Government Announced

King Guy affirmed the creation of the 2nd Democratic Government in the nation's history. Prime Minister Cody Gentry (Leader of the LLP) also announced the coalition partners and his cabinet ministers. The Center-Left Coalition of the LLP, LFP, and FMP will surely guide the country into a different direction than the Sexton Government. However, only time will tell whether or not the coalition has enough votes and cohesion to pass the LLP's aggressive legislative agenda.

The Government Ministers:

Prime Minister Cody Gentry
Deputy Prime Minister Molly Mobley
Foreign Minister Hannah Myers
Defense Minister Brittni Woods
Treasury Minister Jordan Roberts
Justice Minister David Lindholm
Homeland Minister Chantel Roberson
Commerce and Trade Minister Brittany Lawhorn
Health Minister Tyler Fields
Environmental Minister Karin Taylor
Education Minister Leann Lanzarotta
Agricultural and Mining Minister Rachel Isaacs
Speaker of the National Assembly Rachel Sams

Election Analysis

The Franklin Times -

The election is over and the analysis game has begun. What did the 2008 election reveal?

1) The Power of Organization: If the 2008 election proved anything, it was that the parties who were most committed to organization and campaign spending performed better than the parties who didn't. The LLP and the FDRP ran the most organized and disciplined campaigns, explaining why they garnered almost half of all votes cast.

2) The unpopularity of the war: exit polls showed a common theme throughout the eastern states of the nation, massive disapproval of the military operations in Iraq. PM Sexton's commitment to maintaining troops in Iraq certainly cost the conservatives seats. Sexton's FCP had been surprising competitive in many urban areas in 2007, but another year of war fatigue created an environment in which the FCP heir the FDRP was unable to hold swing urban seats.

3) The rise of the Left: the three leftist parties (the LLP, LFP, and the FMP) were able to dominate in the heavily populated east erasing many swing seats held by conservative members. These three parties will constitute 58% of the new national assembly, showing strong support for the left-of-center policies.

4) The power of the FDRP: it is clear that if LLP Party Leader Gentry is able to form a leftist coalition, the FDRP will become the lead opposition party. The FDRP dominated in the western states and clearly emerges as the most powerful conservative party. Yet, the lack of other active conservative parties may have hurt the FDRP's ability to control the political debate. With three viable leftist parties, the political debate seemed to favor their views with the FDRP pushed into a voice in the wilderness.

5) The power of the Internet: those parties most active in posting to the NEC and UPA blog were more successful on election day. It is clear that many voters (especially young voters) receive political news and views through the Internet. Those parties who utilized this resource saw greater success.

Election Results

Election Results

Bennett:

District Seats:
FDRP: 3
FHSRP: 1
JRP: 1

Vote Percentage: 7 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

FDRP 51% (4)
FHSRP: 20% (1)
JRP: 15% (1)
FMP: 10% (1)
LLP: 2%
LFP: 1%
ALP: 1%

Capital State:

District Seats:

LLP: 2
LFP: 2
FMP: 1

Vote Percentage: 25 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 37% (9)
LFP 23% (6)
FMP: 15% (4)
ALP: 5% (1)
FHSRP: 5% (1)
FDRP: 10% (3)
JRP: 5% (1)

Conover:

District Seats:
LLP: 3
LFP: 1
FMP: 1

Vote Percentage: 37 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 39% (14)
LFP: 20% (7)
FMP: 15% (6)
FDRP: 11% (4)
FHSRP: 10% (4)
JRP: 3% (1)
ALP: 2% (1)

Gerke:

District Seats:

FDRP: 3
FHSRP: 1
JRP: 1

Voter Percentage: 7 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

FDRP: 36% (3)
FHSRP: 24% (2)
JRP: 10% (1)
ALP: 10% (1)
FMP: 7%
LLP: 7%
LFP: 6%

Hampton:

District Seats:

FDRP: 2
FHSRP: 1
ALP: 1
FMP: 1

Voter Percentage: 10 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

FDRP: 30% (3)
JRP: 20% (2)
FHSRP: 15% (1)
ALP: 10% (1)
FMP: 10% (1)
LLP: 8% (1)
LFP: 7% (1)

Hunter:

District Seats:

FDRP: 3
FHSRP: 1
ALP: 1

Voter Percentage: 7 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

FDRP: 37% (3)
FHSRP: 23% (2)
JRP: 10% (1)
ALP: 10% (1)
LLP: 7%
LFP: 7%
FMP: 6%

Huron:

District Seats:

FMP: 3
LLP: 1
FDRP: 1

Voter Percentage: 17 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

FMP: 24% (4)
LLP: 23% (4)
LFP: 17% (3)
ALP: 16% (3)
FHSRP: 15% (3)
FDRP: 3%
JRP: 2%

Irondequiot:

District Seats:

LLP: 2
LFP: 2
FDRP: 1

Voter Percentage: 63 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 28% (18)
LFP: 27% (17)
FMP: 15% (9)
FDRP: 10% (6)
FHSRP: 10% (6)
ALP: 6% (4)
JRP: 4% (3)

North Winsota:

District Seats:

