(UPDATED)BREAKING NEWS: Premier Christy Clark to Run in Vancouver-Point Grey By-Election Set for May 10th, 2011
Premier Christy Clark will announce on Tuesday April 12th. that she is calling for a by-election in the constituency of Vancouver-Point Grey, the constituency left vacant by the resignation of the former Premier Gordon Campbell.
The election date will be May 10th., 2011.
Clark, will make the announcement and her intentions known on Tuesday surrounded by the usual supporters and hangers-on from her successful leadership bid.
But there will be one addition: Colin Hansen.
Hansen, widely condemned for being the father of the HST debacle in British Columbia, will be Clark’s campaign chairman. The MLA for neighboring Vancouver- Quilchena (the safest BC Liberal seat in the province) Hansen will provide valuable local credibility to her campaign. He is beloved in his constituency and provides a high-profile former Kevin Falcon supporter to Clark’s draft-a-lemming movement punctuated by the pathetic returns of Blair Lekstrom and Bill Bennett–both of whom bolted from government caucus solidarity for similar reasons (although one left voluntarily while the other was tossed for telling the truth) and have returned to a BC Liberal fold that is as badly vacant of ethics and moral authority to govern as it was under Gordon Campbell.
For the Premier, a run in Point Grey is a pivotal moment in her continuing efforts to deceive the public that she is at all fit or capable to be in public office, much less Premier.
If Clark does not show extremely well in this by-election she will be going back to a (still divided) BC Liberal membership at their convention May 14th in Penticton with doubts about her fitness to be anything more than the poster girl for shiny happy people, while synchronously surrounded by the very same Machiavellian schemers and public trough leeches that Gordon Campbell allowed to turn the British Columbia map into a Monopoly board.
In large part, what Premier Clark managed to do during the leadership election has left her addled by dissent on both wings of her party. Her membership sign ups definitively moved the BC Liberal Party much to the left, while alienating her right flank–enough of whom have seeded the exodus for the BC Conservatives.
But now her left flank is leaving.
Furious polling done by her henchmen since Clark’s stunning leadership victory are showing that her support is softening. Clark doesn’t have an agenda that goes beyond the superficial tinkering with issues that are supposed to showcase her gentleness, yet decisiveness. Everything from the increase in the minimum wage (with an extra, too long fuse to be taken seriously) to her embracing of the Prosperity Mine (which has placed her to the right of the federal Conservative government on the environment) have only served to erode a good portion of the left, eco-vote that she managed to pick up as a result of her green talk while at CKNW and a misinformation campaign by her lickspittles while a leadership candidate. Eventually, when it was discovered that she is surrounded by those who support ‘Rape of River’ Independent Power Projects, cross province pipelines, and the like, her negatives soared among left-leaning, green votes that are now gone.
On the other side of the political ledger, her lies about not being a federal Liberal were the first cause for concern by the right wing of the BC Liberals. Then her lack of effort to truly embrace that end of the party (other than the window-dressing of making Kevin Falcon Deputy Premier) has sent BC Conservative membership numbers into orbit. A solid 10-12% of the popular vote to them will surely result in an NDP government in the next election.
Therefore, in a few short months, Clark has caused significant shrinkage from the left and right in her party. It’s resulted in a dearth of volunteerism and prior to the alarms going off with the rest of the lemmings and cowards in BC Liberal caucus, she needs to continue to feed her friends in the media the talking points and propaganda about her momentum.
When in reality, her efforts to promote the perception of momentum are nothing more than being able to hire key people from CKNW and CTV Vancouver, who are connected to others at CBC and the Vancouver Sun, that are fully prepared to sell what little of their journalistic integrity is left for an exclusive here and a tip there.
In addition, Clark’s purposeful, shameful efforts to cover up her involvement in the corrupt process that saw the sale of BC Rail have seen both right and left, intra-party, abandon her on ethical grounds. The decision to ignore the need to specifically visit the $6,000,000 legal fee settlement with Dave Basi and Bob Virk has added to the clear evidence she very much has something to hide.
Though, where Vancouver-Point Grey is concerned, it will be interesting to see if the NDP will wake up to the reality that their messaging, thus far, is mostly wrong, too extreme and unappealing. If they pick my old pal Mel Lehan, the so-called Mayor of Kitsilano–and one of the finest people you could ever meet, then they clearly don’t care about winning. The NDP need to run someone like a Bill Tieleman against Clark for any hope of a chance. UBC is out, so the NDP can forget the student vote which largely breaks to them and many in Point Grey will be ready to be fooled by the snake-oil Clark will offer unless someone with huge cache is running against her. On the other hand, if Lehan is the NDP’s choice and he runs a truly flawless campaign, she will NOT get the massive victory she needs to keep up the clear lie about her momentum. She’s stalled badly, and she knows it. No amount of moderately favorable polling by Liberal pollsters will make a difference.
Then again, if the BC Conservatives or an independent candidate can mount a decent campaign, enough votes could be bled from her, to show that if the stars align properly, Clark is highly beatable.
And not just in Point-Grey.
_______________________________________________
For those wondering where the announcement was today, I will show you IN WRITING tomorrow, Wednesday, why the BC Liberals are SCARED and why they are not happy with the furious polling that results in soft support for the Premier.
