Hope and Change in America - A Parliamentary Political Quest

[KarvokaQueen]

Hope and Change in America - A Parliamentary Quest​

The year is 2006, one of the most transformational years in American politics since Woodrow Wilson remade the United States into a parliamentary democracy in 1920. 2006 would be the year public opinion began to truly turn against the Bush administration. The economy, once robust, is slowing down as the population reckons with the massive debts they've taken on over the past few years. Worsening matters, the handling of the war in Iraq has further soured opinions on Bush across the political spectrum. Arguably most fatal, though, has been the election of Howard Dean and Russ Feingold to the leadership of the two major opposition parties. Both ardent critics of the now toxically unpopular war in Iraq and endless government overreach it has brought, both are arguably much more in touch with the zeitgeist than the increasingly sluggish Bush administration.

Bush's United Conservative Party is a rare creature. The merger of America's three largest (and most relevant) conservative parties, it has been in power since a narrow win in 2000. Recently, however, the 'Compassionate Conservative' coalition is starting to show signs of fracturing. Libertarians abhor the seemingly ever-expanding curtailing of civil liberties from the War on Terror, as the ever increasing number of body bags returning from Iraq and Afghanistan slowly turn the population against the war itself.

Even worse, the far-right nativists, never especially fond of the Bush family, have split from the party and pulled together a coalition of their own to challenge the UCP for the title of 'True Conservative'. The National Salvation Alliance has been formed by dissaffected UCP MPs, led by Tom Tancredo of Colorado, and have loudly declared themselves to be a 'true' Conservative party, unapologetically Nationalistic and fond of Conspiracy theories. They have drawn MPs from across the South, the Plains, and even have secured a handful of defections in California and New York as well. On conservative and right wing radical message boards, there is even talk of a 'great awakening' that will vanquish the Old Right once and for all.

But it isn't just the freshly fracturing right that threatens the UCP's increasingly slim majority, but also the centre and the left. The New Democracy party is recovering from the disaster of 2004 under a fresh new leader, Howard Dean, who has breathed new life into the centrist political alliance, loudly criticising the Iraq War, fiscal crises, and Christian Fundamentalism that Conservative rule has brought. His punchy, pugnacious style of debate has seen New Democracy's formerly flagging fortunes rise anew.

Further to the left (In some regards at least) is the oldest party still functioning in any real capacity in the United States. Democratic-Farmer-Labour. Born out of the violent death of the old Democratic party, DFL would rapidly take over much of the old-left under the leadership of Henry Wallace and would rule the left-wing space of politics from the 50s well into the 80s, where a string of weak leaders and renewed racial tensions within the party would lead to a catastrophic split when party leader Jesse Jackson was removed in a party-room coup. Combined with the emergence of New Democracy, DFL has seen a long but slow decline, helped along by the emergence of newer, more dynamic left-wing parties. A bitter leadership conflict has left the party divided, and many of the party faithful pin their hopes on Russ Feingold's bold and progressive vision for the future.

Last and certainly least amongst the major parties, People United to Save Humanity, or PUSH, has been the only party that could've been said to truly benefit from the War on Terror. Having taken an absolutist view from the first day of the conflict, Jesse Jackson's splinter of the DFL secured an unprecedented 19% of first preference votes in 2004, but just two years later the good times seem to be behind it. A party of activists in the first, PUSH has been no stranger to controversy, but Jackson and Sharpton have reached new heights of controversy, involving themselves in several high profile political cases, at least one of which seems to be in a state of active meltdown. As well, many of the 2004 political intake, the first real influx of fresh blood into the party since Jackson's deposition as leader of DFL in 1989, chafe under what they view as Jackson's cliquish, nepotistic rule (His son, Jesse Jackson Jr, is highly placed within the party). With anti-war campaigners leading both of PUSH's rivals, some predict that the party may find its niche pulled from underneath it.

Even outside these major movers and shakers, many smaller parties nip at the heels of the big four. Most notably, Reform has been reinvigorated after near-death in 2000 by Michael Bloomberg, who has taken over the New York party to serve as his vehicle in the mayoralty and beyond, as well as the Popular Action Party, which seems certain to cement its hold on the Hispanic vote after leading the immigration reform vote in 2005. The Ecological Democrats, the Conservative Green party are also having a moment amidst a certain kind of conservative disappointment with how Bush has handled the environment, while their centre and left-wing rivals Greens of America and Green-Left Action spoil for a fight with each other to decide who shall be the true Green party.

========================================================================

Staten Island - 12:24pm

It is hot today. Unreasonably so. As you stagger through High Rock Park in search of shelter, you curse your partner for telling you that this whole 'going outside' thing was somehow good for your health. You're sweating so much that by the time you find a bench to collapse in and look down at your sweaty hands.

Why on earth did you think it'd be a good idea to head outside in the middle of a damned heatwave? To think about that call from the other day? You sigh loudly and slump on the bench. At least it is shaded from the glowing orb of death by several trees. After a few long minutes of catching your breath, you rock forward and decide that, rather than just ruminating on the earth-shaking news you'd been given, you'd read the newspaper you'd bought at New Dorp station.

It is, unfortunately, rather sweaty after you decided to hike up a hill during the worst heatwave New York has seen in decades, but fortunately, your reading literature of choice is slightly more durable than you yourself are. You've picked up a copy of the…

[] New York Times, of course. As someone who likes to think they're fairly plugged into the wider New York, rather than being a Staten Island Stalwart like some of the locals, you're a long-time devotee of the Times. New Democracy Candidate

[] The Economist, bringing all the news of the world to your doorstep in one handy little magazine. It helps to keep up with not just the latest goings-on in New York (You've never had trouble with that, there are more newspapers in New York than there are council members), but also with the goings-on in the wider world. Reform Candidate

[] New Republic, the long time factotum of truly progressive media, and a personal favourite of yours. You've been reading it ever since you went to university, and see no reason to change now. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Candidate

Of course, before you can even make the weakest of efforts to dive in, you are pulled back to the reason you've braved this disgusting heat in the first place. It all started three weeks ago when you'd been watching the news, right up until the ticker read out...

'FOSSELLA TO STAND DOWN - GIULIANI TO RUN'​

Vito Fossella, the lonely Conservative Party stalwart in New York City, is to stand down after almost a full decade in office. Resigning in disgrace wasn't that unusual in and of itself, New York City was famous for having some truly impressive political scandals through the decades, just look at the man almost certain to lock up the nomination to replace him! Giuliani was no stranger to sexual scandals, after all.

