Zan Mahol, stood quietly looking over at his competition as the non-native Samuel answered his question on how he would deal with re-industrializing the country. Zan smiled, realizing that it was a loss for him. Samuel would be alienating the rural vote, by expanding infrastructure as well as increase government spending. As Samuel finished up, an older man clearly a veteran by the name of Alaba Matthir walked up to the microphone to ask his question “Mr.Mahol, in the newspaper a few weeks ago you were shown alongside a soviet officer and there has been speculation about your involvement with the communists before or even during the war. Is this true and why.” Zan nodded and a slight smile before nodding.

“Well, Mr.Matthir, first off thank you for your question and as a veteran myself I would like to give my solemn thanks to you for having served our great country. Without people like you we would not be where we are today.” Zan gave a strong solemn salute before continuing “As for your question, yes, I did meet with a Soviet officer by the name of Vladimer Zvetov. You see shortly before the collapse of the soviet union in 1991, there had been talks of it, as well as clear visible signs. So in 1989 under strict orders from President Rubusana, I along with a team were sent to the Caucaus, about obtaining some upgraded equipment. This was due to the fact, as just in Russia there were whispers of rebellion and dissent, so to were there whispers here.” Zan slammed his hand down on his podium “Traitors, who would rather have destroyed our entire country and ruin it for any good hardworking samgolan.” Zan took a moment to re-collect himself sipping some water before continuing “So I had met with the major, we were able to purchase weaponry which was vital to our military, I might even go so far as to say without their equipment we may have yet lost the civil war. I believe that answers the questions as well as settles any doubts people may have about me and my interactions with the former soviet major.”Zan satisfied with his answered finished speaking and passed it on to the next candidate and once again stood waiting taking a sip of water.

Xirsi thought to himself for a moment, wanting to give a proper answer about how he felt would best deal with these militias.

“How would I deal with the national militias? Well, I can certainly tell you with how I would deal with the radicals that attacked our fellow Samgolan brothers and sisters, I would use them as training for the military. However, those who have yet to commit such atrocities will be spared from the military I hope to expand upon to deal with such threats in the future, allowing more jobs for those who seek them and a chance for those who want to serve their country right to do some good. Going back to my point though, I will deal with these militias by force if they do not disband themselves.”

His speech was calm, he showed no inclination of anger or eagerness, but held a reserved nature that would be necessary for people to know that he was taking this seriously and not some anger management room.

Yembe stood quietly awaiting for his question within the debate, until eventually his turn came along. A young man named Mahmoud Farra approached the microphone and began to speak. “You have promise on multiple occasions to fight and oppose corruption in your campaign. What laws would you implement, charge or remove to decrease corruption if you and your party won a majority in the National Assembly?”

Mr. Songè paused for a brief moment, cleared his throat and said “Excellent question, my campaign against corruption is essential to the survival of our democracy. First, I would establish a bipartisan publically funded agency with goals of both decreasing and arresting individuals found within the political system engaging in activities such as bribery, embezzlement, and other forms of malicious government mismanagement. It is the duty of the nations public servants to serve that public, not to take advantage of its citizens. Secondly, I will work to increase the salaries of our state workers to discourage the necessity to rely upon bribery or other forms of illegal activity to make a living wage. I know that the introduction of both a anti-corruption agency and increasing the salaries of public servants will bring about a great amount of positive change in Samgola. Thank you.”

This was the question Samuel had most been looking forward to, so much so that he was almost disappointed to have it come so early. Infrastructure policy had been the cornerstone of the D.A.R.'s campaign thus far, and Bassong considered it the party's strongest issue; it had led them from third place to a comfortable lead here in Kamidye, and had hopefully had some positive impact in the country's other major urban centres as well. In truth, it would have been an issue best to have been saved for last, so as to have maximum effect on the (hopefully) listening electorate—but starting right off with it worked well too. If you didn't end on your best foot, you could at least start on it.

