NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm Jim Hargrove, political correspondent for the KBS evening news.

Tonight, we look at the two who will be vying for the highest job in the land, President of the United States of Kinstantia.

First, we look at the incumbent, President Nathaniel J. Tempest. President Tempest is a Liberal Party member who was elected 5 years ago on a platform of strengthening education, civil liberties, and the military. In his 4 and a half years in office, he's seen our fair nation through the turbulent trials of a major economic recession, along with a minor civil war. Let's hear him in his own words

"I ran my campaign 5 years ago to bring Kinstantia into the modern era, and it's worked. Under my administration, we've doubled our GDP, cut the unemployment rate down to just under 5%, and strengthened the Automobile industry. My opponent challenges that these changes are temporary and it will all crumble in the next year. However, this is the biggest and the longest stable economy in Kinstantian history!"

"And when our nation degraded into chaos, and a civil war broke out 3 years ago, it was the commanders in the field who won the war, not me. I simply did what any other President would have done: prayed, prayed, and prayed for guidance and wisdom in how to bring out nation together again. And, through the grace of God, we are still the United States of Kinstantia. I'm Nathaniel J Tempest, and I am the President of the United States of Kinstantia, and with your help, we can continue to keep this dream alive!

However, challenger Jennifer Hudson of the Conservative Party sees things differently. She is running on a platform of rebuilding the infrastructure, and taking those who are still unemployed and employing them in the rebuilding process. She believes that homosexuals do not have the right to marry, and the law allowing them to should be stricken. She is also against abortion. She does, however, favor states rights over a stronger Federal Government. She also believes that government programs designed to assist those less fortunate should be handed over to the private sector. Let's hear her in her own words.

"President Tempest says that he'd put Kinstantia back to work. The problem is that I just met a man named Edward Fudd. Mr Fudd doesn't seem to think that he's been put back to work. He's been unemployed now for 2 years and his unemployment benefits have been cut due to President Tempests overspending on things like Welfare and Farm Aid.

"Not only has President Tempest not come up with a concrete, and comprehensive employment package for Kinstantia, his policies will surely signal a quick and disasterous end to this current economic glory. My package, which includes hiring the unemployed to rebuild our nation, not only is comprehensive in coverage, but will insure each and every Kinstantian. The choice is clear. Vote for me! A vote for me is a vote for Kinstantia!"

Tonight, we take your questions for the candidates. In the studio tonight are Jennifer Hudson, former governor of Tenlia and President Nathaniel Tempest.

Submit your questions for the candidates now and they will answer them.

From a governmental position, all marriage is is an inheritance issue-why does she fight it?

The Farmers Union of Kurona pledges its support to Jennifer Hudson

Madam Governor, your response?

"Jim, I am willing to answer this one quickly. It's a matter of morality. You cannot condone marriage except that which is described in the Holy Book. Man and a woman constitute a marriage. It's not pleasing in the eyes of God.

Mr. President, your response?

"Marriage is an act based on love, not dogma. You cannot expect a nation that believe in separation of church and state to have it's laws dictated by the church. IF two people love each other and they wish to make a commitment under the law, and they are homosexual, they should have the same rights and privileges that a heterosexual couple have. It's not only common sense, it's a matter of civil rights.

Next question.

"My question is for Ms. Hudson, I'm a new mother, and I'm glad to see you are against abortion. What will you do to make sure that the woman still has plenty of options post-partum, and to make sure the baby get's the same treatment."

The Republic of Razorl Stand with the president. Unless he is a dictator he should'nt be put out of office untill things start to decline!

Madam Governor?

"I believe that every avenue should be open to mothers once they have their child. The most underused system in this nation is the adoption system. Couple that cannot have children are certainly looking towards the adoption wire to see if they can adopt, but what happens when that baby they so want and can't have doesn't come because the mother had it killed in a doctors office because she didn't know what she was doing and got herself pregnant?

And should a child not be adopted, the government must take care of that child. My plan would give all non adopted children complete and total health coverage until the age of 18. Since President Tempest closed down all of the orphanages, the government child care centers are highly overcrowded.

Mr. President, your response?

"Well, if you actually look into the government system, you'll see that the doctors are required by law to talk to these mother who want to have an abortion and offer them every available option outside of abortion. However, my opponent often forgets that in the case of rape, most women wouldn't want to have that child. Also in cases of incest women most likely wouldn't want that child. It isn't our right to tell a woman what she can do with her body. It's her ultimate decision.

