TPP-IN), which if passed would amount to the most significant change to the Region's governing document in over six years.

The primary objective of the Act is to overhaul the wording and structure of the Constitution, which the bill's supporters claim is outdated and confusing. The bill also makes changes to the structure of the regional government itself, adding explicit statements of the powers held by the governor and the Assembly and removing passages that allowed the governor to ignore the legislature by submitting bills directly to the people. While Mr. Truman is the bill's primary author, Assemblyman Shua (DR-NU) and Speaker New Canadaland (Lab-ON) have also proposed amendments to the Act, establishing a ballot measure provision and including Constitutional amendments recently passed by the Assembly, such as the so-called Anti-Inactivity Amendment allowing the lt. governor to break ties in the legislature.

Both Mr. Truman and Mr. New Canadaland have publicly announced their support for the bill and urged their supporters to weigh in on the ongoing discussion. If passed by the Assembly, the bill would then have to be approved by public referendum before replacing the existing text as the official regional Constitution.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, April 26.

The April 2015 Elections By Party

The above graph is a tabulation of the 130 first-preference votes cast in the most recent At-Large Senate election based on the party of the candidate who received them. As the largest party in Atlasia in terms of registration, Labor likewise had the largest vote count in the first round, though neither of its candidates - Senators Lief (Lab-VT) and Blair (Lab-MA) - were able to exceed the quota on the first count. TPP likewise ran away with things, nearly besting Labor with 36 first preferences. The Party underwhelmed when it came to winning seats, however: TPP fielded only a single candidate in this election, incumbent Senator Jack Polnut (TPP-MA), though based on these returns it seems they had the strength to elect at least one more Senator. It's good news for Civic Renewal that they did not: that party's lone Senator, Cris (CR-KS), won only 16 first preferences, while an even split of TPP's votes would have given their second hypothetical candidate 18.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

April 27, 2015

National

The late Reverend Jeffrey Brown was proclaimed chairman of the Confederation of Atlasian States on Sunday.

Separatists Establish Control In Several States

In a certain sense, they are almost comical. A disjointed "confederation" claiming territory in half a dozen states scattered across the nation, led by men whose names - such as Adam "Lebron" Belieber - sound like the inventions of a jaunty Polish internet poster, the group's claims to sovereignty seem at first glance to be a bad joke, not the latest of nightmares for a nation that cannot seem to beat down the scourge of terrorism.

Yet the self-styled Confederation of Atlasian States - which declared sovereignty over the states of Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Arizona on Monday - is no laughing matter. Even as federal officials  rushed to contain the situation, deploying military units and freezing the assets of those known to be associated with the separatist movement, these modern-day secessionists were swiftly seizing control of Oklahoma, Mississippi, and parts of Alabama. For the first time since the terrorist attack on Topeka in February, Nyman is on the defensive. It is now up to President Bore to show whether he can put a quick end to this threat, or whether he will join the ranks of those presidents who, like James Buchanan and DemPGH, failed to stem the rising tide of civil war.

Johnny Reb, Jr.
It is unclear to what extent the rebels are consciously equating themselves to the bygone Confederate States of America. Of the states to join the separatist movement thus far, only two - Alabama and Mississippi - were part of the Southern Confederacy that capitulated 150 years ago at Appomattox (both New Hampshire and West Virginia fought on the side of the Union in that bygone war). The new confederacy has no flag, no anthem, and so the potential for symbolic links to the cause of Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee is limited. Yet consciously or no, these modern-day secessionists have invoked the legacy of an era whose influence on Atlasian society and government extends far beyond the immediate effects of their actions.

 In terms of structure, the new confederacy could not be more different from the old. While the C.S.A. of 1861 was geographically compact and led by a government whose Constitution was based on that of the Old Union, the states of the new C.A.S. are scattered throughout all five Regions, with huge swaths of territory separating one from the other. Instead of a formal Constitution and a three-branch government, the new Confederacy is governed by a council composed of men with little to no political experience. Furthermore, while the armed forces of the C.S.A. were famously led by the best West Point had to offer, it is unclear whether the C.A.S. has a military at all, and if it does, whether it is anything more than an armed mob.