Of course, the Premier’s Office did announce that Premier Clark will be running in Vancouver Point Grey whenever that by-election is called.
But they’re in a bit of a scramble. I’ll show you why and explain their (very flawed) thinking, and how their window of opportunity to continue with the charade that Clark is fit to be in office is rapidly closing.
All that plus, the disgrace of drunk driving free rides for BC Liberals, debate reviews, killers that should be jailed for life, BC NDP loaded decks, Harold Steves hypocrisy, (MORE!) Vision Vancouver lies (I have the only Olympic Village accounting, other than our pal Gary Mason, that reveals the Mayor Moonbeam’s TEAM FRAUD) and then Gordon Campbell’s legacy: Casino Royale…and how the wrong move by Vision could seal their fate.
Oh, and before I forget, it seems that one member of the native aboriginal community is very upset with me because I took them to task over trying to rename Stanley Park (I have not published their comments on that post). Well, instead of going to the police, this time I’m going to publish the threats she and her pals made, IN WRITING. And then I’ll let you decide what we should do from there. Wait til you see how utterly daft some people are that think we should be handing the tiller over to the so-called First Nations (they were not).
Stay tuned…in case you thought I was taking a breather.
Point Grey serves no purpose for BC.
It should never be an eligible riding.
More apropos is a tertiary sewage treatment plant and political halfway house.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The rest of this message contained extremely offensive comments about the fine people of Vancouver Point Grey. Specifically, it also included actionable statements about St. George’s School parents, its Administration practices and students. As a parent, graduate and Past President of the alumni association of St. George’s, I know the statements to be patently untrue and couldn’t in good conscience allow them to be published. Anyone that writes such things about parents and their children should be ashamed.)
[Translate]
Can’t wait to see how this plays out.
But will MSM pander and coo that Clark is a shoo-in and simply the winner-in-waiting, while ignoring the other candidates?
Put on your sunglasses – we’re going to see lots of smiley shiny photos in the near future…
[Translate]
Not so fast….
[Translate]
Okay, now you REALLY have my attention!
[Translate]
Wow! May12th eh ? Nothing like a ‘quickie” election to get into the Legislature before the dirt Really starts to fling.
Is it me ? Or does Premier “Designate” Clark look a tad frazzled these days……
[Translate]
You think she looks frazzled now, just wait…
[Translate]
” Christy does Point Grey: ”
IMHO….a lot can be extrapolated from this.
(i) is no other LIEberal was willing to step down and offer her a safe seat (ie self preservation by the MLa incumbent )
(ii) she assumes the hoidy – toidies of the inbred Point Grey elite are in mortal fear of the NDP (aka socialist hordes), thus she wins by default.?
(iii) not allow the NDP a seat by default…no Liberal star candidate..? …..as Kash heed and wALLY Oppal are “busy “.
I hate to say this, but IMHO, 99% of the BC public doesn’t know or doesn’t care to know the BC Rail story, or literally anything that indicts the LIEberals …..they are more interested in the Canucks historical seduction of the general public they will win the Cup.
PS Luongo chokes as usual…………Canucks get to the 2nd round max !!!!!!
[Translate]
AGT,
Will the B.C. Conservatives run a candidate in the by-election? Because I think THAT might be a more immediate and tangible measurement of her alienation of the right leaning members of the B.C. Liberals…..
[Translate]
They are not prepared. They need a significant candidate who is known in the constituency and can make a difference. I think the barometer will be how much of the traditional BC Liberal vote she brings out. If it’s not an overwhelming victory, she will go into a convention a few days later that will feature a major send off to her predecessor. Not good.
[Translate]
I thought that Mr. Cummins was ready to go!!! He should go for the jugular and strike while the iron is hot…too bad they aren’t prepared though…it would be great to see a seatless premier unable to answer questions from the opposition…
[Translate]
VPG is a very liberal constituency. Cummins more social conservative views would be a huge impediment. Frankly, if he doesn’t start to distance himself from the way he is being painted in the press (recently by Vaughn Palmer) then Cummins too could be in real trouble.
[Translate]
that’s unfortunate, because this would be an excellent opertunity for him to expand his public reputation beyond his fisheries-rights-one-trick-pony type of perception…
[Translate]
I agree.
[Translate]
You may be right..There is also the possibility of her calling a general election..
That`s why the HST referendum has been delayed, the BC Hydro review has been delayed too, perhaps she will try and get a mandate before hydro rates get the Government thumbs up to raise rates by 53% over the next few years.
And Clark has no intention of removing the HST, hence a general election before those questions are answered.
I`ll take your word for it…
Good scoop either way Alex.
Cheers
[Translate]
Thank you, Brian.
It’s unlikely that she will call a general province wide election. She needs more time to peddle additional nonsense.
If she goes at the end of June like that, it will be perceived as an effort to catch her opponents unprepared. It will backfire an she will surely lose to an NDP that will rightly complain. The people of the province deserve an opportunity to decide on which party should lead them–and not a contest loaded in favour of the governing party, as a result of dirty tricks.
[Translate]
Don’;t think the HST referendum is “delayed”, it is set to be a mail ballot, with a wide time frame for sending the ballots in.
