AF Primaries: Illinois Primary (Deadline Monday 11th 6pm EST)

[Joe Republic]

Welcome to the first ever game of Atlas Forum Primaries!  In this game, you'll be able to assume the identity of a fictional politician, and enter the race for a major party nomination for a presidential election.

Candidates will be given a level playing field to begin with, and must rely on strategy and wits to keep ahead of the rivals.  You'll be given a campaign budget, based largely on your support amongst your party peers, and the amount of valuable campaign time spent fundraising.  Don't worry too much about the ins and outs of a full-blown presidential campaign; after all, this is only for fun, and extensive political knowledge isn't really necessary.

If you're interested in playing, please be aware that the game will probably take several weeks, and depending on if it works out, the winners of each primary may well face each other in a general election game.


If you would like to play, you'll need to do three things:

First, pick a name for your politician.  It can be your real name if you like, but it doesn't particularly matter.  The only thing that does matter is that the name must be realistic, i.e. a sensible first name and last name, and must be fictional.  I'm enforcing a strict rule here that no real-life people can be used or referenced to.

Second, pick one of the two main parties; i.e. Democratic or Republican.  I'm sorry that it has to be limited to just those two, and I know that we have a lot of members here who are independent or from third parties, but I really want to keep the game as simple as possible.

The last thing is that you'll need to fill out a brief summary questionnaire of your candidate's political views.  I realize that the questions and answers are ridiculously simplistic, but for the sake of keeping things fairly easy, please stick to it.  After all, real politicians' complex views are often labeled with basic buzz-words, so it'll still be somewhat realistic.

Your issue positions may require some thought.  You may answer the questions as honestly and accurately as you wish, but you should be aware that certain opinions may help you in some states, but hinder you in others.  Also, you'll be expected to stick to those views throughout the campaign, lest you be labeled a 'flip-flopper' or 'waffler', which will be highly damaging.  You will be given the opportunity to clarify your positions at a later time, however.

You will not be allowed to pick your candidate's home state or office at this time, but you may be given the opportunity later.  All will be explained once we have a full set of candidates.

I'll be happy to answer any questions in the mean time.

So for now, all prospective candidates please just fill out the following form!

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[© tweed]

Name: David Hanover
Party: Democratic

Where do you stand on the following issues?

• Abortion [Support]
  
• Affirmative Action [Oppose]
  
• Gay Rights [Support]
  
• Death Penalty [Oppose]
  
• War on Drugs [Oppose]
  
• Gun control [Support]
  
• School Vouchers [Oppose]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Oppose]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Neutral]
  
• ANWR Drilling [Support]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Neutral]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [Support]
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [Oppose]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [Oppose]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [Oppose]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Support]
  
• Privatize Social Security [Oppose]
  
• Encourage Immigration [Neutral]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Support]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [Oppose]

[Speed of Sound]

Looks pretty sweet Joe! Good thing you did it, cause no one else would have.


Name: Salvor Hardin
Party: Democratic

Where do you stand on the following issues?

• Abortion [Support]
  
• Affirmative Action [Neutral]
  
• Gay Rights [Support]
  
• Death Penalty [Oppose]
  
• War on Drugs [Oppose]
  
• Gun control [Neutral]
  
• School Vouchers [Oppose]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Oppose]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Support]
  
• ANWR Drilling [Oppose]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Neutral]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [Support]
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [Neutral]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [Oppose]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [Oppose]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Support]
  
• Privatize Social Security [Oppose]
  
• Encourage Immigration [Neutral]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Support]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [Oppose]

[jerusalemcar5]

Name:Carlos Gonzalez
Party:Democratic

Where do you stand on the following issues?

• Abortion [Support]
  
• Affirmative Action [Neutral]
  
• Gay Rights [Support]
  
• Death Penalty [Oppose]
  
• War on Drugs [Oppose]
  
• Gun control [Support]
  
• School Vouchers [Oppose]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Oppose]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Support]
  
• ANWR Drilling [Oppose]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Support]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [Support]
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [Neutral]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [Oppose]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [Neutral]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Support]
  
• Privatize Social Security [Oppose]
  
• Encourage Immigration [Support]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Support]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [Oppose]

[jokerman]

Yes, yes, you liberals come in and split the vote

[© tweed]

Yeah, me and JCar are basically the same candidate except that I'm smarter and probably have more working class appeal.

[jerusalemcar5]

Yeah, me and JCar are basically the same candidate

Not really.

except that I'm smarter

Definitely no.

and probably have more working class appeal.

I doubt it.  You're from Suffolk County.  That's a bigger blow than Nassau right there.

