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B.C. Liberal spin cycle goes into overdrive when former leadership candidates walk out the door
Eric Foster's return won't make people forget about George Abbott and Kevin Falcon.
A week ago, I was among those who delivered the earth-shattering news that Pat Pimm is seeking reelection in Peace River North.
During his three years as an MLA, Pimm's greatest publicity came when he stepped out of the caucus after being arrested following a "domestic incident". A special prosecutor declined to charge the MLA, but the affair made him damaged goods in the eyes of some constituents.
These days, the B.C. Liberals have been matching every "MLA resigning" story with a tale of some nobody from caucus who's seeking reelection. It's designed to offset the popular impression that everyone is fleeing from Premier Christy Clark because she's become the political equivalent of the Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
Today, the news is how B.C. Liberal heavyweights George Abbott, Mary McNeil, and John Les are about to follow Kevin Falcon out the door.
So what have the B.C. Liberals gone and done?
If you check out the website, you'll see a list of 11 luminaries from the Gordon Campbell era who will be renominated between September 5 and September 11.
We've just learned that little-known MLAs Norm Letnick, John Rustad, and Eric Foster will allegedly be back, along with better-known cabinet ministers like Margaret MacDiarmid, Shirley Bond, and Pat Bell.
“I’m very proud of the work we’re doing under the leadership of Premier Christy Clark.," MacDiarmid said in the party's news release. "We have a renewed, energized team that is looking forward to putting our record on the economy up against the NDP’s record."
Hold back on the guffaws. The election isn't until next May.
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He couldn't even bring himself to mouth the usual "family time" homily, as per Falcon.
The real question is: How many of these MLAs were invited to leave and how many jumped voluntarily? Is Christy really being abandoned or is she clearing the decks for the next election?
My guess is the latter.
the Libral market mind no diffferant than the Con.s corporate ignorance and greed which is take all you can regardless of the effects on environment/people/health/future generations , take a good look BC this what you have been voting in for the last many years .
Clark (and her advisors) know that going into an election surrounded by the Old Guard - strong supporters of Campbell, the HST etc. - is suicidal. The only chance she has is to clear out the dead wood, bring in new faces, and hope that voters will buy her "renewal" strategy.
Too much media emphasis is placed on the caucus and cabinet. They don't control the political strategy. My guess is that the real strategists have told Clark what she has to do, and she has accepted their opinion. Step One: Ditch the tainted ones, right now.
By the time the next election rolls around, there will be no sign of Campbell Clones. I don't think this will save Clark, but it definitely won't hurt her chances.
Celebrating the departure of people like Falcon and others is fun, but it's irrelevant politically. What matters is winning the next election, and the NDP won't get there by deluding themselves ... which they continue to do, year after year.
After giving away most of BC'S Crown Jewels and Corporate Welfare including PPP and higher than market rate power prices to private corporations.
Next time any Neo Con tells you they are better at managing the economy point to BC, the Bush Repulicans, Bumblerony lying Brian and the harperites who have run up the largest deficit in canadian history with the most Corporate welfare on record.
Clark is a Campbell clone herself. Will her handlers throw her out before May if all the recent smokescreening doesn't work?
Anticipation of such a gentle landing might go a long way toward helping move a few recalcitrant bovines out of the meadow, especially when most of them aren't anticipating electoral success anyway.