ELECTION COVERAGE: The December 2010/January 2011 elections

Tomorrow marks the start of the first election for president and vice president of the republic to take office in 2011. It has been the latest time in the preelection cycle before intending candidates came out to declare standing, with only one citizen (newcomer UP aligned Remi Delarue) coming out during the past term indicating they might run.

The LRP has commenced balloting for their president and vice presidential candidates, with current leader and former Titulian president TJ Norton tipped to receive the nomination. Sources inside the party say the veep contest is wide open with five candidates standing including former Titulian president Renee Buchanan, policy committee chair Todd Richards, delegate Chris Hoyt, entertainment guru Lisa Carpenter and senior counsel Cara Dellahunty.

Party secretary Malinda Noble has confirmed that her party will still take interest from non LRP candidates for vice president, though it will be a 'tough fit' compared to previous elections.

"We've looked outside the party or even left it the presidential nominee to nominate an external vice presidential candidate but never had so much interest in the no 2 spot before" Noble said.

Asked whether she believed it narrows the race to party cordons, Ms Noble rejected that the focus was a 'one size-fits all'.

"Five months ago the importance of the vice presidency was put on display during a vote on impeachment of the presidency. Not many campaigns have been typically concerned with the no 2 on the ticket but that attitude has changed now. This isn't about picking someone by throwing darts at a board and choosing whoever it hits this is now about choosing a potential president rather than a vice president".

Candidate for the vice presidential nomination and party political strategist Todd Richards agreed with Noble's assessment saying it was time the LRP took its VP selections 'more seriously'.

"The party is right to boast good choices for President, though I believe one of our weaknesses has been the way we have selected the second in charge" said Richards.

The LRP's two terms in government saw the election of the RNC's Owen Merry and former Titulian president, the Linardist's Gregory Hock, as its vice presidents.

Mr Merry was put under the microscope for his frequent disruptions in cabinet meetings and taking aim at political opponents during meetings of inter party dialogue. These actions resulted in Merry's impeachment as VP. Mr Hock's tenure as vice president was no where near as controversial, although former Buchanan government colleagues have said Hock rarely weighed in on cabinet discussions.

Presidential nomination candidate TJ Norton said he would be 'thrilled to work with whoever the party decided upon'.

"I would be more than satisfied with whoever the party picked to run with me - inside or outside of the party - and that opinion extends to our tenure in Liberty House" said Norton.

"It's going to be a tremendous term of work ahead to take Titulia forward".

Stay here at the Express as the candidates get into gear for the December 2010/January 2011 election.

- Happy New Year to our readers

SDP stalwart joins Liberal Republicans

Historical 'badboy' of Titulia Matthew Ingebritson has left the Social Democratic Party and joined the Liberal Republican Party.

LRP secretary Malinda Noble welcomed the former SDP leadership candidate and says she looks forward to pulling up a chair for him at the next State Conference after the election.

"It's warming to have Titulian experience in the party", she said. "Matthew has a place at the leadership table".

Newly installed LRP deputy leader and departing president of the republic TJ Norton joined in saying Ingebritson has provided the colour needed in the ailing state.

"Some of his ways are definitely out there but you can't say it's a dull moment with Matt around. Great to have him", the president said.

The LRP's new star recruit said he respected the SDP and all they achieved under former president Eric Meissner.

"The guys [SDP members] are awesome and theyre my brothas no matter what. The Liberal Repubs add the fun and have the toolbox to fix Titulia and I want to be part of it", Mr Ingebritson said.

It comes at a bad time for the Wilberforce campaign when it has yet to engage with the public at all and the LRP catching up for a showdown finish.

Stay tuned at the Express for continued coverage of the September 2010 election.

Buchanan gives nod to McVicker for Commerce as her team takes shape

LRP presidential candidate Renee Buchanan has named round 1 opponent Dennis McVicker (RNC) as her choice for secretary of commerce should the contender achieve election on Sept 26. Calling the appointment 'consensus building', Buchanan is the only candidate to have made any headway on establishing a workable government.

"We can work together and there's a lot of space to merge both agendas into one platform", she said.

Responding to questions on campaign disagreements between Republicans and Linardists, Buchanan dispelled the internal wrangling as 'regular'.

"I'm running the campaign for Titulia and following the president's example of leadership to get people together who have ideas and experience to bring", she said. "What's discussed with other parties stays between us and them and I'm not going to comment unless that changes. I'm not interested in partisan game playing and taking Titulia back to the start this is about tomorrow and the future".

