KidLit President-Elect The Lorax takes his oath of office with Vice President–Elect Miss Rumphius on January 21, 2013.

This post is part of our ongoing KidLit Election 2012 coverage. For candidate platforms, debates, and more, click on the tag KidLit Election 2012.

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Below, President-Elect The Lorax and Vice President–Elect Alice Rumphius give their victory speeches:

The voters have spoken! You have made the right choice!
Miss Rumphius and I are ready to rejoice.
We thank you most humbly for this amazing honor,
We third-party candidates are oftentimes goners.
Three cheers to our four opponents for making this race
Competitive, exciting, but we have made our case.
Our message is simple, but its significance rings true,
Protecting the earth should be important to me and you.
We must save our planet…forget about tax hikes.
We speak for the trees and the tree-huggers alike!

—The Lorax, President-Elect

As a little girl, I had three dreams for my adult life: to visit faraway places, to live beside the sea, and to make the world more beautiful. Now I am grown, and I have gone to faraway places and lived beside the sea. But making the world more beautiful? That’s something that all of us, young and old, must work at every day. Mr. Lorax and I are dedicated to leading the nation in protecting and regrowing our natural places. Together we can make our world a greener, more beautiful place — starting in our own backyards.

—Miss Alice “Lupine Lady” Rumphius, Vice President–Elect

The rest of the candidates and their running mates react to the results:

Republican Party
Jamie Kincaid: Nuts! Now I have to go back to elementary school.
Edward Cullen: Now I have to go back to high school…again!

Democratic Party
Charlotte A. Cavatica: “Charlotte A. Cavatica 2016: Towards a Radiant Future”
Octavian Nothing: The bedrock of our great Republic being the system of Democracy, I cannot but feel a swell of admiration and pride of accomplishment for my worthy adversaries, so selected by the constituents of this great and independent nation of states united.

Libertarian Party
Brian Robeson and Gale Hawthorne: (dead air space) [The Libertarian Party candidates were unreachable for comment…no reception in the woods.]

Independent Party
Ole Golly and Clementine: C’est la vie!

This post is part of our ongoing KidLit Election 2012 coverage. For candidate platforms, debates, and more, click on the tag KidLit Election 2012.

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Breaking news!
As of last night, the race was too tight to call. But this afternoon, we are happy to announce the results of the the inaugural Horn Book KidLit Election.

Your 2012 Horn Book KidLit Election winners: Green Party candidates The Lorax and Miss Rumphius!

The race was a close one, with dark-horse third-party candidate The Lorax beating out frontrunner Charlotte A. Cavatica (D) by a mere 4% of the total votes. Ms. Cavatica conceded late Tuesday night, saying she was “humbled” by the nation’s support and already planning a 2016 presidential bid.

The 2012 KidLit Presidential Election results:

Green Party presidential candidate The Lorax and running mate Alice Rumphius: 36%

Democratic Party presidential candidate Charlotte A. Cavatica and running mate Octavian Nothing: 32%

Independent Party presidential candidate Ole Golly and running mate Clementine: 9%

Libertarian Party presidential candidate Brian Robeson and running mate Gale Hawthorne: 6%

Republican Party presidential candidate Jamie Kincaid and running mate Edward Cullen: 5%

Write-in candidates accounted for 12% of the total votes. Nominated candidates and full tickets included:

Kirito
Katniss Everdeen
Percy Jackson
The Pigeon
The Pigeon and Charlotte A. Cavatica
Ole Golly and Charlotte A. Cavatica
The Little Prince and Despereaux Tilling
Heather and Charlotte A. Cavatica
Anne Shirley and Charlotte A. Cavatica
Elephant and Piggie
The Lorax and Edward Cullen
Edward Cullen and Bella Cullen
Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet
Amelia Bedelia and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle: The You Can Count on Change Party!
The BFG and James (of James and the Giant Peach): The Dahl Party

This post is part of our ongoing KidLit Election 2012 coverage. For candidate platforms, debates, victory and concession speeches, and more, click on the tag KidLit Election 2012.

The post KidLit Election 2012: Election results are in! appeared first on The Horn Book.