The aspect of a June election is out, since there is only two weeks that would work in June because school is getting out.
The more likely scenario if she is stupid enough to do it is to start the second week of September to be completed in mid Octobber, two weeks before the start of the civic elections.
The BC Liberal Party is already telling ridings to start the preparations for a provincial election.
But it is going to be tough to keep people interested in a by election during playoff season (and after a federal election).
[Translate]
If the BC Liberals had an ounce of integrity left, they’d do some real work an wait until the spring of ’12. If they did do some substantive work and made real changes then they would stand a very good chance to win. But they have no agenda and have run out of ideas. If she goes in the summer or fall, there are no guarantees of a win. In fact, with every passing day her numbers dwindle. And her people know it.
[Translate]
Alex, we’re talking BC Liberals here. “integrity” and “BC Liberals” don’t go together.
Hopefully they’ll learn and start off as a “new” party that acutally wants volunteers to get involved, but I’m not waiting for that bus to arrive
at Broadway and Macdonald.
Summer elections don’t work too well either. WAC Bennett found out the hard way.
[Translate]
No argument from me.
[Translate]
I remember when John Turner was running in Vancouver ( Quadra?) waaayyy back in the late 80′s I believe.
A friend/coworker of mine was living in Vancouver Quadra at the same time and The Rino party wanted him bad!
Why you ask? Because HIS name was also John Turner.
He was in his mid twenties and agreed to run as a Rhino in the election.
The Federal Liberals pulled out ALL the stops to get him to back out…. They were very concerned that some of the Blue Haired old ladies( and men) in the riding might be confused on election day and put down their “X” in the wrong “Turner”
Threats, Intimidation, crank phone calls, money, a VERY good job after the election , etc…. On and on it went.
His life was a misery until after the election. Never again he swore.
Tis a shame that someone else named Christy Clark couldnt run in the same riding….
Nothing like showing her what a “mockery of the political process” REALLY looks like.
Any takers out there??????????
[Translate]
Okay, so we’re clear, before the begging starts, I will NOT change my name to Christy Clark.
[Translate]
HAH!
THINK of the Possibilities !
[Translate]
No! I’ll lose my appetite for dinner!
[Translate]
Christine Clark is a yoga instructor in Vancouver.
http://www.gaiatri.com/facilitator/christine_p._clark/
Christine Clark is alphabetically in front of Christy Clark, and could be
[Translate]
Todd, you are too damn funny for your own good!
[Translate]
Yeah, those Rhinos – what a bunch of kidders eh? Bet G’Daffy (or however he spells it today) wished he had more of those guys out there in Libya, instead of those wiling to die for democracy and the right to vote!
[Translate]
AGT, I don’t think we would want that. You would have to get an operation to be anatomically correct for that.
Chester Clark, or Charlie Clark might work. (You would still be above Christy on the ballot).
[Translate]
Oh gawd…believe me, I’ll be taking my celebrated plumbing with me when I’m gone. No changes for me THANK YOU!
But you had to go there, right?
I’m going to vomit.
[Translate]
The NPA pulled a similar stunt during the 2005 civic election, allegedly supporting a mayoralty candidate with a name confusingly similar to chief Sam Sullivan rival Jim Green. I say “allegedly,” as there was never conclusive proof; Vision had just 30 days to produce evidence of wrong-doing on the part of the NPA if they wanted the BC Supreme Court to invalidate the election results. But Sullivan admitted to having made calls on behalf of Green in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent him from losing the gratis office space he was using during the campaign.
There were also questions about how the financially-challenged former Delta School Board trustee had managed to raise the funds necessary to pay for a $1000 / day campaign bus that I saw frequently driving (completely empty) around my neighborhood in the days running up to the election.
It was a dirty trick, and while I appreciate the suggestion to employ a similar tact in Point Grey is being made somewhat tongue-in-cheek, the fact that it was used to successfully skew the results of an election in this city so recently (James Green’s 4200 votes were slightly larger than the margin Sullivan won by), makes the joke a lot less funny.
We’ve had 10 years of lies and deceit and back room deals that benefit friends of people in power. Let’s beat them by focusing on that, and leave the shenanigans to those who have nothing else to offer.
[Translate]
Complete agreement.
[Translate]
Couldn’t the NDP just run Glen Clark and be done with it? I kid…
[Translate]
Well, up until now, Tielman has resisted the temptation to run anywhere, preferring, he says to remain an observer and pundit(like someone else we all know). Can’t say as I blame either of them. Like Bob Simpson has observed, many times it is more productive not to be shackled by the constraints of party ties.
[Translate]
Didn’t we go through that with (2) Jim Green’s that helped Sam Sullivan win COV office via split vote ?
Here in Richmond, we have 1/3 of Richmond Council with the last name Halsey Brandt(Greg , Evelina and Sue)
You want a job for $50,000+ per year?
I’ll bet you a 40 pounder of Remy Martin VSOP that if you change your last name to Halsey Brandt…..you will get a (3) year contract as Councillor….( with the high probability that Metro Van’s lobbying to have 4 year civic terms will be successful ).