When asked why McVicker got the nod for the chief finance officer's role, Buchanan said she 'appreciated the debate'.

Rumour has it that she will be tapping Luxis Avaram (RNC) on the shoulder next for chief of staff.

"Dennis campaigned for a lot of suggestions close to what I want to achieve as president. We both agree there's a lot of work to do to make Titulia attractive to the outside world".

Buchanan said the main attraction issue was the slow uptake of infrastructure by previous administrations.

"Titulia should be more competitive in the online nation market and it's not even close. I have tried to recruit more friends from my rl [real life] political party and the one's that didn't sign up thought it looked like a school yard joke".

She took her hat off to Double D Constructions for its building program.

"This was one example of how government and business worked together and gave some life to the poor state of the city's development".

As secretary for infrastructure Buchanan was the president's point person in developing the first non expiring service packages to keep private enterprise developing the web sites and not letting them go out of date.

"Our sites need to be regularly updated and the service packages come with the expectation that it will now be done. A great result", she said.

A Buchanan-Hock government is taking shape with people in place to fill infrastructure, arts and now commerce. The coveted role of attorney general remains a mystery and unlikely to be taken up before the end of the election.

Reports say outgoing commerce secretary Gerry Brady and chief of staff Reformer (both SDP) declined Buchanan's invitation to serve citing life commitments (Brady) and no reason given (Reformer). Secretary Buchanan wished them well.

There are persistent rumours of a possible legal challenge if Wilberforce is elected, citing that the candidate is in breach of legislation and Admin rulings over failure to declare a vice presidential candidate before the end of nominations. This almost cost President Norton and SDP candidate Reformer in the last election until an allowance was accepted due to the new web site's difficulties with signing in.

The Titulia Admin has since confirmed via their weblog that no other sign in issues have presented and the only remaining issue exists with crossover to the old site. They have supplied an easy fix to that and Titulians have widely known about this for weeks now. As the old site services continue to migrate over, any problems with using the old site are now minimal with not much usage at all since the transition of propositions and polls.

Stay here at the Express for your complete coverage of the September 2010 election!

Ed: thanks to John Baxter and Todd Richards for contributing to this report.

Election: Round 1 over with Buchanan-Hock on top with 47%

His bags were packed and he was ready to go. It's official: a stone's throw away from an early exit, it was expected that President Norton couldn't get out of Liberty House that easy. The departing chief now has to postpone the moving vans for another three days while Titulia goes to second round voting to decide who will succeed him.

Candidates Dennis McVicker (RNC) and James Inglis (CP) exited the contest polling second-last and last out of the dubbed 'field of four'. That crowd has narrowed to two with LRP's Renee Buchanan and Linardist Gregory Hock taking out the lead with a massive 47% of the vote compared with camper Will Wilberforce a good 19 percentage points behind on 28%.

Round 1 was put to bed with a startling admission from the Social Democrats. According to SDP leader Reformer, candidate Will Wilberforce has been on holidays since nomination. This sent LRP secretary Malinda Noble to the closest microphone to stick it to her liberal counterpart.

"On holidays? I suppose Gucci make chai lattes as well", Noble said dispelling the quote.

Meanwhile, the outgoing president called for cooler heads in comment.

"Look I've been where these two are now [Buchanan and Wilberforce] and I understand that it's going to take a while longer to sort through it", he said.

When asked what he thought of the Wilberforce vacationing during the contest, Norton was empathetic to the concerns.

"I admit that the holiday excuse does come across as somewhat disingenuous and I can appreciate how the citizens are feeling in taking the inactivity as disrespect. Busy or not - Mr Wilberforce is asking for the people to elect him to the highest civilian office in the e-nation", he said.

"His supporters might think that's appropriate but I would fall short of saying such opinion is reflective of the regular, active citizenry. A little humility on his part would go a long way and a simple apology for coming late to the game ought to fix it and quell the temperatures a little. He's a good guy deep down I'm sure and he would understand that".

The election continues. Stay tuned at the Express.

BUCHANAN AND HOCK SEAL TICKET

The first full ticket to be declared:
Renee Buchanan & Gregory Hock

McVicker, Wilberforce and Inglis continue to battle it out for support and finalising VP.





The Express has learned from the LRP that Attorney-General Gregory Hock of the Linardist party has joined with Secretary Renee Buchanan as the nominee for vice president of the republic. Secretary Buchanan released a short statement following the announcement.

