Office of Vice President Duke (vote for The Truth: the new constitution)

[Fuzzybigfoot]

What's your favorite video game?

Have you ever played Starcraft II? I don't usually play video games, but I love that game! I geek out whenever I hear about it!

  Hell yes!


Oh, um, sorry Senator.  Please continue.

What race do you play?

I like the good old Terrans the most, but the Protoss are cool too. 

Me too. And Zerg is way too weird for me to learn.

I think the Senate SHOULD create a Starcraft II leisure club!

Indeed!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

I will be making an important, lift changing announcement in the next few hours. Stay tuned. And please, gather the press corps.

[They not like us]

I smell a Presidential campaign

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!  Run Duke run!

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Good evening,

I want to first thank all the press that have gathered outside on my doorstep. It's nice to see such shining faces at such an hour of the night. The fact that you did it for me is even more humbling, and even brings a tear to my eye. I promise I won't disappoint you before I am finished with my little discussion.

So why are we gathered here? Well, I'll get to that in a moment. I don't want to spill the beans this early or many of you all will tune out.

First, let's take a walk down memory lane and learn how we got here. I have been in Atlasian government for a long time now. I remember when I first took office in the Southeast. It was a quiet region. My first election was won with one vote. That's right. I won 1-0. I remember the disappearance of kingofthebenchpress as my first real controversy in government. I remember watching the Southeast rise from the dead in dramatic fashion.

And then what happened? I ran for election for the Senate. The first time I ran, I lost, badly. Marokai wiped the floor with me. The second time I ran, I won. And then I won again. The Senate allowed me to do things I couldn't do in the Southeast. I could drink when I wanted to. I could hit up HappyWarrior and throw a few back on Fridays. But in the Senate, I could also shape the national discussion. From voter legitimacy, to environmental cleanup, to infrastructure upgrades, to reductions in corporate taxes, I am proud of some of things I have been able to accomplish in my nearly two years in the Senate. It has not been easy, but through my discussions and debate, I learned that Atlasia is full of decent people who want to do the right thing. With the economy on the upswing and Atlasians getting back to work, I am confident the government will continue to advance the recovery further.

So what is next? Why am I here talking about my past and walking down memory lane? Well, it is because it is time for the next step. I am here today to announce I am running for President of Atlasia, and I intend to be the next President of Atlasia.

I'm running for President because I know I am the most capable person in this race. I've spent my entire career working with folks from every persuasion known to man. I've spent my career listening, adapting and learning from other points of view while holding my convictions near. We need a president who will not adhere to one particular ideology, but adhere to the principles that work. First, as president, I intend to be the most communicative president we have ever had. I want to bring back the public White House, and while the Senate did not pass the "question time" bill, I don't care! I will have question time whenever I want to, like I have done as Senator.

Second, I want to continue infrastructure upgrades and begin providing the population incentives to take public transportation and high speed rail systems. In these national upgrades, I want to begin giving regional governments more of a say over their own destiny by giving them bloc grants. These bloc grants will enable them to spend the money on things they want to upgrade because they know far better than I do. I think many great ideas begin and can be forged in the legislatures of our regions.

Third, I want to cut taxes if the budget allows it. While I favor lower taxes across the board, I do not want to get into the situation where we are in a structural deficit. I applaud the corporate tax cuts enacted by President Polnut, and I think we could go further to make the landscape of Atlasia more competitive by closing loopholes and lowering overall rates. Closing the loopholes alone will broaden the tax base and increase revenue.

Fourth, I want to ensure protection of our environment and push more green technology during my presidency. The green industry in general is a large untapped resource in Atlasia with the potential to create thousands of jobs. We need to provide businesses with incentives to invest and build what works in this industry. The more we can produce, the more affordable these technologies will become to the general public. The low interest "Green Fund" I authored in the Senate is an excellent start. I believe it is only the beginning.

