Like a Phoenix - A 2012 Election Game (Gameplay Thread)

[S019]

First Republican Debate



[A Republican presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in January 2012.Credit Emmanuel Dunand/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images]

Location : Kansas City, Missouri on August 25th, 2011

General Questions

1. Well, what I think is that there wasn't really much that went wrong for President Kerry in the 2008 campaign. Kerry also had a major foreign policy victory, in establishing an independent state of Kurdistan in the Middle East. At the same time, John McCain came from much of the same hawkish brand of politics as George W. Bush. At a time of a major foreign policy victory, the American people did not want a destabilizing war. As the nominee, I would focus on our economy. In 2009-10, the economy plunged into a recession, I would like to ask the Democrats, what plans they have on the economy, after letting it fall into recession

2. Kerry's biggest achievement was successfully establishing an independent Kurdistan. The Kurd state is something that we have long sought to establish in the Middle East. It also serves as a stabilizing regional ally, along with Saudi Arabia. The truth is that we have to check the power of nation's like Iran and Turkey, who want to establish their own puppets in places like Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Iran and Turkey have aligned themselves with China and Russia. We need to check their power in the Middle East, and the Kurdish state, allows us to do that

3. What are your thoughts on the current Democratic Field and who do you think would be their strongest opponent if they entered and why?

The current Democratic field is small and has too much association with President Kerry. John Edwards was Kerry's right hand man, he has way too much connection to the financial crash and to the disastrous foreign policy of the last few years. Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, has engineered Kerry's disastrous foreign policy. Then, there are three other candidates. Dennis Kucinich has eccentric views and is seen as unelectable. Governor Virg Berniro, might be Democrats strongest contractor, but he's largely untested. Ron Wyden, is my Senate colleague, and I have great respect for him. However, I believe that Democrats need a new face, someone not even on the radar, like Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. Senator Kohl can self fund his campaign, as he owns the NBA team, Milwaukee Bucks. Senator Kohl also survived the Republican landslide of 2006, in Wisconsin, which is a swing state, especially down ballot. Senator Kphl would be a formidable candidate

4. Well, we obviously have a lot of seats to cut loose. If I ran the NRSC, I'd immediately cut loose CA, MN, MI, VT, ME, and MD. These states are just too Democratic for us to win. I'd try to save NY, MA, RI, NJ, and CT, if the incumbents ran, as I believe that those seats have strong enough candidates for us to hold them down. I would defend every other seat, but I would not spend a dime in NE, MT, UT, WY, ND, MO, IN, TN, MS, TX, as if we have to spend in those seats, we have a much bigger issue.

Candidate Specific Questions

To Senator Smith : Senator, you’ve served your home state diligently for the last 16 years as Senator. However, over your tenure, you’ve had some more controversial votes, such as your vote on the Partial Birth Abortion Ban in 2003 and the STEM Cell Research Act of 2006. If you can, explain these votes and why you voted in favor of them, considering the lean of your state.

A partial birth abortion is a late-term abortion, where an entire fetus is removed. I understand the concern around this law, but this law was bipartisan. It got the support of the Senate Democratic caucus leader at the time, Tom Daschle. It also was backed by Senator Harry Reid, who was the floor leaders, after Daschle lost in 2004, until he lost in 2010. It was also backed by Senator Pat Leahy, of Vermont. Both Senator Reid and Senator Leahy are pro-choice. So, I fail to see how this is an extremely vote. It was a moderate common-sense proposal, which is what we like in Oregon. We don't like the far left of the far right.

Stem cell research is necessary for millions of people. Those who have been badly burnt, those who have lost a toe or a finger. It's not a Republican or Democrat issue, it's a personal issue for millions of people. The truth is, that only the embryonic stem cells can truly repair the skin or missing digits. For me to vote against that bill, would mean, turning my back on the thousands of Oregonians, who need stem cells.

Closing Statements

For the last eight years, the Democrats have run this country and brought nothing but trouble and incompetence. My administration will take us in a new direction, we'll look to the future. We'll have a foreign policy that work, and we'll make sure to put pressure on Turkey and Iran. We will look to the future with regards to jobs and the economy, I will create thousands of new jobs in the green-energy sector, so that we can also face the inevitable problem of climate change. I will make an Ameroca that will make sure that your children are as well off, as you are. If you elect me, that is my promise. Thank you, all.