In accordance with election laws, each candidate could have two speeches televised. Ms. Smith knew that she could not afford to screw this one up. Her polling numbers, which had her up at 75% approval amongst primary voters, had dropped to 33% following her abysmal, by all standards, debate performance. Ron Howling, in the meantime, who had been polling at about 15%, jumped into the lead, now at 53% approval.
She perused the speech that her campaign director and speechwriter had collaborated on and paused. Her staff wanted her to have an "us vs. them" mentality, something that had not been characteristic of her 4 election runs prior. Of course, President Mantis, longtime traditionalist and founding member of their great nation, had set the record with 15 years, and could have won a 16th, had she not stepped aside. She often longed to be on the same level as the "Great Founding One," as she admirably called President Mantis. 5 years was one-third of what the Great Founding One had served for, and it was a record in the modern day. No CUP leader had even gone for more than a year before either being primaried out or being forced to run as a CAC member (often called CUP Jr. derisively) as a alternative choice to the winner.
But this speech was extraordinary. It would be a defense of her administration first and foremost--something that she'd never had to do before. It would also set an agenda--something that she was very good at doing. She noticed she'd have to dial back on the statement she had made about jail time for immigrants receiving healthcare.
Good, she thought. The slogan of her campaign from the other 4 years was still there. She paused again, looking through it again. The educational reform could have been toned down, but, she reasoned, go all out or go home.
Finally, she recalled what her campaign manager had said to her the day before the speech was ready. "This is the year of the K'vin," He had stated matter-of-factly. "They've filled out the 404(c) forms, and they're going to become a party for the next 4 years. They have a charismatic young leader by the name of Shade. This is going to be a tough outcome. I don't think the CUP will win the Presidency." Oh? She had asked. Then why fight? "Because there's an outside chance that you will win." "What's the best case scenario then?" Best case scenario is we have one Conservative President instead of 2, one Traditionalist, and one K'vin. But we lose 2 seats in the Senate to K'vin." And the worst? "There's a Progressivist President, one Traditionalist, and one K'vin. And we lose 5 seats in the Senate to K'vin and Progressivists. Our party is going downhill, and the Mutant public knows it. We need to get back in it. And you, not Mr. Howling, should be leading the charge."
With that thought in mind, Ms. Smith arrived at the Convention hall, waited for her introduction, and began her speech. She read flawlessly, as if she had done this sort of speech many times. The inflection was just right, the passion and emotion were also just right. She was a practiced speaker, but had never done a speech of this magnitude.
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"Friends, members of the CUP, our party is stronger than ever." The crowd applauded, but she knew this was a blatant lie and made her feel ugly on the inside. "In fact, the bipartisan bill passed and signed to law that allowed for the display of the 10 commands in all federal buildings has struck a dagger in the Progressivists' hearts." Applause again, but again it was a blatant lie: polls showed that Progressives enjoyed a 4:1 margin in approval of party according to polls. "But the battle is far from over." Oh boy, She thought, Here comes the lying.
"So many times, our children have come home to speak of the 'evils' of religions we hold near and dear to our hearts." It was a half-truth, half-lie. Her children certainly hadn't, but she had heard horror stories from others. She often attributed that to bad parenting, not education. "There has been many a time when we wished we could show them the light. But the fact of the matter is, there is a progressivist agenda in our education system." Nods and looks of approval greeted her, but she felt a knot forming in her stomach as she dissembled further. "IF equal time is not spent on the joys of every religion--the K'vin and the environmental protection laws, for instance--how is religion to survive?" She felt more and more uncomfortable as she realized that her campaign manager had designed religion to be the forefront of her campaign, something that completely missed the point of what she was about. The crowd nonetheless applauded. "If the Christian theology of 'turn the other cheek' is not taught, we will have a nation at war with itself." She groaned inwardly. Such hyperbole was unbecoming of her. The crowd stood on their feet and applauded before sitting down so she could continue.
"And then there is the matter of healthcare. Immigrants have been freeloading on our system for too long!" This she did truly believe. "As such, when I am re-elected, I pledge to make it a law that every immigrant must have basic coverage for health." She changed the words around slightly; it sounded awkward the way her speechwriter had written it. "Or we will not treat them in our hospitals; nor shall our doctors see them as patients!" The crowd applauded. Many in the party were anti-immigrant. But this wasn't the Christian way; even she knew this. In fact, this speech was going to give Progressivists ammo when they all debated after the primaries.
"These are the issues of our time." No, it wasn't; the issues of the time were how to get people better educated, more healthy, and enjoying themselves. She may have been giving a great speech, but she hated every inch of this speech. "Do not be brainwashed by the Progressivist agenda." Are we seriously doing this again? I thought my candidacy was above this. In fact, as she read, she was becoming more angry at the writers. She channeled this into an aggressive tone. "We are the future. It is time to bring it...ON!" The crowd said the last word in unison with her. "Thank you and good night!" The crowd applauded as she walked off the stage to exuberant music.
When she reached backstage, the campaign director said, "Well done!" To his horror, she tore the speech in half. Her face was full of rage. "NEVER. EVER. Give me lies to speak to my constituency again." She said and stormed off.
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