[© tweed]

I'm from Suffolk County

[Jake]

Name: James Wallace
Party: Republican

• Abortion [Oppose]
  
• Affirmative Action [Oppose]
  
• Gay Rights [Oppose]
  
• Death Penalty [Support]
  
• War on Drugs [Support]
  
• Gun control [Support]
  
• School Vouchers [Neutral]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Neutral]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Oppose]
  
• ANWR Drilling [Support]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Oppose]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [Support] (Shouldn't withdrawl o/c)
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [Support]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [Support]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [Support]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Support ]
  
• Privatize Social Security [Oppose]
  
• Encourage Immigration [Support]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Support]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [Oppose]

[Akno21]

Name: Alexander Bernstein
Party: Democratic

Where do you stand on the following issues?

• Abortion [Support ]
  
• Affirmative Action [Oppose]
  
• Gay Rights [Support ]
  
• Death Penalty [Oppose]
  
• War on Drugs [Oppose]
  
• Gun control [Neutral ]
  
• School Vouchers [Oppose]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Oppose]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Support ]
  
• ANWR Drilling [Oppose]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Support ]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [Support ]
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [Oppose]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [Oppose]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [Neutral]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Support  ]
  
• Privatize Social Security [ Oppose]
  
• Encourage Immigration [ Neutral ]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Support]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [Oppose]

[YRABNNRM]

Name: Andrew Berger
Party: Republican

• Abortion [Support]
  
• Affirmative Action [Oppose]
  
• Gay Rights [Support]
  
• Death Penalty [Neutral]
  
• War on Drugs [Oppose]
  
• Gun control [Oppose]
  
• School Vouchers [Neutral]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Oppose]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Neutral]
  
• ANWR Drilling [Support]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Oppose]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [Support]
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [Neutral ]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [Oppose]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [Support]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Neutral]
  
• Privatize Social Security [Neutral]
  
• Encourage Immigration [Support]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Oppose]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [Support]

[bullmoose88]

Name: Richard G. Arage
Party: Republican

Where do you stand on the following issues? [Delete as appropriate]

• Abortion  Neutral
  
• Affirmative Action Neutral (lean oppose on grounds of race, lean support on grounds of class-fyi)
  
• Gay Rights Support
  
• Death Penalty Support
  
• War on Drugs  Oppose
  
• Gun control Support (but not emphatically so)
  
• School Vouchers Neutral
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education  Oppose
  
• Measures to reduce global warming  Neutral
  
• ANWR Drilling Support 
  
• Seek UN approval for military action Oppose
  
• Iraq War was a mistake Support 
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces Neutral
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping)  Oppose
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade Support 
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare  Neutral
  
• Privatize Social Security Support 
  
• Encourage Immigration Support 
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage  Oppose
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich Neutral

[bullmoose88]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

[YRABNNRM]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

[bullmoose88]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

Mom,

Give Andrew his account back.




But in all seriousness...why do you think so...I think you're hitting the right libertarian wing of the party...think I'm more angled at the left libertarian, miniscule liberal Rockefeller wing. whats the gripe?

[jerusalemcar5]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

Mom,

Give Andrew his account back.




But in all seriousness...why do you think so...I think you're hitting the right libertarian wing of the party...think I'm more angled at the left libertarian, miniscule liberal Rockefeller wing. whats the gripe?

Why do you both oppose raising the minimum wage?

[bullmoose88]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

Mom,

Give Andrew his account back.




But in all seriousness...why do you think so...I think you're hitting the right libertarian wing of the party...think I'm more angled at the left libertarian, miniscule liberal Rockefeller wing. whats the gripe?

Why do you both oppose raising the minimum wage?

For me, its not a neener neener keep the poor down thing. I see the minimum wage as a price floor (which I'm against anyways)...I see it also as a cause of unemployment (surplus labor because theres no equilibrium wage)...and a feel good measure which only causes inflation without helping anyone really. At least in my humble opinion.

I'm more infavor of increasing the buying power of the poor, and giving them the means to get out of the bottom rather than making sure that at the bottom they're "more comfortable."

Prices are my main enemy.

[Speed of Sound]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

I think it would be a good idea to (in the end) throw a third party candidate or two in.

[jerusalemcar5]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

Mom,

Give Andrew his account back.




But in all seriousness...why do you think so...I think you're hitting the right libertarian wing of the party...think I'm more angled at the left libertarian, miniscule liberal Rockefeller wing. whats the gripe?

Why do you both oppose raising the minimum wage?

For me, its not a neener neener keep the poor down thing. I see the minimum wage as a price floor (which I'm against anyways)...I see it also as a cause of unemployment (surplus labor because theres no equilibrium wage)...and a feel good measure which only causes inflation without helping anyone really. At least in my humble opinion.

I'm more infavor of increasing the buying power of the poor, and giving them the means to get out of the bottom rather than making sure that at the bottom they're "more comfortable."

Prices are my main enemy.