The so-called Tulsa Declaration, issued just after 3:00 PM on April 26, lists just two grievances as justification for the formation of the Confederacy. Making vague allusions to the lost relevance of the states in the affairs of government and claiming that "neither the federal government nor so called "regional" authorities are competent of taking care on most basic matters", the Confederate Council initially asserted that their aim was sovereignty within the confines of the Union, not secession itself. Barely twenty-four hours later, however, their tune changed; expressing annoyance at the refusal of the Atlasian government to agree to their demands, the rebels declared that "each of the Confederation's states will determine it's future as sovereign states" separate from the Atlasian Republic. The speed with which this development came about, and the readiness with which the Confederates abandoned the possibility of negotiations, suggests that the group never had any intention of compromising with Nyman at all. Rather, it seems probable that their brief stint as an alliance within the federal structure was little more than a ruse to give the appearance of moderation, from which the Confederates could then maintain they had done all in their power to achieve a peaceful solution.

Map of the "Confederation of Atlasian States" within the Republic of Atlasia, as of April 27. White indicates states that are 50-100% controlled by the Confederates; states in light hues have a been retaken by Federal forces. The State of Oklahoma, in navy, has seceded from the C.A.S. and formed the "Christian Republic of Greater Oklahoma".

An anonymous source within the federal government revealed Sunday that the C.A.S. has thus far managed to wrest control of most of three states - Mississippi, Oklahoma, and southern Alabama - from the federal government, while their presence in New Hampshire and West Virginia is minimal. The leadership of the separatist movement, meanwhile, has been shaken by the unexpected death of Rev. Jeffrey Brown, who served as Provisional Chairman of the Confederate Council for all of twenty-four hours. Brown's death has been attributed to a heart attack believed to have been caused by his diet, which consists predominantly of Big Macs. The Reality Or Nothing organization, which carried out the attacks on the White House that prompted the Thursday Night Massacre, has claimed responsibility for Brown's death.

"We Must Settle This Question Now"

While the C.A.S. has so far shied away from any direct references to the American Civil War, officials in Nyman did not hesitate to invoke the legacy of the man who became the greatest martyr of the Old Union. Speaking from the White House the day after the release of the Tulsa Declaration, President Bore (Lab-RI) endorsed the statements of several cabinet officers condemning the separatists, then proceeded to lay out the significance of the current crisis as only a president can.

"As our greatest president [said] when advised to try to compromise with the CSA," Mr. Bore said "his government was faced with the necessity of 'proving that popular government is not an absurdity. We must settle this question now, whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose' The same issue confronts us today and urge us all to stand firm."

Both the Federal government and the governors of the Northeast and the Midwest have deployed National Guard units to force the surrender of the Confederacy. In addition, the Department of Internal Affairs announced yesterday that it had frozen the assets of those known to be connected with the rebellion. Pacific Governor Simfan 34 (TPP-CA) has announced that he is conferring with Regional officials to determine how best to oppose the secessionist forces in Arizona. At a quarter 'til 4:00 PM today, the Game Moderator announced that these efforts had resulted in the restoration of federal authority in New Hampshire, Arizona, and West Virginia, while Oklahoma has left the Confederation and declared itself a "Christian Republic" headed by Mr. Lucius Q. C. Powers.

Meanwhile, the Declaration of Sovereignty released by the Confederate Council yesterday has rallied the public around the administration's banner. The thread in which secession was announced was quickly taken over by Union loyalists, who roundly denounced the separatists and expressed their determination to uproot the rebellion. Midwest Representative Dereich (Fed-ND) spoke for many Atlasians in his mocking response to the rebel's Declaration.  "Only the People are sovereign," he told the assembled crowd. "By defying the People's Representatives these traitors deserve everything that is (quickly and painfully) coming for them."


(This issue continued in the next post.)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

(Continued from the previous post.)

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Atlasians Should Adopt Electoral Reform Amendment

After several months of debate, the Senate has at last approved the Electoral Reform Amendment, which would replace the five At-Large Senate seats with senators elected from districts. While much has been made of the supposed virtues of the At-Large system, it would be a mistake to reject this opportunity to enact real change in Nyman, and we urge Atlasians in every Region to turn out in support of this Amendment.

The proponents of the At-Large system claim that At-Large elections allow candidates with unconventional views to win elected office. This is false. As has been noted elsewhere, the strongest performances by third-party and independent candidates in recent years have been in races where only one seat was up for grabs, such as Hagrid's upset victory in February and Deus Naturae's near miss last October. In the most recent At-Large Senate race, by contrast, the lone independent candidate, Poirot, ran a poor sixth in the final calculations, while fellow challenger North Carolina Yankee (Fed-NC) came in second. This is because the nature of an At-Large race favors candidates who have a strong party apparatus at their back that can turn out voters and marshall ballots to the candidates most in need. District races, by contrast, would make such strategy much less important, increasing the impact of one's message and personal appeal.