"Let me begin by saying that I agree with you wholeheartedly, Mr. Omotayo. The previous regimes, and the candidates here on stage who have been represented in them, have failed our country in establishing the most basic building blocks for a modern nation; our infrastructure is in a shambles, and has been left chronically underfunded for far too long. I'm happy to be the one to tell you that when I am President, and the Democratic Alliance for Reform has a strong position in the National Assembly, we—not only the party members but you and I and all of the working men of Samgola—will be the ones to break this cycle. I will push forward a comprehensive infrastructure renewal program, the 'Brick & Mortar Act', to leverage our country's surplus of workers to fix the basic infrastructure that same working class relies on. I will work with Kamidye's municipal government to increase both the capacity and quality of public transportation in our nation's capital, and repave every last stretch of highway in the country. I will also commit, here and now to both the people of Samgola and to you personally, Mr. Omotayo, that if I am elected your President I will build more housing in my first year in office than my predecessors have built in the last decade. It is long past time that every Samgolan has a home to live in, a job to work at and a way to reliably get from one to the other. These are the simplest problems the Samgolan Republic has to solve, and yet our government has failed again and again and again and again. No more! It is time for a real reformation of our country's infrastructure, and the Democratic Alliance for Reform is the only party on this stage today that will deliver it."

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While each candidate answered the question posed to them, the live feed at the bottom of the screen reflected--in real time--the approval or disapproval of those answers. The candidates would have no idea how well they did until hours after the debate how ended. When the final question was asked and answered, they broke for a commercial giving time for each candidate to collect themselves and take a sip of water. When the show returned, the moderator began:

"Following the end of a civil war that left thousands dead and even more without power, clean water and homes, many ask: What is the future of this nation? This question, posed to each of the candidates in turn is pivotal to the first democratic election in nearly two decades." He turned to the candidates and read from the card in his hand. "Candidates, under your presidency, which two issues would be the most important for your administration to tackle in your term and how would you address them?"

Samuel took a short sip from a glass of water in the intermission, straightening out some of the papers on the podium in front of him and fixing his tie. When he heard the moderator's question, he gave a little grin. The softballs kept coming. Mr. Bassong was confident he could be forceful here, and build on his previous statements to really sell his case to the viewers at home.

Still lightly grinning, Samuel started his response with a jovial confidence. "Well, I've think you've said it perfectly yourself. Power, clean water and homes. Infrastructure. The war and those who led our country into it helped to tumble down many crumbling buildings and tear apart already shoddy roads and bridges across Samgola, not to mention interrupting essential services like electricity and clean water. The most important issue in my presidency will be the one I've already spoken of: infrastructure, and the need to rebuild and revitalize our urban centres and promote industry to get our workers jobs. I cannot say it enough times that we have to get building, and now! Whether it's pipes or power-lines or roads or apartments, rebuilding Samgola will be my primary focus as President."

Taking a small break, the presidential candidate then picked up again, and in a more compassionate tone. "Second, to me, is being responsive and thoughtful to the people. We cannot have a ruling class of old, retired generals and corrupt bureaucrats that never truly listen to what the citizens of their nation want and need. We have to be transparent—we have to listen to the people, and not only to listen to them, but to really hear what they are saying and act on it. It is time that the people stop being ignored by the elites, and that the elites be made accountable to the citizens: not the other way around. I think this is something that all of us here on stage, and every official, elected or not, throughout the government, absolutely needs to take into account, however this election goes. It's time to stop ignoring the people, for good."

Yembe allowed his fellow candidate a moment to speak. Issues on the war had been a fresh wound, yet this man had come into our nation acting as though he himself had experienced the horrors of the civil war. “It’s obvious that our nation has struggled over the past couple of decades, our democracy slowly rotting away into a shambling corpse long forgotten. This is something that must change. I have already stated one of the most important issues I wish to tackle during this presidency, corruption. The very nature of our problems, we can’t have a functioning society when those in charge refuse to help the citizens they are to serve. How can you ensure that your fellow Samgolan can drink clean water when the men in charge don’t supply it to them? How can you ensure that your fellow Samgolan can drive on functioning roads when the men in charge don’t pay for them? How can you ensure your fellow Samgolan can live happily when the men in charge refuse to work for them? These are our issues. Clamping down on the corruption of our government should always take precedence, because our society will not function so long as members of our government are off of self-interest.”

