ACA Convention - Tampa, FL

[Keystone Phil]

The time to change your vote has expired. The official tally of votes is as follows:

Keystone Phil - 207
StatesRights - 120
John Dibble - 120
Supersoulty - 78
Extra Vote - 1

Total votes - 526

With that, I now declare Mr. Keystone Phil of Pennsylvania the nominee of the Atlasian Conservative Alliance for the June Presidential election.

At this time, I would like to annouce that I will be stepping aside as Chairman from this minute until 12:00 AM Monday, June 20th (the day after the election). Mr. Jake will now serve as Acting Chairman. Regardless of the outcome of the election, I will be back as Chairman. However, if I am elected President, I will come back as ACA Chair and resign shortly afterwards (possibly a day or two after my election).

[Kevin]

congrats keystonephil i hope you will get elected

[Ben Meyers]

Congratulations Keystone Phil!

[WiseGuy]

Congrats Keystone!  Sorry I didn't get on in time to vote for you, but you won anyway.

[MasterJedi]

Yes Congratulations Phil, too bad I couldn't make it on.

[Keystone Phil]

I understand that some weren't able to vote and I believe that I kind of owe an apology to you. Time management at this convention was pretty good but our schedule was still messed up a bit and so the vote had to be held later in the evening. I thank everyone for their wishes and will be giving my acceptance speech later this evening.

[Brandon H]

The convention isn't over is it? [BUMP]

[Keystone Phil]

The convention isn't over is it?

Is the delegate in that much of a rush? 

We still have some important speakers: PBrunsel, MHS and myself.

[Brandon H]

I need to leave in about an hour, but the thread was pushed down to to the second page and had no new posts for a few hours. So I was checking on that and bumping it back to the top.

[Keystone Phil]

Keystone Phil will be addressing the convention with his acceptance speech at 9 PM EST

[MHS2002]

(Vice Presidential candidate MHS2002 steps to the podium)

Good afternoon, ACA delegates.

As we near the 5th Presidential election in Atlasia’s history, we see a nation at a crossroads: domestically, and internationally. We see a nation that has a choice: toward the path of socialism and government intrusion, or toward economic opportunity and limited government. We see a nation that has a choice: to give in to terrorism, or to fight for freedom.

Should we decide to take the path of socialism, we will become a nation built upon the welfare state. Churchill once said, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” I could not agree more. An Atlasia under economic liberalism will be an Atlasia that rewards sloth over effort, dependence over initiative, and handouts over hard work. Atlasia was not built on the backs of the welfare state, but on the backs of men and women in the factories, farms, and shops. This nation was built on ingenuity and on the promise of success, not the promise of something for nothing. While no one at this convention, myself included, is calling for the abolishment of all social services, it is important to ensure that the welfare safety net in place does not turn into a net of dependence. The old Chinese proverb goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” If we move toward socialism, we help a man for a day. If we believe in the free market and capitalism, we foster an environment that allows for a man to feed himself for a lifetime.

However difficult our domestic challenges may be, our most difficult challenges lie abroad. Across the world, the forces of terror threaten to destroy the Atlasian way of life we hold so dear. Just this past week, former Midwest Governor Ilikeverin was kidnapped by Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda operative in Iraq. This latest kidnapping further amplifies the lengths these terrorists will go to accomplish their twisted and skewed objectives. In order to preserve freedom, justice, democracy, and the Atlastian way of life, we must attack and hunt down these terrorists. From Kabul to Kirkuk, from Mosul to Mazar-e-Sharif, our nation will not rest until our freedom is secure. While this war on terror will not be an easy victory, our men and women in Atlasian uniform are more than up to the challenge. It is our duty and our responsibility, as civilians and as legislators, to provide our armed forces with the tools necessary to win this war. We will not tire, we will not waver, and we will not fail.

It is to these ends that Keystone Phil will make the best candidate for President of the Republic of Atlasia. We need a leader not afraid to make the difficult and often unpopular decisions. We need a leader willing to fight a strong and effective War on Terror. We need a leader who understands and fights for the needs of our military. We need a leader willing to stand up for the principles of the free market. Members of the Atlasian Conservative Alliance, Keystone Phil is that leader.

[Keystone Phil]

Keystone Phil is seen at his suite which overlooks the convention. He applauds the great speech and later salutes MHS.

