Announcement from Dayton, Ohio

[Joe Republic]

*Joe Republic steps up on stage to wild applause.  Former Senator Naso has also been allowed in, and is contributing some of his own appaulse*

Thank you all for being here at such short notice.  I'm lucky that this stage and decorations are still here from when LiberalPA made a campaign stop here a couple weeks ago.

*Kicks a tattered "LiberalPA for President" banner out of view*

I'm here to talk to you today about a crucial issue that means a lot to me.  I hope it means a lot to you too.

Over the last year or so, and nobody can put a definitive date on it, the position of Atlasian president has been reduced to nothing more than a figurehead role.  Instead of providing strong leadership and coherent policy, we've had a recent string of presidents who will most likely be remembered for doing nothing much of importance.

Now don't get me wrong.  The last three or four presidents have all been people of exceptional personal merit.  The problem is not necessarily with the person (although that is a large part of it), but mainly with the system of government that has been allowed to develop unchecked.  I don't consider weak parliamentary democracy to be a valid or acceptable form of government.

I've realized that the only way to change Atlasia for the better is not only to have a stronger, more deliberative head of state, but also to reform the structure of government that has allowed it to get like this in the first place.

I'm here today to announce that I will be running for president next month.

This was a very tough decision that I only reached in the last few days.  I have already spoken with a few other Atlasian citizens, and they have been very supportive of this choice.

I am yet to settle on a running mate choice, although I already have a few 'maybes' and 'maybe-nots' in mind.  Until I return with an announcement of my choice, I will refrain from officially declaring my candidacy.

Thank you very much.

*Crowd erupts with wild applause, appaulse, and all that jazz*

[The Dowager Mod]

Good luck.
If i can be any help let me know.

[2952-0-0]

Good luck!!

[Ebowed]

Good luck, Joe.

[CheeseWhiz]

Wow, are you just trying to make my decision tougher?

Good luck, my friend!

[ilikeverin]

I expect you'll earn my 2nd preference

[Platypus]

argh, now there are four people who could get my first preference

[WiseGuy]

I'm wondering what kind changes to the system of government are you suggesting?

[Joe Republic]

Thank you to the kind words from everybody so far.

I'm wondering what kind changes to the system of government are you suggesting?

Nothing revolutionary or dangerous; I can assure you of that!  Specific details of my plans for forum affairs reform will be revealed as the campaign progresses.

By the way, good luck to you in the race, Dubya!

[True Democrat]

Finally

Good luck.

[King]

Good luck, now I have another candidate to decide on in my undecided brain.

[WiseGuy]

By the way, good luck to you in the race, Dubya!

Thanks, good luck to you too.

[Max Power]

Good luck, Joe!!!

[Defarge]

Best of luck Joe.  Interesting race is shaping up

[Sam Spade]

Good luck, Joe.

[jokerman]

You'll get my second preference, for what it's worth.

[Joe Republic]

Thank you again for everybody's kind words.  I really appreciate it.

[MasterJedi]

Good luck Joe! You are officially preference #2.

[KEmperor]

Looks like you are suffering from second preference syndrome.  Anyway, very good speech, I applaud your efforts.