UPDATE on 11/6/12: The polls are closed as of noon today. Thank you for your votes! Results coming soon.

The polls are open! Click here to vote for your favorite Horn Book KidLit election ticket today through noon on Election Day.

Who would best represent YOU as KidLit emissary?

Charlotte A. Cavatica and Octavian Nothing (D)?

Jamie Kincaid and Edward Cullen (R)?

The Lorax and Miss Rumphius (Green)?

Brian Robeson and Gale Hawthorne (Libertarian)?

Ole Golly and Clementine (Independent)?

Or a write-in ticket, perhaps one crossing party lines? (Janie and Joey? Heather and a certain uptight bird?)

Let your voice be heard! Vote today through noon on Election Day. And may the best man, woman, boy, girl, spider, vampire, or made-up creature win!

Access all of our election coverage by clicking on the tag KidLit Election 2012. For recommended reading on presidents, voting, the White House, and more, see our new election booklist.

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Horn Book editor in chief Roger Sutton moderates a debate between Ms. Charlotte A. Cavatica, the Democratic presidential candidate, and Mr. Jamie Kincaid, the Republican presidential candidate.

1. If elected, which campaign promise will you keep first?

Charlotte: Obviously, education is a top priority for me. If I can teach a pig to spell, why, I can accomplish anything! Evaluating the Common Core State Standards would be my first order of business. Citizens who are educated are self-sufficient and contribute to a strong and healthy society, be it barnyard or metropolis.

Jamie: Fiscal responsibility is my game. I’d address the deficit by streamlining our spending. Hot-fudge sundaes? There’s no free lunch on my watch!

2. If your opponent were to win, what would be the most important piece of advice you could offer him or her?

Charlotte: Be humble. And keep your clothes on.

Jamie: Don’t overextend yourself — the nation needs you to be in good health.

3. Who among your presidential predecessors do you admire most?

Charlotte: Abraham Lincoln. He fought for equal rights and opportunities for all.

Jamie: Reagan.

4. Do you think a presidential candidate’s private life should be off limits?

Charlotte: I have nothing to hide. During the campaign my “lifestyle” was called into question. I have, and always will, act according to my nature, as all of us must. I would prefer privacy but will address, head-on, with all my eyes open, any concerns voters may have.

Jamie: Neither my private life — nor my private parts — are anyone’s business.

5. Polls show you each have forty-seven percent support from likely voters. How will you reach out to the other side? How will you convince the undecided six percent?

Charlotte: Unlike Mr. Kincaid, I was not born with the proverbial silver spoon in my mouth. I come from meager beginnings — a barn — and can relate to a wide variety of constituents, be they human, ovine, pig, rat, or arachnid.

Jamie: Hey, I’ve had my own lean times when every penny scraped from the bottom of a public fountain counted. My ability to stretch each dollar makes me the perfect person to bring our nation to greater prosperity.

Breaking news: A third-party presidential candidate was escorted from the room after attempting to unofficially participate  in the debate. The candidate allegedly shouted at the two candidates on stage, “I speak for the citizens!”

For more on the Horn Book KidLit Election, click the tag KidLit Election 2012. The polls open on November 1!

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1. Both of you come from somewhat…unusual backgrounds. Do you feel like the average voter can relate to you?

Octavian: One doesn’t have to be an erudite, highly educated, violin-playing, smallpox-contracting, Revolutionary War-fighting descendent of slaves to have walked in my shoes. But it helps.

Edward: I was human once, too, and I remember what it is like. I may be immortal, have sparkly skin, possess superhuman strength and speed, and read minds — it doesn’t mean I can’t relate to human voters and they to me. (My wife was pretty average when we first met, don’t forget.)

2. Are you a supporter of the new Common Core standards in public education?

Octavian: Under Dr. Trefusis’s esteemed tutelage, my schooling was anything but common. The conviction that the publick has an inalienable right to high-quality education runs throughout my very core. And yet: my pragmatic nature disallows me to speculate on the worth of these standards so-called Common Core. Only time, that most elusive of creatures, will tell.

Edward: I’m familiar with many different educational systems used throughout the world — I should be, having passed through so many of them over the last century or so. It’s difficult to tell what will last and what is a passing fad. But I’m for trying any new approach that may help our young people get the most out of their educations.