Furthermore, recent history has shown that races for a single seat give rise to interesting, competitive elections, while At-Large races are generally bland. Windjammer's surprise victory in October, Cris' narrow loss to Bacon King, and the Hagrid-Yankee battle of February demonstrated that the best way to create excitement surrounding elections is to pit the candidates against each other. Doing so requires office-seekers to actively court votes and distinguish themselves from their opponents, rather than simply relying on party tacticians to secure their election.

Ultimately, the district system is the best one for Atlasia. We hope the voters will have the wisdom to take this opportunity to breathe new life into our Republic while it lasts.

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, May 3.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Is there going to be an opposing editorial by those opposed to the Electoral Reform Amendment?

If someone submits one, I'll publish it.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I think this refers to the November 2014 special election that was At-Large.
Another At-large special that ended with a one vote difference is Lumine vs Griffin.
Simfan won a seat in a speacial at-large with a fraction of a vote in November 2012.

Special At-large elections have produced some very close results considering the total number of votes. 

All of the examples you mentioned were races for a single seat in the Senate, which adds credence to the argument that such elections are more competitive and engaging than multi-seat elections.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

An Open Letter to Mr. Lucius Q. C. Powers

Dear Sir,
Neither I nor anyone at this paper will be intimidated by your excuse for a Republic. Kindly go to hell.

Yours,

Harry S Truman
Editor, Mideast Record-Courier
Mideast Assemblyman

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

April 30, 2015

An Exclusive Interview With SoIA Barnes

The outbreak of separatist activities in six states over the weekend set a tall order for Secretary of Internal Affairs Roy Barnes, who next to President Bore is the federal official most responsible for responding to domestic calamities. With the fight against the C.A.S. winding down, Secretary Barnes agreed to meet with the Mideast Record-Courier to discuss the Administration's activities and the path going forward.

Harry S Truman: Several administration officials, including yourself, have declined to negotiate with the Confederates on the grounds that "[the government] doesn't negotiate with terrorists." Based on the information we currently have, would you say that the CAS is what we might term a "classic" terrorist organization, or is this an inherently different movement?

Roy Barnes: I have no qualms in restating that assessment.  If organizing an illegal and violent takeover of a state, kidnapping and threatening the execution of the Pacific Council, and sending several other death threats to public officials (including myself) does not constitute terrorism I don't know what does.  At the beginning of these events, these people tried to paint themselves as merely a political movement -- that has been proven to be categorically false.  The nation has a democratic character and form of government: any movement that seeks to advance its goals through peaceful, legal, and democratic means is welcome to join the political debate and put themselves before the judgement of the community at large.  These rebels have failed in every one of those counts.

HST: How will the lessons learned from the fight against PMA affect the Administration's strategy going forward?

RB: Our strategy in dealing with the PMA was on the whole very successful. I cannot speak of specifics, obviously, but we are dedicated to the full removal of this threat to Atlasian liberty and security.

HST: How much is the fight against the CAS a federal operation, and how much is it a cooperative offensive with the Regions? Do you feel President Bore has received adequate support from the Regional governors?

RB: It must be, first and foremost, a federal mission led by President Bore.  We have to give a united and clear response to these threats in order to restore peace and free government as quickly as possible to the effected areas.  I cannot speak for the President personally, but he certainly has the trust and respect of all of the governors, and I would think most of the nation in general. 

HST: Going back to my earlier question, will the leaders of the CAS and the Christian Republic, once captured, be treated as terrorists or as leaders of a separatist movement? Is there a difference?

RB: Again, if these people were merely the leaders of a peaceful and democratic movement none of these events would have transpired.  We will treat them according to our constitution and the rule of law, but I cannot speak on specifics as it is a matter that primarily concerns the Attorney General.

HST: How does the Administration plan to rebuild those states that have been affected by the rebellion?

RB: The reconstruction and repatriation programs will fall directly under my department so I plan to work first with the governors to assess what needs to be delivered and then act accordingly.  Our citizens trapped within the concerned states have been cut off from the rest of our country for several days now and they need our support as soon as possible.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

May 4, 2014

World

An Atlasian citizen has been sentenced to death by Saudi officials.

