Home / Provincial / EXCLUSIVE ‘BREAKING NEWS’: Guess Who’s Vetting BC Liberal Candidates for the 2013 Provincial Election? Hint: It’s Not Patrick Kinsella, But Close!

EXCLUSIVE ‘BREAKING NEWS’: Guess Who’s Vetting BC Liberal Candidates for the 2013 Provincial Election? Hint: It’s Not Patrick Kinsella, But Close!

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On Saturday, I was having a rather spirited, but playful, debate with an old friend, who maintains that a vote for the BC Conservatives is a vote for the BC NDP.

I laughed.

She still works for the provincial government and I’ve know her since I was there in 1988-90.

But I couldn’t help myself.

“So what if the NDP get elected on their own merits, forget the bullshit about vote-splitting, because Christy is so pathetically outside the message box, totally incompetent and running the party into the ground?” I said.

“What if she continues to make moves that are more and more revealed to demonstrate that she’s just a bad actress in a terrible play?”

Dead silence from my friend and then this: “I hate it when you’re right…she really hasn’t done anything except sink us. We’re all having a tough time with her. But can’t you be nice and find even a spot of goodness in this government?”

Well, if I could after our conversation, I can’t now.

Read on….and steady yourselves, I don’t want anyone falling over and getting hurt…

The BC Liberals, in their eternal quest to cut-corners and sell style without a stitch of concern for substance, are targeting big name candidates in the Lower Mainland. They aren’t doing what the BC Conservatives are doing: seeking out top-flight candidates, regional organizers and volunteers with a cause in each constituency. The BC Christy Party are in full-on heat to assemble a ‘Dream Team’ of sorts.

The bigger the name, the better, regardless of qualifications. Now, in some political circles, this might be seen as the way to proceed. Although, in this case, how do they move forward with stars, when the Premier and her people usurp every opportunity to put a Minister on deck, by foisting the Premier, front and center? It’s the Christy Party, after all, and no one else need apply. The same thing chased Olga Ilich and Carole Taylor from this government, as Gordon Campbell wouldn’t let a single Minister polish his or her own apple.

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the interviews of just over a half dozen “star” candidates.

Lorne Mayencourt, who is the outreach somebody-or-other for the ‘Preem Team’ is the guy that usually meets with the prospective super nova. After a brief, meandering and usually meaningless discussion about how wonderful Christy is and how Dalton McGuinty was in the same boat (low in the polls) and still won (no, he was not in the same boat, you dolts–totally different!) lunch is finished and the bill is paid.

With some, Rich Coleman is thrown into the mix or Colin Hansen.

Then, after a brief period (usually a few days) a call is made by a senior party hack (whom I do not want to embarrass–but I may have already mentioned him) and the following statement is made:

(Now, remember, sit down or at least read this while near a bed or couch, and have the smelling salts at-the-ready…if you’re older, ensure someone’s with you if you dare read further…)

“Um, look, the Premier is REALLY up on your candidacy and we could REALLY use someone like you moving forward.”

(Here it comes; don’t even think of blaming me if you get hurt….here it comes, are you ready? Put the futon down, steady the pillows…)

“I’ll have Bruce Clark contact you…”

THUD!

Bruce Clark, illustrious brother of the Premier, is vetting potential candidates for the BC Liberal Party. This is confirmed by four of the six possible candidates I spoke to (I couldn’t get confirmation out of one chap on the west side and another lovely gal in the valley–but the others were appalled by the push to Bruce Clark, and won’t be running for the BC Libs because of it).

I called my old pal and UBC classmate, long-time federal Liberal and super-fan of IPP/Rape of River projects, Stephen Kukucha for comment, but ‘The Kooch’ (as  he’s fondly–and accurately, referred to–draw your own conclusions) hasn’t returned any of my calls, since I outed him months ago as the BC Liberals new election readiness chair. Has he been replaced by Bruce Clark? Is ‘The Kooch’ election boss in name only? Does he attend meetings with the Premier’s brother to make sure the spit-shine on Mr. Clark’s shoes is as good today as when the Kooch did them the day before?

