A little bit of Ottawa in Burnaby
It looks like federal Industry Minister Maxime Bernier's Burnaby-Douglas Conservative fundraiser is not the only Conservative event in Burnaby this month. It appears that at least one federal announcement appears to be on tap at one of the Burnaby-Douglas post-secondary institutions in the next few weeks.
Could the Tories be making a move for the north Burnaby NDP stronghold in the next election?
Could the Tories be making a move for the north Burnaby NDP stronghold in the next election?
posted by Robert Burnaby at 9:35 PM
26 Comments:
"Could the Tories be making a move for the north Burnaby NDP stronghold in the next election?"
It's already started.
Burnaby Douglas is being assimilated.
Burnaby Douglas' political distinctiveness has ended.
Resistance is futile.
Does it come as a surprise to anyone that tories are targeting the most vulnerable NDP incumbent in BC? With Harry Bloy already deciding to show party allegiance, he wont be the only BCL MLA be partisanly involved in the upcoming election. I will not be shocked if HB can convince Richard Lee to back tories shall the tories play the poll numbers right. Any Intelligent BCL MLA will either stay away or leave federal liberals of tjeu cam semse a possible government victory in the riding, otherwise, payback can be alot more painful and it wont take long before that happens either.
With a tory win, that'll further put another nail on DC's incumbency and gurantee Patty Sahota or someone from the federal liberal side winning the mayoral nomination for T/B. With all three levels uniting against NDP, I can only anticipate much more firework in the coming months.
How did Patty Sahota enter the picture on a topic of federal
politcs?
"I will not be shocked if HB can convince Richard Lee to back tories shall the tories play the poll numbers right. "
Why would Richard pay attention to what HB says?
In fact why is HB getting involved in areas outside of his own riding?
All Federal parties always always always say they are targeting this or that riding. Today it is Bby Douglas-sometimes refered to as Bby North. I am sure the NDP are saying similar things about other ridings - perhaps Vancouver Kingsway or Vancouver South.
I don't think Bill Siksay is shaking in his East Vancouver slippers just yet. The Tories always manange to blow their oportunities and I have no doubt they will this time too. This is not exactly the first time they have had a well-educated candidate from one of Burnaby's ethnic communities. The songsheet this time is pretty much the same as the last one. A PHD this time rather than merely an MBA professor at SFU. Does anyone remember how he too was a star candidate who was going to win in a walk?
The amount of work they have done raising the candidate's profile among Burnaby's other communities -(which is to say the rest of us)- is also about the same as last time. Zero as opposed to nothing.
If anyone unseats Mr. Siksay this time, it will be third time lucky Bill Cunningham.
BS is certainly not shaking, seeing how even an ethnic Chinese NDP broadcaster who has arguably a better profile than pre-MLA Jenny Kwan could not beat out a silent candidate who didnt try to unite the "right"/anti-NDP. But I thought Bill Cunningham's star candidate status has already worn off over the year, are liberals, already more than a year in opposition, still trying to make people buy into that? Does PhD help a person get elected? Yes it does, but if liberals think that's the only thing that tories will be marketing to the voters, then they will be gravely wrong.
Speaking of vote splitting however, are federal liberals trying to go after NDP environmentalists or are they trying to split the anti-NDP votes. BCL has done well holding tight to anti-NDP voter base, and unless liberals can convince the anti-NDP base that they can better defeat NDP than the party in power, I would say that BC will soon end his short-lived political "career", as a candidate that is.
Does PhD help a person get elected? Yes it does, but if liberals think that's the only thing that tories will be marketing to the voters, then they will be gravely wrong.
Actually 'yes' and 'no'. It really depends on the individual rather than the writing on the parchment.
The PhD is a mark of intellectual
achievement and thinking, but it is not an indicator of political smarts, and would not by itself
help a person get elected.
Unless that person is smart enough to know the community and the political environment.
The smart voter looks at the whole candidate, who he/she is, what he/she has done for the community and more importantly, what is it that he/she will achieve once elected.
There's been some academics elected who would have been better suited for academia rather than politics.
But then again there's others who were leaders in their line of business who collapsed like a deck of cards when in politics.