Name recognition ( amongst an electorate whose demographic analysis shows an aging population ) is KEY..PERIOD !!!!
[Translate]
Sweet ! so for a bottle of Remy Martin VSOP and a name change I get a $50k a year councillors job?
Imagine what I’d get for BC Rail!!!!!!!!!! Supreme Overlord of BC ?
[Translate]
And you got a problem with an aging electorate? I recall a vote in Abbotsford ,(or was it Mission?) or maybe it was a plebiscite, about whether or not a strip bar would be licensed. The owners complained that the opposition bused in voters from a local seniors home. Apparently they thought old folks were too soft in the head to cast a vote. (Forgot the outcome; it’s an age thing).
[Translate]
Hey, at least the ‘aging electorate’ gets out to vote.
Most 20 somethings have zip drive when it comes to politics.
[Translate]
No argument from me. And thank God for that. Most of them are inexperienced, undereducated dimbells, who couldn’t chew gum and walk at the same time.
But they could work as staffers in a Clark Premier’s Office…or as an NW producer. Same thing! LOL!!!
[Translate]
You mean you scooped the rest of the media by getting inside information from Christy’s group?
I might not like some of your more conservative views but I have to hand it to you, the Rebel political network is second to none.
[Translate]
nonconfidencevote
I will buy the bottle once you show proof of your intentions.
Limited time offer
Alex can lock it in his safe along with the notarized statement.
I will even throw in a mickey of Baby Duck ( only boomers remember that valued intoxicant )
[Translate]
Mmmmmmmmm Baby Duuuuuuuuuck ! Almost as “good” as Matuese. I’m getting shivers already. Gonna puke! gotta go!!!!!!!!
[Translate]
Mateus was actually lovely in the 80s and 90s on the endless Thursday nights at Orestes’. At least the ones I can remember.
[Translate]
You can put your lawn sign on my lawn Alex!
[Translate]
It’s tempting. But as an interesting aside apparently people like BC Liberal party President and Christy bootlicker Chad Peterson thinks I’m “a crackpot.” My Basi-Virk documents are “lies” and Christy will be “the best Premier we’ll ever have.”
Chadly sounds like he’s spent too much time at the local tennis club with the rest of the Premier’s friends and their fakery.
[Translate]
I’m willing to pound those signs in the ground, knock on doors or whatever, and , as an added bonus I also offer my services as court jester…. I would LOVE to see that debate!
[Translate]
After five minutes trying to debate me, the Premier would be whimpering and begging me to stop.
Anyone who needs to spin her participation in the corrupt sale of BC Rail, is a coward. And her famous temper would get the best of her, trust me.
[Translate]
Well, maybe the ‘we’ Mr P refers to are he and his friends. Then his statement reads: the best premier ‘for him and his friends’ that we’ll ever have. Matter of context.
[Translate]
Sadly I’m not sure if we could put signs on our lawns, I think it might be illegal under the upcoming by-law…
it was stated that putting a post in the ground was considered a structure..therefore subject to $1200.00 fee.
[Translate]
“UBC is out, so the NDP can forget the student vote”
I was thinking about this myself. That would seem to explain why she’d go for it now.
Although, when Hansen was left out of cabinet, I would have guessed that he’d take one for the team and let her run in Quilchena.
As an aside, I like Hansen on a personal level, even in spite of everything that’s unfolded since the last election. Both he and his wife seem like very friendly people.
It would be an interesting race with Tieleman, but without the UBC crowd this has to be Christy’s to lose. As another aside, it’s rather ironic how lefty students can afford the exorbinant costs of living in the riding, when a conservative like me can’t.
Anyway, in light of more important and less depressing news, do you have any playoff predictions? Could this finally be the year?
[Translate]
I think the Canucks are guaranteed to the third round. Beyond that, fitness, mental shape and perseverance play a big role.
[Translate]
Gotta go through the champs to get there though. Let’s hope.
[Translate]
Know the parade route far ahead of time and arrive early for best viewing.
This is DEFINITELY the year!
[Translate]
By the way, in keeping with what I’ve been saying about Christy v. the NDP being a false choice, just keep this in mind:
The Harper Conservatives won about 45,000 more votes in BC in October of 2008 than the Campbell Liberals did in May 2009.
And if polls are to be believed, the share of the vote the Conservatives will get here this time should be more than enough to win a majority government in BC if it were a provincial election.
Also, it’s been said that the BC NDP and the federal Conservatives share a significant number of supporters, particularly in the Interior.
Just imagine what could happen if we could finally break the labour/business political dichotomy in the province, and unite all these people behind one provincial party just as they’re united behind one federal party.
Sorry if this is somewhat off topic, but I think it’s worth noting.
[Translate]
You should re-consider running against her. Her losing would serve a huge message! Besides, all probability is there will be another election in the fall – maybe you’d lose that one
If nothing else, you could make a bunch of news in a debate with her!
