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October 02, 2008

Why so quiet Tory candidates?

Posted by Lindsay Kneteman at 04:36 PM ET

This article in today's Toronto Star caught my eye. It's about how more than a few Conservative candidates have been missing local debates and dodging local reporters. The reason why it grabbed my attention is because I've being hearing how my riding's Tory candidate has often been M.I.A. when it comes to public events (though she did show up to an all-candidates debate on Monday night).

When I first heard that my Tory candidate was skipping out on some events, I just thought it had to do with the fact that she's running in a riding (Toronto's Parkdale-High Park) that she doesn't stand a chance in hell in winning. I can understand that given how the odds are against her, she might not be giving this race her everything. After all, events such as debates and interviews are time-consuming and stressful.

But after reading that Star article and this Liberal press release, I no longer believe that this is just the case of one Tory candidate deciding that she has better things to do with her time than trying to fight an unwinnable battle. I mean, Tony Clement, the current health minister, is abstaining from some public debates as is Rob Anders, the current MP for Calgary West. As incumbents who are likely going to hold onto their seats, their decisions to not attend various local events is just plain arrogant.

And overall, I find this whole situation a bit disturbing. Voting isn't just about voting for a particular party, it's also about voting for the two individuals who represent that party - the party leader and the potential MP. By going "silent", these Conservative candidates are in way reducing themselves to technicalities in the voting process, leaving the public to decide who to vote for based on the party itself and its leader.

But I guess maybe that's it, that for whatever reason, these individuals have decided that it's better for the party and Harper if they stay quiet and out of sight. While this might turn out to be a very effective strategy, it certainly isn't a very democratic one. How is the public supposed to know if a Tory candidate is truly worthy of their votes if that candidate won't stand up and publically discuss what s/he believe in? I'm not a Conservative but if I was, I'd be pretty pissed that my candidate wasn't showing up at local debates.

Speaking of debates, I hope that everyone is looking forward to tonight’s leaders' debate. Remember, the first person in the room to suggest switching to the US V.P. debate has to chug a whole bottle of American beer.

More entries on: Election 2008

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Next: This Magazine liveblogs the October 2 English-language leaders' debate

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Reader comments:

I've read with amusement reports in various print media - unquestioningly duplicated in blogs like this - that Tony Clement has "avoided debates" in Parry Sound - Muskoka.

There are 5 all-candidate debates in this riding and Tony has commited to participating in each one. Tony Clement has also participated in both of the all-candidate debates held at local high schools and has also committed to attending the upcoming First People's Forum in Parry Sound.

So that is 8 "debates" that Tony Clement has participated in during this 36 day long election campaign.

I personally know of only 1 event which Tony Clement did not attend which was a rather hastily organized meeting on the topic of "support for the arts". I won't question the motives of the organizers who I am sure are well intentioned people with a deep conviction about their issue. I am sure the intent was to have a positive and open discussion about the importance of arts in our community and the role of government in promoting the arts. Of course the idea of an event specially designed to provide a forum to Tony Clement's local opponents never crossed the organizers minds.

Regardless of their political persuasion, campaign managers for any party and candidate are responsible for organizing the candidates schedule to maximum benefit. If the campaign manager agrees to "single issue debates" there will be less time for their candidates to knock on doors and meet constituents in the evening when working people are actually at home. Understand that there are more potentially "single issue" events than there are days in the campaign!

Furthermore, all constituents have a forum to ask questions of candidates at All Candidate meetings. There is nothing to stop members of the arts community or any other special interest group from attending All Candidate meetings to put forward their issues and questions and hear the position of candidates from all parties.

The sad thing about reports like this is that it reflects the declining state of political dialogue in Canada. "Spinners" in war rooms issue press releases based on half-truths and distortions. These releases are picked up by lazy or biased "jounalists" in print and broadcast media and before you know it we are seeing these reports published as fact in the blogosphere.

In this day and age, the spinners know that if you repeat a lie often enough many people will eventually believe that it is true. It is unfortunate that there isn't more fact checking or opportunities to respond before these types of reports are published. Any person who allows themselves to be spun like this is a victim of the worst kind of cynical intellectual dishonesty...

Posted by: BrianT at October 4, 2008 12:46 PM

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