Atlasian Man Arrested In Saudi Arabia

Officials with the Game Moderator's office announced that Mark Hooper, a 32-year-old Atlasian citizen from New Orleans, Louisiana, has been sentenced to death by officials in Saudi Arabia after being tried and convicted of "drug charges". While the arrest of an Atlasian for violating the laws of another country is not out of the ordinary, the severity of Mr. Hooper's sentence - death by decapitation - has drawn outrage from federal officials, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Upon learning of Mr. Hooper's arrest, President Bore (Lab-RI) made a personal appeal to King Salman of Saudi Arabia, asking him to commute the death sentence. Several other federal officials, including Secretary of State Superique (TPP-AK) and At-Large Senator Blair (Lab-MA) likewise appealed the Saudi government to reconsider, with little success. "Every foreigner entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is obliged to obey the law of the land and shall suffer the consequences of violating it," a spokesman for the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Sunday. "There is no reason why Atlasians should be in any way exempted from this rule, observed by every nation."

In private, the Saudis' response was even more biting. An anonymous source within the State Department revealed to the Mideast Record-Courier that the Saudi government is fuming over what they perceive as President Bore's inattention to their country's affairs. "The only time Atlasia notices Saudi Arabia is when some drug dealer of Atlasian origin received a just punishment there," a member of the Saudi diplomatic corps complained, according to a confidential report prepared by the State Department. According to Secretary of State Superique, the dispute threatens to create a permanent rift between the two nations, which have been allies since the inception of the Republic of Atlasia in 2004.

Regional

Senate Speaker Windjammer (Lab-MI) is running for Mideast Governor.

Poll Shows Windjammer Trouncing Opponents In Gubernatorial Race

If the numbers are to be believed, Mideast Regional Senator Windjammer (Lab-MI) should have no trouble being elected his Region's governor this month. A poll run by the Mideast Record-Courier showed Windjammer defeating his hypothetical opponent, incumbent Governor Bmotley (DR-IN), by more than 40 points, with 6% of respondents undecided. While the usual disclaimers for Atlasian polling still apply, the sheer size of the Senator's lead suggests a formidable challenge for any potential opponent.

The poll ran over a three-day period beginning April 30 and ending May 2 and had a sample size of 16, roughly 1/3 of the Mideast population. Of the respondents, 11 (69%) said they would vote for Senator Windjammer and his running mate, former Senator Franzl (TPP-IL), in the May 15 election, while 4 (25%) said they would vote for a hypothetical ticket of Governor Motley and former Attorney General ZuWO (Ind-KY). Governor Motley, who assumed office upon the resignation of TDAS04 (Lab-VA), has not indicated whether he will seek election to a full term.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Senator Windjammer Is The Best Choice For Mideast Governor

With little over a week before Mideast citizens elect their next governor and Assembly, the Mideast Record-Courier is proud to endorse Senator Windjammer and former Senator Franzl for Governor and Lt. Governor of the Mideast. As a member of the Senate, and for the past few months the presiding officer of that body, Senator Windjammer has shown himself to be a capable, pragmatic public servant committed to representing the best interests of his adopted home. In contrast to the last several governors, none of whom have successfully served a full term in over half a year, Mr. Windjammer can be depended upon to remain an active, engaged chief executive for the Mideast. With Mr. Franzl as his running mate, there is no reason to doubt the competence or experience of this team, and we urge the people of the Mideast to support them at the polls.

Reality Or Nothing Deserves Credit For Death Of Rebel Leader

I think those Reality Or Nothing chaps ought to be rewarded for their brave eliminating of a traitor. A Gold Stars of Atlasia wouldn't be unreasonable.

Mark Green (Vermont)

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, May 10.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

May 19, 2015

National

President Bore greets supporters at the launch of his reelection campaign

Bore Announces Bid For Reelection

With the Senatorial elections in several Regions already in full swing, President Bore announced yesterday that he would seek a second term in office, the first president to do so in over a year. Claiming victory on a host of policy counts, from stabilizing the minimum wage to successfully turning back the tide of domestic terrorism, Mr. Bore declared that he is "looking forward to the campaign over the month to come" and is eager to "once again earn the trust of the Atlasian people."

