Federalist Vice Chair Debate (Open Questions - 24 hours)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Discussed this on discord yesterday and there was some interest in it so, I figured we would role with it.

Candidates
LouisvilleThunder
ReaganClinton
LFromNJ
Fairbol

Rather than do opening statements, I will link to the statements made in the Convention. If you have not made one, please make one in the convention thread ASAP.


Questions:
1. The position of Federalist Vice Chair is undefined in terms of specific responsibility and thus each Vice Chair has historically had different areas of focus depending on their skills and talents. What would your areas of focus be and do why do you think that is the most critical necessity at this time?

2. What experience do you bring to table you think prepares you to carry out this task?

3. Beyond the area of focus there are other responsibilities that the VC has to sometimes carry out, first off state what you think these tasks might include and your ability/availability to carry them out?

4. The Federalist Party's favorability ratings and general popularity is pretty much trash. What would be your approach to restoring these numbers and improving the Party's image particularly with critical swing voters and independents?

5. We have legions of members who have joined are barely involved in the game and some of whom are active on discord but are thus disconnected from our game's culture and thus most certainly our party's culture and traditions. How would go about bringing cohesiveness within the party's community and general acceptance of the party's traditions?

5a. As a part of that, how would you go about expanding the embrace of the Party's belief in a game that is open, welcoming and respectful to all participants? This was added to our platform at a time when a number of people on the left wanted the right to disappear and thus it was in our interest to fight for everyone's right to play and oppose actions that harmed participation and interest in the game.

6. Do you make good coffee at least?

[lfromnj]

Discussed this on discord yesterday and there was some interest in it so, I figured we would role with it.

Candidates
LouisvilleThunder
ReaganClinton
LFromNJ
Fairbol

Rather than do opening statements, I will link to the statements made in the Convention. If you have not made one, please make one in the convention thread ASAP.


Questions:
1. The position of Federalist Vice Chair is undefined in terms of specific responsibility and thus each Vice Chair has historically had different areas of focus depending on their skills and talents. What would your areas of focus be and do why do you think that is the most critical necessity at this time?
Recruitment, even at June with large amounts of swing voters voting for YT we still lost because labour beat us with recruitment. Swing voters are important but so is recruiting which is something where we fell behind.
2. What experience do you bring to table you think prepares you to carry out this task?
Friends with a lot of people on the forum and recent recruitment spree show I can do it. I don't see the point of long paragraphs to tell you when I just showed you.
3. Beyond the area of focus there are other responsibilities that the VC has to sometimes carry out, first off state what you think these tasks might include and your ability/availability to carry them out?
I could help Yankee with keeping all the lists organized for all the voters  we need to contact.. I have a desire to start working with excel anyway IRL so I can start planning around with.
4. The Federalist Party's favorability ratings and general popularity is pretty much trash. What would be your approach to restoring these numbers and improving the Party's image particularly with critical swing voters and independents?
Use the wide and diverse ideology we have in our current slate to persuade large groups of voters. Although we shouldn't be attacking the other side aggressively and causing anger, adding humor to the game like what Yellowhammer recently did is exactly what we need to be doing in the humor aspect. I make continuous friends with large amounts of center of left voters and I think I am confident I can regain some of our recent losses merely due to my personality.

5. We have legions of members who have joined are barely involved in the game and some of whom are active on discord but are thus disconnected from our game's culture and thus most certainly our party's culture and traditions. How would go about bringing cohesiveness within the party's community and general acceptance of the party's traditions?
Start creating a cult loyal to me and tell them what to run for/s. To be serious, I feel like my relation with a lot of the people I will recruit along with the discord relations I have gives me a strong base to work off to persuade a person to run. I recently persuaded Saint to run as I know him quite well.
5a. As a part of that, how would you go about expanding the embrace of the Party's belief in a game that is open, welcoming and respectful to all participants? This was added to our platform at a time when a number of people on the left wanted the right to disappear and thus it was in our interest to fight for everyone's right to play and oppose actions that harmed participation and interest in the game.
Stay calm and make sure we are the party that may condemn "bad speech" but at the same time we have to be open of the issue of free speech and make sure we don't punish people for what they say besides condemnation because that set a horrible precedent.
6. Do you make good coffee at least?
Yes(sane,normal)

Warning to all Federalists, I will not  be there for the final weekend of the election.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

You didn't answer 5a.

[lfromnj]

You didn't answer 5a.

