Concession, Castigation, and Campaign Speech

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The special election was closely fought and my principal opponent, Lewis Trondheim, has managed to squeak out a narrow victory, based on the rules the Midwest uses to break ties.  I wish to congratulate the voters of the Midwest on their 100% voter turnout, a result which if duplicated two weekends from now will ensure no tie as our growing region has gained an additional voter since the start of the special election.

In retrospect, it is perhaps best that Mr. Trondheim won the special election for the brief term that is to be filled.  President Republic has yet to nominate a replacement for Chief Justice Bell following his resignation.  Justice Emsworth is a worthy judge, but the Court is supposed to have three members not one.  I call on the President to bring a nomination to the Senate to fill the existing void on the court as soon as possible.

I also call on the people of the Midwest to fill a void.  A void in the Senate of responsible, thoughtful Senators.  A void that can be best filled by electing me to be your Senator two weekends from now.  Thank You!

[Democratic Hawk]

Good luck in two weeks time

Dave

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

<offstage>
You're kidding.

Are you absolutely certain about this?

Sigh.

Well, I guess I have to go back out there and pull a Gore and retract my concession.
</offstage>

<Crowd is confused as Justice Ernest returns to the stage just after his concession speech.>

My friends, I have an embaressing statement to make.  Governor Jas has just called and informed me that because of yet another technicality, we've had a change in the results.  It seems I've won the special election!

<Crowd erupts in jubilation!>

Since there are 72 hours after the election in which someone can challege the results, I shall wait until that period has expired to take my seat, just in case we have yet another unexpected development.

Thank you all!

[minionofmidas]

Congrats, Ernest.

[Јas]

At this time, I would urge Ernest to take his Senate seat.

While according to the law a challenge is possible, one must bear in mind that such action would be unprecedented in the Midwest and that nobody has uttered anything to suggest that the election was carried out in anything other than a fair and impartial manner. In my view, the election and certification ran smoothly and without any significant problems. It should be noted that Lewis accepts the result as accurate and in accordance with law, and so the possibility of a challenge would be remote.

I would also point out that the result of the vote in in fact non-binding, it is my decision as Governor whom to appoint and I simply decided to consult the electorate on the matter. Thus any contest, even if upheld, could not force me to revoke the appointment offer I have made.

A number of matters of significance are currently before the Senate, and I belief that Midwesterners would be best served by having their Senator contribute straight away.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I try to play devil's advocate when looking at things.  I find it helps me to avoid potential problems.  Pym would a have reasonable case should he choose to challenge your decision to discount his vote.  Since there are no provisions for a special election for President, one could argue that since he was qualified to vote for President in the next Presidential election, he met the applicable standard for a voter in Midwest law.  I'm not saying that he would win the case, but it certainly is not one that should be dismissed without a fuller hearing.

That said, since the vote was non-binding, and you have repeated your offer, I hereby resign my position as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Atlasia and accept the offered Senate Seat.

[Јas]

First of all, thank you for taking your seat. I appreciate your caution but I feel that this is the prudent choice.

On the matter of Pym's vote, while I appreciate and understand the point you put forward (as devil's advocate), I would still advocate that the decision made was the correct one, given that when he cast the vote, Pym did not have the right to vote in a presidential election. (The regulation is cast in the present, not the future tense.) He would not gain this right until some 6 days later, and thus under a strict literal reading of the regulation his vote was invalid.