Brandin, Penstubal Speak at SDP Rally; Reagan Quote Angers Socialists

The Social Democratic Party's Leader Brandin and Secretary Penstubal have addressed the crowd at a party campaign event, marking the official start of the party's efforts to win the February 2022 presidential and parliamentary elections.

"We have gathered here today, not for one candidate, for one person, for one potential president, but in defence of a cause," said Penstubal, the Speaker of the Parliament, "The cause of liberty, justice and solidarity, in an uncertain world."

In his speech, Penstubal talked about the issues facing the country, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis in activity, that, as he said, "poses a major challenge to our country, to our economy, to our society, to the very existence of our nation". He went on to introduce Brandin, "one of the greatest fighters for social justice, for freedom, for decency that our country has ever known", whom he described as continuing the legacies of Jeskia and GeorgeChambers, as well as his own legacy.

"Thank you! In the words of a great man," Brandin said, "Haha!"

Addressing the crowd packed with bots, Brandin quoted Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States of America, in his effort to tell the Demarcian people not to be fearful of change and to open up their hearts. He also offered himself up as the "candidate of certainty".

"I believe that Demarcia's better days are not behind us, but directly in front of us" said Brandin, "As the leader of this great party, I will strive for social justice, for economic integrity, and the rights of all people regardless of race, sexual orientation or creeds. We together can do so much. And even if we don't make it to the Presidential Palace, the work will still get done. We will still fight for what is right. We will still speak up on injustice. We will still march in unity. We will still hold the hands of our brothers and sisters in battle. (...) We will stand. No matter what we go up against. Together."

The campaign rally did not go without controversy. While the party's secretary Penstubal quoted Karl Marx in his speech, stating that "we have the world to win", the party's leader Brandin quoted perhaps one of the most reviled figures in the minds of the typical supporter of his party.

"As Ronald Reagan once said, in reference to America: America is a shining city on a hill, but there are two sides of that hill. We have to let the light shine, for everyone. So if you want certainty, if you want fairness, if you want economic integrity, you will vote SDP in February."

Although Brandin clearly twisted the Reagan quote in order to fit the values that he and his party would wish to convey, it could not pass without certain segments of the party rolling their eyes.

"What an absurd thing to do. Quoting Ronald Reagan? The man who, together with Thatcher, gave us the worst capitalist cockfuckery imaginable? Bloody hell", said an anonymous supporter of the party, identifying themselves as a socialist.

Regardless, there are nearly no supporters doubting Brandin's loyalty to the party and its cause after this speech. The speech has been received pretty well overall and political analysts say that Brandin is slowly proving his presidential credentials and that he is equipped with the skills ready to be the next commander-in-chief. Only time will tell, however, if the people really agree.

Laura Cooper,

Demarcian Inquirer.