Was working on it, I pressed post to save it incase auto log out.

[lfromnj]

I would like to mention within the past few days I have managed to recruit either 7 federalists or federalist leaning independents. I think that shows some of my strength.  Anyone who believes that recruitment should be a top priority should vote for me.

[FairBol]

Just seeing this now....sorry, had to step out yesterday.  I felt quite like a Mack truck had just hit me...."ugh, somebody get the license plate?" (LOL)

Questions:
1. The position of Federalist Vice Chair is undefined in terms of specific responsibility and thus each Vice Chair has historically had different areas of focus depending on their skills and talents. What would your areas of focus be and do why do you think that is the most critical necessity at this time?

As briefly described in my convention speech, I would focus on recruitment and message.  First, where do we look for new members, and how do we get them? This is something that needs to be talked about among us.

Second, if we don't make the case for the ideals that we believe in, we will convince nobody, and NOTHING WILL CHANGE.  Three months from now, we'll still be mired in the same old slump that we have been in.  The discussion of best practices, and what we as Federalists believe in, needs to get started; I'll get this effort underway.

2. What experience do you bring to table you think prepares you to carry out this task?

I have extensive RL experience in team environments, particularly as a member of campaign teams.  This has taught me the importance of working together, and presenting a united front.  When it comes down to it, this party is a team of principled individuals, all striving for the same goal.  On every team, there are various different parts to play; as vice-chair, I will see to it that everyone has a role and purpose for their membership.

In addition, I am a simulated government "OG" of sorts, having participated in such games as far back as 2000 (does that make me the longest simming guy here? IDK).  I have seen games/parties come, and games/parties go.  I've participated in more than one "sim government war", and have friendly relations off board with several former simmers (that aren't in this game, and maintain professional careers in politics).  As such, I believe that I am uniquely qualified to help lead this party, and offer insights from someone who has been in "the arena". 

3. Beyond the area of focus there are other responsibilities that the VC has to sometimes carry out, first off state what you think these tasks might include and your ability/availability to carry them out?

I think that the main "other responsibilities" that you speak of include keeping the membership updated as to current events/strategy, and ensuring that the party stays focused and motivated. 

The Atlas Left has proven that their playbook is straight out of the Democratic Party's policy file..."first, identify your target; then, make the issue personal" (in this way, they sow the seeds of division among us).  We must not be distracted by their petty tactics and "shenanigans".  If we want to win, we have to concentrate on our message, and why it's better than the alternative.  This is something that will be a high priority of mine. 

4. The Federalist Party's favorability ratings and general popularity is pretty much trash. What would be your approach to restoring these numbers and improving the Party's image particularly with critical swing voters and independents?

I can't say it often enough; we must present our case, and our message, to the undecideds.  To some extent, our beliefs must become a cliche; repeat them over and over.  We must be also be steadfast and unwavering in the message that we present.

5. We have legions of members who have joined are barely involved in the game and some of whom are active on discord but are thus disconnected from our game's culture and thus most certainly our party's culture and traditions. How would go about bringing cohesiveness within the party's community and general acceptance of the party's traditions?

As far as "general acceptance" goes, I'm not sure how (or even if I'd want to) do that.  I think we're better off with a policy of "big tent conservatism/federalism"; that is, every type of conservative/federalist is welcome here.  It doesn't matter if you're a libertarian, constitutionalist, "moderate", or "independent"....what matters is that you believe in liberty, justice, and prosperity for all.  THAT should be our message, and way of doing things. 

5a. As a part of that, how would you go about expanding the embrace of the Party's belief in a game that is open, welcoming and respectful to all participants? This was added to our platform at a time when a number of people on the left wanted the right to disappear and thus it was in our interest to fight for everyone's right to play and oppose actions that harmed participation and interest in the game.

See my answer to question 5.  Also, I think that if we give everybody who wishes to be active a job/mission to accomplish, we will see more people become active.  People like to have things to do, and a feeling that they are depended on for something...I know I do.  By establishing an atmosphere of "hey, the party needs me for this task", we'll encourage increased activity.

6. Do you make good coffee at least?

As I don't drink coffee, I don't generally make it....but I know how to, at least, LOL!

[FairBol]

I just want to ask Lfromnj about something that he raised in one of his responses.  As identified in your answer to question 5a, what is "bad speech", and what is "free speech"? Basically, what is the difference between the two, in your opinion? (Not that I don't know the difference...I just want to see what you think)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Come on RC and LT I would like to get this done today.