"I announce that the LRP ticket has a nominee for Vice President. Mr Gregory Hock has served the state as Attorney General in the Norton government and in previous service as President. He has the experience and I'm proud to have him on bored to help me to continue President Norton's record of delivering for Titulia", she said.

Attorney General Hock has yet to release a statement although it's expected he will soon as both he and Secretary Buchanan now take to the campaign as a united team to talk to the Titulian people.

This ticket creates a lot of problems for the other candidates. Former president Dennis McVicker has been the only other of the four declared candidates taking the time to speak to the Titulian people since the opening of nominations. The SDP representative Will Wilberforce joins Commonwealth party candidate James Inglis, who have both been missing in action since the nomination period opened.

Hail to the .... Veep?

Despite all four candidates now having secured the nomination requirement, Secretary Buchanan has been the only nominee to disclose her 'number two' before the end of nominations. The last campaign almost proved fatal to then candidates TJ Norton and Reformer because they failed to announce their vice presidents before the nomination period had ended.

This was a smart move for the LRP contender to avoid her boss's problem last time around. While Buchanan's campaign has gone into overdrive the other candidates haven't even formally hit the stage yet.

Politics on the road to power

Former LRP partner the RNC have reportedly decided not to endorse a candidate this campaign while they work on internal factional cracks between the moderate and right wing branches. Incumbent RNC leader jp9893 is facing a leadership challenge from conservative torch bearer JI. The Committee have not given up on a campaign of misinformation about their former coalition ally and may support SDP's Wilberforce in retaliation.

State of the parties

The Buchanan campaign needs 50.1% at either the first or second round of voting to return the government to Liberty House under its new leadership. Forging this outcome for a leading party requires a 4% edge on its opponents if no other political support comes its way. The SDP could have guaranteed themselves the vice president's spot but it was declined according to reports. Wilberforce's nomination ended the debate on whether the Social Democrats had confidence in the government's return.

A Buchanan win is the more likely at this stage. The RNC's implosion have rendered them disabled in the short to medium term and an SDP split from their government colleagues leaves the question of whether or not they would be happy to work in a Buchanan-Hock government.

One thing's for sure: the remaining three candidates will need to summon their base soon or the temptation to win will shift from gaining first place to three candidates fighting for second. Stay tuned at the Express for your election coverage.

The race is on for Liberty House

For lease: Prime property in the heart of Titulia City
Current tenant moving out between Sept 23-26
Minimum 28 day lease
Price: 50.1% of the vote and possibly your soul!

The most coveted job in the republic has gone on the market once again following President TJ Norton's announcement not to seek reelection. Four candidates have nominated so far and it's shaping up fast as a three way race minimum. Infrastructure secretary and LRP presidential candidate Renee Buchanan has so far been the only candidate to meet the minimum to go through to the first ballot.

In an unexpected turn, the SDP have nominated recently re-immigrated and hastily crowned new leader Will Wilberforce who's expected to meet Buchanan in two day's time for the official vote. Other candidates include former president Dennis McVicker and Commonwealth Party leader James Inglis.

With an 88% approval rating soon to be evicted Norton has the highest approval rating of any departing president in the past viewable history of the republic, a 35% jump from when he was handed the keys on the 20th of last month.

Look at the candidates

Will Wilberforce assumed the role of acting leader from outgoing Chief of Staff Reformer soon after his re-immigration. Rumours are circulating in political houses that the move made prior to Norton's announcement was put in place to challenge him if he decided to run again. "Tom [Norton] leaving office makes it easier without having a bloody challenge" said the source on the condition of anonymity fearing retribution.

There are no known position papers from Wilberforce and a long history of resentment to the major opponent's party membership. If political blood is anything to go by a Wilberforce presidency would likely reverse a major of advances in technological exploration and capital funding passed under Norton. As yet neither Mr Wilberforce or Reformer have made a statement on the SDP's candidacy and their agenda.

The last time Titulia heard from Dennis McVicker he was going to eRepublik, another virtual experiment. This is presumed to be his second failed bid to regain the presidency since he left office in November last year. Dennis McVicker has been part of the non territorial nation's political furniture as far back as March 2009 and was the king maker for many of the past leaders Titulia has today.

His once bright future was left in tatters after President Norton (then McVicker's veep) testified against him for ordering he declare the Linardist party membership as terrorists. Come time to choose a new judge on the court, Norton outed McVicker's politicisation of the Matthews nomination in the legislature as retribution for not nominating him, when a detailed history was uncovered between McVicker and Matthews that almost landed the former president in hot water after invading the new Justice's former party.