FMP: 3
LLP: 1
LFP: 1

Voter Percentage: 21 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 25% (5)
FDRP: 23% (5)
LFP: 20% (4)
FMP: 18% (4)
FHSRP: 8% (2)
JRP: 4% (1)
ALP: 2%

Schenck:

District Seats:

LLP: 2
LFP: 2
FDRP: 1

Voter Percentage: 15 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 23% (3)
FDRP: 20% (3)
LFP: 17% (3)
FMP: 15% (2)
FHSRP: 15% (2)
JRP: 7% (1)
ALP: 3% (1)

South Winsota:

District Seats:

LLP: 2
LFP: 2
FDRP: 1

Voter Percentage: 23 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 30% (7)
FDRP: 25% (6)
FMP: 15% (4)
FHSRP: 15% (3)
LFP: 5% (1)
JRP: 5% (1)
ALP: 5% (1)

The Lakes:

District Seats:

FDRP: 3
LLP: 1
LFP: 1

Voter Percentage: 10 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

FDRP: 30% (3)
FHSRP: 16% (2)
FMP: 14% (1)
ALP: 12% (1)
LLP: 11% (1)
LFP: 9% (1)
JRP: 8% (1)

Wayne:

District Seats:

LLP: 1
LFP: 2
FDRP: 2

Voter Percentage: 43 At Large Seats: Seats Won in ( )

LLP: 35% (15)
FDRP: 19% (8)
LFP: 16% (7)
FMP: 14% (6)
JRP: 10% (4)
FHSRP: 6% (3)
ALP: 1%

Party Breakdown:

LLP: 15 District Seats + 77 At Large Seats; Total Seats: 92 – 26.28%
FDRP: 20 District Seats + 51 At Large Seats: Total Seats: 71 – 20.28%
LFP: 13 District Seats + 50 At Large Seats: Total Seats: 63 – 18%
FMP: 9 District Seats + 42 At Large Seats: Total Seats: 51 – 14.57%
FHSRP: 4 District Seats + 32 At Large Seats: Total Seats: 36 – 10.28%
JRP: 2 District Seats + 18 At Large Seats: Total Seats: 20 – 5.7%
ALP: 2 District Seats + 15 At Large Seats: Total Seats: 17 – 4.85%

Governing Coalition Must Control at least 176 Seats or 50.29%

Election Results:The Literally Liberal Party has captured the most seats in the National Assembly. The LLP will control 92 seats in the 350 seat chamber or 26.28%.

King Guy has now charged the Literally Liberal Party Leader, Mr. Cody Gentry with the authority to form a coalition government. Mr. Gentry and his party are now free to enter into negotiations with any of the other political parties as they attempt to form a working coalition that controls at least 176 seats in the National Assembly.

If such an attempt fails, the FDRP, which finished in 2nd place, will be given authority to form a coalition.

The following positions must be filled:

Prime Minister:
Deputy Prime Minister:
Foreign Minister:
Defense Minister:
Treasury Minister:
Justice Minister:
Homeland Minister:
Commerce and Trade Minister:
Health Minister:
Education Minister:
Environmental Minister:
Agricultural and Mining Minister:
Speaker of the National Assembly:

Early Election Projections

The Franklin Times -

The National Elections Commission is reporting heavy voter turnout throughout the country. The NEC is estimating a national turnout of 74%. Turnout has been heaviest in the western states, especially Bennett, and in the large urban areas of Capital State, Conover, Wayne, and Irondequiot.

Early projections show strong support for the FDRP, LLP, LFP, and FMP. The race remains too close to call but projections for the District Seats (65 of the 350 seats in the National Assembly) show:

FDRP capturing 20 District Seats
LLP capturing 15 District Seats
LFP capturing 13 District Seats
FMP capturing 9 District Seats
FHSRP Party capturing 4 District Seats
JRP Party capturing 2 District Seats
ALP Party capturing 2 District Seats

While winning District Seats is important, it is still uncertain if strength in these races will translate into big wins in the race for the At Large Seats (285 of the 350 seats in the National Assembly) which are based on the vote percentage each party receives within each individual state. Control of the National Assembly will depend on a party or coalition controlling at least 176 of the 350 seats.

Issues and Endorsements

The National Press Association invites all parties to make a final appeal to voters through the NEC blog. The NPA asks all parties to simply post a message...


The NPA also invites all parties to check out the updated interest group endorsement page...
http://mcpedia.pbwiki.com/Franklin-Interest-Groups

Organization...

The Capital Courier -

With the election days away, the parties have now turned to their bases. In the closing days of the campaign, political parties look to their voter base and to turnout. Ads are currently running in all states, party operatives and consultants are working overtime, and parties are spending millions of dollars. However, it appears that two races are quickly developing. The first race is between the select parties who have shown the organization, message, and voter base to emerge as the largest vote getter. This race is one of ideology. On the left, the LLP and LFP (and to a lesser extent the FMP) are battling for supremacy. On the right, the FDR Party, despite tough attacks from labor appears to have weathered the storm. It is unlikely any party will emerge with a majority of seats in the National Assembly, but the top vote getter will control the coalition formation process. A second race seems to have developed between the more minor parties (ALP, FMP, JRP, FHSRP). While these parties have seen their chances of winning the most seats slip away they may still possess great power after the election. If these minor parties win enough seats they can position themselves as attractive coalition partners.