Of course, the ongoing infighting and implosion within the 'United' Conservative party over the 2006 state elections weren't really your concern, what was your concern was what had dragged you all the way up this stupid, overheating hill. You'd been approached about running for office. Staten Island had been a Conservative stronghold since the late 60s, surviving the collapse and reforging of Conservative parties with a stoic resolve, determined not to allow those 'filthy liberals' of the main city to infect their island. The idea of displacing the Conservative party on Staten Island seemed frankly kind of absurd on the face of it, but with the incumbent MP being forced out due to a DUI and the subsequent revelation of bigamy, and the nominated candidate being Rudy Giuliani, you might just have a chance. Maybe. Possibly.

Drawn in ever deeper by your reminiscing you turn your mind to just how you'd truly wound up here, sweltering in the midday sun.

[] You'd been working late at the firm, which wasn't unusual, in a city like New York lawyers were always in high demand, and you'd drawn the short straw, doing some late night research and trawling through a Client's tax records, when you'd gotten a call from the local political office. They wanted someone with a grounding in legal work to be the lead candidate in the race against Rudy, they said.
Background: Political Amateur, Lawyer (3 Intellectual, 2 Social, 1 Physical)

[] You'd been finally able to leave a very late running GOAL meeting and get back to your partner, when you'd been pulled aside by the chapter president, and told that apparently, a friend of his was looking to recruit a candidate for political office. You'd always been somewhat involved in politics (Being a gay police officer effectively forced your hand there), and you told him you'd think about it.
Background: Political Amateur, Police Officer (2 Physical, 2 Social, 2 Intellectual)

[] Being a veteran, you're more used to being used as a political prop than you'd like to admit. From 'Mission Accomplished', to the endless TV and Radio ads in the 2004 election, Military service has always been used as a political byword for patriotism (Even by those who never served). You've been active in Veteran circles, especially IVAW, and when Fossella was forced out, it didn't take long for people to start blowing up your phone. You had, naturally, demurred and said you'd give them your decision today.
Background: Political Amateur, Army Veteran (3 Physical, 2 Social, 1 Intellectual)

[] It had all made so much sense in the lead up to Fossella being pushed out. You're a city councillor, one of the few on this island not from NYConservatives or the UCP, so it was only natural that you get tapped to run. But then Giuliani announced he'd run. And then things got complicated. Still, you said you'd make your call on whether to run by the end of today, even if the sun is trying to melt you.
Background: Political Veteran, City Councillor (3 Social, 2 Intellectual, 1 Physical)

[] You'd never really been the type to expect to run for Office. You'd always been a 'behind the scenes' kind of operator. Working the polls, pounding pavement, writing speeches, and stage managing difficult politicians for the state party. And yet, here you were. Sitting on a park bench, on a 100 degree day, deciding whether to make the plunge into the world of political Candidacy.
Background: Political Veteran, Campaign Staffer (3 Intellectual, 2 Physical, 1 Social)

[] You'd been expecting this, or something like this, for a very long time. The Rockefellers have a long and proud tradition of involvement in both New York, and in politics. Staten Island wouldn't have been your personal first choice to run in, but it's an open seat, and you're confident in your skills (and your family's financial connections).
Background: Political Veteran, Dynastic Heir (2 Social, 2 Intellectual, 1 Physical. Bonus trait: Rockefeller's Legacy. Your family is well connected in the political and fundraising world, giving you +10 to campaign rolls.)

Note: To represent the connections and experience of political veterans (and Dynastic scions), Political Veterans will get 40 points to assign during campaign creation, while Political Amateurs will only get 20. Amateurs will gain their own appropriate bonuses at a later point.

Before you can reminisce for too long, you spot the person who'd summoned you up this damn hill in the first place. A sharply dressed man is already huffing and puffing up the same path you had taken minutes before, and by the time he's before you he's sweating bullets.

"Finally!" He exclaims, in between slightly shaky breaths. "I think I might've made a mistake, having our meeting up on this hill." He pulls a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and mops some of the sweat from his forehead, sighing in exasperation. "Just like that asshole Fossella to force an election in the middle of the worst heatwave this city has seen in my lifetime."

You nod in agreement, you've only met Fossella a handful of times but he's always represented the worst impulses of Conservatives to you (well, aside from the likes of Dick Cheney). Pig-headedly driving forward from crisis to catastrophe, ever proclaiming his moral rectitude over perfidious liberals even as he was getting drunk and sleeping with (and having a family with!) someone who wasn't his wife.

Your friend and political recruiter, Julian, turns to you. He's a fairly stereotypical New York Lawyer. Tall, well dressed, rimmed glasses. Even now, in the middle of the worst heatwave, the city has seen in either of your lifetimes, he's still in his suit and tie like he'd just stepped out of the office. You can't imagine how hot it must be under that black fabric. "Now, I need to know. Have you made your decision? We've only got so much time before other people will make a play for the nomination." You nod in agreement. He's right, of course, you wouldn't have agreed to go outside today if he hadn't been.

"I've made my call. I'm running." He claps you on the back, nodding excitedly.

"That's great! Of course, this is just the start. We need to get a team together. Think of a slogan. Something catchy!" His smile is infectious and you find yourself joining him. You both get up as you…

[] straighten the hem of your skirt and shake his hand. You might've mentally dogged him for his wearing of a suit and tie to a park, but you're still in your work clothes so you really can't knock him too much. Gender: Female

[] adjust your own tie and shake his hand. You might not be in a suit but you're still conscious enough of appearances to wear a tie. Which was a mistake, of course, the damn thing feels like it's choking you! Gender: Male

A/N: Hey all! I'm back, and deep in isolation when I had this idea. Thanks to a friend I've got a new system to work with to hopefully make this entire quest run that much smoother. I hope you'll all join me in what promises to be a protracted and exciting romp through American politics!

 

[KarvokaQueen]

The Abstract

Past the Post is an election campaign game system, to represent the process of running for and winning (or losing!) an election. Take charge of an aspiring candidate or seasoned political veteran, and navigate your way through debates, debacles, and shoes thrown at your head to claim your rightful position as elected official. Use your personal skills, campaign staff, small favours from big names, and more to achieve victory!

