[1682 Election] Parliamentary Campaign Thread

[Alfonso Velez]

Final day ad- National (TV & Internet)

Ominous music plays as an unflattering picture of Zimmer appears on the screen in black and white surrounded by storm clouds

Narrator (sounding skeptical): Mr. Zimmer and the DSP have made a lot of promises during this campaign. What’s their history with honoring their promises?

The screen shifts to a slow-motion 5 second muted still of the press conference where Velez announced the coalition with the DSP and the two shaking hands, then the video is dramatically “ripped apart”

Narrator: Zimmer and the DSP didn’t honor their word in the coalition. If they didn’t honor their word then, how can we expect them to honor their word now?

Ominous music resumes with newspaper headlines appearing on screen about the near AUT strike and recent allegations of Zimmer’s involvement

Narrator: How can we trust someone who risked jeopardizing the economy of the Republic for political gain?

The music changes to a vibrant, happy tone as flattering images of Velez and other key L&D figures come on the screen doing various important tasks and official visits

Narrator (sounding jubilant): Fortunately there’s a party on the ballot who’s always kept their word. A party that’s led this nation for nearly a decade to great success. A party who has championed the right of all our citizens, enshrined the right to the Law of Graces into the Constitution, has built a prosperous Republic--and so much more.

The screen changes to the image of a polling station and several L&D volunteers waiving L&D signs outside

Narrator: When it’s time to cast your vote, ask yourself who you can trust. The party with a proven record who lives up to its word--or Mr. Zimmer and a party that broke its promise.

[Alfonso Velez]

Canvass in Fontainebleau, Napoléon:

On Defense:

Ensuring that our Republic is able to defend itself from any threats is a vital duty for any Government. I’m proud to say that L&D has led the way in ensuring that we invest unprecedented amounts of money into our armed forces. L&D is committed to maintaining peace and trade. Only when peace, trade, or our national interests are threatened do we ever consider military force to defend our Republic. Nevertheless, we have built up a great military force so that we are prepared for anything and can ensure that peace and free trade continue and that the safeties and liberties of our Republic are protected for generations to come. L&D will continue to champion the Armed Forces of Alduria through funding and continuing to build up its strength.

On Education:

I’m alarmed that the DSP and ANA parties are advocating for a national takeover of our education system. We’re a diverse Republic with many different backgrounds, viewpoints, religions, cultures, etc. We draw great strength from this diversity--but we also recognize that what works in one part of the Republic might not work well in the other. The L&D party is committed to providing greater resources to local and regional Governments to support and fund education, and to provide guidance when it is sought. We should never have a situation, however, where the bureaucracy in Punta Santiago is dictating what’s taught in your children’s schools here in Fontainebleau. That is a decision that parents should be making in concert with your local and regional officials. Only L&D is committed to protecting your right to have control over your child’s education.

Asked by a reporter about the conduct of staff:

I offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of myself and the entire campaign. The behavior of certain members of staff was clearly unacceptable. I’ve directed our campaign manager to investigate the matter and to terminate the staff members who damaged the hotel’s property. I’ve also sent a memo to all staff reminding them of the importance of treating the places we say with the same respect as we would want our own place to be treated. Respecting other people’s lives, liberties, and property is the key aspect of the L&D platform--and if any person on our staff can’t do that, then they won’t be on our staff. I’ve reached out to the owners of the hotel and paid full restitution for the damage and assured them that I will not tolerate this conduct--now or in the future.

Asked by a reporter about the ANA leader's remarks:

I suppose we'll get another "do as I say not as I do" statement from Mr. Beaumont. As I said the last time, what he does is between him and the people he's close to. As long as it doesn't hurt someone else's right to life, liberty, or property--he's free to decide how he runs his life. I'm not here to judge him for it. I'm hardly the candidate who stands in the pulpit and preaches morality--but I will say this--I can hold my right hand up and say I've never gone behind a partner's back cheated on him before. I don't care what your gender is--it's just not right to be going behind your partner's back--but that's just my belief.

Asked by a reporter about the DSP scandal: 

I am genuinely shocked by these revelations. I look forward to hearing a full account from Mr. Zimmer about what happened. I also call on the DSP to take quick and decisive action to terminate members of their staff who engaged in this...clearly inappropriate activity...and also call on the party to expel any member or politician who may have been involved in this matter. I think we can all agree that exploiting a labor dispute for political gain is something we can't tolerate in our Republic--if not only for the ethical reasons, then for the potential economic damage it could have unleashed as well.

[Alfonso Velez]

L&D National Leaflets:

In bold letters at the top “L&D: A PROVEN RECORD OF SUCCESS”

Check boxes fill the leaflet with red “checks” indicating success

-Strengthened our military with unprecedented investment
-Strengthened the Aldurian economy
-Took decisive action to address the Water Crisis and strengthen Alduria’s water supply
-Provided free education to our veterans and servicemembers
-Passed Constitutional Amendments to defend your liberties
-Legalized Marijuana
-Passed Marriage Equality
-Strengthened our Criminal Code to keep our Republic safe
-Defended our rights to free trade on the seas
-Enshrined the Law of Graces into the Constitution

After getting near the bottom of the leaflet it says “...just to name a few!”

In bold at the bottom: VOTE L&D, VOTE FOR A PARTY WITH A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS FOR THE CITIZENS OF ALDURIA.