Nothing else, get in there and find a credible person to run against her, and work your tail off for him/her. I would, but living hours away makes it more challenging – and I’m not as ‘connected’ as you
[Translate]
I gotta say I’m with Mark here. Could be he’s being honest or could be he has ulterior motives, but despite what we say, it can be a noble motive or in some cases the opposite, but it is always very expensive and time-consuming. You’ll never be able to please everyone (as you well know) and you have a young family who will be competing for your time moreso than ever. Your still relatively young and you’re enjoying what you’re doing now, and it will be something you would have to give up should you decide to run. (or am I being selfish now?) Either way, though time is short, give it a lot of thought, it’s not something to be decided lightly. That said, which ever you decide you’ll have us backing you, if not by vote, than in spirit.
[Translate]
On re-reading Marks comment, I think I disagree with his encouragement to run for the riding; it will still be there in 4 years, and she’ll be exposed for what she is, and you’ll probably be better prepared.
[Translate]
Thank you, Sir Lawrence, but I’m nit running in this by-election. Very tempting to teach her the lesson of her life, but I won’t be running.
[Translate]
No no no…
The Canucks will be down 3 games to 0 in 2nd Round
In game 4 , Luongo will let in 7 goals in the 1st period.
Aquilini will go apoplectic, insisting overpaid goalie (with DNA history of choking )stay in.
After the 2nd period it’s 10 – 0
Aquilini figures 3 field goals and a safety will tie the game.
With 5 minutes left, they put in Schneider …..at center.
Typical Canuckleheads..over-rated over- paid and dummmbbb fans.
[Translate]
Geezus, have some team spirit why dontcha!
[Translate]
hoof in mouth disease i have to imagine tie him to a chair make him watch Leaf game reruns for the whole playoffs well have no more troubles with him :]
[Translate]
Those Maple Laff fans sure luv to watch those grainy old b&w kine scopes from long, long, long ago when last they weren’t total losers, huh? Bwahahahahahahaha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(sorry for OT)
[Translate]
Your prognostication on the by-election may be a reality, and most likely Christy will get her seat as an elected MLA.
The question that I have is will this serve the BC Liberal Party well going into the next provincial contest. I would think that a good number of BC voters that can’t see the North Shore mountains from out their door may be sick and tired of having a Premier that represents a lower mainland riding, and in this case, the same riding as the last disappointment. I mention this for the benefit of those BC NDP members that will be able to start voting for their new leader tomorrow. The only viable leadership candidate running to replace Carole James that does not represent a lower mainland riding is John Horgan, and I think that making him a first choice on your ballots would be pragmatic decision if you are serious about your party becoming government rather than opposition next election.
I still think that the BC Liberal Party made the wrong choice when they shunned George Abbott, and for the same reason. The lower mainland has had is hands on the throne for far too long. I live in the lower mainland and haven’t the foggiest ideas what hardships the people in the rest of BC face. What reason is there to think that Gordon Campbell, Christy Clark, Adrian Dix or Mike Farnworth are any better equipped, and any or all of these people are more likely to bow to pressures put upon them by the Howe Street crowd.
Food for thought!
[Translate]
NOTE TO READERS: SUPERB COMMENT–A MUST READ.
[Translate]
I wholeheartedly agree with Cranky as well Alex. I also cannot see the North Shore mountains from my window – I see even more beautiful mountains, across a lovely lake.
I have two different and kinda opposing takes on this idea of her calling a by-election for May 10.
1. It would seem dumb because of the risk she takes by expecting her own party and caucus members to keep their heads down during the overlapping federal election to avoid emphasizing the split between the Lib and Con wings.
2. On the other hand, perhaps stealth and surprise attack is the strategy. If she announces tomorrow, she is of course calling an election before the NDP even have chosen a leader (not that that matters a whole lot unless she called a general – though do the other parties even have nominees in the riding?)
But the stealth part, trying to steal a seat before anybody notices might indeed be counting on the fact (and praying the Knuckleheads go deep) that people will be so distracted by the Stanley Cup and the federal election that only a few of her personal friends will remember to show up and vote in the by-election at all.
Best case scenario: (but not for Canuck fans)
1. The conservatives find (which must exist) a local conservative candidate that is well known and popular in the riding and the NDP do so as well. Then the Canucks get swept in four by the dreaded Hawks thereby making everyone in B.C. extremely grumpy and they take it out on her and send her back to NW.
BTW, I notice that Belle Puri had no trouble getting her job back with the CBC – it is certainly reassuring to be reminded how unbiased our local media really is!
[Translate]
The CBC’s biggest problem is that their Victoria Bureau Chief Stephen Smart is engaged to be married to former Bill Good producer Rebecca Scott, who is now Deputy Communications buzzard for the Premier–a total conflict for Smart and the CBC. and they haven’t addressed it at all from what I’m told by CBC insiders that are appalled by the double standard.
What double standard you say? Well, Belle, who is a great reporter and terrific person, is not allowed to go anywhere near provincial reporting, but Smart is still well ensconced in his role.
[Translate]
CBC ….your tax dollars asleep……
[Translate]
Your tax dollars DEAD!
[Translate]
“Hansen, widely condemned for being the father of the HST debacle in British Columbia, will be Clark’s campaign chairman. ”
I’m just a hick, but I thought I was already paying Colin Hansen a handsome salary to be an MLA? Does this mean that Colin will forego his MLA salary while he is working on Crusty’s campaign, or will the BC Liberals declare his taxpayer paid wages as a campaign expense (just like I imagine Gordo Campbell considered his son’s Microsoft salary as part of his last campaign expenses). Or maybe the Liberal Party will pick up his salary and expenses during the campaign?