[lfromnj]

I just want to ask Lfromnj about something that he raised in one of his responses.  As identified in your answer to question 5a, what is "bad speech", and what is "free speech"? Basically, what is the difference between the two, in your opinion? (Not that I don't know the difference...I just want to see what you think)

Bad speech can be something that a person said that could be seen as overtly controversial such as PIT's words before his defense. More of labour should have waited for his defense and they should definitely not have called for his resignation. Even if it was true I was worried about a possible impeachment for what PIT stated which would be a danger to Atlasian speech.

Question for fairbol
How do you plan to work on recruitment? Your answer to 2 focuses more on the message but in 1 you claim you will focus on recruitment.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

While we are patiently waiting for LT to answer the first round of questions, if anyone in the viewing audience (regardless of registration) would like to ask the candidates a question, they may  do so now.


Please keep them civil, respectful and relevant to issues related to party operations, image, outreach etc.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Questions:
1. The position of Federalist Vice Chair is undefined in terms of specific responsibility and thus each Vice Chair has historically had different areas of focus depending on their skills and talents. What would your areas of focus be and do why do you think that is the most critical necessity at this time?

As Vice-Chair, I will focus on a mix of organizing GOTV efforts, recruiting not only players to register in the game, but in running candidates for offices. I also know how to target specific voters for specific candidates running for offices so that we can maximize what we can do with the voters we have in each region as shown by every election victory for the party that I had a part in. We need to bolster our benches in every region and allow new people to advance in the game since we've had too much turnover without adequate replacements over the past couple of years which has culminated in our disappointing performance last weekend. I also have the experience necessary in handling disagreements within the party in a fair and constructive way. I will also be able to be there during election weekend in the December midterms while the other candidates for this office might not be.

2. What experience do you bring to table you think prepares you to carry out this task?

I am the most experienced candidate for Vice Chair. I have been involved in this party since the summer of 2017. I have been a part of many election wins, and I also have seen losses that we recovered from. I think it does require patience and a focus on the long term which is something I am the candidate better suited for. I have the dedication needed to push forward from the mess we're in. This is shown through how in Lincoln, I've seen periods where we make gains until Labor or PUP recruits a ton of people to swamp out the right only for us to do enough recruiting and for lefties to get disengaged enough for us to pull off wins again. This cycle is continuing to play out, and that's how the game is. What I can bring to the table is the knowledge and experience needed to advise newer players on how to govern well so that our voters get the biggest bang for their buck. Strategy is an important component in the game, and we have to avoid the mistakes of the past.

3. Beyond the area of focus there are other responsibilities that the VC has to sometimes carry out, first off state what you think these tasks might include and your ability/availability to carry them out?

I will be able to send out party PMs whenever we need to. I will also work on organizing voter lists as well as recruiting targets.

4. The Federalist Party's favorability ratings and general popularity is pretty much trash. What would be your approach to restoring these numbers and improving the Party's image particularly with critical swing voters and independents?

We have to be more positive in our messaging. The party succeeds when we give people something to vote for and a team to be invested in. We need to show the average Atlasian that we do have people's best interests in mind and that we want all to have an opportunity to prosper and thrive in life and in the game. Going after Labor when they act extreme is important, but we shouldn't act unhinged like the other side tends to do. If people on the right (whether they are in the ACP or even within the Feds) are advocating radicalism and extremism, then it is totally appropriate to call them out and encourage them to consider a different view. We have our own principles that we should stand for, and we have a duty to practice what we preach.

5. We have legions of members who have joined are barely involved in the game and some of whom are active on discord but are thus disconnected from our game's culture and thus most certainly our party's culture and traditions. How would go about bringing cohesiveness within the party's community and general acceptance of the party's traditions?

This has been a major issue as a result of discord's rise totally altering the Atlasian landscape from what it was before. Today, many people on the right within Atlas have tuned out and dropped out of the game--preferring echochambers and sh**tposting over serious participation in the game. Previous powerplayers such as YT tried to work within the situation at hand by getting as much as he could done regarding recruitment for offices such as the Southern Chamber and voters loyal to him. However, this isn't a sustainable long term strategy. We have to get people truly integrated in the party and interested in rising through the ranks to success and glory in the game. This means giving people room to shine on their own and able to build their own policy agendas and such as long as it doesn't tread against our party's core values on important issues regarding freedom and liberty.

