The crushing defeat in the 2004 parliamentary elections dealt Yabloko an even greater blow than the two presidential losses it had previously suffered. A campaign to harshly expel all those disloyal to Yavlinsky from the party did nothing to improve matters. Nevertheless, the former First Deputy Prime Minister had no intention of abandoning the party or its brand and was preparing for new elections. The party congress was expected to be Yavlinsky's undisputed coronation for the next election, but a little-known candidate unexpectedly emerged to challenge him.
People's Deputy Grigory Yavlinsky is a former First Deputy Prime Minister in Yeltsin's government, a two-time presidential candidate who twice lost in the runoff. He is Yabloko, literally and figuratively. The man who introduced market reforms in the Soviet Union and the man who betrayed the "Snow Revolution" after the election was stolen from him and capitulated to the Communists. Yavlinsky declares a fight against radicals, populists, and nationalists, harshly attacking not so much the communists as The Other Russia, constantly putting Orange Coalition on the brink of collapse.
Grigory Yavlinsky
District (municipal) deputy Igor Morozov from St. Petersburg is an unknown figure even in the Northern Capital. When he declared himself the leader of the "Yabloko without Yavlinsky" movement, he was unknown even in his hometown. However, the party simply lacked the necessary prominent figures to advance the campaign to remove Yavlinsky from power. Morozov enjoys significant support from former Yabloko members expelled for disloyalty to Yavlinsky or who left the party voluntarily. Within the St. Petersburg Yabloko chairman Maxim Reznik, he is accused of being a puppet of Alfred Koch, one of the sponsors of United Democrats. Nevertheless, Yavlinsky failed to prevent Morozov's nomination at the party congress, and he remains the only chance for Yavlinsky's removal in 2005.
President since 1845, Speaker from 1843-1845, Congressman from NY from 1813-1845 (NP-M; Political & Economic Centralist, Anti-Slavery, Aged 64)
Nominated after a long, contentious convention that went through 8 rounds of voting, President James Hamilton has become the first person to be nominated for a third Presidential term; the question now being if he can be the first to win a third term. Running on continuing to lower the national debt, lower the general cost of goods, and settling the west; Hamilton himself campaigns across the Mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and his home state of New York. The President is not afraid of “waving the bloody shirt” over winning a war with the largest World Power while dealing with a large-scale rebellion in his first term, defending his use of both executive power in the case of emergency, as well as his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation; freeing all the slaves within the rebellious states of Choctaw, Florida, and South Carolina.
For dealing with the national debt, Hamilton wishes to sell off portions of the nation's gold to the people (in a controlled manner, as to not risk inflation). For lowering the cost of goods, Hamilton wishes to temporarily lower tariffs across the board so that more goods can enter, as well as decrease regulations behind building factories. For settling the west, he plans to fund national infrastructure projects to connect the pacific coast to the Mississippi River, as well as allowing more immigrants to enter the country; to help foster growth. Due to the influence of the Radicals within the National Party, especially now as many Liberals are refusing to take part in the election, the President has also said during some campaign stops that freedmen deserve the right to vote nationally.
Running Mate:
William Dayton
Senator from New Jersey from 1842-1851 (NP-R; Political Centralist, Abolitionist, Pro-Native, Aged 45)
Not that he, nor his contemporaries planned to get this far, William Dayton is a message to both the National Party and the nation: that slavery and black rights ought not to be forgotten. Dayton's experience in the Senate is surprisingly good, and along with his connections, would serve as an excellent presider over the upper house. The former Senator had also co-authored the Dayton-Hamlin plan, which dissolved the state of Florida during its occupation, replacing it with a self-governed native territory known as Seminole.
The National Party may be missing a key part of its support base, as many Liberals felt far-too unrepresented by the Party; on top of concerns over authoritarianism. However, a potentially key factor that may tip the election in their favor is the strong support of the Radicals, Abolitionists, and Black Suffragers.
The National Party depicts opponent, Franklin Pierce, as a dangerous Alcoholic.
Constitutional Republican Party
Franklin Pierce
Senator from New Hampshire from 1837-1842, Congressman from NH from 1833-1837, Member of the NH House from 1829-1833 (Political and Economic Decentralist, Pro-Immigration, War Hero, Aged 47)
Franklin Pierce rose quickly through the ranks during the Anglo-American War (1845-1848), up to the rank of General as he would capture much of what is now the state of Ontario. Notably a much better leader than his predecessor, George McClellan, Pierce had earned the respect of the people, along with his title as a War Hero. While initially unwilling to return to politics, confirmation of President Hamilton running for an unheard-of third term (along with failed Impeachment proceedings) led to the General to announce his candidacy for the Constitution Party, aiming to “restore democracy and civility” to the federal government. Pierce largely campaigns on putting more restrictions on Presidential power, returning many powers to Congress, and lowering the national debt (of which, Hamilton has done very little).
Running Mate:
William Graham
Senator from North Carolina since 1851, from 1840-1843, Governor of NC from 1845-1849 (Political & Economic Decentralist, Slave Owner, Anti-immigration, Aged 48)
Perhaps the most prominent southern politician from the Constitution Party, it was inevitable he would be nominated, though many suspected it would be as President. Despite this, he serves as an active artery to modern politicking that Pierce lacks, and would be an excellent advisor to a “President Pierce.” Graham was also a big supporter of the federal government during the Patriot War (1846-1848), preventing the secession of North Carolina while Governor. If elected, he promises to free his slaves.
The Constitutional Republican Party runs on the slogan, “Pierce the heart of tyranny!” Particularly, they paint Hamilton as a man who wants to be crowned King, "much like his father."