Oh I forgot, in BC MLAs never do much, they probably don;’t even remember where the Ledge is located and would have to use Google Earth to even find it, (except steal railroads, ravage rivers and streams and try to bankrupt BC Hydro and shovel money to people like Paul Taylor and order documents destroyed – then some drink and drive as often as possible or collect speeding tickets while chatting on their cell phone to their gambling corporate masters to take instructions about how to decorate BC Place). So maybe we’re better off if Mr. Hansen is too busy working on Crusty’s campaign to have time to screw the people of BC as much as he could by devoting full time to the project!
[Translate]
I believe his position as “Chairman” will be honourary.
The usual federal Liberal hacks will be snapping to attention to will the fine Liberal voters of Point Grey out of their theatre rooms and wine cellars to vote for Her Majesty.
[Translate]
HAH ! That’s why Frank Magazine nicknamed the CBC “The Corpse” eh ?
[Translate]
Your best case scenario is missing one thing…that Crusty does NOT go back to NW, and instead sees the inside of the courtroom (along with her brother Bruce, et at) and has to account for the BC Rail debacle.
[Translate]
Lazy night, sleepy head and I know I said something similar not long ago here, with a reference to you Alex running for the Conservatives against CC…
Here it is in a glorious copy/ paste format…again:
Glissando Remmy says:
March 22, 2011 at 11:43 PM
The Thought of The Night
“The luck of Mel Lehan…or whomever wins the NDP nomination in Point Grey.”
Inspired by the 1964 movie ‘The Luck of Ginger Coffey’ that’s what I foresee to be the case, if you choose to run in the by-election against Christy ‘The Medusa – Just don’t look her in the eyes!’ Clark.
I could picture the debates, the backstabbing, the cover-ups, the set-ups, the MSM wolverines licking Premiership paws, and of course the newest ‘Vancouver Kid’ – Carly ‘the Vision residue’ Nicol, in pure Amazonian action against the Ulysses’ boys.
There are not enough Conservatives to give you a victory in Point Grey, but there are enough Liberals who would give you enough votes so that the NDP could claim the prize. IMO.
Having said that, and after listening to your interview I applaud your commitment to your family and to your readers.
Would I want to see you plucking Clark feathers? You bet.
Would I want to see her defeated in Point Grey ? Absolutely.
I would pay for the privilege to see that on the comedy Channel.
She is now Premier by default, but not for long. I cannot see the BC Liberals party to get reelected as a majority two years from now. I refuse to believe that the people of British Columbia are that gullible, not to say stupid.
Choosing to grab on to your Penelope, or not, it’s for you to decide. It will be a Greek tragedy either way… for Clark, that is.
Take care, my friend!
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
PS
I agree with what you said about Mel, I am not so sure about Bill though. We’ll see.
[Translate]
You can still get Baby Duck?
[Translate]
Van-Point Grey encompases everything west of Arbutus, everything north of 16th Ave. (Liberal Kitsilano) and the UEL. The federal Liberals won every polling division, but 4, in the same geographic area during their BC meltdown in ’08 (when they captured 19% of the BC vote – their lowest in 25 years).
The federal Liberal demographics are right up Clark’a alley. The by-election will also be held 10 days after the May 2 federal vote, so the by-election will mostly be under the radar.
It also looks like perennial NDP candidate Mel Lehan will run for the NDP again as he’s announced same. He’s on the left of the NDP (he’s supporting Dix). Not the best candidate. Patti Bacchus would be much better for the NDP but both Bacchus and Tieleman have already ruled themselves out from running.
The 2009 result was Liberal – 50.4%, NDP – 40.3%, and Green – 8.8%. Kitsilano is also fertile Green Party territory theoretically – if they can find the right candidate. However, the riding is a bad fit for the Conservatives – they’d would lucky to get 5%. Clark would also be a better fit than right-wing Campbell was.
Interestingly enough, the last time an incumbent government has won a by-election was prior to the Victoria Day long-weekend, 1981 – Rafe Mair’a old seat in Kamloops. That was 30 years ago virtually to the T. The Socreds chose Claude Richmond from CHNL Radio while Barrett sought out and convinced centrist “L”iberal Howard Dack, Kamloops councillor, to run for the NDP.
Marjorie Nichols, at the time, stated that the NDP was ahead by 20% in a local riding poll and the NDP could “run a broom and win”. Turned out not to be the case.
Prediction: Low voter turnout as usual with probably a 50% – 40% Clark win. If Dix wins the NDP leadership race look for the spread to increase to 55% – 35%.
[Translate]
IMO, Christy’s trying to catch the Federal Tories tied up with the Federal election as to not split the vote with a surging B.C. Conservative party.
[Translate]
Why not let Christy win by acclamation, and not run anyone against her? It will save money and time.
After all, Vancouver-Point Grey is a BC Liberal stronghold, just as Vancouver-Quadra is a Liberal Party of Canada stronghold; Why bother running anyone against such a well respected brand name.