5a. As a part of that, how would you go about expanding the embrace of the Party's belief in a game that is open, welcoming and respectful to all participants? This was added to our platform at a time when a number of people on the left wanted the right to disappear and thus it was in our interest to fight for everyone's right to play and oppose actions that harmed participation and interest in the game.

I always believed the Federalist Party should be a home to those who want an alternative to bland generic leftism that doesn't have the same issues that the US GOP does. Our strength is in an environment and culture our diversity of views and personalities. However, we have to preserve that by both not purging those with minor disagreements as long as we all aim to push the Overton Window in Atlasia to the right in some shape or form. We also should have a high standard of behavior that should be enforced when necessary. In the past, I have been relatively lenient towards those such as ASV and Suburban which did earn me some criticism from others who are less willing to put up with them. I did learn the importance of maintaining a balanced approach when it comes to handling the dirty work of dealing with bad behavior so that we can have a good internal party environment so that we keep good players happy and engaged while being able to attract new sane players into the game and party. This will also boost and preserve the cohesiveness we need if we want our party to win over Atlasia again. Our tolerant environment that promotes success is what always worked for us, and we struggle when we don't accept each other for what we're good for and annoy our fellow party members.

6. Do you make good coffee at least?

I make the best coffee. Believe me.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Come on, now questions from the audience?

[diptheriadan]

What do you think should be emphasized more to improve the future prospects of the Federalist Party: the conservative aspect of the party or the federalist (as in, support for federalism) aspect of the party?

[lfromnj]

What do you think should be emphasized more to improve the future prospects of the Federalist Party: the conservative aspect of the party or the federalist (as in, support for federalism) aspect of the party?

Tbh I would say neither, I can admit I have never been a super strong supporter of the Federalism aspect of this party, IIRC I supported MB's ban on corporate welfare which is both anti "conservative" and not really Federalist. I would be moderate on Federalism but at the same time I don't get the feeling an incredible amount of voters are motivated by individual regions.

I believe the Federalists main goal is to represent a large percent of Atlasians who not only lean right but are also are center and even center left but are disaffected by labor members who support giving 100k to each homeless person or other lunacies. Our goal as Federalists should be to have all 3 Quadrants and start encroaching on the 4th. We should also be able to persuade voters why we can be not only better than labour but why we are the best choice out of any party involved in Atlasia through a strong center right platform.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

LT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

FAIRBOL?!!!!!!

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

What do you think should be emphasized more to improve the future prospects of the Federalist Party: the conservative aspect of the party or the federalist (as in, support for federalism) aspect of the party?

I don't think these two concepts are mutually exclusive. I think we should embrace the fact that advocating for federalism enhances our prospects of getting conserative policies passed.   Federalism means advocating for stronger more autonomous regions with more leeway to implement policies on issues such as education, healthcare, and abortion. This is an approach that has allowed us to get much more accomplished on issues that matter than the RL GOP. It would be a mistake to go back on this because federalism has been an effective at uniting conservatives, libertarians, and moderates in favor of a common united agenda. It's not enough to simply oppose whatever Labor is doing. We have to have something to actually offer to voters. The left's strategy can be more simple since their own internal debates are over how much socialism is too much, and which methods are acceptable or not at achieving that singular ultimate goal of "progress" in society. However, on our side we have competing notions of what "conservatism" means. Some view it in a more libertarian lense meaning less government involvement in people's lives, whether it's regarding economic freedom or civil liberties. Others view conservatism as defending our culture, moral values, and social hierarchies from the sort of social engineering that the left and liberals want to impose on society. I think that as a party, all of us can be best served through keeping a strong emphasis on federalism as more centralized power in Nyman harms all of us and our rights and liberties.

I do believe that it is a good thing that we have developed our own distinct form of "conservatism" that distances ourselves enough from the inefficacies, corruption, and stupidity that has tarnished conservatism in real life to the point that more young people than ever before are identifying as socialists. Federalism in our party is what makes us able to compete well against the left when we have so many structural disadvantages among the forum's demographics. Our federalist strategy makes it easier to unite the other three quadrants outside of libleft, and it allows us to appeal to those who are in the libleft quadrant as long as we are comptent enough in governing more responsibly than the left and have better ideas to offer. Ditching federalism is the wrong answer to our problems as a party. A "strong center-right platform" is bound to include federalism or otherwise we alienate too many people considering the demographics of our country.

