Progessive Caucus Convention

[Akno21]

May I join the caucus?

Yes. Welcome to the Progressive Caucus, be sure to check out our off-site forums.

[Akno21]

You really shouldn't leave the caucus simply because you disagree on one issue. We aren't supposed to agree on everything, if all of us agreed on all 12 items in the platform, that would be pretty wierd, it shouldn't happen that we all agree on everything.

Also, by leaving, you really hurt the Progressive cause, which transcends the caucus. The caucus forum provides a place for members of all different left-leaning parties to come together and discuss general leftist strategy, since none of the parties actually run against each other, the Progressive Caucus in a sense can be the leftist party. If we don't have all the major leftists in it, it loses much of it's purpose.

[Akno21]

I'm not going to have time to write up anything till tomorrow morning, so if Alcon and Peter want to go before me, that's fine.

[Akno21]

Today I speak to you regarding several important issues before our caucus. To get straight to the point, I will seek the Vice-Chairmanship of the caucus, which means I will run for chairman, but put MAS117 as my first preference and encourage my supporters to do so. I have served as chairman before, so if anything happens to MAS, the caucus will have an experienced backup.

As you are aware, the progressive cause doesn't have a lot of supporters in government right now. Many pieces of progressive legislation are getting repealed. Sure, we would like to take back some Senate seats, enough to halt the conservative movement. The time will come, we will get more qualified candidates, leading conservatives will retire. It is their time now, it was ours in the past and it can be if we stick around, make a good name for ourselves, and play by the rules.

I have learned that the hard way. Even though we are down right now, there is always next time. We must remember that. We cannot be stuck in the mindset that if you lose as an incumbent, you are done. It's not worth it to pull out every trick in the bag to win. There is always another day, you can come back if you lose, but you cannot come back if you disgrace yourself.

Remember, this is a game. Have fun. There's no need to go personal, and there's no need to get upset over attacks from someone you barely know who lives 2,000 miles away.

If the caucus endorses Siege and Emsworth for President, I will accept that. They fit in well with our platform, and if elected will do well. However, I believe the caucus should endorse Harry and Ebowed as well, and encourage members to choose between the two tickets. While Harry and Ebowed are not as socially liberal as Siege and Emsworth, they are against the death penalty, and are certainly not conservative. But don't just look at positions. Look at actions. Look at Harry's couragous actions when StatesRights unconstitutionally nullified the Gay Marriage law. He went to jail to protect the country and show support for Gay Marriage in the Southeast. He has accomplished a lot in his eight months in the Senate, and is a defender of Civil Liberties, gaining the ACLU's endorsement when he ran in October. He deserves an endorsement.

I second the chairman's call for everyone to stay in the caucus. Just because you disagree with one stance doesn't mean you don't fit in. You aren't supposed to agree with everything, we aren't clones. We have a unique opportunity with the caucus, an opportunity to organize the left. But we can only do that if we have everybody, and they are active at the caucus boards.

Thank you for attending the convention and Dave Bless you.

The Beatles "Come Together" plays in the background as Akno exits the stage.

[Akno21]

I believe I had the support of the neccessary independents, Josh approved awhile back when Peter introduced the idea of a board.

[Akno21]

I believe I had the support of the neccessary independents, Josh approved awhile back when Peter introduced the idea of a board.

If you are the Vice Chairman its an academic point: You are on that Board ex officio.

Oh, I did not see that. So I'll just serve from the Vice-Chairman slot then.

[Akno21]

Since there are no other responses Dean and Ebowed are on the board.

Representing the Farmer-Labor Party
Ebowed
Al

Dean should be on the list you posted, not Al.