A great speech by someone that will make a great Vice President.

[PBrunsel]

(Former President PBrunsel walks to the stage as a band blares “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”)

I was intending to speak before we nominated our candidate, but that didn’t work out. At the former “Little Whiter House” in West Branch a fire started when I left the oven on too long. Don’t worry though; it was more smoke than fire, much like our opponents.

The Atlas Conservative Alliance is a young party, very newly started, but yet we hold the second most seats in the Senate and the Governorship and Lieutenant Governorship in the Southeast. Our party has moved beyond the small expectations that our opponents had to become a powerful force in Atlasian politics. Our party has a bright future ahead and we will take the Presidency back in June.

The one thing my presidency most fought for was honesty in government. There was never a cover-up, backhanded deal, or working out of the public eye in my administration. I was so honest I didn’t even try to sugar code my opinions. “Be straight with the people,” is my motto, and that should be the motto of this campaign for President. We must talk straight to the people. We must tell them are true beliefs and not hide them in an attempt to gain some more votes. To win an election by covering up what you believe makes your election a lie. Our responsibility to voters is to tell them what we mean and mean what we say.

We all know who cracked our first voter fraud scandal, which was a group of people, but headmost amongst them was my Vice President Keystone Phil. When the entrails of GirlGoneWildgate were introduced to me, it was my faithful Veep who informed me first of any of the members of my party. If we can count on one man to keep our voting system honest, that man is Keystone Phil. He has been a reformer for voter honesty and ballot security since that nefarious scheme and scandal that brought down two Eastern Liberals who I personally like. I do not want to see any more people go down because of voter fraud and I do not want to see any elections decided by fraudulent votes. I was elected by honest votes, so every politician in Atlasia should be elected by honest ballots.

Keystone Phil, although I feel he is quite a rowdy character and perhaps always brewing for a fight, is the type of man who has the guts to stand up for Atlasia. Stand up against the Communists in China and North Korea, the terrorists in the Middle East, the Iraqi Rebels, and any other crazy kook or dictator that rises against our fair of land of liberty. In a world where the next major crisis is one insane dictator away, Keystone Phil stands ready to fight. Under his administration, as under mine, we will not be kicked around by Communists, terrorists, thugs, or traitors. We will not accept the delusion that all our enemies will throw down their weapons if we offer them a branch of peace. We must not be deluded by the false, yet well meaning, ideas of the Church of Unconditional Peace. We must us always stand ready to fight for the values of God, Family, and Country. Freedom is not free, I know this, our party knows this, and Keystone Phil knows this.

As we stand at the crossroads of another election I ask you to continue the Conservative swing of our fair nation. Our Senate has become a place of Common Sense Conservatism, and that is what our nominee is. Keystone Phil is not a far-right reactionary, but a Common Sense Conservative. Stooped in the Conservatism of Goldwater and Reagan and deeply endowed in religion as preached by great men like Billy Graham.

As we go to vote on Election Day, as we sit in that booth, our responsibility is to vote for the best man that we have the capability of voting for. When asked this see how our nation is going. See that Conservatism has brought China to its knees, has saved the unborn, has given more economic freedoms than ever before, and given us a stock market that has reached new highs. We stand behind the economic freedoms of all Atlasians. When you vote on Election Day, vote to keep the Atlasian dream alive. Vote to keep the idea that through hard work and determination you can reach amazing heights, just as I did. If you vote this way you can vote only one way, and that is for Keystone Phil/MHS2002.

So without further ado, let me introduce to you the next leader of the free world, my faithful Vice President, Keystone Phil!

(PBrunsel leaves the stage as crowds cheer. Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud to be an American" plays.)

[Keystone Phil]

Keystone Phil walks onto the convention stage, waving to the delegates. When he spots the excited Pennsylvanian delegation, he gives them a thumbs up and continues walking to the podium. The crowd is on their feet, waving their "Keystone Phil - MHS2002" signs.

Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Mr. Chairman...I hope you get used to that, Jake. You'll be hearing it for awhile. Mr. Chairman, Mr. PBrunsel, Mr. MHS, delegates to the convention, fellow Atlasians, I am ready. My friends, let me thank you for your votes and your words of encouragement. It is with your support that I am now prepared to wage a campaign for the future of our great Republic. It is with great honor that I accept your nomination for President of Atlasia.