An acclamation will save money for the upcoming referendum and provincial general election.
[Translate]
Because it looks week. Mind you, it also looks weak when the best the NDP can offer is Mel. Wonderul man but not in a position to beat Christy.
[Translate]
There was talk about the NDP running David Eby, the Civil Liberties guy. I thought “that idiot? The NDP could certainly do better than that”.
[Translate]
They need to get Tieleman to do it. He’s the only one on the NDP side that could beat her. She is beatable.
[Translate]
There would be a certain irony if Tieleman stepped up and beat Christy in Point Grey… I wonder, does he still occupy the same office that was broken into?
Oh that would be priceless… and so appropriate.
[Translate]
Sure gonna be fun seeing provincial party billboards competing for attention with federal ones for all but the last 8 days of the by-election campaign.
Seriously… are they gonna have placards stapled to them saying “THIS CANDIDATE IS RUNNING IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION ON MAY 10″? Utterly ridiculous.
People aren’t stupid but it hurts democracy to bombard them with conflicting / confusing information, which, seeing as it’s Christy Clark running, is obviously deliberate. It’s just a shame. Low voter turnout on an election just 8 days after a federal vote = Christy in a walk.
[Translate]
That’s exactly what I was saying. The reason Christy is doing this now is because she knows it’s her best chance of getting into the House without calling a general election.
[Translate]
I for one would like to see a draw or a loss for Crusty C. Can you imagine the temper tantrum that would follow ? Wouldn’t that be a sight to see.All of her true colors coming out in one big explosion. Awesome !
[Translate]
Christy’s tantrums are the stuff of legend. She can’t help herself. Just wait, it will come.
[Translate]
I wanna watch a full blown Christy tantrum… and see it served upon the BCNDP by the Honorable MLA for Vancouver-Point Gordon Campbell…
That said: Congrats on the scoop, Alex!
[Translate]
Thanks Josef.
[Translate]
Please excuse my ignorance in this matter but it would seem to me there are a couple of possibilities in limiting Ms. Clarks crowning.
1) While a lot in the riding are not big NDP supporters they are not electing a NDP government; just one member. Given that fact is there not an opportunity for the voters to send a clear message to the liberals and others that they are Fed-up with all the BS and backroom deals?
2) Is there also not an opportunity for an independent to run on honesty and integrity in government? They would need some cash and name recognition but they could certainly get a lot of the issues on the table. Assuming the MSM would report on any of them.
[Translate]
Yes, I’ll be soon a post on precisely this later this week. Good points all round.
[Translate]
Have a look Alex…Christy might just call a general election…
There is no date in this story.
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Christy+Clark+tony+Vancouver+Point+Grey+riding/4597916/story.html
Cheers
[Translate]
Brian, there is little chance of that. By-election in Point Grey first.
[Translate]
I have great sympathy for all political volunteers right now..talk about burnout…I’d be curious on your take Alex , by-election before the the HST vote, good or bad for Christy…
[Translate]
It’s the only choice. She needs to keep up the image that she is “winning”. After a likely HST loss, she’d be bloodied and they won’t have any of that.
[Translate]
Everyone can be bought…..err ” run for higher office”
http://www.411.ca/whitepages/?fn=christine&ln=clark&cz=&x=61&y=14
Why not recruit any/all of these white pages dopplegangers to run as candidates?
Talk about splitting the vote
[Translate]
No, I CANNOT be bought. Ever.
[Translate]
Not bought?
We don’t want to buy you outright, just borrow you for awhile.
Heck anyone has a price that they can be rented.
[Translate]
Not me. I played that game ONCE, and it almost cost me my life.
[Translate]
Off topic, but worthy of note.
This article in the Vancouver Sun today was the most delusion inducing crap I’ve read in a long time. It is written by Dr. Mark Jaccard the man behind the “second inconvenient truth” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsnL4WYGPzc) who is a world leader in the Resource and Environmental Management, SFU professor, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and all round FEAR MONGERER.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Jaccard
An excerpt from the article in the Sun:
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Campbell+hidden+million/4599447/story.html#ixzz1JL2HQAcI
“When one contemplates the past three years of invective in the media against Campbell’s “carbon tax grab,” it is quite a shock to contrast this with clear evidence that the carbon tax reform reduced taxes for a substantial majority of British Columbian households. But, having researched environmental policies for over 25 years, I have come to learn that it is not what politicians do to us that is shocking, it is what we falsely accuse them of doing -and then what we do to them in revenge. Gordon Campbell’s trying carbon tax experience only reinforces that lesson.”
This man is on a worldwide campaign for carbon offsets, carbon footprints, eco friendly, Al Gore, the sky is falling and on and on change, that changes YOUR behaviour and making a buck at it too.
If an INDIVIDUAL wants to put their own ETHICS and views into environment issues, they can walk, by smaller cars, car pool and so on. It is not the role of government to “change behaviour” as Pat Bell of the BC Liberals stated as a reason for the ‘revenue neutral” carbon tax. Driving habits and taxes do not need to be tied together as a grand tax scheme.
Therefore, I don’t care how Dr. Jaccard spins it, the carbon tax is socialism at it core and as I said, it people are truly concerned about the environment, they can individually make their OWN choices in their own private lives.