James Inglis leads the Commonwealth of Titulia party and is another repeat candidate from previous elections. The CoT is the most devolved of political support of top rank parties and hardly any numbers comes the way of the nationalist emphatic. Mr Inglis currently serves as an Editor of the Titulia Post and has held the position on at least two other occasions. It's a high possibility that will remain his job at the end of the election.

What McVicker, Wilberforce and Inglis have in common: no love of the LRP. Their filing for nomination is a loud vote of no confidence in the outgoing government's work.

The street map to power

Late turnout in nomination standingsmake it difficult to tell how the support will fall for now. What we do know is the top three candidates Buchanan, Wilberforce and McVicker have access to strong power bases both in their own right and from political organisations.

The void left by Norton's departure from Titulia's top job was anticipated to create a vacuum in the rooms of power. The minority party support from the RNC is expected to go to McVicker this time around after a fallout with the LRP over the veep impeachment. He is also more likely to secure greater Linardist and Social Democrat support than Buchanan.

That leaves protest ballots flowing to Inglis and a sure expectation of centre left votes for Wilberforce causing all candidates to go on a more dire hunt for support. Like most elections the independent and ex party independent swing vote will be essential although unlikely to become a deciding factor until the second round of voting if no one candidate achieves an absolute majority. That's expected to happen this election.

If you believe in Murphy's Law and the lessons of recent history an emergency third ballot could be needed if the republic is left with a 50/50 deadlock. Laws passed in previous terms have denounced 'seniority' (Article IV, section 4 of the constitution) and called for another ballot after renewed debate in the event of a tie in the final round contingency.

Have prime ministers David Cameron (UK) and Julia Gillard (Australia) taught Titulia something about power brokerage? Stick around to find out over the next few days. Remember to do your duty and cast your vote when the ballot box opens. It's hard to justify complaining if you didn't take part in the original decision in the first place.

Stay tuned here at the Express. Thanks to Todd Richards and Malinda Noble for contributing to this report.

Buchanan hits ground running on agenda

Liberal Republican presidential candidate Renee Buchanan has used the last 24 hours to talk with independents, minor parties and party members about the agenda for next term. The outgoing infrastructure secretary and Liberty House hopeful has touted the new web site possibilities and new Government legislation as the 'snapped padlock' Titulia has long called for.

The secretary talked up technology changes that occurred under the LRP led government's watch.

"Let's talk truth about Titulian advancement. The new site technology snaps the padlock to the gate that was locking the republic back in. Admin has relieved that to a point thanks to the new web site", Buchanan said.

She singled out departing President TJ Norton, Arts secretary Alex Pijanowski and Deputy RNC Leader Luxis Avaram for keeping up the efforts and the conversation going on innovation and technology and Double D Construction for its efforts on national web building. Buchanan warned the first stage is complete although it may not see the light of day unless the republic stepped up to the plate to embrace it.

"The missing link is innovation. We have to innovate as an e state to go through the door. This government has broken down the barriers but the citizens need to go on through for it to succeed".

Outgoing President Norton, expected to head the department of infrastructure in the anticipated Buchanan Government has denied past assertions that the talk has died over past months.

"There's no doubt the new Titulia website architecture alone has renewed a certain vigour in the innovation debate. We pushed that during this administration and the succeeding government has no choice but to take the reins with the same emphasis if it wants to prevent a stall. There's an old saying 'easier to keep an existing fire going than start a new one' ", the president warned.

Norton renewed Avaram's call that public-private engagement is essential and it needs to be led both ways top-down and within the grassroots of the republic.

"If it has dropped that's a lack of past government direction and sending confusing or mixed signals. I can't comment how our predecessors thought or approached the subject because I wasn't in their strategy meetings to say - but the slow take up of leadership on innovation is a concern".

The Liberal Republican Party, Republican National Committee, Department of the Arts and Double D Construction have been the most active infrastructure builders, however the Norton LRP led government has been the first to take advantage of the existing Titulia architecture to deliver.

Secretary Buchanan called potential opponents to come out and talk about their plans to move the republic forward and take it ahead.

"This government has a plan, it's been well received", she said.

"We have guaranteed the people their senate and can deliver it soon after Admin brings in the required additions so the government can program what it needs to and give it life. I stand today and commit to the President's guarantee to deliver and the same will apply to a government under my leadership".

