Ryan Cleary, former newspaper editor, former talk show host and former NDP candidate is considering another run at federal politics six months, after he packed it in as the New Democratic Party candidate in St. John’s South-Mount Pearl.
Cleary carried the orange banner in the 2008 federal election, lost that one, then took up a job hosting a late night talk show. Although the gab-fest was well suited to his talkative style, Cleary quit that gig to spend more time with his family and then sought the NDP nomination again.
Last October he gave that up to go back to journalism and now he is apparently considering an offer from the NDP to run again for them in St. John’s South-Mount Pearl.
Talk about on-again, off-again.
A campaign involving Cleary, Liberal incumbent Siobhan Coady and reputed Tory heavyweight Loyola Sullivan could turn out to be an interesting race. Cleary has the potential to split up the nationalist Conservative vote especially among local Conservatives who are still can’t get beyond the whole demon Harper thing.
In 2008, Danny Williams’ gang tried to drive the Tories to Coady. Four prominent members of his caucus, including Kathy Dunderdale and Paul Oram, went door-to-door for Coady. It didn’t work. The local Blue Crew that did turn out opted for Cleary, instead.
Cleary also might not be able to count on quit so much spill-over help from Jack Harris in St. John’s East. The darling of the East End will be in a tighter race of his own against Jerry Byrne.
As a result, Jack might not be able to give any serious help to the fellow some will soon be affectionately referring to as Yo-Yo Maw.
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