Next question.

"Both delegates, what will you do to prevent child predators, especially convicted ones from comitting the same crime again?"

Mr. President, your chance to respond first.

Jim, child predators are the bottom rung of the evolutionary ladder. There is no defense for someone who would touch a child inappropriately. Yes, we do try to rehabilitate them with psychiatric counseling, but that doesn't always work. We have in place the national Child Predator Registration Database and require all convicted child predators to register.

This doesn't stop them from molesting again, unfortunately. We need tougher penalties. That is why I am asking congress to pass a law that would require a minimum of 5 years in prison for being convicted for child molestation. That is for a first conviction. A second conviction should carry no less than 20 years in prison.

Madam Governor?

Just locking them up and throwing away the key, or giving them xanax isn't going to work. They need to be taught not to touch a child in that manner. If they do, they should be executed.

Pres. Tempest Come on! Are you serious? Execute them? That's like saying we should execute someone who steals a credit card. The punishment doesn't fit the crime. Congress didn't pass the death penalty bill because they wanted to start electrocuting people left and right. They did it as a last resort deterant to violent criminals.

Gov. Hudson "Then what do you suppose we do? Give them a pill and hope they don't rape a kid? This is the kind of leadership that has gotten us into trouble in the past. No wonder the polls are so close even though you have a 68% approval rating. How did you get that approval rating? Did they call your family?

Now, now, let's all calm down. It seems that we've hit a major issue here. Let's just agree that you both disagree and keep it civil in here. The whole world is watching right now.

Next question.

(OOC: Signing off for a while.. keep the questions coming.)

This question is for both President and Governor.


What is your policy on HealthCare? Should it be Single payer, Universal or other?

Mr. President, your response?

"As you know, my administration has been piecing together a comprehensive universal health care system for Kinstantia. The biggest problem we are facing right now is the Conservative Party. When they debate the issue in Congress, the Conservatives constantly talk about government spending and government waste.

I understand that this is an expensive endeavor. The fact of the matter is that human life cannot have a price tag placed on it. I think it's worth a few billion Rupees to make sure that every Kinstantian has comprehensive coverage. It's the governments responsibility.

Madam Governor?

"Jim, I cannot understand why President Tempest and the Liberal Party cannot and will not understand that you cannot keep spending the governments money like it has an endless supply.

I know the economy is good and we can afford to spend the money, but what happens in the future if the economy takes a downward spiral? What happens when there isn't enough money to go around to pay for health care? Do we loose our coverage?

My plan is a combination plan. The government can provide its own health care plan. It can create its own health care corporation to provide, at a cost, health coverage to Kinstantians much like the Health care companies we have. It allows people more choice, it keeps like lines in the waiting rooms down, and it keeps the prices low. Best of all, it keeps Kinstantia in the black, and the government out of the private lives of its citizens."

And this wraps this edition up. Thank you to Gov. Hudson and President Tempest for taking time out of your busy schedules to appear on the program today. Thank you to our viewers who asked poignant questions. I'm Jim Hargrove signing off.

Kinstantia Decides!

Im Jim Hargrove with your latest Election 2008 update!

In just 2 weeks, Kinstantia will be headed to the polls to see if they wish to continue under the leadership of President Nathaniel J Tempest, or wish to install the administration of former Tenlia Governor Jennifer Hudson.

Current polls show Jennifer Hudson ahead of her rival 60% to 40%.

Last night, we had both candidates on the show to answer questions from viewers. Both candidates have agreed to share the spotlight in this forum yet again.

So, let the questions begin again.....

"I am Alexander Frost, current Republican (Conservative) President for The People's Republic of Zayland. I am going through an attempt at re-election myself, and I know how tough this process is for both candidates. Although I would naturally want to side with the Conservative candidate Jennifer Hudson, I want to endorse my pick for what is best for Kinstantia. Therefore, I have a question that hasn't seemed to grab enough attention. Firstly, how was crime in Kinstantia under Mr. Tempest and what do each of the candidates want to do to lower crime?"

Mr President, your response?

"Crime is moderate in Kinstantia. We have a crime situation. We are doing our best to both combat crime as well as preserve the rights of our citizens under the law.

