It is becoming increasingly evident that that Saskatchewan New Democratic Party has an official policy to boycott the most popular and influential talk show host in the province, John Gormley and his program, John Gormley Live.
Not only will Lorne Calvert not appear on the program, (Calvert claims he has no time) but my suspicions were confirmed yesterday when John had the "Candidates Forum" on his program.
The hour-long segment allowed any nominated candidate in Saskatchewan a minute of un-interrupted time to promote themselves, their platforms and their parties. It was an enjoyable piece of radio, more than likely thought up by Gormley's producer. (I think he depends on her a lot).
All in all, 25 candidates took the opportunity to take their minute from all over and the province and all parties, with one notable exception. There was not one candidate from the NDP that appeared on this segment.
Calvert has appeared on Murray Wood's show, so it doesn't seem that they are boycotting NewsTalk in Saskatchewan, just Gormley. Calvert also had time to sing "In A Gada Da Vida" to pre-schoolers yesterday, but no time for Gormley.
Is the NDP refusing to appear because they don't agree with Gormley's conservative politics, or are they punishing Gormley for not towing the NDP line of "everything's fine, don't change it"? My guess is the latter.
This strategy will backfire.
This tactic, over the next 14 days, that will not only raise the ire of Gormley but the ire of a large segment of the electorate, left, right or centre, that rely on Gormley for information, opinion and debate.
Calvert's and the NDP's snub has not gone unnoticed.
But the desired effect that Calvert is trying to accomplish will be opposite to what he believes.
UPDATE
FINALLY - Minister of Justice Frank Quenell breaks rank with the NDP to speak with Gormley on the Sask Health "gag order" on health care workers. Read about the full issue here...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
NDP Boycotts JGL
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I guess maybe it's because the comments on Saskvotes blog have been blistering against the NDP. Sure, Lorne has time to play a little tune with the kiddies, but when I made up my own words to Lorne's tune.....
See: http://www.saskvotes.com/blog/patrick-book/23102007/little-love-calvert#comment-440
"Try the milk and cookies..."
Brilliant... lmao
What's the point of playing with the Gormely fire? Its a clearly partisan and biased fan base that constantly spins things in an SaskCon light.....
As if, Sean. Everyone has partizan positions. So what's your point? Only an NDP supporters position is worthy of being expressed?
sean...
I appreciate your grasp of the painfully obvious.
Gormley has never claimed otherwise. He's a conservative commentator.
But after a) being voted one of the most influential people in Saskatchewan and b) understanding that JGL's demos are huge, right across all age bands and political preferences, staying away looks like the NDP are scared.
That's not exactly, the kind of confidence the people of the province are looking for from the governing party.
By the way, sean, as misguided as your candidate Frank Quenell's answer was this morning to the Saskl Health gag order issue, it was nice to see him not scared to call into JGL this morning.
He went up a notch in my books.
Not that I want him to win, but at least he showed some game.
Listening to John Gormley's broadcast right now on ondemand.rawlco.com. Great program. It always is. The number of "leaks" coming out from the lessor beings in the politburo is amazing. Seems the masses are revolting.
There's an interesting dynamic going on in this leection. The union leaders, 600 of which were at the SFL convention today are all going NDP, as are the shop stewards.
But there are a ton of rank and file that have had it with union leadership and feel that those people are in it solely for their own benefit. And they want to punish the unions.
The union leadership seems to have become the "fat cats" unions usually rail against.
Boogeymam,
Your analysis is DEAD on the money! That is exactly what the situation is on the shop floor. The union executive have NOTHING in common with the people they represent nor do they care about the people they are PAID to represent!
These people will get absolutely punished in the election and will get turfed out during the next union ballots!
Advantage: Sask Party
Thanks, LHC...
Just got a call from a Liberal Party campaign worker asking if the party could count on my support. I've had Sask Party literature in my mail box. So far, though, absolutely nada, zilch, nothing from the NDP. I'm voting Sask Party but I told the gentleman on the phone that I want the Liberals in opposition and the NDP gone for good. Other than the juicy scandals and the websites that I visit, this campaign is really, really boring.
You're absolutely right Boogeyman, this act of elitism on the part of Calvert, of being too good to talk to a Conservative radio host, will surely backfire on Calvert. He needs all the help he can get right now and this will surely make things worse for him.
I think this is why probably Dale Schmeichel left this campaign. He wanted to be out before they embarassed him.
I'm waiting for the fireworks to start, but nothing.
The NDP campaign has bad and expensive policies, and a lousy campaign. It's like they know they've lost and just aren't trying.
I actually amazed at how bad it's been thus far.
It's like they know they've lost and just aren't trying.
==============
Exactly!! And the biggest reason I'm bored is all this run up to the big day stuff is just getting in the way. I already know how I will vote. Have known for some time. I'm chomping at the bit to get the election over with and start a new chapter in Saskatchewan history, and maybe even Canadian history. After all the whole leftie orientation in this country had its beginnings right here in Saskatchewanistan.
Post a Comment