Second (And Final) CUP debate

"Hello and welcome," the moderator from MNN began. "To our second and final debate. We have only three questions. Let's get started, Ms. President, starting with you and going to Ron Howling, then Tamara Wolson, you were recently endorsed by Rob Volker. Ms Smith, do you reject this this? For the rest of you, would you accept the endorsement if given to you?"

"Yes I do reject it," Tabbatha Smith began. "Rob is nothing but a racist; even the concept of mantis-humans seems repulsive to him. So yes, I do reject the endorsement."

Ron Howling spoke next. "I would not accept it either. The object of the election is to move forward, not backward. Clearly, this is an endorsement not worth having."

Tamara Wolson was next. "I would accept it," She said to gasps, "If he had enough of a following."

"Really?" Said Tabbatha, incredulously. "After the ignorant comments he made?"

"If enough people deemed I accept it, then I would." A hush fell over the crowd.

"Next question," said the moderator. "Tamara Wolson, you said the University needs to expand. How would you plan to do this? This question holds true for the other candidates as well."

"Well," Ms. Wolson began. "Not at the taxpayer's expense, that's for sure!" The crowd erupted into applause. "The government would hand over all payroll and profits in exchange for their being an active recruitment of professors across all majors."

Tabbatha Smith spoke next. "Yes, I agree, but I would go further and privatize the education system." She said to gasps. "Education is something that our government simply doesn't do very well. The schools would become owned under a statute that states they must be allowed anyone to be a student." The crowd once more applauded.

Ron Howling looked perplexed and thoughtful at the same time. "Whatever the solution," He said. "I think less government in the education system is the answer." The crowd again applauded.

The moderator waited for the crowd to quiet down and then spoke again. "Finally, Tabbatha Smith, you took a vow to tell the truth for a whole year, as you did the past 4 years. Have you lived up to it? For the rest of you, would you take such a vow?"

Tabbatha Smith gulped, and looked backstage. Her advisors were nodding "yes," but in her heart, she felt otherwise. "Yes," She heard herself saying to her regret. But then, she caught herself. "Yes, I will take the vow again. And no, I have not stuck to it." Her advisors facepalmed and looked incredibly angry. One even screamed silently. "There is no Progressivist agenda in the education system. If religion is going to go extinct, it will do so of its own accord." The crowd began to murmur. A few even booed. "We need to live up to what religion is all about and, as a society, we have not done so." A silence fell over the crowd once more. Thoughtful glances were exchanged.

Sensing an opportunity, Ron Howling spoke next. "I will take the same vow. I and I have to say, I agree." More murmurs from the crowd. "Religion's positives must be shown through thoughts and actions, and not through violence and bigotry." A few "amens" were heard from the crowd as it burst into applause. "This is truly how religion will survive, and how it will perish if Progressivists pass their political agenda. There is no Progressivist agenda that seeks to do this through education, however."

Tamara Wolson spoke next. "I will not take the vow."

Ron Howling looked incredulously at her. "Then how will we know we can trust you?" There were many nods of understanding and agreement from the audience.

"I will not take or make pledges that I cannot uphold. Don't let them fool you; politics is all about lying." Wolson said defiantly.

Tabbath Smith sensed her opportunity now. "Wrong!" She exclaimed, and rather angrily. "It is all about intentions and understanding. You may truly believe in something--after all, that is why the three of us are here--but getting it done is another matter entirely. Speak your mind, tell us how it is, but do not lie to us about your intentions." The crowd again erupted into applause.

"Thank you and good night," Said the moderator as the crowd's applause rose in a crescendo.