02 February 2011

Not the best campaign strategy, maybe

In a city where the environment is a big issue, a chance to speak in a public meeting on environmental issues during a by-election might be a good thing.

Well, especially if you are a candidate.

Lots of people protesting tire burning.  Government conveniently dodges a bullet on the issue right before the writ drops. You promise to be a strong “voice” for constituents.  Might be an idea to show up for a few hours in a debate format, say a few words and then get back to whatever else you are doing.

Even if the audience is hostile, it works to show you have the stones to face them.  How are you gonna stare down a hard-nosed cabinet minister like Kevin O’Brien or Charlene Johnson if a few hippies scare you crapless? 

And after all it’s only a couple of hours.

Even if you want to play the company-town-man, you are likely to get more of your own votes with the days of coverage of you tackling the tree-huggers rather than putting out some completely lame-assed excuse delivered via a representative.

These points are evidently lost on Conservative Vaughn Granter.  He begged off a debate sponsored by a local environmental group.  The VOCM version quotes an “associate” who says the man has a “door-to-door” strategy.

Whatever.

If he’s as overwhelmingly popular and as phenomenally well-known in the city as Granter claimed with on Open Line with Randy Simms on Wednesday, then Vaughn could skip a couple of doors and no one would really notice.  That is, he could skip them in a good cause like generating some media coverage to reach more people and reinforce his messages.

In another place, the candidate hisself could be heard on Wednesday babbling some drivel about having to spend a couple or three days boning up on the issues and that would just divert  from his plan to shake every door and knock every hand. Not aware of the issues and the party position such that he has to do an intense three days holed up with a set of briefing notes?

Hardly something you’d want to admit, one might think.

Vaughn isn’t much on current affairs, then?  Wee bit vague on what’s up?

Yeah.

Not the best line and not the best strategy, maybe.

Just saying.

.At least Vaughn has a few days to change his mind or get up to speed.  The debate is set for February 10.

- srbp -

granter vocm

4 comments:

Shannon Reardon said...

I guess he's shitbaked about being asked this absolutely likely question: "If the tire burning issue is put back on the table, will you support it?"

Among other things he will have to address, you know, offer up some accountability.

Edward Hollett said...

Gary Kelly tweeted him with that question today.

He cannot hide in Corner Brook for the two weeks to polling day.

This is the conventional Tory strategy: no debates, no profile and just ride the wave. They are doing the only thing they know how to do.

Unfortunately, the wave is gone, the coattails are at the drycleaners and this is a really high profile campaign, even without any local issues and a strong Liberal contender.

Someone will smoke him out and if he shags up, he will pay a price.

Shannon Reardon said...

If he is so well-known in the city, he won't be able to hide. lol

Edward Hollett said...

Good catch. roflmao. There are just so many "d'oh" moments in this story you just can't keep up with them all.