“Secondly,” Yembe continued, “to boost the economy and encourage growth within Samgola we must maintain the free market. Allowing foreign investors to build on our lands will spur natural and profitable growth within our markets. Removing arbitrary restrictions, collaborating with our neighbors, giving small business the opportunity to compete, all will ultimately lead to a massive spur in growth. Our nation’s economy will become both stronger and healthier when our government encourages free market activities. Something unseen and unheard of in Samgola in nearly two decades.”

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During the commercial break, Zan took the time to re-collect himself and give a small prayer to allah as well as look over his notes once more. When the debate returned the final question given to all four candidates was given.

Zan nodded and was about to answer before Samuel jumped right into the question, clearly jabbing at Zan for his former military experience. After Samuel finished Zan spoke up turning to face Mr.Bassong “While those issues are very important Mr.Bassong, how would you know, having not stepped foot in this country for years until those UN troops appeared. I actually fought and saw the horrors of the war and can understand why many would see these Militias as defenders and protectors of their lands and beliefs, because our safe and secure regime collapsed.” Zan gave a sly smile before continuing this time turning to Mr.Songè
“And you say you wish to fight corruption, yet also open a free market. Is that not ironic as we can see from america just how well that goes. You my dear sir are a hypocrite, with a party whose history is as old and corrupt as you are. There have been numerous leaks about you and your backroom dealings and even if they can’t be proven they surely show enough.” Zan then turned to the camera and took a sip of water before continuing with his own issues “Now, as for the most important issues to me. Firstly, something I think all of you could guess is handling our Militias so that no longer do the outlying and border regions have to feel unprotected, as such I would welcome the militias to open negotiations as well as giving them positions in the local areas as well as in the military. My second main issue, as you said the civil war brought about a lot of destruction and horrors, nothing can be done until we deal with the former leaders of the People’s Front. Only then can our nation be truly united and healed. So those are my main concerns and are what I would plan to do when I first get into office. Thank you.” Zan then took a sip of water and allowed the last and least impressive candidate to speak.

Yembe had remained calm under the accusation laid before him by the former general. Whose tone was both abrasive and rude. “Indeed America doesn’t have a perfect system, but that doesn’t mean we are to dismiss what works. A free market has allowed them to increase their power and influence exponentially, something that is necessary to replicate in order for Samgola to survive. We’ve already remained under the iron grasp of the puppet president Mr. Rubusana, who I might remind that you served under directly, whose crimes almost as severe as the People’s Front. If you wish to look towards corruption, then reevaluate the man you once served and still praise. Flaunting your status as a general under a warmonger and who lead thousands of young men to die. I may support our military, but you are a jingoistic murderer and a madman. This is made clear enough by your foolish and irresponsible plan to reintegrate rapists and killers into our military.”

"Mr. Mahol," Samuel spoke up, turning to directly face the S.D.'s leader after Yembe had finished his own piece, "I do not have any shame in saying I was not a combatant in the civil war. I have not killed any of my fellow Samgolans, and for that I am immensely grateful to God; it is a sorrowful thing to end a human life, and I pray for all those families that lost loved ones in the war. And beyond that, Mr. Mahol, I don't personally feel that having never killed a man disqualifies me from leading Samgola. Millions of my fellow countrymen from Bourem to Guira agree, Mr. General, and that is why they have chosen to support me. Murder is not a prerequisite to the presidency anymore."

Samuel took another drink, turning his gaze back to the cameras. "Now, I have an enormous amount of respect for any patriot who would fight for what they thought was right for this country," he turned back to Zan Mahol again, staring at him forcefully, "but the civil war is over. I am glad for that!" he exclaimed, raising his arm in the air, impassioned with his own defense, "I am glad the killing is done! The people are glad, too! I am happy that we Samgolans do not decide the future of our country with guns anymore, and instead with the ballot box."

Mr. Bassong straightened himself out visibly, before finally turning his attention once again to the moderator and the cameras. "I would also remind you and everyone here tonight, in person or watching at home, that I am not the only Samgolan to have once left this country. General Mahol has surely created thousands of emigrants himself—refugees fleeing the persecution and mass killings that he and his army inflicted against the people. I am not ashamed of being a new entry to Samgola's political scene, because I think new ideas and new approaches and new people are exactly what is needed to reform Samgola. I am happy to work with anyone to help achieve the changes Samgola needs to better succeed, including those that would boldly question my dedication to this country. The Democratic Alliance for Reform will do whatever it can and work with whoever it can to make our country a better place."