When I took office almost 5 years ago, we had a major crime problem. I have instituted educational programs to help combat crime. Also, we have instituted better social welfare programs to assist those in the most at risk economic classes to help prevent them from committing crimes by helping them attain their basic needs.

Alas, however, we also reintroduced the death penalty, a bill which I signed into law a few months ago. This has also helped reduce crime as a painful reminder as to what could eventually happen to you if you turn to a life of crime.

Madam Governor, your response?

"I agree with President Tempest that crime has gone down as a result of better economic and educational programs. The problem is that instead of dealing with the crime that is already taking place, President Tempest is trying to make sure we don't create more criminals in the future.

We need to bolster our national police force to better fight crime. We need more police, and more police spending. Why just last week, President Tempest vetoed legislation that would have allowed security cameras to be placed in public areas to help prevent crime. He called it an invasion of privacy. I call it using the banner of civil rights to help criminals.

"I would like to thank both candidates for their answers. After due deliberation, I, Alexander Frost, have decided that Jennifer Hudson, The Conservative candidate, seems to have a better answer to the questions asked to date. Therefore, The People's Republic of Zayland would like to gladly endorse Jennifer Hudson of the Conservative Party to become the next president of the United States of Kinstantia. Good luck to both candidates in this election."

OOC: Kinstantia, check your TGs.

OOC: They are checked. Check yours as well.

It seems to us that the latest polls show Gov. Jennifer Hudson well in the lead of Incumbent President Nathaniel J Tempest. With only 2 days left until the election is over, could Kinstantia finally get its first female president? Is it possible that the man who we all thought was a shoe in for reelection could actually be toppled?

A reporter stood up. "Hi, I'm Barry Lerwhat from the Confederacy of Kenavt. I have a question for Governor Hudson. According to a short paragraph on your views by KBS Evening News (OOC: That rhymes!) you are trying to help people like Mr. Edward Fudd. You say that his unemployment benefits have been cut due to President Tempest putting more money in welfare and other things. Wouldn't more welfare help Mr. Fudd?"

Deata endorses the campaign of Governor Jennifer Hudson for her strong values and common sense.

Gov Hudson, your response?

"You see, this is exactly what I am talking about. The fact of the matter is that when you increase spending in one government department, money has to be allocated from another department of the government to pay for it. President Tempest essentially shut down the Employment Securities & Benefits Office. This allowed him to subsidize education and farm-aid over the unemployment benefits that nearly 5% of all Kinstantians are in need of."

Mr. President, your rebuttal?

"I've researched the case of Mr. Fudd. Mr. Fudd and his case were brough before the ESBO and they deemed that Mr. Fudd has not actively been searching for employment. The Automobile Industry, the biggest industry in Kinstantia, is in desperate need of people wanting to work. They are willing to train him in any position that he feels he could do. The ESBO even referred him to Kinstantia Motor Works, where he failed to show up for his interview. In return, his employment benefits were cut.

The ESBO isn't a source of income. The ESBO, which was heavily abused, is a means to keep your head at or just above the water line so you don't sink. Mr. Fudd failed to accomplish the goals that were set forth, under Kinstantian law, and in turn his benefits were cut. Mr. Fudd has not applied for welfare benefits, which he would most likely qualify for at this point in time.

Here at KBS News, we tried to interview Mr. Fudd, but Mr. Fudd didn't return any of our phone calls.

Next question.

The Confederacy of Kenavt endorses Incumbent Tempest and donates 20 million Navts to his campaign (9,289,795.16 Universal Standard Dollars).

(OOC: I must sign off for a while. Please keep posting questions. This is most entertaining!)

"Thank you to the people and the government of Kenavt for their most generous donation. With your help, you are helping keep this dream alive!"

And now.. a few words from our sponsors!

With one final day of voting, the people of Kinstantia are seeing the opportunity to have their first female president elected.

The candidates, Incumbant Nathaniel J Tempest, Liberl Party and challenger Gov Jennifer Hudson, Conservative Party, are here to take your questions.

Ladies and gentleman, the election has ended and the votes have been tallied.

Congratulations to Gov. Jennifer Hudson, whom today was elected Kinstantia's first female President!

Inauguration Day is Monday August 4th at the Presidential Palace. Join us for coverage here on KBS for all inauguration day festivities!

I'm Jim Hargrove, signing off, thank you and good night!


Announcer: This has been a presentation of KBS News.