"The smart voter looks at the whole candidate, who he/she is, what he/she has done for the community and more importantly, what is it that he/she will achieve once elected."
Quite true. PhD does help a candidate's chance, but it definitely does not determine the outcome of elections. Any qualification does help in elections, no matter if it's the experience of being a doctor, a lawyer, or a cabinet minister.
If all those traits above are what voters are looking for, then I'm afraid that BS would soon be doomed. But when is the last time that the party nominations are won by the person most "worthy". Just like in elections, each nomination is often a game of numbers. And elecdtions will be won by those who can play the numbers right.
For Bill S, it is tough to have received blessings from only 35% of the voters in the riding with his provincial counter parts defeated in all three ridings in 01/05 cycle. That says a lot about people's perception of NDP in Burnaby North. If Bill C cant even get the numbers against an NDP lightweight, is the third time crying wolf going to work against tories when the wolves have already come in to the house.
So what are we seeing in the riding?
The NDP establishment is seeing their support slowly drying up. A Green Party candidate receving representative share of votes of their national support will gurantee an NDP defeat. Combining that with the shifting of pro-government votes will gurantee a landslide loss for NDP.
Any anti-NDP will have to make their choice soon, otherwise, when it comes time to seek help, help may not be available to all. One thing is right however, if HB, the most avid anti-NDP "activist", plays his cards right, not only will he and his MLA/council colleages be blessed with showers of donors and support, one can oly expect that his effort in removing NDP establishment in BBY shall bring great promises.
Any anti-NDP will have to make their choice soon, otherwise, when it comes time to seek help, help may not be available to all. One thing is right however, if HB, the most avid anti-NDP "activist", plays his cards right, not only will he and his MLA/council colleages be blessed with showers of donors and support, one can oly expect that his effort in removing NDP establishment in BBY shall bring great promises.
So why does one think that HB is the only "anti-NDP" activist if tehre is such a thing?
It'smuch better to run FOR something (i.e. present candidates and initiatives that the people will want) rather than run AGAINST
something (i.e. "The NDP is bad, and we have to get rid of them").
The bigger challenge is that at the civic level, the BCA hasn't done much to get the people mad at them to the point where they would be tossed out enmasse.
I would not want to be a part of HB's routing of the BCA NDP Council.
If that were to happen, consider:
Those who work with HB in getting the NDP out, will at some point become HB's accounts receivable
and HB is of the kind of person who will most definately want something in return.
So essentially it's HB saying "I worked hard to get you elected so now you have to pay me back."
It's extremely bad politics.
Hopefully some candidates will see that and stay away from any influences or political goodies that HB decides to throw out.
It will come with a price. It would
not be free of encumberances. HB does not work like that.
Besides HB does not have a monopoly on political volunteer and financial support in Burnaby.
Not by a long shot.
"not only will he and his MLA/council"
"Harry Bloy and the BC Liberals."
Ugh. Who would want to be a part of that?
"It's much better to run FOR something (i.e. present candidates and initiatives that the people will want) rather than run AGAINST
something"
And there lies the problem the conservatives have in Burnaby.
True.
If all that the conservatives ("anti-NDP") have to offer is something led by Harry Bloy, there isn't anything worth voting for there.
It's going to take alot more than
a few people saying "let's get our MLA's in on it, the local BC Liberals, run a civic party and tell the people we don't want the NDP in Burnaby as it hurts Gordon Campbell, and want our own people elected.
Need something better than that to win over the voters, folks.
One doesn't buy a Chrysler PT Cruiser because one doesn't want to see another Ford on the road.
One buys a PT Cruiser because they look cool.
"It'smuch better to run FOR something (i.e. present candidates and initiatives that the people will want) rather than run AGAINST
something"
Anyone who has the slightest bit of common sense knows that is simply not true. If it were for that, NDP would never get elected and I thought NDP has learned their lessons from 2001.
"The bigger challenge is that at the civic level, the BCA hasn't done much to get the people mad at them to the point where they would be tossed out enmasse."