The Basics
Past the Post is designed for Quests on well-known catgirl support group Sufficient Velocity. The game is played using a d100 die for Actions or Contests. Actions will generally have the d100 roll against some predetermined difficulty check (DC). Contests will roll two dice against each other, with the higher die being considered the "winner"1​.

For both Actions and Contests, the die roll will often be based on a particular Attribute. Attributes can be either Personal, or Staff. This Attribute will be added to the roll.

Personal Attributes
Personal Attributes represent the inherent skills and abilities of your character. These are broken into Social, Physical, and Intellectual. For any roll based on these Attributes, take your character's skill in it, multiply it by 10, and add it to your die roll. These Attributes will also govern how many actions of a particular type you can take in a turn.

Social governs your character's charisma, and ability to interact with other people, be it voters, interviewers, or your own campaign staff.

Physical governs your character's fortitude. Whether it's giving speeches for hours, barnstorming across a state in a day, or rescuing a kitten from a tree, this will handle it.

Intellectual governs your character's adaptability to new information and situations. With this Attribute, you can prepare for debates, write speeches, and figure out new and exciting ways to kneecap your opponents publicly.

A character's base Attributes have a cap of 5, and increasing your score in them should require fairly rigorous effort2​.

Aside from your three primary Attributes, your character will also have their Experience and Reputation.

Experience

Experience represents the general competence level of your character. Whenever your character attempts an Action or Contest, your character will gain Experience. The level of Experience you gain will depend on the Action's DC, or the Contest Opponent's own Experience. The Experience you gain does not increase or decrease depending on whether you win or lose: this serves as something of a consolation prize for failing on a particularly risky Action or Contest.

The amount of Experience gained from any Action should be equal to its DC. The amount of Experience gained from any Contest should be equal to the Opponent's own Experience Bonus.

The Experience bonus is calculated from a character's total Experience. Level 1 requires 100+ total Experience, and grants a +5 to all Personal Attribute rolls. Each subsequent level requires twice as much total Experience, and grants an additional +5 to Personal Attribute rolls. The maximum Experience level is 5, requiring 3100 total Experience, and granting a total +25 bonus.
Reputation

Reputation represents how your character is perceived by the world. Unlike one's core Attributes or Experience, one's Reputation can differ depending on who your character is interacting with. Reputation adds itself to any rolls taken by either your own character or your campaign staff. Depending on who your character is interacting with, your Reputation may be either a bonus or a malus.

Unlike other Attributes, one's Reputation changes more flexibly. Depending on what Actions or Contests your character takes, your Reputation can change. Generally, you will have two or more Reputations, though the exact number of groups is left up to the GM.

1. Ties are left to the GM's discretion.
2. The multiplier of these stats or their cap can be changed depending on the GM, but we recommend keeping them balanced. The bonus given by these attributes should be helpful, but not to the point of making a challenge meaningless.

 

[KarvokaQueen]

Lewis Belkin, Attorney at Law
​

You are Lewis Belkin, a New York trial lawyer specialising in taxation law. Until recently, you didn't stand out all that much. You gave to causes you felt strongly about, did pro-bono work for distressed tenants with bad landlords, and of course, you participated in every New York lawyer's favorite way to kill time. Joining in the endless political gossip and drama surrounding the office of the Mayor, the state of the City Council, and speculating on how this political microcosm in the world's most important city, reflects on the rest of America.

And then, months after your last round of heavy drinking and celebrations, in which you boldly declared that you had the magical knowledge to fix American politics, you've found yourself recruited to run for office. Staten Island is a conservative stronghold in a liberal city, but the United Conservative party is fracturing, and you've got the backing of Mayor Bloomberg, who utterly crushed the Conservative-backed candidate here just a year ago.

Stats:
Intellectual: 3, You're a tax lawyer, doing corporate accounts by day, and when you're doing pro-bono work, you're researching the history of local landlords to see if they've broken the law. You've got a sharp mind, and when applied properly there are few things that you can't overcome.
Social: 2, As a lawyer, and a former debate captain, you're pretty capable with words. However, since earning your place at the firm, your skills on the stand have atrophied somewhat. Researching was your true talent. That said, there are some things you never truly forget.
Physical: 1, You're a lawyer. A nerd. You weren't winning awards for track and field at any point, and the requirements of long nights and short sleep, combined with a diet of convenient food and energy drinks, your physical fitness just isn't what it once was.

 

[KarvokaQueen]

BELKIN FOR CONGRESS - '06


​

Essential Information:
Campaign Funds: $930'000
Weekly Expenses:

• Staff: $25'000​
• Advertising: None​
• Other: None​

Every candidate, no matter how seemingly gifted with words or with money, is only as good as the campaign behind them, and many people have made the mistake of not building up their team. Not you though! You've got some shortcomings, to be sure, but you've built, for a first-time candidate for office, an extremely beefy organisation. Between yourself, your Campaign Manager, and the Campaign's chief consultant, you've got an impressive core to build off of.

Assuming, of course, that you can keep the money flowing in for long enough to pay the people that have made all this possible.

Important Staffers:
Kevin Sheekey, Campaign Manager
Peter J. Laxalt, Chief Consultant (ORG)
Paul M. Bennett, Press Team lead (PRESS)
Patricia Heely, Research Team lead (RESEARCH)

Organisation Organisation represents the true structure of the campaign. Staffers, Volunteer leaders, and Campaign offices are all affected by Organisation. This is represented through the amount of actions you can take per turn.	7/10	Fundraising Fundraising represents many aspects of the fundraising process, from soliciting small dollar donations, to connections to the finance arm of your party, and even your ability to self-fund.	2/10
Research Research represents the dedicated opposition and issues research teams employed by the campaign, digging up dirt on the enemy and helping formulate ways to counter your own dirt.	5/10	Ground Game Ground Game represents the legions of volunteers that are the heart and soul of any successful campaign for office, and are an essential part of any GOTV operation.	3/10
Press Office The Press Office represents the media outreach arm of your campaign, handling press releases and managing your media profile, including early social media.	6/10	Advertising Advertising represents the Ad office of the campaign, those who oversee the making and distribution of the campaign's advertising material, from Billboards and Banner ads to television spots.	3/10

Another important part of your campaign, of course, will be getting endorsements. Right this second, all you've got are a handful of the party's councillors, but that's not a problem. You've got some ideas on other people to petition for endorsements, and ensuring you've got the party on side is important!