Tbh I would say neither, I can admit I have never been a super strong supporter of the Federalism aspect of this party, IIRC I supported MB's ban on corporate welfare which is both anti "conservative" and not really Federalist. I would be moderate on Federalism but at the same time I don't get the feeling an incredible amount of voters are motivated by individual regions.

How is opposing corporate welfare "anti-conservative and not really Federalist?" I figure that advocating for actual freer markets where the government doesn't pick winners and losers while cutting the government bureaucracy is exactly conservative and federalist by nature. Maybe you got the way we do things confused with how RL "conservatives" operate.

Voters are individual people. Sure, some might not care or even be aware of the extent of sophistication that goes into Atlasian governing and only copy/paste ballots if someone they are friendly with PMs them. However, if you talk to some "zombie" voters, most of them do in fact find small-f federalism reasonable and something to support. If you want a meaningful and logically consistent movement that can last which isn't a cult, you have to have a uniting philosophy. Federalism is what works on the right. Even the ACP realizes this and hasn't opposed things like regional rights because it's sound enough of a strategy that benefits all of us. Sure, we can oppose Labor if they advocate unsound policies, but we have to use federalism as a tool to get what we want and to keep the left from getting bad things that they want.

[lfromnj]

What do you think should be emphasized more to improve the future prospects of the Federalist Party: the conservative aspect of the party or the federalist (as in, support for federalism) aspect of the party?

I don't think these two concepts are mutually exclusive. I think we should embrace the fact that advocating for federalism enhances our prospects of getting conserative policies passed.   Federalism means advocating for stronger more autonomous regions with more leeway to implement policies on issues such as education, healthcare, and abortion. This is an approach that has allowed us to get much more accomplished on issues that matter than the RL GOP. It would be a mistake to go back on this because federalism has been an effective at uniting conservatives, libertarians, and moderates in favor of a common united agenda. It's not enough to simply oppose whatever Labor is doing. We have to have something to actually offer to voters. The left's strategy can be more simple since their own internal debates are over how much socialism is too much, and which methods are acceptable or not at achieving that singular ultimate goal of "progress" in society. However, on our side we have competing notions of what "conservatism" means. Some view it in a more libertarian lense meaning less government involvement in people's lives, whether it's regarding economic freedom or civil liberties. Others view conservatism as defending our culture, moral values, and social hierarchies from the sort of social engineering that the left and liberals want to impose on society. I think that as a party, all of us can be best served through keeping a strong emphasis on federalism as more centralized power in Nyman harms all of us and our rights and liberties.

I do believe that it is a good thing that we have developed our own distinct form of "conservatism" that distances ourselves enough from the inefficacies, corruption, and stupidity that has tarnished conservatism in real life to the point that more young people than ever before are identifying as socialists. Federalism in our party is what makes us able to compete well against the left when we have so many structural disadvantages among the forum's demographics. Our federalist strategy makes it easier to unite the other three quadrants outside of libleft, and it allows us to appeal to those who are in the libleft quadrant as long as we are comptent enough in governing more responsibly than the left and have better ideas to offer. Ditching federalism is the wrong answer to our problems as a party. A "strong center-right platform" is bound to include federalism or otherwise we alienate too many people considering the demographics of our country.

Tbh I would say neither, I can admit I have never been a super strong supporter of the Federalism aspect of this party, IIRC I supported MB's ban on corporate welfare which is both anti "conservative" and not really Federalist. I would be moderate on Federalism but at the same time I don't get the feeling an incredible amount of voters are motivated by individual regions.

How is opposing corporate welfare "anti-conservative and not really Federalist?" I figure that advocating for actual freer markets where the government doesn't pick winners and losers while cutting the government bureaucracy is exactly conservative and federalist by nature. Maybe you got the way we do things confused with how RL "conservatives" operate.

Voters are individual people. Sure, some might not care or even be aware of the extent of sophistication that goes into Atlasian governing and only copy/paste ballots if someone they are friendly with PMs them. However, if you talk to some "zombie" voters, most of them do in fact find small-f federalism reasonable and something to support. If you want a meaningful and logically consistent movement that can last which isn't a cult, you have to have a uniting philosophy. Federalism is what works on the right. Even the ACP realizes this and hasn't opposed things like regional rights because it's sound enough of a strategy that benefits all of us. Sure, we can oppose Labor if they advocate unsound policies, but we have to use federalism as a tool to get what we want and to keep the left from getting bad things that they want.

I supported the anti welfare bill at the Federal while most fellow conservatives or Feds were opposed.