Zan gave a slight chuckle to both men, they both dare criticize the military and the militas on live television. He first turned his attention to Mr.Songè “If by the US increasing their own power I think what you mean to say it increases the power of those who control multi-billion dollar companies. Whose influence in congress grows every day, and their power comes from countries like ours with our immense resources with people in power like you who would open the country to these foreigners for exploitation purposes. All so you and your party could get some extra money in the pockets. As for my status within the Rubusana regime, I like many others welcomed the security and safety he brought in this country. You claim we committed atrocities yet we didn’t start the fight, we merely did what we needed to end it. Which I can assure you is what everyone in the military would tell you, we did what we had to do. Shame on you for saying my duties as a military commander make me a warmonger, I wish to bring peace and security, it is you who would bring us to interact with powers like the US who would surely declare war on any state that had the resources they needed and that their rich could profit off of.” Zan shook his head at Mr.Songè in disappointment before turning to Mr.Bassong “And you, you twist my worlds like the way of an american politician. I never said you having never served meant you should be disqualified, I merely question your legitimacy as a true samgolan having been raised in america and serving in their system, you are an outsider whose backed by the americans if not already a puppet of them. Furthermore, I agree, I am happy the civil war is over and bloodshed is over with. Yet you and Mr.Songè wish to act like it never happened, you claim to support any patriot who fought for what they believed in yet dare call me into question for displacing many samgolans, to that I laugh, it was the people’s front who brought war to their footsteps. I and any other veteran merely ended what they started and attempted to bring back order within the nation.” Zan again started getting roudy and took a moment to calm himself before turning to the cameras and audience. “I am ashamed of these two men here, and I would like to believe anyone who went through the war is too. They act as if it never happened and wish to pretend under their regimes everything will be peaceful. But I assure you I have had experience at leading and doing what must be done for the greater good, the first of which will be dealing with the traitorous leaders of the People’s who deserve nothing less than execution and to say otherwise, makes you a communist as well!” Zan then dried his forehead and took a moment to drink allowing for a rebuttle.

Noticing the slight chuckle coming from Mr. Mahol after he and Mr. Bassong gave their piece forced Yembe to speak up once again, “Cracking under the pressure already, Mr. Mahol? Or do you find discussing politics funny? These issues that affect real people, citizens whom you claim to protect.” Replying coolly. “Also you speak of American infiltration and subversion, yet you had met with a soviet general under President Rubusana’s regime. It seems more and more likely that it is you who is the puppet of long dead Soviet Union, grasping to mute and pointless talking points that have been irrelevant since the end of the Cold War. Ironic too, that you take arms against communism. Tell me Mr. Mahol, are you a capitalist or communist? You seem to hate the beacon of freedom and democracy and yet scorn the left wing. Where is it that you stand, because at the moment it seems that you stand nowhere. Simply attacking for the sake of attacking. Is this the best that Samgolan Dawn has to offer? Childish and empty insults on live television. It makes me sick that your party has fooled the citizens of our nation into supporting your heinous leadership.”

“Mr.Songè, I laugh because of what you and Mr.Bassong say is funny to me, attacking my character when neither of you have ground to stand on. As for attacking my personal character, clearly shows you have nothing left. I am clean, I have been washed over by Allah. As for myself, I believe in Samgola Democracy, I don’t stand with the East nor the West like you do. Samgola must stand on its own to become the powerhouse it wishes to be. Why become indebted to the US when we through strong leadership like myself can rebuild samgola. Shame on you again, I had thought age would make you wiser yet instead you seem to be in need of rest.” Zan stood straight and tall feeling impowered through his deflections and parring of the jabs thrown at him.

“Clearly you do stand on a side Mr. Mahol, had you not then those images of your saluting next to a Soviet general would have never surfaced. Are you to truly lie to yourself and say that you stand for Samgolan democracy, when you proudly support a regime that eliminated it completely? Please, have some respect for the fellow citizens of Samgola and don’t lie to them so directly.” He then took a pause, taking a small sip from his drink. “And if you have an issue with my age, then tell me Mr. Mahol how is it that my party has remained competitive? Though you have lost confidence in my wisdom, millions of other Samgolans still look to me for both leadership and support.”