The president as yet faces no declared opponent in the presidential race, though several possible candidates have been the subject of speculation in recent weeks. These include long-time Senator North Carolina Yankee (Fed-NC), chairman of the Federalist Party and the record holder for the longest consecutive tenure in the Senate, and perennial candidate Poirot (Ind-QC), who ran for president with the backing of the Democratic-Republican Party in October 2014. In a lucky break for the Bore campaign, former President Lumine Von Reuental - who several polls showed within striking distance of the president - declined to run for a second non-consecutive term this month, instead launching a bid for Mideast Senate. Game Moderator Kalwejt (TPP-VT) also declined to run after seriously considering a bid for several days.

Mr. Bore's announcement drew immediate celebration from his allies in Labor and TPP, who flocked to endorse his run for reelection. Among those to offer their endorsement were Northeast Governor Sawx (TPP-NH), the Vice-Chairman of The People's Party, and Registrar General Adam Griffin (Lab-GA), a former chairman of the Labor Party. This, combined with the continued presence of TPP elder statesman Averroes Nix (TPP-SC) as the president's running mate, suggests the continuation of the Labor-TPP alliance that formed to support Mr. Bore's first campaign for the presidency in February.

Mr. Bore is generally well-regarded by the public as he prepares to seek reelection. A survey conducted by RGN Polls from May 13-16 showed the president with a 72% approval rating, compared to 24% of respondents who disapproved of the president. While this was somewhat lower than other members of his Administration, such as Vice President Nix (79% approval) and Registrar General Griffin (90% approval), this nevertheless represents a formidable advantage against any potential competitor. By comparison, Senator Yankee's approval rating was 55% amongst respondents, the lowest of the nation's five At-Large Senators.

The president is expected to file an official declaration of candidacy in the coming days.

Regional

Senator Windjammer (Lab-MI) campaigning for Mideast Governor

May 2015 Mideast Regional Elections Voters' Guide

Elections for Mideast Governor and Assembly will begin this Thursday, May 21, and continue through the weekend. For the convenience of our readers, the Mideast Record-Courier has compiled a complete list of those citizens who have declared their candidacy for office, as well as brief biographies of those running. While the deadline for achieving ballot access has passed, candidates can still announce their intention to accept write-in votes at any time prior to or during the election.

For Governor
"Madman" Bmotley (Democratic Republican-Indiana) / none (inc.)
Motley is the incumbent Governor of the Mideast and a former member of the Assembly. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in October 2014. The governor as yet has not announced a running mate.

Windjammer (Labor-Michigan) / Franzl (The People's Party-Illinois)
Windjammer is the incumbent Senator from the Mideast and has served as Speaker of the Senate since February 2015. He has previously served as Vice President of the Republic of Atlasia and Governor of the Midwest. Windjammer's running mate, Franzl, is a former Mideast Assemblyman and former At-Large Senator. The Windjammer-Franzl ticket has been endorsed by the Mideast Record-Courier.

For Assembly (choose 5)
Earl A. "Hatman" Washburn (Washburnist Socialist Revolutionary Party-Ontario) (inc.)
Earl is one of five incumbent Assemblymen and a former At-Large Senator.

Harry S Truman (The People's Party-Indiana) (inc.)
Truman is a member of the Mideast Assembly and the editor of the Mideast Record-Courier.

Shua (Democratic Republican-Nunavut) (inc.)
Shua is one of five incumbent Assemblymen and a former member of the Senate. He was the vice presidential candidate of the Democratic Republican Party in October 2014.

Vivaportugalhabs (Labor-Michigan)
Mr. Vivaportugalhabs is a Mideast citizen and a first-time candidate for office. He is running to replace retiring Labor Assemblyman New Canadaland.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, May 24.

Unemployment Rates, April Through May

Given the events of the last month, it is unsurprising that unemployment rates rose generally across the nation, particularly in those Regions where anti-government insurgencies were the strongest. While the national unemployment rate rose from just over 6% to 7% on the nose in the aftermath of the declared secession of six states late last month, two Regions - the South and the Northeast - saw small but significant upticks in unemployment, while the Mideast, the Pacific, and the Midwest were largely unaffected.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

Special Report On The May Mideast Elections

Too few votes have been cast at this time to make any sort of projection, but Senator Windjammer currently holds the lead in the Mideast gubernatorial race, with 4 votes to incumbent Governor Motley's 0. In the Assembly race, incumbents EarlAW and Harry S Truman and challenger Vivaportugalhabs have each received 1 vote apiece, putting their progressive coalition just ahead of the conservatives.