Almost one year ago, I became a citizen of Atlasia. At first, I wasn't sure what to do or how to go about buisness but I was quickly accepted and shown how our country works. I ran for Senate twice with a message of holding on to your dreams. I believed that there was so much potential in Atlasia but we become easily discouraged and forget what we aim for. I later became Vice President but the dream had not been fulfilled. My friends, I am back and ready to run so that we live those dreams.

In order to achieve our goals, we must overcome obstacles. Two of the main obstacles I see in Atlasia are elitism and corruption. We all know the stories, the scandals, the behavior of some of our citzens. We look down in shame on these acts but I say to all the disappointed Atlasians, Look up! If we decide to be pessimistic, if we decide to just brush aside what is being done, we will never win. We will never prevail when we say, "I quit." We must rise at this convention and during this campaign and show that the uninviting, corrupt behavior is not welcome anymore!

Fellow Atlasians, another important issue we must address is the character of each candidate. Now I know that I am running against very qualified, intelligent men but we must ask ourselves a key question when we go to pick the next leader of Atlasia: Who will be the strongest defender of what they believe in? My friends, I remain committed to what I feel is right. I am a stronger guardian of our principles. The voters are looking towards the candidates for reassurance and strong values. I believe I am the candidate with those qualities.

We're living in a dangerous world. In order to attain what we strive for, we must be ready to fight when necessary. A strong military is not just a good thing to acquire, it is essential. Under a Keystone Phil-MHS administration, our military will be second to none.

Finally, the main goal our my Presidency will be accessibility. The last thing Atlasian voters want is to feel left out of the process. Now I am perfectly aware that there are occassions when keeping information secret is necessary but far too often information that should be now by our citizens is kept away. This ties right back into the issue of elitism. As President, I will be open to the people of Atlasia. I will build one of the most reliable and accessible cabinets in our history.

I never thought I'd get here to tell you the truth but it is because I kept my eye on my goal, I am standing before you asking for your trust and your vote. If elected, I will work to see your goals accomplished. Thank you, God Bless you and God Bless the great Republic of Atlasia!

Keystone Phil steps away from the podium as the crowd erupts. Stevie Wonder's Hold Onto Your Dreams begins to play as balloons and confetti drop. Keystone Phil and MHS2002 join at the center of the stage and wave to the delegates.

[Ben Meyers]

Keystone Phil, thank you for one of the most motivational and inspirational speeches I have heard.

You will undoubtedly make a fantastic President

[J. J.]

Keystone Phil, thank you for one of the most motivational and inspirational speeches I have heard.

You will undoubtedly make a fantastic President

Outstanding!  Great job.

[Jake]

We've had some excellent speeches this convention. Can't wait for next month.

[Keystone Phil]

Mr. Chairman, we have had a great first convention but it must come to an end. I motion to adjourn.

[Brandon H]

I second that motion (being as it has been 20 hours between those last two posts).

[Jake]

Have we nominated a VP candidate. If we did or if we aren't going to now, I adjourn this convention. Thank you all for representing our party here and selecting our candidate for the presidency, Keystone Phil. May your travels home be safe.

[Keystone Phil]

Have we nominated a VP candidate. If we did or if we aren't going to now, I adjourn this convention. Thank you all for representing our party here and selecting our candidate for the presidency, Keystone Phil. May your travels home be safe.

I don't believe we have to nominate the VP candidate.

[J. J.]

Have we nominated a VP candidate. If we did or if we aren't going to now, I adjourn this convention. Thank you all for representing our party here and selecting our candidate for the presidency, Keystone Phil. May your travels home be safe.

I don't believe we have to nominate the VP candidate.

I nominate MHS2002 for the vice presidential nomination.

[Keystone Phil]

Have we nominated a VP candidate. If we did or if we aren't going to now, I adjourn this convention. Thank you all for representing our party here and selecting our candidate for the presidency, Keystone Phil. May your travels home be safe.

I don't believe we have to nominate the VP candidate.

I nominate MHS2002 for the vice presidential nomination.

This is unnecessary. While I like Tampa, my campaign needs to get moving.    Mr. Chairman, please officially close the convention.

[Jake]

This convention is now closed.