Endorsements:
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City
Christine Quinn, City Council (3rd District)
Peter Vallone Jr, City Council (22nd District)
Michael E McMahon, City Council (49th District)
Vincent M Ignizio, City Council (50th District)

 

[KarvokaQueen]

[X] You'd been working late at the firm, which wasn't unusual, in a city like New York lawyers were always in high demand, and you'd drawn the short straw, doing some late night research and trawling through a Client's tax records, when you'd gotten a call from the local political office. They wanted someone with a grounding in legal work to be the lead candidate in the race against Rudy, they said.
[X] adjust your own tie and shake his hand. You might not be in a suit but you're still conscious enough of appearances to wear a tie. Which was a mistake, of course, the damn thing feels like it's choking you! Gender: Male

11:15pm. No matter how hard you stared at the clock it rather stubbornly refused to move at much more than a glacial pace. Each tick of the second hand seemed slower than the last, as if trying to force you back to the tax records splayed out in front of you.

Just before your will breaks, you are saved from further torture at the hands of the senior partners of the firm by your phone. In amongst the almost deathly silence of the office it rings so loudly you almost jump out of your skin, and do, in fact, jump out of your seat. Scrambling back to your feet, the caller ID reads 'Julian M. Weissmann'.

Why is Julian calling you at this god-forsaken hour? Sitting back down your curiosity is piqued and you pick up the receiver. "Hey, Lewis. Sorry for the late hour, but I've been meaning to call you all day!" He sounds far too excited for someone calling you this late in the night. "So, you've heard about Fossella right?"

You groan in tired frustration. Normally you'd be happy to put up with Julian's endless political speculation, but not right now. It's late and you're tired. "Of course I have, it's been all over the news for what, a week?"

"Well, I heard a juicy rumour that the reason he's standing down is because Rudy Giuliani wants to get the UCP nod to run in his seat." That gets your attention. You'd once had a pretty high opinion of Giuliani's time as mayor, given he was the first non-DFL mayor since that schmuck Lindsay way back in the 60s.

That opinion had been changing, though. The warning signs had always been there, but since joining the UCP in 2002 he'd become progressively worse. It wasn't just the flip-flopping on things like gun control, that you could understand, but it was things like his endless, braindead promotion of Bernard Kerik, and of course his milking of 9/11 to make himself look good that had all soured you on the man something fierce.

"Seriously? Giuliani? That schmuck?" Your brain struggles to process that, but Julian continues talking.

"That's not the best of it though. You know during Hanukkah last year, how you were talking about running for office?" Despite how exhausted you are you still manage to cringe at that reminder of how drunk you'd gotten, giving a meandering and extemporaneous speech to anyone who would listen about how you would clean up this mess in congress. You'd all been pretty smashed by that point, so Julian was the only person you knew who actually remembered most of it.

"Ahah, yes. I do remember. I still can't believe none of you stopped me!." Julian laughs even though you aren't joking.

"Funny you should mention that! You know how I got that job working for the Mayor last year?" Of course you do, he wouldn't shut up about it. Before you can remind him of that, he continues. "Well, he's been thinking about running some candidates for Federal Office. Personally I think it's a bit of testing the waters, to see if he can convert the office of the mayor into a run for federal office, take Reform national again after they got schlonged in 2000."

The worn out gears in your tired mind slowly begin to grind themselves back into action, and you slowly nod along to what he's saying, rubbing some sleep from your eyes. "So, I told him this whole business with Fossella was perfect. He won Staten Island by huge numbers last year, so might as well lock that down with a friendly MP!" That much was true, if you remembered right he'd won over 70% of the vote on Staten Island.

"So, what, you're calling me to share your excitement at getting to headhunt the next MP for Staten Island?" Again, he laughs at something that's not a joke like a nitwit.

"Not exactly, boychik. I've been doing some thinking. Who better to be reform's newest candidate than a lawyer so dedicated to that damn Island I can't get him to leave?"

Some part of you had already come to the conclusion he was about to offer for you to run, but the statement still goes off in your mind like he'd thrown a bomb in there.

"Very funny, Julian. What, you thinking about leaving law behind for comedy?" You still can't quite believe what he said so your reflex is to go for the dig, but he laughs it off.

"It's not a joke! I think you'd do well, you've got a good head on your shoulders. You learn quickly, and you're pretty good at handling people. Look, like you said when I called, it's late. How about I let you get to bed, and you call me tomorrow? We'll talk through things." He explains, and you nod dumbly. After realising he can't see your agreement, you reply.

"That sounds good, Julian. I'll call you tomorrow." You respond, having managed to get through that with only two shocked pauses as you contemplate the fact that a long time personal goal of yours, to run for office, could well be within your grasp.

[X] The Economist, bringing all the news of the world to your doorstep in one handy little magazine. It helps to keep up with not just the latest goings-on in New York (You've never had trouble with that, there are more newspapers in New York than there are council members), but also with the goings-on in the wider world. Reform Candidate

After you accepted Julian's offer of becoming the Reform party candidate for State Island's impending by-election, things began to move quickly. There is a lot that needs doing, and the first (and arguably most important) thing is meeting with the reform party leadership proper. The big two. Christine Quinn and Michael Bloomberg himself.

You'd never actually been to Gracie Mansion before, and you're a bit surprised that's where Julian takes you. You're pretty sure you read in the times about how despite renovating the place Bloomberg rarely uses it. You can see the effect that the 'anonymous donation' has had on the place, as it's far more upscale than you'd have thought. Like it was a house belonging to one of your firm's upstate clients.

The waiting room is expansive, and you're able to briefly enjoy some of the needless news feed up on the wall mounted television for the brief period between your arrival (it pays to be early) and your appointment. The office Bloomberg has set up is crisp, clean, and clearly rarely used. You aren't sure if it's intended as a power move on his part, to have such a large and well-appointed place just sitting empty (or so regularly cleaned and sterilised that it looks brand new), but it certainly is odd.

"Good morning, you must be Julian's star pick, right?" He waves you in and gestures for you to take a seat. You do, finding it is distinctly uncomfortable in a way his carefully blank expression tells you must be deliberate.

"I am. Lewis Belkin, attorney at law. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He nodded, as he looked you over, face still blank.