Fair questions….

So, for those kids in class that don’t remember what we learned about Mr. Clark last semester or for two of three semesters last year, let me give you a refresher:

1) Bruce Clark is part of the same federal Liberal bailiwick that his sister Christy hails from. I met him once in the basement of a Granville Street bar, right after Christy lost the NPA mayoral nomination to Sam. He was absolutely inconsolable out of any of her supporters, and kept muttering: “Oh, they’re gonna fuckin’ pay, I’ll make sure of that…they’ll fuckin’ pay.” It was almost eerie. Disturbing…Norman Bates, but without the polish…

2) He is a well-known and successful bagman, who is a very close personal friend and former business associate of BC Liberal rainmaker Patrick Kinsella, and has never worked outside the sweaty, smoky confines of a backroom. This is, therefore, a most unusual departure for him. Mr. Clark’s reputation in politics is simple enough: Take no prisoners, scorched earth, burn the huts, kill the animals, torch the village and all its inhabitants. A perfect candidate to finesse the sunshine required to corral great candidates, no? LOL!

3) Erik Bornmann in his 2004 statement to the RCMP alleged that Bruce Clark, brother of then Deputy Premier (and current Premier) Christy Clark, bribed David Basi. The RCMP executed search warrants for Mr. Clark’s bank accounts. What was the outcome of those executed warrants? Was this a case of a Bornmann smear job or yet another example of the RCMP ignorance? If Bornmann was a “credible” witness, how can any part of his testimony be deemed untrue or manufactured and still remain credible? Well, according to RCMP/court documents I’ve now viewed, the police search turned up nothing. Know why? They couldn’t find any of Mr. Clark’s bank accounts. Don’t even start with the questions that raises…

4) Bruce Clark, according to the agreed ‘Basi-Virk’ statement of facts, is confirmed to have received an advanced copy of the draft RFP for the Robert’s Bank terminal. It was provided to him by Dave Basi and at the behest of Basi’s then boss, former Finance Minister Gary Collins. Why was the brother of the then Deputy Premier so favoured? Is it any different now that his sister is the Premier?

And those are just some of the highlights of what Mr. Clark has been up to while anywhere close to government in the past. There are other questions too…

Then again, for this government, that’s almost a perfect track record for vetting candidates, right? Right? RIGHT Christy?!?

Honestly, how much more pathetic can this Premier and her government get???

What an absolute disgrace…

 

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Author: Date: Monday, February 20, 2012 
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96 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE ‘BREAKING NEWS’: Guess Who’s Vetting BC Liberal Candidates for the 2013 Provincial Election? Hint: It’s Not Patrick Kinsella, But Close!”
  1. Seymour Forest says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:08 PM

    Bruce Clark?? (*clang!* bumping head on desk while trying to get up)

    That idiot?

    That’s their pimp?

    That’s all they could do in the way of recruiter talent? At least Geoff Plant if he chose to would be better.

    Kinda breaks the unwritten rules, you want a heavyweight respected MLA approaching these wanna be wags to try and convince them
    that they should put the time and smoke their own money for a lost cause.

    Loved that line of his regarding the NPA Nomination. Ever saw a few
    transgressions in registration to vote at that meeting? I did. Lots of ‘em. At one point was killing attempted registrations rapid fire. ” Um,
    no verified address, send to the credential tables please..” “No acceptable ID. Credentials table please.. thank youuu.” All were Christy-ites.

    But he was right “they’ll fuckin’ pay..” Sam won, but ended up with one of the worse group of insiders stuck around him (during the campaign and when he was Mayor).

    Great Caesar’s Ghost man.

    Bruce Clark is out on the streets pimping for the BC Liberals to potential “recruits” to anyone who will listen to him.

    Wonder what kind of lay-away plan he is proposing to them?