Hmmm, well I believe there are certain wages that workers deserve.  And I don't think it really spawns inflation more than a negligible amount.  Only requirement I would make is that teenagers, until the are finally freed from the fascist grasp of their parents, are not subject to a minimum wage.

[bullmoose88]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

Mom,

Give Andrew his account back.




But in all seriousness...why do you think so...I think you're hitting the right libertarian wing of the party...think I'm more angled at the left libertarian, miniscule liberal Rockefeller wing. whats the gripe?

Why do you both oppose raising the minimum wage?

For me, its not a neener neener keep the poor down thing. I see the minimum wage as a price floor (which I'm against anyways)...I see it also as a cause of unemployment (surplus labor because theres no equilibrium wage)...and a feel good measure which only causes inflation without helping anyone really. At least in my humble opinion.

I'm more infavor of increasing the buying power of the poor, and giving them the means to get out of the bottom rather than making sure that at the bottom they're "more comfortable."

Prices are my main enemy.

Hmmm, well I believe there are certain wages that workers deserve.  And I don't think it really spawns inflation more than a negligible amount.  Only requirement I would make is that teenagers, until the are finally freed from the fascist grasp of their parents, are not subject to a minimum wage.

I think people deserve whatever the market's willing to pay them. Sure its sad that certain positions are paid millions of dollars and other's aren't, but that reflects society's values for that sort of work (which may be right or wrong).

[YRABNNRM]

Joe,

In my case (it seems right now I've got the GOP's liberal wing, whatever thats worth locked up)...I'm wondering, in the general...would it be possible for someone to pull an Anderson?

You bastard.

Mom,

Give Andrew his account back.




But in all seriousness...why do you think so...I think you're hitting the right libertarian wing of the party...think I'm more angled at the left libertarian, miniscule liberal Rockefeller wing. whats the gripe?

Why do you both oppose raising the minimum wage?

I think it's fine where it's at right now, but I also do not like the government telling someone how to run their business. That being said, there are certain situations in which I could support the rising of the minimum wage.

[jerusalemcar5]

Interesting repsonses.  I forgot to add I wouldn't apply the minimum wage to small business either.  A certain number of employees would kick in the minimum wage.  I just figured you guys would at least be neutral. 

[bullmoose88]

Interesting repsonses.  I forgot to add I wouldn't apply the minimum wage to small business either.  A certain number of employees would kick in the minimum wage.  I just figured you guys would at least be neutral. 

In principle I vehemently oppose the minimum wage and increases in it, but I tend to be much more pragmatic. Some battles cannot be won, and there is no point taking to the field in a surefire losing effort. People like empty gestures like these. Save capital for another day.

[Josh/Devilman88]

Name:Josh Craddock
Party:Democrat

Where do you stand on the following issues? [Delete as appropriate]

• Abortion [ Oppose]
  
• Affirmative Action [Oppose]
  
• Gay Rights [ Oppose]
  
• Death Penalty [Support ]
  
• War on Drugs [Neutral ]
  
• Gun control [Support ]
  
• School Vouchers [ Neutral ]
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education [Neutral ]
  
• Measures to reduce global warming [Support ]
  
• ANWR Drilling [ Neutral ]
  
• Seek UN approval for military action [Support  ]
  
• Iraq War was a mistake [ Oppose]
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces [ Neutral ]
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) [ Oppose]
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade [ Oppose]
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare [Support  ]
  
• Privatize Social Security [Oppose]
  
• Encourage Immigration [ Neutral ]
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage [Support  ]
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich [ Oppose]
  

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Name: Ernest Calhoun
Party: Republican (given the issues you've decided to focus on, I'd say that I'd likely poll better as a Republican than a Democrat

Where do you stand on the following issues?

• Abortion Neutral (but oppose execeptions for rape and incest)
  
• Affirmative Action Oppose
  
• Gay Rights Neutral (depends on what you mean by "gay rights" in some areas "support", in others "oppose")
  
• Death Penalty Support
  
• War on Drugs Oppose
  
• Gun control Neutral (like Gay Rights, it deends on what you mean)
  
• School Vouchers Support
  
• Promote abstinence over sex education Oppose
  
• Measures to reduce global warming Neutral (which measures?)
  
• ANWR Drilling Neutral
  
• Seek UN approval for military action Oppose
  
• Iraq War was a mistake Neutral (going in wasn't a mistake, but the way we executed it was)
  
• More Spending on Armed Forces Oppose
  
• Domestic surveillance (e.g. wiretapping) Neutral
  
• Support and Expand Free Trade Support
  
• More Federal Funding For Healthcare Neutral
  
• Privatize Social Security Oppose
  
• Encourage Immigration Neutral
  
• Raise the Minimum Wage Neutral
  
• Decrease taxation of the rich Oppose