[Marco Zimmer]

Response to Email Leak

DSP HQ Press Room- Cameras click in the background as Marco appears with and sits down

Hello, I’m here to address the recent email link about my part in strike action involving the Aldurian Union of Teamsters. And I’m here to iron out the facts and answer and questions you have about it. I will talk about it for a bit and then you can ask the questions. Anyway, let’s begin.

Firstly, I did support a deal to be reached between the Trade Union and the companies. I would never support strike action without sufficient efforts first to get a deal for the workers. Because overall, it is them at stake, their livelihoods, their families and I will always want the best for them. I would never put that at stake for political points scoring. I obviously wanted a deal to be struck.

Secondly, I did support strike action, but I did it for, what I believe to be, the right reasons. The ones that were pointed out at the time by the union officials. To raise the standard of living of the workers and their families, to achieve job security and other things like affordable healthcare. It’s important our workers get a fair deal at work. But it’s, unfortunately, so often you see worker’s rights abused by large companies and that is what I came into politics to change.

But one thing that can come out of this is that I practice what I preach, I will fight for worker’s rights and the working class know that I am always in their corner and do what I can to help them and protect their rights against large companies. That is what I have done through my life and that is what I will do as Prime Minister!

[Marco Zimmer]

[Soraya Hoseini]

VALLADARES
Rally – Defense

It will be in places like Valladares where the next war will be won. The factories, the ports, the industry in this state - they all take a part in making Alduria victorious.

An ANA-led government will make the right investments in research and development. An ANA-led government will expand the Navy and Air Force. And the ANA will make sure the jobs and contracts for the Navy and Air Force find their way to Aldurian companies. We can only be secure if we are as self-sufficient as we can, with our partners in the Raspur Pact helping when needed.

Only through strength will we be able to guarantee the independence and sovereignty of Alduria.

The world is often unstable and unpredictable. We must remain prepared and take care of our soldiers during and after their service. Only an irresponsible government would neglect our defense. Don't take a chance, vote for the Aldurian National Alliance, the security party.

VALENCIANA
Rally – Social Services

If we’re going to be a truly great nation, we must look at how we treat those among us who have the least. While wealth concentrates in the cities and in the mainland, we see opportunity and development away from communities like yours, here in Valenciana. That must stop, and the ANA will stop it.

In every instance where the ANA sees a responsibility to help people, we will include and bolster the operations and efforts of faith-based organizations, charities, and community groups that have shown their ability to save and change lives first. We will make a determined attack on need, by promoting the compassionate acts of others. Putting hope in people's hearts is the mission of our nation's faith-based and community groups, we must not exclude them from being part of the solution.

The ANA will build a public option for your healthcare and a great public education system. And we’ll create a Rural Development Block Grant for all states and autonomous regions to use for economic and community development projects. These funds shall also help finance the building of affordable rental and mixed-income housing in rural communities as well. These funds can be used right here in Valenciana to build more homes, more schools, more hospitals, more clinics. They can be used to connect to high speed internet, to build infrastructure.

If you want your government to really work for you, you need to vote for the Aldurian National Alliance. The choice is clear this election. We’re not going to let you down, we’re not going to leave you behind!

ALTUS
Rally – Immigration

The ANA wants immigration to Alduria to be fair, taking account the economic needs of our communities. If I become Prime Minister, I will strengthen border security, enforce our worksite laws, keep our economy well-supplied with vital workers, and help new Aldurians assimilate better and faster into our society.

I support legal immigration. Our nation is stronger and more vibrant by virtue of a strong legal immigration system. The legal immigration system should be merit-based, giving applicants credit for having trade or technical skill, personal savings, and advanced degrees so these individuals may become assets to their communities and prosper in our country.

I believe our immigration system needs significant reforms. Any long-term solution must include a physical barrier where necessary, a mandatory and permanent system to ensure employees are living and working in Alduria legally, and hold employers accountable. 

[Marco Zimmer]

On billboards, leaflets and on the internet

[Soraya Hoseini]

Robert Beaumont speaks with reporters after a leak from an ANA fundraiser surfaced today.
 

I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I’m not. I’ve said and done things I regret, but the words released today on this are taken out of context. Completely out of context. These comments were made in a private conversation with other people in a private event. Anyone who knows me understands that it was a joke, said to lighten the conversation on an issue that is very much hurting my family.

I have said foolish things and made mistakes. But you know who you should all be focused on? How the Prime Minister has been phoning it in by releasing a platform that is practically identical to the last election platform. How the leader of the Democratic Socialist Party worked closely with folks to shut down our ports and hurt our economy. That's where you should be directing your attention, members of the media.

This campaign should be focused on issues. Issues. Things that impact people. My opponents have not been asked a single question by you on any of their issues. You have the staff of the Prime Minister partying like rock stars and not paying their bills. You have a political party working actively to cause a strike that could paralyze our country.

[Soraya Hoseini]

NATIONAL AD - ALDURIAN NATIONAL ALLIANCE

The ad opens to a living room of a working-class family. The TV is on and one can hear it. There is a crucifix above the TV.

The family is sitting around the TV, eating dinner on dinner trays, watching TV.

TV programming stops and the following graphic comes up: "Marco Zimmer for Prime Minister?" The camera focuses on the TV and the graphic for a moment, then it starts panning out to reveal the family watching TV again.

The father starts laughing.

Then the mother starts laughing.

Then the children.

The laughing intensifies.

The screen fades to black.

VOICE: This would be really funny if it weren't so serious...

PAID FOR BY THE ALDURIAN NATIONAL ALLIANCE.

[Soraya Hoseini]