"Alright. Julian's a pretty sharp guy, but I'm skeptical of this whole enterprise. Give me your pitch." You'd expected this, Bloomberg was a businessman before he'd been a politician, and given it was probably mostly his money that would be stumped up for this campaign, at least to get you off the ground, he'd need some confidence in you.

"It's simple. You need a voice federally. You've done great things for this city, and you've remade Reform into a viable municipal party, but unless you plan on abolishing term limits and becoming mayor for life, Reform won't outlast your mayoralty. Strike while the iron is hot, and you'll have a foot in the door when you choose to run yourself." He sits back in his chair a bit, and you worry you didn't give enough of your own reason to run, so after a beat of pause you continue.

[] Your pitch for your personal politics is as straightforward as your pitch as to why he should run you. You respect his environmental advocacy, his gun-safety initiatives and agree with him on a lot of social issues (Your disagreements on some other issues go unmentioned.) Reform Left.

[] You explain your respect for his major turnaround of the city's finances since he became mayor, taking a jab at the man who would be your opponent for leaving the Mayor such a mess. Further though, you say that if you are picked and elected, you'll be an unapologetic advocate for free trade, immigration reform, and fiscal restraint. Reform Center

[] His strong stance on law and order, you tell him, has really impressed you, much more so than it had with Giuliani, who always had the whiff of corruption about him. You respect his no-nonsense attitude when dealing with unions, his tight fiscal control, and you'll bring this vision to Staten Island, and to the Federal parliament. Reform Right

To your relief, he nods in agreement as you wrap up your pitch. "Alright, I'll say this. You talk a good game, but you're a lawyer, you'd be pretty bad at your job if you couldn't argue your case." he continues to look you over, before pulling out a notepad. "Now look, given you're running for my party, I'll put up the money to get the campaign underway, but I'm not writing a blank cheque."

"Of course, I wouldn't expect you to. I'd be pretty hypocritical praising your ability to balance the city's budget and then taking all your money and lighting it on fire." To your surprise, he actually laughs at that.

He hands over a small sheet of paper he'd been scribbling on, with a handful of names and phone numbers. The one that stands out is 'Kevin Sheeky', Bloomberg's mayoral campaign manager. "I'm going to be putting Kevin in as your campaign manager. He's one of the sharpest political minds in this city. He'll help show you the ropes."

It's another few days before you get to meet Kevin, the smooth operator who absolutely dismantled all of Bloomberg's opposition last year. He's very much what you'd expect from a man who described his entire campaign philosophy as 'Overwhelming force'. He lays out to you what he believes will be necessary. A strong fundraising apparatus to finance a blanket ad campaign across Staten Island. A strong, centralised organisation built around yourself, and of course, an ad office to cut the promotions that will destroy your opponents.

"It's simple, there's no way in hell we'll come in first place. The UCP could nominate the corpse of Joe Stalin, and he'd still pull about thirty five to forty five percent of the vote just based on party loyalty alone." After his aggressive laying out of how he plans to win, declaring you wouldn't be able to finish first feels rather off brand. Before you can question him, he continues to drive forward.

"That's not a problem, though. We can work with that. We just need to get to second place, and from there, as long as we're smart, we can ride preferences straight past him. It's just a matter of making sure we pitch ourselves to these other people running."

"Our biggest threat here in my view isn't even Giuliani, it's probably whatever schmuck the NYConservatives put up, as I'd put it down as a lock they'll direct preferences to him over us, even if they think he's too much of a liberal."

All this makes sense, and you find yourself nodding along to the almost constant torrent of information. You can see why Bloomberg likes him, the Mayor is well known for his love of data analysis. "Now, obviously, I'm going to be helping you make the hires for this campaign, but you're ultimately in charge here. So I want you to review them with me, and sign off on them. Okay?" He abruptly begins once again, and you find yourself agreeing.

And thus, one of the most tedious processes of your life begins. Worse than any number of long, grinding all-nighters doing research on taxation law. The reviewing of campaign hires.
Political Amateurs have 20 points to spend, Political Veterans have 40 points to spend.
Reform Party bonus. Due to Bloomberg's willingness to underwrite your campaign, you've gained an extra 5 points to spend on putting your organisation together (25 points altogether)

Organisation Organisation represents the true structure of the campaign. Staffers, Volunteer leaders, and Campaign offices are all affected by Organisation. This is represented through the amount of actions you can take per turn.	/10	Fundraising Fundraising represents many aspects of the fundraising process, from soliciting small dollar donations, to connections to the finance arm of your party, and even your ability to self-fund.	/10
Research Research represents the dedicated opposition and issues research teams employed by the campaign, digging up dirt on the enemy and helping formulate ways to counter your own dirt.	/10	Ground Game Ground Game represents the legions of volunteers that are the heart and soul of any successful campaign for office, and are an essential part of any GOTV operation.	/10
Press Office The Press Office represents the media outreach arm of your campaign, handling press releases and managing your media profile, including early social media.	/10	Advertising Advertising represents the Ad office of the campaign, those who oversee the making and distribution of the campaign's advertising material, from Billboards and Banner ads to television spots.	/10

It's one of the slowest things you've ever done, inspecting each potential group head one by one, going down your (admittedly very limited) list of contacts, and then going through Kevin's much more robust list of people. But by the end of the month, with the by-election four months away, you've got one final bit of busy work to do before you can begin spinning up the campaign apparatus you've put together.

Outreach to the other campaigns. By-elections, with their national profile and low barrier to entry, tend to draw political parties from across the nation, even if they've otherwise got no presence in the state it is being fought. It's a good way to raise your profile if you're a smaller and otherwise less relevant party when compared to the 'big four'.

Of course, one of the biggest parts of any by-election is the preference swaps. IRV is the law of the land, and that means you'll need to ensure that as many parties put you higher than they put Giuliani. This means you'll need to decide who to reach out to, trusting that some parties will put the UCP last, and trying to win over those that won't.

Choose the order of outreach to try and win over the parties. 1 being the most attention, 4 being the least.

[] Democratic-Farmer-Labor. The traditional biggest part in New York, they're not big fans of Bloomberg, and not just because they disagree with his politics. Bloomberg 'stole' the Mayoralty away from them, when by right they should've won it back. The fact that you're running under his party won't endear you to them, but really, would they want to risk Giuliani (another man who 'stole' the mayoralty away from them) becoming a federal MP?

