Why is Transportation Minister Mary Polak wearing a Nike cap?

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      This morning, I was searching for information about the new Port Mann Bridge when I stumbled across this video about the "Combo Project", which was released nearly a month ago.

      That's the name of rail crossing overpasses at 192nd Street, 54th Avenue and 196th Street in Surrey.

      Most of the people in the video—including International Trade Minister Ed Fast, Surrey mayor Dianne Watts, and Port Metro Vancouver president and CEO Robin Silvester, and Surrey mayor Dianne Watts—are all dressed like they're from the government.

      Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak, on the other hand, showed up in a windbreaker, jeans, and a Nike cap. Her spin doctors must like the homey look because they put it on the ministry home page in the featured spot.


      Mary Polak looks like one of the workers in front of a backhoe.

      When an opposition leader named Gordon Campbell once ditched his three-piece suits for plaid shirts in an election campaign, he was subjected to widespread ridicule.

      Polak, on the other hand, has managed to avoid similar scorn for trying to dress more like her Langley constituents as an election approaches.

      It's easy to see why Polak has adopted this look. She's in the fight of her life in Langley against B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins. The NDP's Andrew Mercier is hoping Cummins and Polak split the vote so he can slide up the middle to victory.

      This is not the first time that Polak has been a political chameleon, trying to blend into her environment. When she chaired the Surrey school board, she often spoke in favour of a ban on books about same-sex parents. That stood her in good stead with her political allies on the religious right.

      Later when she became a provincial politician and this type of extremism was out of fashion, Polak was seated next to the B.C. Liberals' highest-profile gay politician in the legislature, Lorne Mayencourt, which conveyed the message that Polak really didn't hate gay people at all.

      To reinforce that point, she later supported Belinda Stronach's ill-fated bid for the Conservative leadership against the more right-wing Stephen Harper.

      In her previous role as the minister of aboriginal reconciliation, Polak distinguished herself as a strong advocate of treaties—further distancing herself from those days when she was seen by some West End residents as one of the province's leading homophobes.

      But now, she has to get back into the good graces of her right-wing, churchgoing constituents. Keep in mind that they elect a fiercely proud antiabortionist, Mark Warawa, by landslides in every federal election.

      Polak can't come out and say she opposes abortion because that would undermine the B.C. Liberals' efforts to woo female voters. So she dons a Nike cap and looks like a good ole boy instead.

      It just might work.

      Comments

      9 Comments

      Dianne

      Nov 17, 2012 at 10:26am

      I appreciate the reminders of her extremism and analysis of what she believes (both now and in the past, both up front and quietly) and what she politically stands for and promotes BUT I dont care what she wears or if she is having a bad hair day.

      ChuckD

      Nov 17, 2012 at 11:47am

      Sorry, but she looks nothing like a construction worker. No hi-viz vest, no PPE's and a stunned useless look. I'm a construction foreman and I can tell you that if she showed up at my job dressed like that she would be gone. Haha I think her chances of remaining in government after the election are about the same!

      DavidH

      Nov 17, 2012 at 12:45pm

      I think Ms Polak is just playing on the Nike "Just Do It" slogan.

      In her world though, the slogan is "Just Don't Do It" ... especially if it involves same-sex relationships.

      monty/that'sme

      Nov 17, 2012 at 4:20pm

      Perhaps this is the start of a new trend: a clown suit for Christie, a beer barrel for Coleman...readers can add more ideas...

      Oh and a rocking chair for old man Cummins, who, at 70 should go ride his horses. Double dealing pension plus $4000 to play leader...

      camalsdung@gmail.com

      Nov 17, 2012 at 7:06pm

      The current BC Liberals want to secure private sector employment before they all get tossed out next year and will have to compete with all their fellow politic rats.The main priority of the BC liberals is topping up severance & pension package for senior appointed bureaucrats and MLA before the taxpayer vote in may.There are going to be a lot of senior burocrat getting a nice big self voter on severance check payed by the BC taxpayer.

      Kerosene Lantern

      Nov 18, 2012 at 12:17am

      The photo makes her look like a low grade moron. That makes her over qualified for the BC Liberals.

      cochran

      Nov 18, 2012 at 10:11am

      With all the corporate/political shills in attendance, where's the audience?...as usual, they talk to themselves; and, yes, it it a rehearsal for upcoming provincial/federal electioneering. Has anybody heard the latest conservative TV ad attack against the NDP federal leader?

      Rf

      Nov 18, 2012 at 3:30pm

      Geez Charlie.....do you know what's really funny? When NDPers like Shane Simpson, Jim Horgan and the other port-wine and mustard shirt in bad suit and tacky tie try to pass themselves off as figureheads of power. At least we know polak is dressed down!!!!

      Charlie Smith

      Nov 18, 2012 at 3:44pm

      Rf,
      I wish all members of the legislature and the reporters who cover them dressed like Mary Polak in the video above.

      Charlie Smith