    Is there a safe house for potential candidates to be at to stay away from this guy?

    What exactly was in that smoke pot in the BC Liberal Sweat Lodge
    that caused them to figure that Bruce Clark and Kinsella are the best respected talent out there?

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      February 20, 2012 at 5:08 PM

      You just know Kinsella is in there somewhere. Whenever you see Coleman or Clark in a prominent position, Kinsella’s in there hard…

      Reply
      • Seymour Forest says:
        February 20, 2012 at 5:49 PM

        Also got a little intrigued and suspicious on one other part of your great article.

        “She still works for the provincial government and I’ve know her since I was there in 1988-90.”

        Wonder if this person’s name starts with “B”…

        There aren’t many who have lasted that long in active politics and fewer still working for the government.

        No worries. If this person is who I think it might be, this person is definately, shall we say…

        “one of our own”.

        Reply
        • AGT says:
          February 20, 2012 at 8:57 PM

          No comment. :-)

          And no, the name doesn’t begin with a ‘B’

          Reply
          • Seymour Forest says:
            February 20, 2012 at 9:34 PM

            No comment..

            Hmmmm.. (looking with a suspicious squint)

            There aren’t too many around now that were around Back When that
            are politicially knowledgeable and work for the government.

            who ever it is (have another idea) is “one of our own”. Could be someone that starts with a..

            Well anyhoo.

            I’ll put that one away..

            The more important aspect to this is Bruce Clark.

            and how pathetic can this government get?

            More than you think.

            Be around when it happens.

            Reply
  2. Jay Cobb says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Alex, I fear I will need another supply of air sickness bags at the ready for future blogs. I damn near called in to Carole Taylor on the Bill Good show today to beg her to run for premier but I wouldn’t have got past the call screeners.

    Reply
  3. Brian Kieran's Diary says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Should Bruce’s and Christy’s parents receive an award for Parents of the Century?

    Because Christ Almighty, they raised a pair of scoundrals in which ethics mean nothing, accountabilty does not occur, and that their vindictive nature seems to top their respective lists of wonderful traits.

    Only Mr and Mrs Bacon could give Mr and Mrs Clark a run for their money…

    Reply
  4. ROFLOL says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    You need to move the shithouse when turds start crawling out of the top.

    Reply
  5. Gisele says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    …holy. crap.

    ‘Nuff said.

    Reply
  6. Merv Adey says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    The MSM has to pick this up. It’s too delicious. Calling Vaughn, Keith, Bill….Where are you?

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      February 20, 2012 at 4:52 PM

      You really want me to answer that?

      Reply
      • Chris says:
        February 20, 2012 at 10:58 PM

        Oh come on, Merv, really! Vaughn, Keith and Bill (well maybe not Bill, ’cause of the ferry schedule), were all spotted downtown at the Utopia Spa to get the scoop on Chrispy’s new nail colour. They gotta beat Tsakumis to the story. After all, the readers of the Vancouver Sun and viewers of Global want to feel like they are top of things, and dammit!! those two will deliver!!! If only Army and Navy were having their annual shoe sale now, then MAN!!! would they have a story for us (except for Bill (while pondering his hang nail) who would wonder stoically, “are women wearing shoes now? When did we let them leave the kitchen?”) . In the meantime all three of them will be shuffling about under trees and skirts looking for acorns.

        Reply
  7. awied says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    A couple more moves like this by Christy and you may have to change your prediction that the Conservatives don’t stand a chance in the next election. Unbelievable!!

    Reply
  8. Hawgwash says:
    February 20, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Obviously the next move is Amish dressed as Snoopy the mascot.

    Seriously, any Liberal MLAs that continue to sit on their hands after this, deserve the full scorn of their constituents.

    Often when a retailer is going bankrupt the employees raid the shelves before the doors are nailed shut. Looks like she is positioning herselof to loot for the benefit of her own unemployable future and that of her “family first.”