[] New Democracy. The other main party in New York, at least until Bloomberg rolled in and stole some of their thunder, New Democracy typically operates through the New York city Liberal party at the local level. They're more liberal in some respects than reform, but should be an easy sell for preference swaps.

[] Greens of America. The Greens are probably less interested in making a deal with Bloomberg than most, due to their ardent criticism of his policing policies, but that doesn't mean you can't lobby them by advocating for Bloomberg's environmental positions. In the unfortunate circumstance you finish behind DFL, Greens of America's preferences could push you over the top of both them, and the UCP.

[] Ecological Democrats. The more conservative green party, the Ecological Democracy party is more conservative than Reform, but have been very pleased with Bloomberg's environmental initiatives. While they're unlikely to pull very high numbers of votes, ensuring you're in the number 2 slot on their how to vote card could be the difference between victory and defeat.

Once you've finally sorted outreach and done all you can to secure your placement before the proper campaign begins, it's four months out, and it's time to hit the road and bring hope, change, and reform to the campaign trail!

 

[KarvokaQueen]

[X] You explain your respect for his major turnaround of the city's finances since he became mayor, taking a jab at the man who would be your opponent for leaving the Mayor such a mess. Further though, you say that if you are picked and elected, you'll be an unapologetic advocate for free trade, immigration reform, and fiscal restraint. Reform Center

Given you're pitching yourself to the living embodiment of technocratic centrism within the city of New York, you feel it's prudent that's the way you pitch yourself. A pro-trade, pro-immigration, fiscal moderate. Bloomberg eats it up, and before you know it, you've got a handshake, a promise of some funds to get your team in order, and you're out the door with a promise of some solid funding to put your campaign team together.

But just because you've got a few extra dollars in your pocket, doesn't mean you can get everything you want. Money helps, but you're a completely unknown quantity politically, and finding professional staffers proves to be problematic, to put it lightly. While Bloomberg vouches for you, and this opens up doors, as does Kevin's own rolodex of contacts, it can only take you so far (and of course, you're not stupid. Having 'The Boss' hand pick your campaign team is a great way to get a team more loyal to him, than to you.). It takes a lot of legwork through the early weeks of the campaign to get things sorted to your satisfaction (or as close as you can get to satisfaction).

-[7] Organisation
Your first, absolute top priority, is putting the core organisational team together. Your campaign will be no 'fly by night' operation, you need people you know and trust running the organisation. It takes up the lion's share of your time, but soon you've got what you consider to be an absolutely top-notch team. Kevin, running the campaign's day-to-day affairs, alongside yourself, and of course, one of the only other actual political people you know. Peter J. Laxalt, of Laxalt Consulting, a political outfit you're familiar. They do good work, even if Peter's an abrasive asshole who smokes like a chimney and swears like a sailor.
Recruited: Peter J. Laxalt, Head of Laxalt Consulting.

-[5] Research
In contrast to trawling through contacts for someone, anyone with political experience you might know, or having to lean on Kevin and Bloomberg for help, setting up your research office is a breeze. You're a lawyer, after all. Research comes naturally to you, digging through the minutiae for opposition research is basically your day job! And, of course, that means you know plenty of people just as skilled as you are. It's harder, finding someone Kevin will agree with, and he often feels like your Bloomberg appointed minder during this, but eventually you reach a compromise.
Recruited: Patricia Heely, corporate lawyer/research team lead.

-[6] Press Office
In a city as dominated by media as New York, it would pay dividends to invest in robust press office, to handle media releases and keep you in the press's good graces. With things being so hectic, and your not having a huge amount of media contacts to begin with, it gets off to a rough start. Fortunately, though, Bloomberg comes to your rescue by recruiting from his own media empire to put one of his editors at your disposal. Soon enough, you've got a small but highly functional press office.
Recruited: Paul M. Bennett, Journalist, Editor, Press Office lead.

-[3] Advertising
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, some things you just do not have time to properly organise, and while Kevin picks up the slack where he can, it's all hands on deck from the word go. Setting up an Advertising team will just have to be a bit more 'seat of the pants' than you'd have liked.
No advertising team lead.

-[3] Ground Game
While Bloomberg is popular it is becoming readily apparent to you that while his support is quite broad, crossing political lines (with the voters, if not with their parties), it is not especially deep. Bloomberg keeps the political affairs of the city out of the news as much as possible, and people like that. Unfortunately, that makes it a real pain in the ass to get people excited, not helped by your having to focus your efforts elsewhere. While you've got a small ground organisation, you've yet to recruit a team lead, a top priority, if you're to match the DFL's legendary ground game, or counter the UCP's massive advantage in ideological loyalty.
No ground game team lead.

-[2] Fundraising
Some things just have to get cut for time, and just like with setting up your ground game and your advertising team, fundraising had to wait. It's unfortunate, it means that you'll be leaning a lot more on 'The Boss' than you'd like, but needs must. You'll deal with it later.
No chief fundraiser.

Of course, even as you hit the fourth month to election mark, and your campaign starts to (more or less) come together, you're faced with a whole new set of challenges. Setting your silver tongue to work reaching out to the various movers and shakers of the New York political scene. By-elections always attract the weird and the wild, as well as the opportunistic and the avaricious, eager to make a national name for themselves.

In New York, the media capital of America, and thus, the world, this is even more intensified. Even if you wanted to, you couldn't possibly hope to reach out to all eighteen parties running before it is time for the campaigns to put out their how to vote cards. So, it becomes a matter of prioritising.

Laxalt is as much help as Kevin is here, bringing in a bottle of booze and pinning each announced campaign to the board.

"So, we can sort these campaigns into three basic buckets." He begins, scotch sloshing about in his glass as he raps his knuckles on the corkboard. He's broken it up with lines into three categories. "This here is Bucket A. The campaigns we can, and should work with." He's got four pinned there, three you recognise (as if you could've reached adulthood in New York without hearing about the DFL), and one you don't. A green diesel train? Why?

"Next, is Bucket B. These are the people we cannot work with, and can safely ignore." He takes a sip from his glass before continuing. "These are your usual crowd of leftist, elitist assholes, as well as fasci-, I mean, blood and soil conservatives. Too niche to make much of an impact beyond screaming about how we should hang the bankers, or beat up the gays, or whatever the fuck it is these people think is responsible for all the misery in their lives." Another pause, another drink. You're actually taking notes. You know next to nothing, and while Laxalt is an abrasive asshole at the best of times, he does know some things.