Massive Rallies Held...Displaying their organizational strength, the LLP and the FRD Party held massive rallies today. In the state of Conover, the LLP drew a crowd of 60,000 supporters to see the LLP Leader Cody Gentry speak with the leaders of the National Workers Union and the Franklin Workers Alliance. In the state of Wayne, where polling has the FDRP outperforming expectations, a crowd of 65,000 gathered to see the entire party leadership.

Newspaper Endorsements...

Newspaper Endorsements:

The Nordonia News: The FDR Party - "This party represents the clear vision of a proper conservative party by embracing the notion that only through free choice can a society reach greatness."

The Franklin Times: Literally Liberal Party- "The Literally Liberal Party has run both a strong and flawed campaign, but has showcased the seriousness needed for a ruling party. Its commitment to social justice and to ending the flawed foreign policy of misguided intervention makes it the best choice."

The Capital Courier: Love and Freedom Party - "As is all too often the trend in western democracies, the political debate has been dominated by left and right parties. Yet, Franklin has another option that reflects the only real chance to unify our nation. That choice, which we endorse, is to take the moderate road."

Labor Endorses...

The Franklin Times -

The National Workers Union announced this afternoon its full endorsement of the Literally Liberal Party. After yesterday's closed door meeting between NWU and LLP leaders, the nation's largest labor organization stated that, "The Literally Liberal Party has demonstrated a clear connection and commitment with Franklin's working class. The union will dedicate our membership and money to supporting this great party in the upcoming election." This endorsement represents a major boost for the LLP as it looks to separate itself from the other leftist parties. The NWU also announced it was beginning an aggressive ad campaign against what it referred to as the "unfair trade" policies advocated by conservative parties.

In a late evening press release, the Franklin Workers Alliance (the nation's second largest labor union) announced its full endorsement of the Literally Liberal Party. Citing the party's support for workers’ rights, the Alliance stated, "the Literally Liberal Party represents the only real chance we have for saving Franklin's jobs and stopping the injustice represented by the money driven free traders." This represents a political victory for the LLP, which now has been endorsed by the two major labor organizations.

The Campaign Wraps Up

The Franklin Times -

Less than a week remains in the National Assembly campaign and it appears as if most voters have made up their minds. There are few "game-changing" moments left.

Some potential changing events:

1) party performance in the national debate - a strong or weak performance in this debate setting could win or lose votes for the parties.
2) key electoral endorsements - a key endorsement by an interest group or national figure could swing votes in a party's favor.
3) voter organization - the party with the better ground game is more likely to turn out their voters on election day.

The Franklin Times political analysis of campaign spending and investment shows that the LLP is the most organized. The LLP has established political headquarters in every state and is clearly targeting its natural voter base in the country's urban areas. However, there is sizable evidence that the party is attempting to appeal to white-collar suburban voters who have turned against the War in Iraq and are nervous about the economy. The FDRP also shows signs of organization especially in the western half of the country. Yet in NEC reports only two parties submitted their final campaign spending amounts meaning many parties allowed their campaign funds to go to waste.

Wallup National Poll

If the election were held today, who would you support?

LLP: 22%
LFP: 20%
FMP: 12%
ALP: 5%
FHSRP: 7%
JRP: 6%
FDRP: 24%
Undecided: 4%

Last Leg

The Franklin Times - (editorial)

The campaign now enters its last leg with less than two weeks before voters go to the polls. With so little time left, many questions remain unanswered. Will the FDRP continue to dominate the right? Will a single party emerge dominant on the left? Will Prime Minister Sexton and Deputy Prime Minister McDaniel choose to endorse a party? Will the remaining interest groups endorse or simply forgo this election? What issue will weigh heaviest in the minds of voters? The answers to these questions will surely guide the electoral results.
Yet, we at the nation's widest read newspaper can only sit back and shake our heads. The 2007 election was characterized by fierce competition and a true battle of ideas. There was a general sense that parties wanted to govern and move the nation forward. Unfortunately, this campaign has lacked such energy. Only a few parties have actively attempted to engage the voters. Only a few parties have actively pursued votes. Only a few parties have specifically spelled out their plan for this nation. Our nation is new to the democratic process, and perhaps this simply reflects a natural pattern in democracies. Yet, we worry that the less than stellar electoral effort will lead to depressed voter turnout. It is clear that many electoral analysts believe the race is already over for many parties. For some parties it simply is too late to build up effective electoral infrastructure for a national campaign. What have the parties wrought?

Election News

NEC Announcements:

Final campaign spending reports due 5/8/08. If not submited to the NEC Chairman, Jim McFarland by the close of business on Thursday, parties will forfeit all remaining funds.

Technological issues continue to hamper the NEC in many urban states. Election day will now be held on Wednesday, May 14th with early voting starting May 11th.

Nationally televised election debate will be held May 12th and 13th. All political parties are invited to participate. Debate rules will be distributed on May 7th.