Why is Cal Omas still in power?

Cal Omas has been Chief of State for 12 years and (as of Bloodlines) shows no signs of stepping down. I realise Leia was also around for a dozen years (with interruptions) but is it really needed for the Galaxy to have such long periods with one person in power?

I suppose there is a question of who will replace him - whatever happened to Fyor Rodan? Still it is getting pretty strange that he is still there after all these years.

 

It is indeed strange, but given the large gaps of time that have passed between NJO, DN and LOTF it would be even more confusing if new COS's that we had never heard of just started showing up. Cal is a character we know, and it would be a bit strange just to have him go away.

I feel that he will be gone by the end of LOTF though.

 

Who would take over the reins, though? The NR/GFFA hasn't exactly done a good job grooming a new generation of leaders.

 

he went from being a nice guy in Destiny's Way to a manipulative power-freak in DN to a spineless coward in LOTF...i want him decapitated

 

I know of a certain Supreme Commander that wouldn't mind the job...

But in the more recent Jedi heavy Era there is a limited pool of candidates in the political arena. This is another reason why I feel that the spotlight on Jedi has to cool down once in awhile to let some non force users become heroes. Having someone as CoS for 12 years doesn't fit the whole Democracy angle and Makes Palpatine's extended stint as Grand Chancellor seem like no big deal.

Carnage

 

Malinza Thanas, maybe? Her parents were politicians, so I wouldn't be surprised if we found out at some point that she's the Bakuran Senator.

 

As opposed to, say, the United States having the same man as President for 12 years (and it would've been at least 16 if not for him dying in office)?

 

I don't like the idea of a maximum amount of terms - either in Star Wars or Real Life. If a leader is doing a good job and his constituents are happy with his/her job, why shouldn't they continue.

Cal's probably been through a few elections since DW, he's obviously won them - just like normal elections, they're too boring to pay much attention to

 

Clearly yes since that sort of thing is not allowed anymore.

Anyway Obi Wan did say that Palpatine had "managed to stay in office long after his term has expired" which suggests Palpatine's own stint was already unusually lengthy by Old Republic standards. In fact I'm surprised the New Republic did not institute term limits after the experience of Palpatine.

 

Wasn't Palps on ten years in office at the time of Episode 2 and then he had another couple years in between during the clone wars. Cal Omas will be voted out of office or replaced here really shortly. Jacen will make sure of it!

 

I'm sure we'll have two more by the end of LOTF.

And here's hoping # 2 is Releqy A'Kla.

 

My point was that there's nothing "anti-democracy" about having the same leader in office for 12 years.

 

Yeah, Cal Omas could have been democratically re-elected in both the gaps between NJO-DN and DN-LOTF, for all we know.

 

Too bad he wasn't really elected in the first place...

 

Because Boba Fett is back-logged.

 

Okay, democratically elected at some point after NJO, then. Then maybe re-elected.

 

The New Republic, like the Old Republic before it, had a parliamentary system of government. Meaning that the Senate elects the Chief of State.

Which is only logical; a US-style system wouldn't be practical. Could you imagine galaxy-wide presidential campaigns?

 

I know they have a parliamentary system (although now that you mention it, galactic campaigning would be funny as hell). I'm actually taking about the fact that Lando and Karrde blackmailed, bribed, and threatened senators until Cal won.

If it was a free election, Cal would not have become CoS.

Randy: Yeah, lets hope that he was actually elected later on and he didn't have to call Lando and Karrde back in

 

In a corruption-free election (), they could've easily been deadlocked for years (if of course we pretend that the Vong would've ignored them during that time). And the failed assassination attempt on Omas probably would've benefitted him regardless.

BTW, you don't think that was the only time somebody won through bribery and blackmail, do you?

How do you think Fey'lya got 3/5 of the Senate to vote for him?

 

I don't think it would have been deadlocked. There were plenty of people running before Lando and Karrde came in. While Cal was a contender for the office, and IIRC there were several people ahead of him in the polls.

EDIT: Fey'lya probably got the office because the Senate was corrupt and largely sided with his POV, not to mention he was a brilliant politician. There is no indication that there was foul play in his election.

 

Fey'lya's political career up to that point pretty much consisted of one embarassing blunder after another. And IIRC, the people of the New Republic were themselves shocked at his election. Combine that with Borsk's generally unethical nature, and I smell a rat. Of the two-legged, 1.4-meter variety.

 

As you said, it is a parliamentary system, and Fey'lya had many political allies so I'm really not surprised. He was extremely skilled at what he did and was not a person you wanted opposing you.

 

Somebody explain this to Striker, Saiya, and the other NJO critics. They could use some enlightening.

 

Actually, I'd say the bigger surprise would be that some other Bothan hadn't (figuratively, of course) backstabbed Fey'lya and gotten him replaced as Senator by then. Borsk certainly made his share of missteps that would seem like perfect opportunities for an ambitious rival to capitalize on. His embarassing performance during the Thrawn crisis, for example.

 

Maybe not "anti-democratic," but it's still not a good thing. If one powerful leader is in power for a long time, no new leaders will rise up to replace him/her. When said leader finally croaks, you're in trouble.