Kirk LaPointe's musings seem more authentic than canned statements from Mayor Gregor Robertson

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Not long ago, I tweeted that Surrey politics are becoming more interesting than what's on offer in Vancouver.

      I blasted that message out because I felt that Gregor Robertson versus Kirk LaPointe made for a dull mayoral contest.

      It couldn't compare to the sizzle of a Surrey race pitting former mayor Doug McCallum against Coun. Barinder Rasode and Coun. Linda Hepner.

      But I'm prepared to re-evaluate my perspective after observing LaPointe's recent tweets and blog posts.

      Late last night, the NPA mayoral candidate declared that Vision Vancouver shouldn't have "bumped" Trish Kelly off its park-board slate. (Vision has claimed that she made the decision to withdraw, but the Courier's Allen Garr has suggested otherwise in a recent column.)

      "They should talk, she should run," LaPointe wrote on his Twitter feed.

      He's also questioning Vision's spending habits in connection with the mayor's approach to the Arbutus corridor, Granville Island, and recent SkyTrain stoppages.

      I enjoyed LaPointe's recent blog post headlined "10 Things About The First Few Campaign Days", especially how he deflected Vision's parry against his stance on a Broadway subway line.

      "I can say I’d welcome a Broadway subway line to UBC and have my opponents claim I don’t want it," LaPointe wrote. "My opponents act as if this is a done deal. But other governments have to help finance the line and I don’t think City Hall has any kind of dialogue going with them. I think I have a better chance with Ottawa and Victoria than they have. If my position seems wishy-washy to my opponents, then I suppose theirs seems delusional to me."

      LaPointe's informal approach stands in stark contrast to the regular emailed statements we receive from Mayor Gregor Robertson's office.

      I've never believed for a moment that Robertson actually writes these statements, yet they're repeated ad naseum by media outlets all over town as direct quotes from His Worship.

      The notion of getting Robertson on the phone for an interview is greeted with guffaws in our newsroom.

      One of our reporters, Travis Lupick, contacted numerous mayors over a short period of time for his recent Georgia Straight cover story on transporting oil by rail through the Lower Mainland.

      He didn't even bother asking Robertson for a phone interview because we all know there's no point. So instead, he reached Coun. Andrea Reimer for Vision's position.

      Communications matters in election campaigns. Look no further than Christy Clark's victory in the 2013 provincial election.

      The biggest municipal upset in recent years probably occurred in Calgary, where Naheed Nenshi's witty banter and adept use of social media won him the mayor's chair in 2010.

      Now, Robertson's facing a mayoral opponent who's not afraid to speak directly to the media, write his own tweets, and craft his own blog posts.

      Robertson looks timid in comparison.

      I suppose we'll find out in November if this makes any difference to Vancouver voters.

      Comments

      10 Comments

      uninformed publican

      Jul 25, 2014 at 5:13pm

      The answer is simple Mr. LaPointe should offer Trish Kelly a (shot) spot on the NPA slate!

      Go Kirk Go!

      See Spot Run. Run Spot Run.

      Jul 25, 2014 at 8:15pm

      I think you mean he should offer her a G-spot.

      Elliott Taylor

      Jul 25, 2014 at 10:02pm

      If pithy tweets is what it takes to win the civic election we are all in very deep deep doo doo. The idiocracy will be upon us.

      hmmmm

      Jul 25, 2014 at 11:29pm

      @Mean While,

      Who'd want to go to the mayor's pride party after he kicked out Trish Kelly. That is going to be one tense party

      Save Vancouver

      Jul 25, 2014 at 11:30pm

      "I've never believed for a moment that Robertson actually writes these statements.."

      Gee, d'ya think? It's all they can do to hide the puppet strings on Mayorionette Robertson. Charlie, you should challenger Penny Ballem to drink a glass of water at the same time Gregor gives his next speech.

      Alan Layton

      Jul 26, 2014 at 7:49am

      If LaPointe gets in then every political commentary hack will jump all over him for his 'honest' tweets and blogs. In fact I would hope he has better things to do than fuck around on Twitter.

      Duffy's flatulent valet

      Jul 26, 2014 at 8:55am

      When are you going to inform (and I mean reeeally inform) your readers that LaPointe is a spin doctor for the Harper/Crusty Con dog&pony show? Writing Con bullshit is what this guy does for a living.

      Charles

      Jul 26, 2014 at 12:56pm

      @duffy

      How much does Vision pay you to spew your nonsense? How long have you been a paid hack for Vision's online 'hit squad'? Maybe you should go back to Marcella, your fearless leader, and tell her that -- this time -- your pithy commentary didn't work. Better luck next time, boyo.

      @hmmmm and @savevancouver -- your wit, humour and insight offer some hope amidst the bleak political landscape that's been created by Vision Vancouver.

      Duffy's flatulent valet

      Jul 27, 2014 at 10:07am

      @Charles

      Duffy's not here. Pay some respect to the working class.

      Excuse me while I expel some day old spin. I'm not the one that needs luck here, sport. Once local voters begin to pay attention there will be a line on your boy firmly rooted. He's a Harper spin toy. City voters don't have much time for ReformaTory mellon farmers.