    So, you would say Brucie knows the offshore banking business?

    Time to shut her down folks.

    Reply
  9. Hopeful Citizen says:
    February 20, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    Lorne Mayencourt??? He’s still around!? Why am I not surprised that he’s part of this particular inner circle? Great posts Alex!

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      February 20, 2012 at 9:02 PM

      Thanks, and while I like Lorne as a candidate for council, maybe, he’s not a leader and not a finesse player enough to be vetting candidates.

      It’d be like asking me to dance ballet…

      Reply
  10. Gary says:
    February 20, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    I am sure that she will find even more ways to impress us yet Alex. Crusty and her friends haven’t even begun to plumb the depths of stupidity.

    Reply
  11. Gary says:
    February 20, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    BTW. Thanks for getting rid of that floating toolbar ( ? ). It was no problem on my desktop, but totally obliterated your blog on my tablet.

    Reply
  12. Bruce says:
    February 20, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    Christ!!! WTF is going on in Victoria,Other then hiring her friends and family, I guess FA. What a joke.

    Reply
  13. Josef says:
    February 20, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    Great, just more water on the fire some have for Alise Mills, MLA sometime before SOCIALIST HELL AND DAMNATION ARRIVES IN THE PREMIER’S OFFICE!!!!

    BRUCE CLARK VETTING CANDIDATES?

    BRUCE CLARK WHO WAS ENGAGED IN BRIBERY?

    WHY DON’T THE CHRISTY CLIQUE JUST WRITE ADRIAN DIX’S ATTACK ADS FOR HIM?

    I AM SCREAMING ALEX BECAUSE I WANT TO SCREAM AT THE CHRISTY CLIQUE WHO READ THIS BLOG. THAT IS AFTER I GIGGLED WITH YOU WITH INCREDULITY AT THIS BEYOND STUPID MOVE.

    [Takes a sip of cold, ice water]

    So Alex, somehow THE Sara MacIntyre, who has left many a bomb crater – some of which are still smoking – behind from her CTF glory days is supposed to make British Columbians who lean small-c conservative forget about BCRail, the Carbon Tax and the Christy Clique? You cannot be serious!

    So let me make this very dang simple for the Christy Clique on this blog since they read it.

    HEY CHRISTY CLIQUE… WANT A BIG NAME FOR A CANDIDATE? OKAY THEN HIRE THE BRIGHTEST, THE BRAVEST, THE BOLDEST PUNDIT & SOLE PROPRIETOR PR ANGEL G*D COULD EVER GIVE HUMANITY IN ALISE MILLS AS PREMIER. NO NAME IN BC POLITICS POST-GORD COULD EVER BE BIGGER AFTER MIKE GHEOEGHAN AND ALEX TSAKUMIS – AND THEY’LL HANG UP ON YOU!

    THEN YOU GUYS IN THE CHRISTY CLIQUE TAKE YOUR SEVERANCE CHECKS THAT PREMIER A. MILLS WILL CUT YOU OUT OF PITY I’M SURE ( http://youtu.be/OVcXmUj9FDo ) AND GO ONE WAY TO THE CARIBBEAN SO YOU CAN DO YOUR PATRIOTIC DUTY AND COLONIZE AN ISLAND FOR YOUR FELLOW SUFFERING CANADIANS WHO NEED TO FLEE THE SNOW, WHO NEED A SHOWHORSE PREMIER ON SAID ISLAND, AND DID I SAY FLEE SNOW?

    Now Alex that I am sure the Christy Clique heard me loud and clear, we adults can note that since Mulroney had his shot at a Caribbean island and flubbed it, why not have the Christy Clique take one over for G*d and Confederation?

    Just a thought. G*d bless.

    Reply
  14. Common Tater says:
    February 20, 2012 at 6:02 PM

    How low is the limbo bar being held to attract candidates? Who would want to admit that they could or would dance under it, let alone try?

