In boxing terms it’s known as the “rope a dope”, you hang around the edges of the ring, making an occasional dance into the middle, but for the most part you participate from the outer fringes of the boxing ring. Only occasionally do you throw a few punches or even exchange any, instead you wait out the match hoping to win on points.
That appears to be the strategy in place with the Conservatives in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding, as candidate Sharon Smith delivers a campaign made up mainly of coffee shop visits and occasional door knocking.
Smith is finding her lack of appearances at community forums is starting to shape the conversations about her journey through the vast political wilderness that is this riding.
Reports have her recently taking a pass on a candidate’s forum in Fort St. James, and now as we first outlined in this blog over the weekend, she is apparently unavailable for a similar forum in Prince Rupert on October 9th. Those non appearances, combined with an unwillingness it seems to discuss the issues with the NDP candidate in a radio debate on the CBC is making her campaign the political version of a game of peek a boo.
The Conservative’s seem to have divided the riding up into winnable areas and apparent dead zones, tracts of land where only a rudimentary showing of the flag is required. Preferring it seems, to provide a more prominent and longer lasting presence in those areas that play to their strength and hopefully will deliver enough votes to wrestle the riding from the incumbent Nathan Cullen.
The Tuesday Daily News offered up Cullen’s interpretations of the Conservatives “hide and go seek” blue print; one which apparently doesn’t involved any contact with the NDP candidate, or many other of the participants in the federal election in this riding. Nor does it seem provide for any tangible interaction with residents (and voters) in selected areas.
Cullen fired up about rival's potential no-show
NDP candidat says he wants chance to debate his Tory rival
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Page three
That appears to be the strategy in place with the Conservatives in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding, as candidate Sharon Smith delivers a campaign made up mainly of coffee shop visits and occasional door knocking.
Smith is finding her lack of appearances at community forums is starting to shape the conversations about her journey through the vast political wilderness that is this riding.
Reports have her recently taking a pass on a candidate’s forum in Fort St. James, and now as we first outlined in this blog over the weekend, she is apparently unavailable for a similar forum in Prince Rupert on October 9th. Those non appearances, combined with an unwillingness it seems to discuss the issues with the NDP candidate in a radio debate on the CBC is making her campaign the political version of a game of peek a boo.
The Conservative’s seem to have divided the riding up into winnable areas and apparent dead zones, tracts of land where only a rudimentary showing of the flag is required. Preferring it seems, to provide a more prominent and longer lasting presence in those areas that play to their strength and hopefully will deliver enough votes to wrestle the riding from the incumbent Nathan Cullen.
The Tuesday Daily News offered up Cullen’s interpretations of the Conservatives “hide and go seek” blue print; one which apparently doesn’t involved any contact with the NDP candidate, or many other of the participants in the federal election in this riding. Nor does it seem provide for any tangible interaction with residents (and voters) in selected areas.
Cullen fired up about rival's potential no-show
NDP candidat says he wants chance to debate his Tory rival
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Page three
NDP Skeena-Bulkley Valley incumbent Nathan Cullen is trying to get Conservative candidate Sharon Smith to debate him in Prince Rupert.
Cullen says he doesn't care if it's on the radio, on TV or in the Lester Centre, but so far it seems he can't find a taker in Smith.
"We are in this twilight zone of politics where we can't hear from the Conservatives, our main opponents," said Cullen.
Cullen complained that Smith would not join him on the radio for a proposed debate on the CBC on the economy and environment and he said she is not planning to show up for the all-candidates forum in Prince Rupert on Oct. 9.
Smith's campaign team has confirmed that, due to prior arrangements, before the planned debate in Prince Rupert, she is not available for the debate.
“For Rupert, they are showing total disdain,” continued Cullen.
“They are saying (Ruperites) don’t matter. But we will continue to pressure Conservative candidates to show up and express their point-of-view.”
The other three candidates have confirmed they will attend the local all0candidates meeting.
Liberal Corrina Morhart, Green Hondo Arendt and CHP candidate Rod Taylor will all show up for the forum to discuss both local and national issues.
Liberal Corrina Morhart, Green Hondo Arendt and CHP candidate Rod Taylor will all show up for the forum to discuss both local and national issues.
Cullen went on to add that it was his belief that Canadian Prime Minister and Conservative leader Stephen Harper has decided to leash his candidates so they do not look foolish in the public eye.
“They are trying to avoid having their candidates speaking their mind.
“You either trust your candidate and allow them to speak on issues or you muzzle them all,” said Cullen.
Cullen said that the debate held Sunday night in Fort St. James was a one man show for the first hour while he waited for his rivals to show up.
Finally, an hour into the scheduled debate, Morhart appeared but no other candidate was there, he said.
Candidates including Taylor and Arendt have said in the past that it is difficult for them to fully participate in every all-candidates forum because of the high cost of travel and the low amount of funding they have for their campaign.
Smith was not available for comment before deadline.
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