That could have been true had BCA had another sweep of city council. I wonder what DC tells himself when he goes sleep, that he has a supporter at every corner or is he facing the reality that with an additional MP endorsement he couldnt get much above 50% while TB ran on the endorsement of one MLA who failed to bring tories along. If that is still the impression NDP gets from 2005, just wait until 2008.
"Hopefully some candidates will see that and stay away from any influences or political goodies that HB decides to throw out.
It will come with a price. It would
not be free of encumberances. HB does not work like that.
Besides HB does not have a monopoly on political volunteer and financial support in Burnaby."
Considering that it's the tories that put many of these politicians through to their 2nd term in Victoria, or 1st on council, I am sure they will listen to you and they should go independently because? It is easier to win on their own? Why not just let the NDP people to run independently and forget about MP endorsement, usually comes with a reciprocal agreement. I am certain LR can tell u more about what it is like being an independent under DC as someone who has been through the typical government/ independent/ opposition process.
People who monopolize party politics against NDP establishment automatically has a target on their back, in the case of HB however, he is merely bringing both sides and if one wants to play the numbers game, and trust me, HB is playing it well. If he plays it right as he did in the other side of his riding, this federal election will surprise many NDP supporters, unfortunately, as HB & Co rejoice in their victory, or in plural term, victories.
Anyone who has the slightest bit of common sense knows that is simply not true. If it were for that, NDP would never get elected and I thought NDP has learned their lessons from 2001. "
Actually it is, since the voter wants to know not what the other guys have done, but rather what it is the hopeful collection of candidates intend to do about fixing it.
There's many instances of political groups running for something and winning.
"Considering that it's the tories that put many of these politicians through to their 2nd term in Victoria, or 1st on council,"
Not 100% true, since there are
federal Liberals in the local BC
Liberal Party, many of whom who
managed senior levels of the campaigns. Richard Lee for example
had his campaign run mostly by
federal Liberal members, not tories.
I am sure they will listen to you and they should go independently because? It is easier to win on their own? Why not just let the NDP people to run independently and forget about MP endorsement, usually comes with a reciprocal agreement. I am certain LR can tell u more about what it is like being an independent under DC as someone who has been through the typical government/ independent/ opposition process.
At least the independent isn't encumbered to anyone. If a candidate is encumbered to someone like HB who will no doubt expect a payback, it doesn't bode well for the voters.
"If he plays it right as he did in the other side of his riding, this federal election will surprise many NDP supporters, unfortunately, as HB & Co rejoice in their victory, or in plural term, victories."
Is the object for this being a consolidation of HB's power and influence or is it something that would bring reward to the voters of
New West-Coquitlam?
My guess is that HB is doing it for his own gain somehow and has little to do with erasing Dawn Black from the riding.
For whom is this supposed victory for?
HB or the voters?
Re: Does a PHD help? As someone above has already said it helps only in showing some intellectual acomplishment. Nothing more. There is no reason why a very committed nurse or teacher or civic employee would not make a great candidate.
Ted McWhinney ran in Quadra in '92 (I think) and his lawn signs indicated he was a Professor. That is, the name read, "Prof. Ted Mcwhinney". It looked pretentious and I think he changed them part way through the election.
In Bby Douglas in both '04 & '06, the CPC candidate always stressed his Ivy League MBA and talked about teaching up at SFU. Why? Because that is all he had to talk about. He knew squat about the riding or its various components and the voters sensed it right away.
"In Bby Douglas in both '04 & '06, the CPC candidate always stressed his Ivy League MBA and talked about teaching up at SFU."
MBA's are academic achievements, no doubt about that, but have little to do with success in politics, unless the MBA holder has
a sense of practicality.
"Why? Because that is all he had to talk about. He knew squat about the riding or its various components and the voters sensed it right away. "
Indeed, this is a case of a candidate not doing his basic homework, and ensuring that he's marketed to the masses.
He had little of value to say, so
the voters passed him over.
Another example would be Dr. Pat McGeer. A brain researcher at UBC, McGeer has impressive academic credentials, but partially failed in the political arena because he
didn't relate well to the masses.
Another example was Jack Davis. A Professional Engineer by trade, Jack was quite popular and knew the value of rapport with the voters.