[Translate]
Jaccard is yet another global warming fantasist. ‘Nough said…
[Translate]
This is just too sweet!
Fight the good fight Alex….lol
[Translate]
Will do.
[Translate]
Bill Tielman in today’s 24H paper, is so worried that a Conservative majority may be in the offing, that he themed his column on the witticisms of, not Lenin or Trotsky or even Tom Douglas, but of an aristocrat, Lord Chesterfield (presumably from his “Letters to His Son”. That’s not saying he hadn’t many quotable epigrams, but it was meant mainly for the gentile classes. Even the ultra-conservative Samuel Johnson dismissed him a a bit of a poppinjay! Of course this was all to point out the fact that the Speaker of the House had accused the Conservatives of “contempt of parliament” He didn’t say whether the members across from them were of a contemptible nature! His Lordship’s quote: Wrongs are often forgiven; contempt never.
[Translate]
It was an embarrassing column. Quite disappointing.
[Translate]
Once again city hall involves itself in political intrigue and becomes mired in differences of philosophical belief. Pete McMartin, in the Sun, exposes it, which is surprising as Pete generally goes out of his way to offend, rather than defend religious belief – especially if Christian, and specifically if, Catholic.
Apparently city officials admit consulting with Chinese government officials re: a peaceful protest structure outside their consulate in tony Shaughnessy, built by the Falun Gong. (I would have thought that was Ottawa’s territory) Although they admit to doing this, they refuse to give details, but then it is said that the Red Star State has ways of convincing governments, and especially left of center governments, to do as they request.
[Translate]
Indeed.
[Translate]
Hey Alex what you think about David Eby running against her for the ndp, he’s the lawyer for the bc civil liberties. He seems like a fairly intelligent man, I think he’d make chopped liver out of Christy!
[Translate]
He’ll destroy her in debates. But shell stay away from that, choosing instead to play the role.
It won’t work against Eby, who I know well, for all the reasons you cite.
[Translate]
Had to work late so that I missed the debates but caught most of it in re-runs later in the evening. As I expected, Harper showed real class while the others played the buffoon roles they are so good at. But, of course I am prejudiced (or so I’ve been told by various social-nazis, poverty pimps, etc). Don Martin hosted what I saw on CTV, and as is his nature, acted like it was all a big joke, but did stay relatively neutral. The only one of several panels of pundits, that agreed with my take, was Pamela Wallin, who gave Harper high praise (but then, she would be expected to, wouldn’t she?)
There was one (there always is) from B.C. who appeared to be in a managerial role with Coast Health or some such, who said she thought Harper was the worst and that anyway, she’d be voting for Elizabeth May who is running in her riding. Oh Joy unlimited! Didn’t watch the CBC or Global take, and it is probably just as well.
[Translate]
LMAO!!!
[Translate]
I have never read Christopher Hitchen’s impieties in book form and am therefore not interested in their confutation; but when I can’t even open the paper without seeing his blatherings, it is a bit much.
In yesterday’s National Post, in a column professing to be about Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, he blames the man’s purported hatred of homosexuals, to be the result of his Catholicism. He says too, that, the Church being authoritarian that, this has made the man to be likewise! What piffle! This is just typical English Catholic phobia, and it grows as the Anglican Church diminishes (as it does daily).
That said, on the [page adjacent, is a wonderful article by Michael Coren entitled: Catholic Without Apologies; I would recommend it, if for no other reason than as a balance to Hitchen’s diatribe,
[Translate]
I thought the Hitch was more interested in drawing out Mugabe’s reasoning, which was not anchored in hating gays, but certainly part of the despot’s ethos.
As is typical of the Post–Canada’s best paper, the two were opposite one another for precisely the balance you astutely assumed.
[Translate]
First things first… Scintillatingly Scrumptous Reportage, AGT!!!
Second, “Gordon Campbell’s legacy: Casino Royale”…
As GrandAllegory goes, AGT – that’s Capital! Simply Capital!
Accordingly, an on topic treat….
http://tinyurl.com/437uosz
PS – If you’re planning to cover the Liberal’s ‘convention’ in the HillBillyRiviera; drop Nemesis a line, old chap…
[Translate]
Email me at agtsakumis@shaw.ca
I’ll be there.
[Translate]
I see no sense in the most powerful political figure among BC running for and/or leading some specially selected constituency within the constituency of BC.
First, I’d like to see my Premier 100% focused on bettering BC equally from top to bottom.
Second, I don’t see the benefit to the specially chosen constituency of having someone represent it that is preoccupied with much larger very time consuming matters.
That Ms Clark has decided to follow this Campbell path instead of pointing out the ridiculous/wasteful way of it then having this break in the BC political system fixed, confirms for me she is not even remotely close to the type of leadership I hope for from the primary leader of BC.
[Translate]
Just when I thought The Province couldn’t stoop any lower, they go and print this:
http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Premier%20Christy%20Clark%20says%20Canucks%20will/4604722/story.html
(the comments are worth a read though…gotta love all the CC hate out there!)
What’s next…an article containing Crusty’s favourite restaurants, vacation hotspot, and best bank to hide your BC Rail money?
[Translate]