Xirsi has allowed the others their time to squabble until he eventually had his opportunity to speak upon what issues he found most important for the nation. He cleared his throat to gain the attention he wanted, before speaking clearly and loudly, “I find that our military is one of the most important things that we must solve, otherwise we may never be able to properly deal with the some of the militias or some other power may threaten our independence, our new way of life. I plan to improve the technology of our force, expand how many men stand within it, and make sure that the corruption that had originally resurfaced within it never occur again.”

He took a breath before continuing on, “However, we cannot achieve this without first dealing with our own corrupt government. We must arrest any who dare bribe, any who dare threaten the stability of our new democracy. As was stated before by the leader of Liberal Democrats have stated, we must first solve the problems within our own government before anything else. I agree with him on what we must do to combat this threat and that is where I will leave it for the time being.”

“And to those millions, I must apologize to see you leader in such a sorry state. As for my side, I once again reiterate I stand for Samgola, and Samgolan Democracy.”Zan pound his podium before continuing “I must also ask, you claim I and those I worked with eliminated democracy in Samgola, yet you and your party has been around ever since the revolution against France, was it perhaps that you and your supporters weren’t strong enough or could make a loud enough voice as they had nothing interesting to say? That they nor other parties could stand against President Rubusana, who protected us, kept us safe and secure. Who without him we would be living in a communist state right now?”

“You can’t speak up against injustice, when those in power hold the barrel of a gun to your head. The fact that you say otherwise is both the most ignorant and outlandish statement I’ve ever heard from a fellow Samgolan in the nearly thirty years I’ve remained politically active. If you are to insult your elders then feel free, you will only make a mockery of yourself and flaunt your ignorance. However, to insult my voters, those who support me? That is unacceptable. Let me ask you once again Mr. Mahol, do you honestly believe that Mr. Rubusana’s government was anything but a sham democracy? If it wasn’t, then why are we here with a new constitution, new elections, and new leadership? Where is President Rubusana’s administration? Dead and gone, as it should be. My fellow Samgolan’s know that now is the time to move forward and forget the past. Embrace a strong democracy, under an intelligent leadership, for the betterment of their fellow brothers and sisters of Samgola.”

“You insult myself, and my fellow veterans. Those who are ten times better then you for having actually fought for what they believe in and stand here with the audacity to claim your supporters are so much better. That sir I will not admit, because they aren’t nor are you. As for President Rubusana’s administration many of them are still around, do you know why we are in this state, because America wants to divide and weaken us. It’s why they sent in a UN taskforce, it’s why their rich support you and why they brought in Mr.Bassong. They want a puppet state in africa from which to expand their operations. I admit President Rubusana’s democracy was not the best in existence however there was still a national assembly and if it was truly important it was put into effect. But to say that those of his administration are dead and gone, is ignorant plain and simple and you shall see that come the election.”

“Ah, so fighting for what you believe in is what makes man of value to you? Truly then you must respect those of the People Front more than any Samgolan in this crowd, the women, children, sickly, weak. The millions who could never fight personally on the battlefield. Don’t worry however my fellow Samgolan, just because my fellow Candidate dismisses your self worth, doesn’t mean you are of no value. You are just as important as the soldier, general, or politician, because you are Samgolan. I will fight for more than just the rights of the armed soldier, I will also fight for the rights of the poor and wealthy, the hungry and fed, the weak and the strong. I care not for whether or not you served this country on the battlefield, but if you serve this country as a citizen. Now Mr. Mahol, let us end this charade and allow the moderator to continue before we make a show of such an important debate.” Yembe had finally step back from the stage, allowing for the debate to move forward.

“You say you and your fellow veterans are ten times better than someone who had to live through the Civil War, just as your people had to. I would laugh if what you said did not appall me. It seems that you cannot hold a simple debate without degrading yourself to insulting someone. I mean the most respect that you must hold your tongue before demeaning yourself to such embarrassing lengths. Though, I will say, Mr. Mahol, we can agree that neither of us want to see an American puppet state, however, I do not believe that any of the candidates here have anything but the best wishes for our great nation. Mr. Bassong may have had an American upbringing, he was born Samgolan so his words still matter!”