Joint Interview: Pres. Imade and VP Tripod

President Imade and their running mate, VP Tripod, secured a second term just two short days ago, winning against recurring independent rival Creative. As the first successful re-election bid in the post-video era of SimDemocracy, we sat down with both of them for a joint interview to learn more about their goals, thoughts, and future prospects.

The interview transcript has been edited for grammar and pacing, but is otherwise unedited.

Why did you both decide to run for re-election?

Imade: To #FINISHTHEJOB 🫡
But also because I enjoyed the term and felt my first term was overshadowed by certain events. I feel with a first term that was super successful despite being held back at times, imagine what could be accomplished in a second term. Also, I wanted to finish my promises in regards to activity and economy.

Tripod: I feel like we had a great momentum going during the first term, and we also had some unfinished business to take care of, so why not?

What do each of you see as your role in the administration?

Imade: I am a leader and leaders lead, but mainly to guide cabinet members in their jobs and to ensure my agenda is implemented, along with maintaining a simulation that's fun for everyone and a safe space for all.

Tripod: As Vice President, I'm not currently doing much, but my duties as acting SDBI Director have me patrolling the streets of SimDem and stopping crime in its tracks.

Mostly hate crimes, but hey, what can you do?

I also like to check in on the Cabinet and make sure they're doing their jobs. I like to hold government officials accountable for their actions.

What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Tripod: Decisive, rational, and wise.

Imade: Determined, motivated, and BASED.

President Imade, what would you say is your main policy goal for the upcoming term?

Imade: It's hard to pinpoint since I have a broad agenda I want to initiate. I would say definitely bringing order to the economy and actually working to make it relevant. I am also pursuing justice reform, but I have tasked this mainly to others within the administration as I recognise my personal views on these matters may bring conflict of interest as, for example, I am currently representing clients in court, etc.

Vice President Tripod, you recently left the party you shared with Pres. Imade (USL) in favor of joining the newly-formed SimDem Communist Party (SCP). Has this affected your relationship with the president and does it mean your priorities as VP will change in line with SCP policy?

Imade: I will let Tripod mainly answer this, but honestly I originally chose Tripod as my VP when she wasn't in the USL and the deal was always that her party would not in the least affect our relationship. I represent the SDPB as President, not the USL; that has always been my position as well.

Tripod: Well, like Mx. President said, I was not a member of the USL when I accepted the nomination to be Imade's running mate. My relationship with Imade is unchanged and as for my priorities, my priorities will always be to support Imade while they execute the duties of their office until they are unable to do so.

In the most recent election's runoff stage, you faced the same candidate as last time: Creative. Although you won re-election, the margin was closer than the previous election; what does that mean to you in your second term and what message would you like to send to Creative voters?

Imade: I would like to say the margin was not really closer percentage-wise, it just looks a lot closer because of turnout drop. However, I have known Creative for many years and have recently appointed him Attorney General, reflecting his main campaigning points of justice and SDBI-related issues and showing my commitment to recognising the platforms of my opponents.

Tripod: I would like to let the Creative voters know that we see you and we hear you. We promise to enact policies that will benefit all of SimDem, not just the people who voted for us.

I would also like to take this time to announce my presidential bid for the next election.
I will be taking Creative as my VP so I hope that both the SDPB and all of Creative's voters can support us.

President Imade, were you aware of this development and do you have any comment on it?

Imade: Yes, Tripod asked if she could announce it here. But I will say this: I would love to run again, but the likelihood is that I would have no time to give the role the dedication it needs. I'm not ruling out running again in the coming weeks or months, but I will likely be bowing out at least temporarily at the end of this term, and if I do do that then Tripod would be my chosen successor. 🫡

VP Tripod, has Creative already agreed to be your VP or is this still in the planning stage?

Creative has agreed to be my running mate in the next election.
I think he would be a great guy to run with given our past history of working together.