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My dear friends and countrymen,

As you may or may not be aware, I'm currently running for Vice President, or Tánaiste as we call it on this side of the pond, of Ireland. It's been a tough week or two, and it seems hard to imagine I've managed a whole 12 days without publishing an article here in the Tal Order- a new record for me I believe!

I'd like to say a few short things, first of all thanks for returning me to congress! Didn't expect that did you? Well, I mean it. I really enjoy serving the people and the last term was an exciting trip for Congress in general and me personally as well.

The congress elections were rough this time round, and I only barely got my seat back. I served as Minister for Defence during the whole Code Petrescu affair, and that was quite a baptism of fire I can tell you - perhaps my involvement deterred some voters, who knows? No matter, really, as Ireland was saved from the terror of a PTO by the honesty and vigilance of her people - that and our adept and competent organisation terrified the malevolents out of trying it!

Whatever happens tomorrow I will continue to work my hardest for the people of the Northwest, and will present myself to you again on the 25th of June for humble consideration. I will also continue to do my damndest to fight for the entire population of Ireland, using what little wisdom and experience I have to improve everyone's elives.


Nithraldur and Severin
During the time I spent as minister of defence, my respect for Nithraldur doubled. He managed the take-over affair with a degree of certainty and experience which I admire. I look forward to taking on similar challenges as Vice President under Starks. Severin has always impressed me. I remember someone saying that he was "much too sensible to be in IUP" and couldn't agree more (only joking, I swear). He is a fine politician and represents his constituents and the IUP with aplomb, having restored the party after Igor's departure. I wonder what would have happened had we not chosen different parties all those months ago!


So, it is not from disrespect, or spite, that I stand behind Starks Hayter in these elections, but out of a heartfelt desire to give the people of Ireland a choice. Starks and I have been friends for months. We joined eRep at about the same time, we joined the ISRP at about the same time and I have served two terms in congress with him on the same ticket. Aside from being approachable, lucid, enthusiastic, perceptive, a good judge of character, eternally optimistic and unimpeachably honest, Starks' best quality is his ability to listen to others. I've seen him at work on the ISRP forums and at impromptu party conferences on IRC and he has a gift for sifting through the b.s. and figuring out the best way to do things - finding the middle way, putting the right men and women in the right jobs, gently scolding those who aren't fulfilling their promises and encouraging those who are doing their best.


...but what's all this about the Alliance for Change?

I worked alongside a lot of very innovative and intelligent people to get the Alliance off the ground but there is still doubt about what it really is floating around. The Alliance for Change is a very loose group of people, represented by the heads of each party involved and their original Presidential candidates and they deserve a great deal of thanks: Starks and me for the ISRP, Mannimarco, Top Gun and Collins for the ICF, Alex Darky and 5n4keyes for the IFP, Pip Kelly and O Bass for Ireland First, Jerek White for the Freeman's Party and Bunnieman for Provisional Fianna Fail.

As you can imagine, the so called Alliance has been a rocky ship to captain at times, but it only has one objective, no ulterior motives and no shady back-room dealings. The Alliance for Change is just a name which covers a group of like-minded individuals who want to see Starks Hayter in the highest office in the land. All the members joined for their own reasons but the negotiations we had with them are completely transparent and revolved around the single common issue - our manifestos were good and people thought we'd do a good job. It's just that simple!


Little old me
Believe me, I really didn't think I'd be here today, running for VP, and originally tried to stop Starks declaring me as his running mate! I'm much more of a behind the scenes kind of a guy. I love politics and making deals - brokering agreements and working out the middle way to make two intractable foes work together for the betterment of everyone. This is why I tried to run a mud-free campaign - from the ISRP at least. My demons got the better of me occasionally and I apologise without reservation for any offence or misdirection I may have haplessly caused in the last ten days. The same old people badgering each other always bugged me when I was new, and I really do hope we can have a 100% clean election some day.

Whatever happens tomorrow, please vote with your head. Vyse's guide to how he votes is pretty good - solid words from an old hand, as is his guide to the election itself.

Vote for whoever you choose, I'll still be here, working away for the people I represent, answering questions and kicking up fusses left, right and centre. I will be voting for Starks Hayter tomorrow and that's after thinking objectively and all! If you want to know why, our manifestos are here, here and here.

That's all for me, thank you all for reading and helping out during the campaign and for all the lovely messages of support I've been getting over the course - special thanks go to Christina (aka Nogin the Nog) who's working on getting her name changed and has been wonderful help! Anyway. Thanks again and Vote Starks!

Much Love
Aran Tal*