Finally, I want us to have fun. Sometimes many of us get so caught up in the game that we let it get in the way of the things that really matter. Remember we are all in this experience together! No one is irrelevant here. I look forward to speaking with you all more in the following weeks, and i encourage anyone with questions to not hesitate to ask them. I am no longer screening my questions, so ask away!

Thank you all for your time. I look forward to a fun race against Kal, Winfield and whoever else jumps in between now and October!

[Lincoln Republican]

Welcome to the race Duke. 

I am looking forward to a spirited contest, a lively discussion, and I believe we should all have fun doing it. 

[ZuWo]

Endorsed and good luck!

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Endorsé !

[tmthforu94]

You have my unwavering support. Good luck!

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

You're going to get a high preference from me, no doubts

[big bad fab]

The Duke of Atlasia !

Endorsed !

[AndrewTX]

There is no doubt that you will have my first preference, my friend!

[big bad fab]

Don't rebuke Duke !

[Rowan]

Not endorsed. YOU KNOW WHY.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Not endorsed. YOU KNOW WHY.

How much money would it take for you to reconsider?

[Cincinnatus]

Not endorsed. YOU KNOW WHY.

How much money would it take for you to reconsider?

Scandal!!!

Edit:  TPP - How much would be offered for "The People's" endorsement?  Ahem.. I mean what can you offer that other candidates simply can't ?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Not endorsed. YOU KNOW WHY.

How much money would it take for you to reconsider?

Scandal!!!

Edit:  TPP - How much would be offered for "The People's" endorsement?  Ahem.. I mean what can you offer that other candidates simply can't ?

I can offer The People support, a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. I have been listening to The People for a long time now without fail. Surely The People believe in me. Much of my speech above was directed towards The People.

Next question?

[Franzl]

You have my unwavering support. Good luck!

Yes indeed. Without a doubt.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

You have my unwavering support. Good luck!

[Marokai Backbeat]

I think you know I'll be there to support you, Duke. Endorsed.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

What can I do?

What can I say?

Except I want you, as our President.

I know you will be a great President, and I have it from an un-questionable source.

I heard it in a love song....Just can't be wrong

And just in case this midweek, school work overwhelmed induced insanity wasn't clear enough for some:

OH YEAH!!!! SO FREAKIN, INCREDIBLY ENDORSED, MAN.

There are lyrics from two 1970's songs in here. One is rock, the other is country. Points to whoever can figure them out without using the internet. I will know, I have ways.

[Cincinnatus]

TPP -  As no other media outlets have asked a question yet, I shall continue to monopolize the candidates time.  If elected President, what will be your number one priority, and how do you plan to achieve it?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

TPP -  As no other media outlets have asked a question yet, I shall continue to monopolize the candidates time.  If elected President, what will be your number one priority, and how do you plan to achieve it?

That's a wonderful question you came up with there. I have a lot of things I want to do as president. I suppose the number one thing I want to do is get more people involved with the daily conversation in this game. We are trending towards a game that consists of a few active people and a bunch of voters. That's dangerous.

As the leader of this glorious empire, I want to see the federal government engage the regional legislatures more and more and give those assemblymen something to discuss that will really make a difference! I was one of few senators to actually work with my legislature to get money in their hands and create jobs with specific projects. I can do that as President too. I guess I hope to be one of the most accessible presidents ever. We need that.

I also want to say I admire your dedication to journalism..

Next question if anyone has one..

[Cincinnatus]

TPP - Thank you for the kind words Senator, but I can't accept your subtle advances on me.  To go further with the question, how would you plan to increase this regional involvement?  Would you approve of the GM incorporating more regional specific stories?  As of now the GM's reports lack significant amounts of analysis in the Senate.  The Presidents have given brief statements about GM reports, but we as a system, have generally failed in reacting to important events.  Elections have nothing to do with unemployment, or economic indicators.  Regions are currently undergoing different economic conditions, and generally have different major industries themselves.  How can you incorporate not only the entire country, but regional specific issues on the National stage?

[Rowan]

Will you appoint Snooki to your cabinet?