Apparently there’s just one big happy Conservative family in central Newfoundland.
The federal Conservatives issued a news release on Wednesday to counteract any story, no matter how well founded, that there are gigantic problems in Kathy Dunderdale’s campaign to elect more federal Conservatives in Newfoundland and Labrador.
They apparently wanted to answer your humble e-scribbler’s question about Kevin “Fairity” O’Brien, well-know Dan-Club member and – from local scuttlebutt – noticeably absent from the doorsteps of his provincial district of Gander this election.
Even Kathy was sounding like she was abandoning her effort to be the anti-Danny of this federal election. You will recall Dunderdale’s predecessor vowed to make sure there were no Conservatives elected in 2008. He delivered by suppressing his own crowd enough to turn over the three Avalon seats to the Liberals and the New Democrats. Time will tell if Dunderdale’s plan will work but let’s just say for now that things aren’t looking so smurfy for her.
The Conservative release carries the headline “Riding MHAs support Aaron Hynes.”
There is a quote from Fairity right off the top, just to make sure people won’t miss it:
“As a Conservative staffer on Parliament Hill and a candidate in the
2006 Federal Election, Aaron’s influence has made a big difference,”
said the Hon Kevin O’Brien, MHA for Gander District. “Aaron’s hard
work has certainly helped in the reinstatement of the Newfoundland and Labrador Weather Office and also funding for Gander International
Airport. His efforts as a non-elected person certainly show that he
would make a great Member of Parliament and serve this district and
the people of the province well.”
There there are references to cabinet minister Susan Sullivan and Ray Hunter. The release makes a point of noting these two actively appeared in public on Hynes’ behalf. Not Fairity, apparently, but that could just be an oversight.
Ray, who is facing a challenge for his own nomination, gave a quote and a bit of campaigning. Then there’s a list of the other provincial politicians, Tories all who are backing Aaron Hynes.
You can find the release on the Conservative’s facebook space.
Okay.
So if all these high-powered and high profile provincial Tories are backing their federal cousins so steadfastly, why aren’t their federal cousins leading in any race anywhere in the province?
Even in the one seat where they have a chance – Avalon – the former MP is running second to the guy who beat him in 2008.
That certainly doesn’t bode well for what someone might cheekily call Kathy Dunderdale’s “Nobody but Steve” campaign.
- srbp -
2 comments:
The fact that Ms Dunderdale can't deliver the people for Mr Harper should tell both of them something. She does not have the credibility with the people that Williams had. He built it through battles, spin, etc. Bottom line is he built it over a decade. She on the other hand has consistently shown extremely poor judgement: Abitibi, Parson's Pond, etc...the list is long. The "abra cadrabra" leadership she has does not have credibility. Mr harper is finding it out the hard way. In some ways it was especially pathetic that she did not show up to support her man in CBS this week. It goes to show that having sold her soul, and those of her equally disengenous cabinet, she now seeks to back away. Silently, as if it never happened. There will be no "abra cadabra" that will wipe the memory from the people here of Dunderdale and Harper holding hands on the stage in St John's. "Out damn spot!"
Brad:
I think you've hit the nail: the Tories are discovering that you have to earn support, even if, as in Williams case it was built as much on illusion as on substance. They are like kids who are squandering a gigantic inheritance based on the belief they inherited the Midas touch as well.
There's also a certain amount of rebound going on here. Just as voters made Roger pay for their pent-up frustration with Tobin, the current crowd of Tories are paying big time for feelings that Danny suppressed actively and passively before. It really wouldn't matter if Kathy changed the weather patterns and delivered tropical weather here 24/7/365: people would be happy for a day and then go back to bitching about the lack of fog to block out the oppressive heat.
And on a related note, she is also paying for the way she got the job. Dunderdale is the leader because of the December Deal to avoid a leadership fight. As such, she only rules to the extent people agree to be ruled. She can't deliver much of anything because she has no power over anyone. In that respect she really doesn't have much sway beyond her staff and her two permanently attached bodyguards in the Escalade.
Speaking of which:
Dunderdale is the first Premier since Peckford who felt some need to have 24/7 protection following her all through the Confed and all over town.
It's truly curious given that other Premiers in this province have genuinely pissed off more people across the country and not had to have this level of security round-the-clock.
There's something very curious about it all since she never seems to be without them.
Post a Comment