For Governor (8.9% turnout)
 Windjammer (LAB)     4 (100%)
 Bmotley (DR)               0 (0%)


For Assembly (8.9% turnout)
 Progressive Bloc     3 (100%), 0 Seats Projected
 Conservative Bloc   0 (0%), 0 Seats Projected

Current Tally
EarlAW (WSR): 1 (33%)
Truman (TPP):  1 (33%)
Viva      (LAB):  1 (33%)
Shua     (DR) :  0 (0%)
JCL       (FED):  0 (0%)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

2nd Special Report On The May Mideast Elections

As turnout nears the 30% mark, progressive candidates for governor and Assembly are doing very well against their conservative opponents. In the gubernatorial race, Mideast Senator Windjammer is currently leading incumbent Governor Motley by a margin of 11 to 1, with one vote cast for write-in candidate Ben Constine. In the Assembly, meanwhile, progressives hold a similar lead over their Conservative Bloc, with incumbents Harry Truman and EarlAW being elected in the first round and Labor challenger Vivaportugalhabs entering the Assembly with transfers.

Progressives should not get too cocky, however. This overwhelming showing for the left is due in part to the fact that right-leaning voters have not yet made their way to the polls. The vast majority of the ballots currently counted were cast by Laborites or by left-leaning independents. Thus, while the left is extremely likely to hold its majority in the Assembly, it remains too soon to say just how large that majority will be.

For Governor (28.9% turnout)
 Windjammer (LAB)     11 (84.6%)
 Bmotley (DR)               1 (7.7%)


For Assembly (28.9% turnout)
 Progressive Bloc     10 (83.3%), 0 Seats Projected
 Conservative Bloc   2 (16.7%), 0 Seats Projected

Current Tally (First Round)
EarlAW (WSR): 4 (33%)
Truman (TPP): 4 (33%)
Vivaportugalhabs (LAB): 2 (17%)
Shua (DR) : 2 (17%)
Others: 0 (0%)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

3rd Special Report On The May Mideast Elections

With less than six hours left in the voting period, left-leaning candidates continue to hold a sizable lead over those of the right. In the gubernatorial race, Mideast Senator Windjammer now currently leads incumbent Governor Bmotley by a 75-point margin, with turnout just under 50%. In the Assembly, meanwhile, the absence of a third conservative candidate means that the left is almost certain to hold its majority. Progressive candidates currently have a combined vote total of 15, or roughly 80%.

Mathematically, it is still possible for Governor Motley to win the election. If 100% of the remaining Federalist, Civic Renewal, and Democratic-Republican voters cast ballots before midnight tonight, and all of them vote for Governor Motley, the incumbent could conceivably managed to win reelection. This, however, would run contrary to current voting trends, which show Federalists supporting Windjammer decisively. It would also require independent voters to split more or less evenly between Windjammer and Bmotley. Currently, the only independent to cast a ballot - Badger - voted for Windjammer.

To avoid a conflict of interest, the Mideast Record-Courier will refrain from issuing a projection in the Assembly race until after the polls have closed. We anticipate calling the gubernatorial race in the next several hours, once it is clear whether a late surge for Governor Motley is going to materialize.

For Governor (44.4% turnout)
 Windjammer (LAB)     17 (85.0%)
 Bmotley (DR)               2 (10.0%)


For Assembly (44.4% turnout)
 Progressive Bloc     15 (78.9%), 0 Seats Projected
 Conservative Bloc   4 (21.1%), 0 Seats Projected

Current Tally (First Round)
EarlAW (WSR): 6 (32%)
Truman (TPP): 6 (32%)
Vivaportugalhabs (LAB): 3 (16%)
Shua (DR) : 2 (11%)
WI: JCL (FED): 2 (11%)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

4th Special Report On The May Mideast Elections

With less than half an hour before the polls close in the Mideast, the Mideast Record-Courier is projecting that Senator Windjammer has been elected Governor of the Mideast, with over 85% of the ballots cast in his favor. With so little time left in the voting period, we feel confident in saying that there is no reason to believe that the results will change significantly at this point. While, for professional reasons, we will refrain from making an official projection in the Mideast Assembly race until after the polls officially close, it appears likely that Mr. Windjammer will enjoy the support of a progressive majority in the Regional legislature.