"I invite anyone who stands to challenge the government's record of success to speak up and commit to the same. This is a team effort and it will need a team who can do it".

Buchanan nominated to succeed Norton: SDP gets VP

The Liberal Republican Party (LRP) have nominated incumbent Government secretary Renee Buchanan to represent them at the September 17 presidential elections.Party president Reg Ambrose has supported Buchanan's preselection as the 'right choice' to follow on from a successful LRP led term in office under departing president TJ Norton.

"Renee answered the call to take on an important role in this government and this carries on from that initial call", Ambrose said.

"I don't plan on making any changes to cabinet other than the jobs they do. One of these people have been nominated for Vice President and it would be great if they accept", said the LRP nominee in her public address to the web nation on Sunday afternoon.

All three of the outgoing chief executive's confidants are members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). That makes an SDP vice president a done deal in a future Buchanan government.... providing the nominee accepts.

Outgoing president Norton has accepted a future role in an elected Buchanan government, filling the presidential hopeful's current role as secretary for infrastructure. Secretary Buchanan has added the role of development to the job description. This is a tentative and ground breaking move that would require legislative permission and ADMIN acceptance to transfer the president's web maintenance powers over to a cabinet secretary.

The leadership of former coalition party, the Republican National Committee, has praised the outgoing government leader in a statement on its RNC Daily website.

"We respect President Norton's personal decision not to seek re-election. He has served our nation well and thank him for doing so. He has worked hard for Titulia and for unity, and we commend him for that. Despite partisan differences, we wish Mr Norton a bright future and thank him for his service".

LRP party secretary Malinda Noble commended Norton for achieving its first term in government.

"You get used to being in opposition after a while and it's great that we were able to showcase what the LRP is all about. Tom did that for us and we're thankful to have had him", she said.

President of the LRP Reg Ambrose singled out SDP members in the executive administration as 'praiseworthy' for helping the president deliver on the agenda.

"It's said that the organisation is only as good as the team players. This was a team without fault from start to finish and I look forward to its reelection in full".

Political movement has been quiet on the public front. President Norton is expected to leave office with an 85% approval rating, a 32% bump from the 53% he won at the August election in taking office. Private polling among citizens has the government with a minimum 70% shot at re-election, based on LRP, SDP and other support accumulated from the potential ticket.

Stay here at the Express for prime election coverage on the September presidential elections.

LRP meets to decide Norton's successor

Late last night Titulian President TJ Norton (LRP) notified the republic of his intention not to seek a second term in office. This decision has sent shock waves throughout the political movement but so far nothing but support for the president's decision.

Liberal Republican Party secretary Malinda Noble has consulted leader Reg Ambrose and a meeting has been called to decide who the party will support in its bid to retain Liberty House. Party sources say they are positive about retaining government at the next election, slotted to be called as early as September 17 Australian time.

The party remained tight-lipped about possible contenders, but there's no secret that Infrastructure Secretary Renee Buchanan (LRP) is a favourite to continue President Norton's work.

Walking into the meeting LRP members commented about the qualities Ms Buchanan could bring to Titulia.

"She (Buchanan) has been able to work with the 'unity' government and was the key player in keeping the republic's national web sites up and running" said LRP secretary Noble.

On the crucial issue of achieving political support, members boasted Buchanan carried a few bonuses in contrast to Norton.

"Renee has a presence that can work for the state's advantage. She's not an extreme activist and is in a better position to work with people that the president has a history with" said party conference delegate Todd Richards.

Acting conference secretary Christopher Hoyt said Buchanan's biggest plus was being a part of the LRP led government minus the 'baggage'.

"I respect Tom (Norton) but there was always the issue of Titulian baggage that almost cost us the election first time around. Renee carries a light sack compared to Tom", Hoyt said.

Whoever the party decided upon, leader Reg Ambrose said the next election was less about Norton and more about the LRP's record of success.

"The LRP now has a strong record in government by leading a national housing initiative to give citizens a helping hand to take residence in the city of Titulia, protecting the long term future of our national infrastructure and unlocked the door to a trade economy with a bright future" says Ambrose.

Delegate Richards agreed adding Titulia needs the same direction Norton set to go forward.

"We can't afford to take Titulia back to the old days. It's essential the Liberal Republican Party is returned to Liberty House at the polls".

Stay here at the Express as the race for the presidency goes into overdrive.