    Reply
  15. Sparky says:
    February 20, 2012 at 6:28 PM

    Which riding will Dennis Washington be running in?

    Has anybody checked the current applicants list at the immigration office?

    Christ Alex, this is one of your articles that is hard to believe…but I know even the wildest of fiction writers couldn’t make this up if they tried.

    :)

    Reply
  16. harry lawson says:
    February 20, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    WOW ALEX

    wow alex is she ever stupid.

    many people i know think that kinsella is the puppet master behind ms clark.

    could it be brother bruce is the puppet maser ? mmmmm

    any question about bruce clark involvment in ms clarks political lfe are now layed to rest

    i would hope that any potential canidate being vetted by bruce clark do their own due dillagence and vett mr bruce clark

    Reply
  17. keith says:
    February 20, 2012 at 7:23 PM

    HI Alex,

    One of todays talking heads said that christy is trying to distance herself from gordo’s government. She has in respect of the faces changing but the basic principals and values are pretty much the same.

    I must believe the party heirachy couldn’t give a monkeys as the optics of this appointment is as assine as it gets.

    Families first, not only words but deeds.

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      February 20, 2012 at 8:48 PM

      Wait til you read tomorrow about specifics as to how Bruce Clark manhandled an interview with the biggest star candidate the BC Liberals could have had but lost BECAUSE OF HIM! Stunning. She even had her ex-husband Mark Marissen in the mix!!! It’s UNBELIEVABLE how stupid this Premier and her party really are. Just breathtaking…

      Reply
      • Josef says:
        February 20, 2012 at 9:55 PM

        Well Sir Alex of the Order of the Rock…

        There is a term called Beyond Stupid.

        It is for those who do not want to cuss…

        It is on those who do things where the word “stupid” is insufficient…

        It is to be applied to the Christy Clique until they hire my hero…

        It is also to be applied to the BCNDP who are Beyond Stupid even worse than humanely possible. Once again they have made Mary Polak a cute YouTube star by their bungling: http://youtu.be/LPnzK0AtcKw

        Enjoy yourself Sir Alex. Never a dull moment… thanks to the dullards who make themselves MLA.

        Reply
        • AGT says:
          February 20, 2012 at 10:10 PM

          I’m sorry, but the video demonstrates many things, none of which you’ve pointed out.

          1) Why when a Harvard PdD in Economics is standing there am I listening to Mary parrot Ministry speaking notes? She was chosen because she’s young, female and attractive. Sound familiar? No consideration to the speech coming off as that from a used car salesman. No qualifications, just another pretty face with a extra helping of confidence.

          2) Telling us how the competition will gouge us, but not once, pointing out how we’d benefit by buying Liberal. Nice.

          3) Far too many bar graphs and charts. Too much info coming at the reader/viewer at once. I’ve read law and have multiple degrees in political science, economics and business–and that goddamn video had me scrambling to make sense of the narrative, which was summarily disjointed.

          Reply
  18. Froth says:
    February 20, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    “All in the Family.”

    Reruns are so over. No audience for this mess. And no “advertising support”. Cancellation in the works.

    Reply
    • Seymour Forest says:
      February 20, 2012 at 10:05 PM

      Announcer

      From a television studio in Brentwood.”

      (Alex and wife at the piano in home)

      Boy the way Bruce Springsteen played
      Songs that made the hit parade.
      Guys like us we had it made,
      Those were the days.

      (overflight of downtown Vancouver)

      And you knew who you were then,

      (overflight of South Vancouver along Oak Street)

      Girls were girls and men were men,
      Mister we could use a man
      Like W.R. Bennett again.

      (scene of houses on left going by on a drive on Hudson Street)

      Didn’t need no socialist state,

      (scene of houses on right going by on a drive on Hudson Street)

      Everybody pulled his weight.

      (scene stop and zoom into door at 704 Hudson Street)

      Gee our old Ford Taurus ran great.

      (interior shot, Alex and wife at piano)

      Those.. were.. the.. days… !!