For Governor (46.7% turnout)
 Windjammer (LAB)     18 (85.7%) ✓
 Bmotley (DR)               2 (9.5%)

Projected Winner: Windjammer / Franzl

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

THE MIDEAST RECORD-COURIER

5th Special Report On The May Mideast Elections

With the polls now closed Regionwide, the Mideast Record-Courier can now project that the Progressive Bloc will continue to hold a majority in the Assembly. According to our unofficial tabulations, all four incumbents running for reelection this weekend have been reelected without serious opposition. Labor Party challenger Vivaportugalhabs has likewise been elected to fill the seat being vacated by current Speaker New Canadaland.

We should note that, in formulating these strictly unofficial results, we have assumed that three votes - those of Anton Kreitzer, JCL, and Morgieb - are invalid, as they were cast after the polls closed at 12:01 am this morning.

For Governor (46.7% turnout)
 Windjammer (LAB)     18 (85.7%) ✓
 Bmotley (DR)               2 (9.5%)

Projected Winner: Windjammer / Franzl

For Assembly (44.4% turnout)
 Progressive Bloc     16 (80.0%), 3 Seats Projected ✓
 Conservative Bloc   4 (20.0%), 2 Seats Projected

Current Tally (First Round)
✓ EarlAW (WSR): 7 (35%)
✓ Truman (TPP): 6 (30%)
✓ Vivaportugalhabs (LAB): 3 (15%)
✓ Shua (DR) : 2 (10%)
✓ WI: JCL (FED): 2 (10%)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

The voting ends tonite at 12:00 EDT so those three votes are valid votes. Voting goes for 72 not 48 hours according to Mideast Law

Voting began at 12:01 AM on the 21st and ended three days (72 hours) later at 12:01 AM on the 24th.

12:01 AM 5/21 - 12:01 AM 5/22 = First Day (24 hrs)
12:01 AM 5/22 - 12:01 AM 5/23 = Second Day (48 hrs)
12:01 AM 5/23 - 12:01 AM 5/24 = Third Day (72 hrs)
Total = 3 Days (72 hrs)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

May 26, 2015

National

President Bore, here after signing the Affirmative Consent Act, has as yet drawn no challenger in the presidential race.

Contested Races Few And Far Between As Elections Near

Less than a month remains in the June Federal elections begin, but the number of declared candidates remains worryingly low, with uncontested races prevalent up and down the ballot. Despite an effort by several prominent Atlasians to encourage new candidates enter the race, the options for those opposed to the incumbent Administration - especially amongst conservatives - remain few and far between, with several potential candidates having either publicly crossed themselves off the list or else failed to kindle speculation in recent weeks.

First on everyone's mind is the presidential race, in which incumbent President Bore (Lab-RI) is seeking reelection after a generally successful first term. Widely popular with the nation at large (72% of voters approve of his performance, according to a recent poll), Mr. Bore has so far attracted no challenger, despite polls showing that a select set of individuals have the potential to run a close race next month. With the president's most formidable potential opponent, former President Lumine Von Reuental (CR-OH), having opted to run for his Region's Senate seat instead, the feeling that no candidate can realistically hope to unseat the president - accurate or not - has only grown, and most of the talk of fielding a challenger against Mr. Bore has devolved to plans for a token campaign.

Of those who have not foreclosed the possibility of a presidential run, perhaps the strongest candidate is At-Large Senator North Carolina Yankee (Fed-NC), who was shown performing reasonably well against the president in several polls run by the Mideast Record-Courier and other sources. Mr. Yankee certainly has several advantages heading into the race, even if he is not favored to win. For one, his Senate seat is not up for election until August, meaning that he would not have to risk being ejected from Nyman in the event that his bid is unsuccessful. Second, as the longest-serving senator in Atlasian history, Mr. Yankee has a level of experience that few can claim to rival, going back nearly six years and countless presidential administrations. These strengths, combined with an energetic campaign and a strong running mate, could at least bring the senator within range of the president, and would certainly be less-likely to be dubbed a token campaign.

