Interview: Jake, Independent Presidential Candidate

INTERVIEWER (George Mercury): Today, we will be talking to a person who is rapidly rising in popularity amid the instability in Demarcia over the past few months. Mr. Jake, welcome to the Demarcian Inquirer, it's a pleasure to have you here.

JAKE: Thanks so much for having me, it’s a pleasure to be here!

INTERVIEWER: Let's start with this. What made you decide to run for President of Demarcia, and why are you running as an independent?

JAKE: I decided to run for President after seeing the failings of my predecessors. I believe I have a positive and inspiring vision for Demarcia that aligns with the views and values of the rest of the government and its citizens. I decided to run as an independent as I believe Demarcia needs a president that is unbiased toward any particular party or external influence, and I believe Demarcia should have someone in office who can have the freedom to make critical decisions that can effect real change.

INTERVIEWER: If elected, you would become the first Demarcian President since early 2017 not to be affiliated with any party. Parties didn't even exist back then, in the early part of 2017. How would a government with you in charge look like - would it have members of both parties, or would it be a one-party government?

JAKE: I believe that views from all sides of government are important and I would therefore form a government consisting of key members from both parties. I strongly believe that my views and vision for Demarcia are strongly supported on both political sides and hopefully through my steadfast leadership I will be able to bridge this divide which currently exists and allow the parties to work together in my government closer than ever before in the unified pursuit of a greater cause which is the longevity and prosperity of our great nation.

INTERVIEWER: Where do you stand ideologically? Would you describe yourself as left-wing, right-wing or centrist, a liberal, a conservative or a socialist? What ideological vision resonates with you the most and what would the values of a Jake-led Demarcia be?

JAKE: Centrism but with a caveat that I believe that anything which will positively affect the citizens or nation of Demarcia should be open for debate and discussion regardless of personal values, ethics, or principles.

INTERVIEWER: What are some of the biggest ideas you have for this country? Tell us a little bit about them, and feel free to go into some details.

JAKE: I plan to bring in an additional 10 citizens a month, to revamp various government agencies, and to fill critical positions in government with strong and supportive leadership. I will finish the long overdue fire station, build new infrastructure including an apartment block in each city and develop the state-run media. I will also focus on improving the social aspect of Demarcia such as events and other community-related stuff, so as to hopefully retain citizens. The full details of my plans can be found in my candidacy announcement.

INTERVIEWER: We have now learned that Vercetti has been elected Leader of the Social Democratic Party. He was already leader for a few months in 2021, back when he went by GeorgeChambers, and served as the country's President for some time. He is widely viewed as a moderate, pragmatic figure, not too ideological and divisive. Some see the SDP's move today as a shift from the alienating politics of past leaders such as Jeskia and MikeHawk and even Penstubal, the party's Secretary, to a great extent. How do you view Vercetti's election as Leader of the SDP, especially given he doesn't intend on running for President?

JAKE: I believe his election as party leader is a fantastic improvement over the previous leader MikeHawk whose chaotic leadership has continuously undermined the prosperity and development of Demarcia. I wish Vercetti the best throughout his tenure as Leader of the SDP.

INTERVIEWER: What is your opinion on the issue of nuclear weapons? This controversial issue has divided Demarcians for months now. The MikeBodwin government, by referendum, introduced nuclear weapons in November 2022. Nuclear weapons are opposed by Penstubal and Vercetti above all, but also to some degree by JeskiaWeathers. MikeBodwin and Vincent_Wolff strongly support them, however. Do you believe a second nuclear referendum should be held during the next term, during which Demarcian citizens would express whether to repeal the nuclear weapons act from last November?

JAKE: In my view, maybe a middle point may be applicable such as Nuclear Submarine deterrent but eliminating Land/Air from the Nuclear Triad and limiting our stockpiles to a small quantity which has very strict conditions on usage such as No First Strike action and only Retaliatory Strikes can be authorised by the President.

INTERVIEWER: So you wouldn't personally support a second nuclear referendum, or are you open to it if there is enough support for it? You'd favor a compromise like the one you just proposed instead?

JAKE: Yes I’d probably favour a compromise although, if there’s overwhelming support, I’d consider a second referendum, Since I believe it’s the sort of issues that will end up never being resolved properly due to the controversy. A middle ground being met would be better.

INTERVIEWER: What is your view on the issue of the Hylix war scandal in January and the attempted impeachment and the resignation of former President JeskiaWeathers? And how do you believe that the divide in Demarcia today, stemming from issues such as the Hylix war scandal, the nuclear weapons issue and MikeHawk's divisive way of governance, can be overcome? How do you believe a situation like the one in January can be prevented from happening again?

JAKE: I’d like to organise and centralise operations of Demarcia in all aspects including the military by potentially transforming the NSC, which is currently without a purpose as a board of cabinet ministers and senior military advisors, into a group which will actually have to collaborate, communicate and authorise operations, acts of war and other things related to the security of Demarcia by majority vote or authorisation by the President.

More than likely I would create a bill outlying the powers and role of the NSC which would be chaired by the President and then there would be votes on matters such as military action, which would incorporate senior advisors in government, the military and so on. There would be special circumstances allowing authorisation directly at the President's command, too, similarly to how the US functions in that regard.

I think simply put we can resolve the current divide through united leadership and by ensuring these mistakes are never repeated again with robust communication and revised bills regarding powers and chain of command. It obviously needs to be fleshed out properly, but I believe that communication and centralisation would mean rogue action wouldn’t be possible. An overhaul of agencies and positions would already be enough to make communication more open and governance more clear.

INTERVIEWER: And lastly, name one notably good quality of yours and name one vice.

JAKE: Personable and smokes like a chimney.

INTERVIEWER: Thank you for talking to us, sir. It was nice having you here!

JAKE: Glad to have been on.