"Finally, Bucket C." There are three parties there, and you know them all very well. "These three right here, they're our biggest threats. First, you've got United. Cheney's little collection of bootlickers have recruited our dear former mayor, Rudy. Second, you've got NY Conservatives. These are the blood and soil types I mentioned before, but they've actually won elections. Finally, PUSH. Leftist jackasses? Absolutely. Going to put us near dead last because of Bloomberg? Abso-fucking-lutely." He finishes with a flourish, and rewards his hard labour with another, longer sip at his rapidly dwindling stock of booze.

"We've only got four parties we can really work with in the time we've got. So, the point of dragging you all down to the office tonight, on top of getting you drunk to celebrate the kick off next week, was to hash things out. We need to submit our preferences to the board in two weeks. We need this shit sorted." Kevin nods as you make good on that 'getting drunk' idea by pouring yourself a fresh glass.

Preference alliances were decided by rolling and selecting the highest result, with 1st choice getting four dice, and decreasing from there.

[1] New Democracy. The other main party in New York, at least until Bloomberg rolled in and stole some of their thunder, New Democracy typically operates through the New York city Liberal party at the local level. They're more liberal in some respects than reform, but should be an easy sell for preference swaps.

Roll = 79. A rousing success.

Despite having called the New Democracy campaign office drunk, and left a message you're sure didn't sound even a tenth as eloquent as it had at the time, it turns out that New Democracy was more than eager to meet with you. They want not just a preference swap, but proper co-operation. That's more than you're willing to give right now, but it's certainly something to keep in mind for later.

2nd place on the New Democracy How-To-Vote card/preference flow. Possibility of a non-aggression pact/agreement.

[2] Democratic-Farmer-Labor. The traditional biggest part in New York, they're not big fans of Bloomberg, and not just because they disagree with his politics. Bloomberg 'stole' the Mayoralty away from them, when by right they should've won it back. The fact that you're running under his party won't endear you to them, but really, would they want to risk Giuliani (another man who 'stole' the mayoralty away from them) becoming a federal MP?

Roll = 61. A truculent candidate, an unhappy party, an uneasy compromise.

Meeting with DFL was always going to be somewhat fraught. It isn't just their leftist politics or union political base that would be a problem, but their entitlement. They'd last held the office of the mayor in 1993, despite dominating the city's politics. However, they are quite weak on Staten Island, and they know it. Despite their dislike of Bloomberg holding the office they view as rightfully theirs, they dislike Giuliani, the man who first 'stole' it from them even more. After almost a week of awkward back and forths between your offices, a compromise is reached. You'll be put ahead of New Democracy, but behind the Greens, and a smattering of other lfetist parties that you don't know the name of. Crucially, though, you're also ahead of PUSH, and depending on how many voters just tick one box instead of all eighteen, that really could be a lifesaver.

5th party on the DFL How-To-Vote card/preference flow.

[3] Ecological Democrats. The more conservative green party, the Ecological Democracy party is more conservative than Reform, but have been very pleased with Bloomberg's environmental initiatives. While they're unlikely to pull very high numbers of votes, ensuring you're in the number 2 slot on their how to vote card could be the difference between victory and defeat.

Roll = 87. An eager agreement.

Due to their status as a bit-player in the American political scene, the Ecological Democrats actually make a point of reaching out to you instead of the other way around. They know there is no-chance of getting ahead of you on the first preference vote, but if they can stack themselves the right way they might just get ahead of one of the 'minor-major' parties like Reform, and sweep in from profitable alliances they make here. It isn't hard to reach a deal, and despite Laxalt's expectation you'd be behind a bunch of other micro-parties, you place very near the top!

4th party on the Ecological Democrat How-To-Vote card/preference flow.

[4] Greens of America. The Greens are probably less interested in making a deal with Bloomberg than most, due to their ardent criticism of his policing policies, but that doesn't mean you can't lobby them by advocating for Bloomberg's environmental positions. In the unfortunate circumstance you finish behind DFL, Greens of America's preferences could push you over the top of both them, and the UCP.

Roll = 18. No luck.

The Greens are wholly hostile to an agreement, and you suspect it's because they're part of some back-room multi-party deal to harvest preferences. It makes sense, out of all the greens and leftists they're the most likely to actually achieve something here. If you'd had more attention put upon them you might've been able to sway them away like you had been with the Ecological Democrats, but as it stands by the time you've been soundly rejected it's basically time to submit preferences. The submission reveals your hunch to be correct. They've been busy collecting minor leftist preferences and harvesting them to fashion a micro-party alliance to funnel them votes. Something to look out for.

14th party on Green How-To-Vote card/preference flows.

Before you know it, you, Kevin, and Laxalt, are all planning on what to do for your kickoff. The campaign machine is getting ready to head out and take Staten Island by storm, but Laxalt, Bloomberg, and Kevin, all have different ideas on where to start. You only get to launch your bid for congress once. It's important to pick the right audience.

Each makes a convincing pitch.

You have $1 million in your campaign account. This will serve as a demo for future campaign actions. It will be a roll against the selected part of your campaign, so choose wisely!

[] Laxalt wants a big press event. Bloomberg already has media connections, and you've got a pretty solid press team of your own. It makes sense to put that to work and get as much media attention as possible. This is especially important, he notes, because Giuliani is a complete media whore who knows how to get them by the horns.
Roll: Press Office. Cost: $70k

[] Kevin's plan is something less expensive but still important. Delivering your first pitch to the voters, primarily. The press will be there, and you'll hopefully have your press team working them over to get good coverage, but far more important in his mind is making your introduction to a core group of voters. Less lavish, more hands on, and built around interacting with voter blocs most likely to be sympathetic to you.
Roll: Ground game. Cost: $30k

[] Bloomberg's plan is the most straightforward. Doing your first big event with donors from across New York. You've got little in the way of fundraising, so if things go well, this may be the first step towards rectifying that, and will hopefully net you a nice bundle of extra cash for outfitting your advertising team, and building up your ground game.
Roll: Fundraising. Expected returns: Between $25-$100k

And then it is done. This is the first real test of your future in politics, and you can only hope it goes well. All eyes will be on you, when they're not glued to the eccentric ex-liberal mayor being parachuted to run in this seat. You are the banner-bearer for a new kind of centrist politics.