      Reply
  19. Deep Throat says:
    February 20, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Alex:

    As per this post and you’re preceding one:

    When I was asked by a Minister of a former Government late one evening what should he do?

    My response was short and to the point: “Whatever you chose to do. Don’t be a lemming”.

    He resigned from his seat in the Assembly the next day.

    Reply
  20. Marty says:
    February 20, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    When are some of the MLA’s going to cross the floor and sit as independents? Do you think enough might do so and bring this government down any time soon?

    Marty

    Reply
  21. R says:
    February 20, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Ever see the movie the ghost writer..?any comment on it.?

    Reply
  22. DJ says:
    February 20, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    Team Christy – the gene-depleted offspring of a brother-sister union!

    Reply
  23. Shell says:
    February 20, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    Wow Alex!

    Looks like there’s a line-up to spit shine our appointed premier’s “koochie” – and first in line is her corrupt brother – wonder if Chief Chu & The VPD have any Clark “kootchie” polishing videos to trade or sell?

    Beyond political suicide!

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      February 20, 2012 at 9:53 PM

      Wait til tomorrow, when I tell you how and when Bruce Clark lost the BC Liberal Party the Port Moody by-election.

      In fact, let’s be more clear: Christy Clark, by allowing her boneheaded brother to intervene, blew it.

      You’ll be absolutely struck by the incompetence, megalomania and stupidity.

      Reply
  24. gregory says:
    February 20, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    i think what you are seeing is Clark not trusting anyone around her.

    When someone starts sleeping with one eye open they go to the people they personally trust and even though Bruce Clark is as untrustworthy as they come the Preem knows he would take a bullet for her.

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      February 20, 2012 at 10:26 PM

      He’d have to.

      She’s eventually going to take one for him…perhaps a few.

      Reply
    • donkey hotey says:
      February 21, 2012 at 6:39 AM

      This was exactly my take on this as well. She doesn’t have many supporters so she keeps using the same small group of people for everything – think Shirley Bond, minister of everything. You have Coleman, de Jong and a couple of others, but that is it. It is a one-woman show with a few puppetmasters behind the scenes telling her what to do. I will be so glad to see the last of this bunch. You are doing such a good job keeping us informed, Alex. Thank you.

      Reply
  25. RS says:
    February 21, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    THUD! MY BACK. OOOOUUUUUUCH! MY F’n BACK!
    You’ve gone ‘n’ done it now Tsakumis. My lawyer will be contacting your lawyer re. a personal injury law suit for pain ‘n’ suffering, lost wages, medical costs, mental anguish…

    Reply
  26. Rob says:
    February 21, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    Wow! this is like a good novel you just can’t put down. I check your blog constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop. You are highly addictive and some of your well connected commenters certainly add to the mix.
    Bob

    Reply
  27. D.G.B. says:
    February 21, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    “All the king’s horses, and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again”

    No amount or back-room shenanigans can convince (con) the public to vote this group back in again.

    My further apologies to The Who

    “There’s nothing in the street
    Looks any different to me
    And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
    And the parting on the left
    Is now the parting on the right
    And the beards have all grown longer overnight

    I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
    Take a bow for the new revolution
    Smile and grin at the change all around me
    Pick up my guitar and play
    Just like yesterday
    Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
    We don’t get fooled again
    Don’t get fooled again
    No, no! “

    Reply
  28. Lee says:
    February 21, 2012 at 11:28 PM

    Let me guess, this gets even sillier. Does Bruce Clark’s wife also work as a CBC reporter?

    Reply
  29. Janet says:
    March 2, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Hi Alex, I am a retired provincial gov’t employee. We were always told that any direct relatives ie. husband/wife,siblings, parent /child could not work in gov’t where one is the boss of the other. I never saw this in writing but they were quite strict about it for my 27 years there. If this is the case; how can Christy be in a position to direct her brother ‘s employment activities?
    Just wondering about that amongst other things….

    Reply

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