Sunday, May 06, 2007
This is exactly what I'm talking about
I just wrote a post on how politics is politics and how people like Green party leader Elizabeth May need to learn how to adapt, or die. Yet, if you read an article from today's Halifax Chronicle Herald carefully, it spells out exactly why the Green party is going nowhere — and fast. Their leader is clueless and dishonest. Their members are clueless and unrealistic. Their party is clueless and bizarre. This is not a formula for success, folks.
Let's go at this article one by one.
A quote from Ms. May:
“There will be a willingness to form alliances and a willingness to tell the truth, even if it hurts you politically, and being inclusive rather than divisive and co-operative rather than competitive — holding on to a level of partisanship that exceeds sense."In the same sentence, she talks of dividing people and including people. How can that be?
She goes on to say:
“I believe it’s the right thing to do," she said of her support for Mr. Dion. “It has never been about a trade-off for his not running against me."If it wasn't about a trade-off, then why did you make one?
More:
Ms. May said her campaign against Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay in the Tory stronghold of Central Nova in the next election will enhance the profile of the provincial Green party at a critical time, providing valuable training for volunteers and bringing local and national media attention to the party platform.What platform? All she talks about is the environment and her endorsement of another party and leader whose record on the file is a disgrace.
“The national leader debates will be very helpful to my campaign and to Nova Scotia Greens," she said. “They will finally settle the matter of the Green party being electable. It’s a big signal."Or they will signal that you're not even close to being ready for prime time — if the other leaders or the media have the guts to stand up to your act.
When asked about references to her “David and Goliath" campaign, she said she is confident of the outcome.Actually, when the reference is usually used, Ms. May, the one playing David usually loses. Underdogs usually lose. It's why they're underdogs.
“I like it, actually, because David won," Ms May said. “I do intend to win in the riding where I’m running."
In her speech, Ms. May said her party would present Canadians with a broad platform in the next federal election without resorting to smear campaigns or fear tactics. She said the party will address other important issues besides the environment, including world development and outmigration.Without resorting to smear campaigns or fear tactics? She compared the current prime minister to an appeaser of the Nazis? If that's not a smear or a fear tactic, just what in the world is?
May, who will run against Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay in his Nova Scotia riding, says she wants to change the “parliamentary climate" and will use honesty to appeal to Canadians. She says she’ll leave attack ads and bullying in Parliament to the other parties.You used a Nazi analogy, girl. Who in the world are you trying to kid?
More than 50 party members gathered Saturday morning to debate and decide policy on issues including health, education, transportation, forestry, electoral reform and climate change.50 members! A family of squirrels experiences more growth in that time than the Green party did.
The members will also choose a new leader in voting to take place today.
Outgoing leader Nick Wright said in an interview Saturday that the provincial Green party has experienced “explosive and incredible growth" in the past year.
Rising star? 2.8%. Where is this star located? At the top of the fake Christmas tree being stored in Elizabeth May's basement?Mr. Wright said the party began strongly, fielding a full slate of candidates in the April 2006 election and winning 2.28 per cent of the popular vote only weeks after its founding convention.
“It’s clear Nova Scotians are Green," he said. “They support (the party’s) fiscally responsible, socially progressive and environmentally sustainable policies. The Green party, not just in Nova Scotia but all of Canada, is a rising star."
Leadership candidate Ellen Durkee of Middle Stewiacke said in an interview she expects the party to shed its “tree-hugger" image as voters become aware that its focus is more than the environment.At some point, this pie-in the sky stuff will have to turn into something more substantive. I just don't know if it will come from this bunch. They have a leader who is unrealistic and dishonest, a party that is shapeless and naive, and a membership that doesn't know the first thing about doing politics. The more light that is shed on them and their leader, the worse it's going to get. Just watch.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time to become leader," she said. “A year from now the Green party will definitely be part of politics in Nova Scotia." Party organizer and convention co-chairman Chris Alders, who ran as a candidate in Kings North in the last election with no signs,brochures or advertising, said legislation providing public money to full-time political parties in Nova Scotia will mean Green candidates will have some funds for the next election campaign.
“It will enhance the credibility of our message," he said.
Mr. Alders said he believes Nova Scotia Greens are in a similar situation to that of the CCF party, forerunners to the NDP, in the 1930s before making major breakthroughs.
“We are on the cusp of meaningful societal change," he said. “Mainstream society is embracing the Green platform. If the Green Party of Nova Scotia didn’t exist, there would be a need to create it. We will give voters a viable option."