"There is no reason why a very committed nurse or teacher or civic employee would not make a great candidate."
Indeed there have been many nurses
teachers or civic employees being
candidates.
One of these is Sindi Hawkins, a
nurse by profession.
There was even a garden store owner who became Premier, but let's not go there.
.......And a butcher who became Mayor of Coquitlam- then an MP. Now he is back at council level and one hears he will run for mayor again next year.
Oops, maybe we shouldn't go there either.
I'd rather not.
Then there's fat guy that ran a corner store and failed to win
a seat on council, ran for MLA
and won, and wants to be a power
sauced politician, but we've already gone there.
I don't think I know him. Must have been before my time.
Has anyone seen Billy Cunningham's website? It looks like a pretty good one to me and shows how serious he is.
"I don't think I know him. Must have been before my time. "
You know him. Everyone involved in politics in Burnaby does.
He even has his own personal political party, custom made, and
he is the Supreme Leader. Everyone
reports to him and his Inner Court.
That would be Team Burnaby, otherwise known as Team Bloy.
Has anyone seen Billy Cunningham's website? It looks like a pretty good one to me and shows how serious he is.
Are the Libs going to blow their brains out leading up to the election and then have no money left over in the 3 mos before election day.
"Has anyone seen Billy Cunningham's website? It looks like a pretty good one to me and shows how serious he is. "
A bit too much, but if Billy Boy wasn't serious about running, why is he running?
"Are the Libs going to blow their brains out leading up to the election and then have no money left over in the 3 mos before election day."
They'll probably apply to Heritage Canada for a grant, stating that they are part of Canadian culture
(their federal party people seem to mistakenly say they are "Canada's Party").
Shelia Copps will lobby and screech on their behalf.
Heritage Canada's decision makers
cave in because they can't stand to hear Shelia Copps anymore and provide grant money to cover the expenses for the office, Billy Boy's expenses and to pay for a political goodie appointment given to a local Burnaby federal Liberal member who is also waiting for a paid goodie from Team Burnaby
Has anyone seen the website for Communist Party of Canada. They look pretty serious about running for office too. Maybe they should ask the liberals to yield them a seat in Vancouver East so that they can shall the NDP how real socialism is done, rather then the fake kind that Burnaby NDP's are supporting.
As for Team Bloy taking on NDP double MP threats in BBY, given that his riding is only half-breed BBY, I would say that he has done more than enough for his share of work. Can he go one step further by bringing everyone together? Well, we should see about that soon enough.
"Has anyone seen the website for Communist Party of Canada. They look pretty serious about running for office too. Maybe they should ask the liberals to yield them a seat in Vancouver East so that they can shall the NDP how real socialism is done, rather then the fake kind that Burnaby NDP's are supporting. "
Good grief, man who would worry about a third level party that has never ever received more than 10% of the vote in any riding in the past 30 years? They are a joke.
The Communist Party of Canada practices Marxist-Lennist aspects of Communism, of which there is only one country in the world that is left that actually uses it, Cuba. Even Albania got rid of their
communist regime. North Korea is another but their communism has its roots with Stalin.
"As for Team Bloy taking on NDP double MP threats in BBY, given that his riding is only half-breed BBY, I would say that he has done more than enough for his share of work. "
And what would that be that no one else could do?
and is that work of his really nessesary or is it being done so that he can extend his power and influence? Seems to be more about power than anything else.
"Can he go one step further by bringing everyone together? Well, we should see about that soon enough."
and to whom would this be a benifit
for? Harry Bloy no doubt.
That's pretty obvious. Harry is far from being the sole person who can save Burnaby from those evil socialist minds.
In other words, Harry is not exclusively nessesary to achieve a victory over the BCA.
to be honest, as much as I would love to see the NDP thrown out of Burnaby-Douglas I don't see it happening anytime soon
True it won't happen, no matter how hard and anal retentive Harry ends up being on the subject.
Very difficult to unseat an incumbent.
Siskay is carrying on with the Robinson tradition of being a good MP (no matter how one hates his politics). Same can be said for Julian.
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