Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Boneheaded Election Mistake

A piece of advice to anyone running for public office, there are smart things to say and incredibly stupid things to say. For example; going on the radio and saying that the colour of your skin gives you an advantage over your opponent is among the dumbest things any candidate could do in an election campaign. That's what happened today yesterday in Alberta, which has a chance to derail Wildrose momentum. I'm a fan of Danielle Smith. I think she'd make a great Premier and a strong candidate to one day run for federal Tory leadership. I'm willing to bet she's mightily pissed off at Ron Leech for his comments, which could jeopardize their chances of usurping a provincial political dynasty. The media has already been trying to paint her as a Canadian Sarah Palin, which is ridiculous (one is a Libertarian, the other is a hardcore social conservative). Even clowns like John Ibbitson have been on television saying "having an arch-conservative in Alberta is bad for Stephen Harper", which is asinine. How on earth is a Redford better for the Prime Minister than Smith?

When Alberta does go to the polls, I'll be cheering for Danielle to be the next Premier, but I'd like to see Leech taken off the ballot if it is not too late to name a replacement.

12 comments:

  1. Luckily you are two days behind with this story. A PC candidate said the same thing (close) so its a saw off. At least the Wildrose candidate apologized. The PC candidate didn't, but then the media didn't go after him like they did the WR guy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I originally posted this yesterday but for some reason it did not make it to the Blogging Tory site. So I had to re-post it.

      This was not written today, but thank you for your concern.

      Delete
  2. Nope, this is not an issue if you understand the context and amazing diverse nature of Dr. Leech. It's about the difference between trained political career puppets and refreshinging diverse, intelligent but naive speakers.

    Dr Leech apologized immediately for the misunderstanding, so clarified but our loser Mayor won't accept the apology.
    I'll remember that when he apologizes once for all of his stupid statements but that hasn't happened yet!

    I'm supporting WRA because they are full of great people that are going to bring great AIR to AB politics!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wrong..what was not posted was that he was being interviewed by a multi cultural radio station and was asked whether he thought bring Caucasian would be a detriment to representing the ethnic riding. His answer, while awkward, was an answer to that question.

    Of course, in their haste to make hay of his comment, it was better to report it out of context. He apologized for saying it the way he did ..still no one posted the context. This was a setup and smacks of An agenda by the media.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alberta Girl: Do you know where we can find a copy of the interview to see his comments in context?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anony, there is no 'archived radio copy' but it was broadcast on 'Fairchild radio' and the context of the question is not a part of the story. Dr Leech is regularly asked this question as to how he communicates and looks after the needs of such a diverse community.

    It's simply that in his naivete, trusting a good soul would be reporting this story (my words, not his) he simply said what is the truth.

    Novel idea.....TRUTH!

    This guy has an impecable resume of understanding MANY different countries and their cultures. This has been a drive-by!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Regardless of the context, it was really stupid to say what he said. With the election next week, I'm assuming it is too late to put a new candidate on the ballot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pastor from Edmonton is in for a run but Dr Leech is supported by these people in his riding. I absolutely hear you Ice but AB is different.
      The fear mongering idiocy released today by the PC's is far worse.
      http://www.stephentaylor.ca/2012/04/i-never-thought-they-stoop-so-low/

      IT will be the youth that pay for this govt so only time will tell if this PC hatred, works.

      Delete
  7. Ice ..are you kidding..his words were misconstrued. Seriously, he has had enough ridicule ocer an interview designed to play gotcha! It is bad enough to have the media and every non WRP coming down on him wirh ridicule. I wld think, given what you have seen done to Cons candidates that you might be a bit mor tolerant!

    ReplyDelete
  8. If I click on the PC ads on your site do you get any money?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't see any PC ads on my site (right now it is Westjet, which could change at any moment), but either way Google controls the Adsense process. During the last federal election the CBC advertised their ridiculous Vote Compass on my site, ironic considering I had blogged that it was incredibly biased.

      That's just the way she goes.

      Delete
  9. Mayor Mandel wants a new museum to add to his downtown dream. He has new condos being built, he has a new art gallery, he has theatres and music halls downtown. He is trying to get a new hockey arena downtown and he wants the provincial museum downtown. Special Ed earmarked $350,000,000.00 to fulfill Mayor Mandel's dream. Unfortunately Alberta is running huge deficits at the moment and has been since the Special Ed screw up. Danielle Smith thinks that Alberta would be better off not spending the 350 million we don't have. Mayor Mandel sees his downtown dream coming to an end. Mayor Mandel decides to play the racist card hoping that enough Albertans won't see through his little scheme and vote PC so Mandel can get his cherished museum. BTW the context of those comments were such that only an idiot would assume the good Dr. is any kind of a bigot.

    ReplyDelete