Should Mr. Yankee decline to run (and he has given no indication that he intends to), the field of potential challengers becomes increasingly smaller and more desperate. Probably the best candidate for the right to field in Mr. Yankee's absence would be At-Large Senator Cris (CR-KS), whose moderate reputation might appeal to center-left voters looking to support a challenger for the sake of competition. There is also Northeast citizen Poirot, a former Regional Representative well known for his colorful campaigns for national office, which have so far been unanimously unsuccessful. A recent poll by the Political Tracker also suggested that Northeast Speaker Dkrolga (CR-MA) is also considering a run. Dkrol is currently running for Northeast Senate against incumbent Senator Talleyrand (Ind-DE). Southern Speaker PiT (Fed-LA) and Pacific Senator and former President Theodore Cranberry (TPP-NV) have also been mentioned in passing as potential candidates, though neither has publicly explored a candidacy. If all else fails, Game Moderator Kalwejt (TPP-VT) has publicly stated that he may enter the race should no challenger to the president emerge, though he has made it clear that this would be merely to give voters a second choice and that he has no intention of campaigning intensely.

In addition to the lack of competition on the presidential level, several Regional Senate races also lack multiple candidates, despite two incumbent Senators (TNF of the Midwest and Cranberry of the Pacific) having announced plans to retire at the end of their terms. Only two Regions - the Mideast and the Northeast - have seen multiple candidates enter the race at this point, and of these only the Mideast has been particularly competitive in the polls. Of the other three Regions, both the Pacific and the South have only one declared candidate running, while the Midwest has no Senatorial candidates at all.

Unlike the presidential race, there is no ready array of candidates at the Regional level waiting to rise to the Senate. In the Pacific, where active officeholders are few and far between, TPP candidate Turkisblau is unlikely to face any real competition. The Midwest, likewise, has a largely inactive Regional government, and the most obvious candidate to replace TNF - Governor Gass3268 - has instead opted to run for Regional legislature. Several Southerners, including PiT, former Legislator DeadPrez (Fed-TX), and Legislator Spiral (DR-AL) could potentially mount serious campaigns to unseat incumbent Senator Hagrid (Ind-SC), but none seem to have the desire, and Hagrid's wide support within TPP, the Region's dominant party, gives him an edge in any matchup.

Prospective candidates for office may declare their candidacy my stating their intention to run in the Candidate Declaration Thread on this board.

Regional

Mideast citizens waiting to vote at a polling station in Indiana.

Windjammer Elected Governor In Landslide

In one of the most dramatic landslides in nearly five years, Mideast Senator Windjammer (Lab-MI) swept to victory in last weekend's gubernatorial election, defeating incumbent Governor Bmotley (DR-IN) by a margin of 9-1 in the popular vote and winning all but the Canadian province of Nunavut amidst low conservative turnout. Meanwhile, in the legislature, progressive Assemblymen were returned to office by a similarly wide margin, claiming a combined 80% of the vote against their conservative rivals.

While official results have yet to be released by the executive branch, a preliminary count prepared by the Mideast Record-Courier indicated that Mr. Windjammer won over 85% of the vote, compared to just under 10% for Governor Motley and approximately 5% (one vote) for write-in candidate Benconstine (TPP-VA). In terms of raw ballots, Mr. Windjammer won 18 votes to Governor Motley's two, excluding several ballots cast after the polls officially closed. Historically, Windjammer's margin of victory was the largest of any Mideast gubernatorial candidate in a contested election since September 2010, when then-Governor Isaac Tmthforu94 (then RPP-IN) defeated former SoIA NiK of the Populares.

The size of Windjammer's victory was due in part to low conservative turnout, perhaps caused by confusion over the length of the voting period. Of the 21 voters to cast valid ballots in the gubernatorial race, over 50% were members of the Labor Party, and a sizable portion of the remainder were affiliated with left and center-left parties such as the WSRP. Only four Federalists and one Democratic-Republican cast ballots in the election, and of these 60% voted for Mr. Windjammer. The governor-elect also displayed an ability to appeal to center and center-right voters, as he did during his reelection campaign in February against Mr. Spiral (then DR-MO).

The outcome of the Assembly race was in a certain sense predetermined, as only five candidates had declared their candidacy by the time that the polls opened. Of these, four were incumbents, all of whom won reelection by varying margins. First-time candidate Vivaportugalhabs (Lab-MI) was likewise elected to fill the seat vacated by Speaker New Canadaland, who is campaigning for Senator this June. Assemblyman Harry S Truman (TPP-IN) has announced that he will seek to replace New Canadaland as the chamber's presiding officer in the next session.

"We The People"
Editorials By and For Atlasians

Those interested in submitting brief editorials for publication in the Mideast Record-Courier should send them by PM to Harry S Truman no later than Sunday, May 31.

May 2015 Mideast Regional Elections