Here's hoping you don't screw it up.

 

[KarvokaQueen]

[X] Laxalt wants a big press event. Bloomberg already has media connections, and you've got a pretty solid press team of your own. It makes sense to put that to work and get as much media attention as possible. This is especially important, he notes, because Giuliani is a complete media whore who knows how to get them by the horns.

It's a big day. It's taken the better part of a week, in between putting the finishing touches on organisational efforts, and going through every single political reporter you know (and every political reporter that your press office knows), you barely have time to eat or sleep. It's worth it, though, you muse to yourself, as outside you hear a gaggle of reporters talking amongst themselves.

You made a big gamble, putting up the money for a proper location. It was a bold strategy, going with the Borough Hall, but Laxalt and Kevin were in agreement it was very much necessary. With your non-existent name recognition, you need to make a big impact. It was hard to pick a better spot to pitch yourself as the candidate of Bloomberg than a press conference at the hall?

It works better than you could've hoped. For days, your press office is inundated with calls from reporters eager to get a drop on the latest electoral curveball being thrown against the Conservatives. The fact it's being held at the hall (and thus, by implication, being held with the support of NYConservatives, thanks to the borough president being an eager Bloomberg ally) creates a buzz in and of itself. By the time you're in the prep room the day of, you'd actually had to get a bit draconian in culling the 'lesser' press from it. Of course, you do make a good show of inviting the likes of Fox News. Despite being as close to a party-run media organisation as is legally allowable, they're also suckers for drama and agree to broadcast your announcement on their city affiliates.

You take a drink of your soda. Laxalt had offered to give you some booze, but Kevin shut him down before you could. Keep the heavy stuff for after you crush this announcement. Laxalt himself has no such compunctions about drinking, taking a swig from a flask before continuing his rant about the media in New York. "Alright. So. These reporters. They're like sharks. Really, really asshole sharks." The perfidy of the media is a favorite Laxalt talking point, he's been drilling it into you, that no matter the media org, liberal, conservative, centrist, any paper that people actually read is all about getting headlines. Good, Bad, doesn't matter. They want to sell papers, end of.

"You need to be laser-focused on the message here. If you slip up, they'll rip you to pieces. They're looking for a moment of weakness." Another pause, another swig from the flask. "Which works in our favor. Most of these people think Staten Island might as well be bumfuck nowhere Illinois, where the population is inbred and the people don't speak English good. Which means if you're on point up there, if you take the questions and roll with the punches? They'll be impressed. They'll have no choice but to be, and we get all the nice, glowing headlines, about the God-Mayor finding some new political whizkid." You nod along, running through all the likely questions in your head. Really, this isn't that different from being in court. Except instead of one judge bound by law to be impartial, you've got about forty judges, all with wild political biases seeking to undermine you. Just another day in New York!

Message control will be key, you remind yourself. No interruptions no matter what, until you've given your big speech. Fortunately, you've got an incredibly abrasive deputy campaign manager who's spent the week alternately ranting about the press in new york, and working as your springboard for handling the media at its worst. You've been watching disastrous campaign speeches and being asked to explain how to fix them, and finally, after a week, you think you're ready.

"Hey, uh, everyone's seated, more or less." One of Laxalt's people, you think his name is Peter Parker? Pokes his head into the prep room. Laxalt fixes him with a stare that makes the boy cringe a bit.

"Good! Now get back out there and get on that Camera. We've already spent too much fucking money getting this venue, no way in hell I'm paying some damn press photographer for a picture of our candidate when we've got interns to do that." He huffs, and Parker vanishes back into the hall.

"Alright, people. It's showtime. Someone put on Fox News!" He turns to face you as you rise from your seat and take a steadying breath. "And Lewis. I'd say 'imagine them in their underwear' but if Fox sent the guy I met with, that'd just make you throw up. So just remember. Breath. Shut it all out until you're done with your pitch, just like we practiced." You nod and head out into the hall. Most of the press team is here, and you see Bennet is ushering in a few late arrivals as you approach the podium.

Already, there is a smattering of Camera flashes capturing what you hope will be the first step on your road to political office. You give them a wave and your best smile as you come to a stop. Straightening your tie slightly, you begin, straight to the focal point of the speech you'd spent a week practicing.

Pick a Focus:

[ ] The Economy. It's 2006, and New York has experienced unheard of peace and prosperity, but it hasn't been shared equally. Staten Island has been left behind by neighboring boroughs, despite the best efforts of the Mayor, even as the other four boroughs swell with people, jobs, and cash, getting more than a few paltry scraps from the Government is all but impossible. But as their MP, you'll do your level best to bring the forgotten borough back into the light, building bridges for investment and breaks for the future troubles, so that even as other boats may sink, this Island will rise with the waves.

[ ] Respectability & Reliability. As both a distinguished lawyer, and Staten Island's prospective future MP, you will not rest until you've dealt with the corruption plaguing the government. Despite claiming to stand up for 'Conservative values' when running for election on Staten Island, those 'values' seem mighty short on stemming the endless tide of political largesse and corruption that has long plagued Washington. Unlike the UCP, Reform knows how to handle a budget, after all, the Mayor brought the city back into fiscal solvency after it was left a total mess. It's a matter of comparing and contrasting. Under the Conservatives, you've had Scooter Libby getting indicted, the Abrahamoff affair, Coingate in Ohio, and the government still refusing to form a federal Independent Commission Against Corruption! Make no mistake, Reform stands against the 'politics as usual' approach to dealing with the corruption plaguing the federal government.

[ ] A New Era. It's as plain as a day that the old style of politics has failed Staten Islanders badly. Despite things getting better under the new Mayor, the 'forgotten borough' is chronically underinvested in by the federal government. The Conservative party expects their candidate to be crowned by the people of Staten Island, despite him not living here, and they expect us to be grateful for the privilege. The Democrats, of both varieties, are totally disconnected from what the people of Staten Island need. Not Reform! Staten Islanders want a bold new vision that takes their needs into account. Bringing jobs, growth, and ending the graft that plagues DC.

==============================

I know I said the last update was the final one before the campaign, but this one really bogged me down, and I figured I'd at least give you something! This focus of the speech will set the tone for the early campaign, so choose wisely.