3. Boxers or briefs?

Octavian: Mr. Sutton, I presume this vulgar question addresses the status of my unmentionables. The cut of my underclothing has no bearing on the stature of my character.

Edward: Commando. I can’t be distracted by bunching or twisting while I’m tracking down and beating up the bad guys.

4. What do you bring to the ticket that your presidential candidate does not?

Octavian: Nothing if not life expectancy.

Edward: Ditto.

5. In the event that you are required to assume the office of POTUS, how can you reassure the citizens that they will be able to sleep soundly at night?

Octavian: I have slept soundly ‘neath silken sheets and soft-spun linens atop beds in the most splendid abodes of the Colonies. And, yea, I have laid my head direct on the rocky ground, falling deep and grateful into the hard-fought slumber enjoyed by righteous and just men…

A thousand pardons; pray, repeat the question?

Edward: I don’t sleep. I’ll be vigilantly protecting the country through every day and night. Forever.

For more on the Horn Book KidLit Election, click the tag KidLit Election 2012. Coming soon: the presidential debate!

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 Green Party

“We speak for the trees—and the tree-huggers.”

     
presidential nominee: The Lorax
vice presidential nominee: Miss Rumphius

Libertarian Party

“You can pry our bows, arrows, and hatchets from our cold, dead hands.”

     
presidential nominee: Brian Robeson (Hatchet)
vice presidential nominee: Gale Hawthorne (The Hunger Games trilogy)

Independents

“A little common sense and a lot of spunk go a long way.”

     
presidential nominee: Ole Golly (Harriet the Spy)
vice presidential nominee: Clementine

For more on the Horn Book KidLit Election, click the tag KidLit Election 2012. Coming soon: presidential and vice presidential debates!

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Democratic presidential candidate Charlotte A. Cavatica addresses allegations from animal rights groups:

“Recently animal rights advocates have expressed concerns about my diet and my so-called ‘bloodthirstiness’. Those concerned for the well-being of our animal friends need only look to my tireless efforts to save young pig Wilbur (well-documented by biographer E.B. White) for proof that I am myself an animal rights activist. That said, each of us has a place in the web of life, and each of us—carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, and insectivore alike—relies on other life for sustenance. We all carry the responsibility to eat, and to live, as compassionately as our own natures will allow. It’s not what you must do to survive that makes you bloodthirsty, it’s how you do it.”

For more on the Horn Book KidLit Election, click the tag KidLit Election 2012. Coming soon: Third-party candidates and debates!

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Republican presidential candidate Jamie Kincaid addresses accusations of public indecency:

“By now, you’ve probably seen that picture of me in the fountain. (If not, don’t look at chapter 5 in the exposé E. L. Konigsburg wrote about me and my sister.) Okay, sure, I was naked. But, come on, how do you take a bath? Talks of exhibitionism are pure baloney. I was in that fountain to get myself clean and wrangle up some cash. I’m a self-made man, don’t forget. And every man who bares his soul for freedom must also, sometimes, bare his bottom.”

For more on the Horn Book KidLit Election, click the tag KidLit Election 2012. Coming soon: Third-party candidates and debates!

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Below, Ms. Cavatica and Mr. Nothing accept their nominations.

Some race! I’m very honored to accept the presidential nomination. With a proactive, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving — evident in my curriculum vitae — my administration will ensure access to quality education for all of our nation’s young people. Furthermore, I’m confident that Mr. Nothing, no ordinary also-ran, will make a simply terrific collaborator in this great work.

— Democratic presidential nominee Charlotte A. Cavatica,
Charlotte’s Web

Compatriots and Countrymen: I accept this nomination with equal parts euphoria and humility, my baser indulgence of emotions (the breast-swelling display of pride being indicative of the former) tempered by heartfelt respect and boundless admiration for my fellow candidates, nay, kinsmen, as loathe am I to stamp such worthy personages with the label of adversary, our souls and minds so allied in common cause to the betterment of our Nation

— Democratic vice presidential nominee Octavian Nothing,
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, Vols. I & II

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