Adding Norm Boucher to the local ticket for the Federal election suddenly makes things interesting for federal representation. To me its interesting and here is the Dangermouse quick fix for how close this will really be. To do this lets take a look at the protagonists.
Political Experience: Even though Lavar Payne is the incumbent he still has to be considered a political rookie. He barely had to cut his teeth during a nomination process that only had about 200 delegates participate in and though he took his seat by storm he did so largely unopposed on a very popular PC ticket. On this score Norm Boucher has has twice won hard fought elections for mayor, including just nosing out Julie Friesen in the last local election.
Name Recognition: Here again Norm Boucher is a very populist mayor. No doubt he has detractors in the community but in terms of local news the civic politics will always get more play time. The Mayor has had more impact on the lives of hatters than the MP has the last 4 years.
Branding: Lets face it, The PC brand is very strong. Lavar’s greatest asset in this election is the PC name. Hatters identify with conservatism, or at least history says they have.
I think this election will be much closer than usual. Populist mayors and local celebrities can overcome branding. Ralph Klein was originally elected to the Legislature as a Liberal some might remember.
To me its interesting. From where I sit I see electing a PC candidate as better for federal policies and government – but barely any of that seems to trickle back here…Electing Norm might well be better for Medicine Hat, give us a voice in Ottawa and make the PC party not consider us the free space on the bingo card. I will watch this local election with much more interest now.
Medicine Hat Media
I’m torn, I am both a Norm Supporter and a PC supporter – what to do?
Do I cheer for actual people or the colour blue? Am I more objective than a Rider’s fan? Good for him to run and make people think about it at least.
pro lavar people will be all over the sitting mayor leaving his post thing, im not as outraged as the grumpy bears are.
I guess some people will question that, but its not uncommon the jump to federal politics is not as predictable in this decade of minority governments.
If you think of people in politics as ones who are passionate about the community and serving others – you will see them in the light of making a difference for us in government.
if you think people in politics are corrupt smarmy opportunist …no doubt you will see that here too.
I think it goes hand in hand with your view of the candidate and your voting intention IMO.
CLARIFICATION: Dangermouse refers to The Conservative Party of Canada as PC’s. That’s a different party. These people are not progressives.
Touche – True modern day conservatives are not “progessive” anymore …or Reformer.
sorry for the mobile glitzch – sheesh
rains and pours and such
The interesting thing about this development to me?
Julie Friesen – Traditionally a liberal supporter (or at least percieved as such).
Cathy Smith – Unquestionably a Conservative supporter and organizer.
So you may have the scenario where Julie may be supporting Norm (depends whether she puts the person or party first), and Cathy Smith opposing him.
Get ready for some interesting emails.
I thought that as well. I would say that by and large the people who traditionally vote “Liberal” would have supported Julie in the last election.
If Norm has the backing of those added supporters in addition to his usual base – he can make it interesting for the Conservative brand.
I am voting for Norm this time around. I think it would be better for Medicine Hat to have Norm in Otowa, whatever the outcome of the election. Lavar is a bit useless imo.
Ok guys, (and gals):
I too admit that I am a bit torn.
I usually support the PC point of view, and generally I am pro conservative.
I just wish we could vote twice… once for the federal ruling party and once for the local rep.
I am not really in favor of Norm “abandoning the city” in order to run for federal politics.
but then again
I am not really in favor of our current MP never being elected by our constituents either.
Lavar has been a friend of mine for many years, as has Norm, but if there was a real third choice, I may be very tempted to vote for them. As it appears to me the other candidates are “going through the motions”.
Now don’t take me the wrong way, but some of our candidates are not even going through the motions. One is not campaigning in the City of Medicine Hat, and one only make appearances in locations that he feels “important”.
With the mess that the federal politics has turned into, I am really beginning to feel that we should all band together and place a “no name” into office…. but one that is at least trying.
If we all push for the green party candidate, he would effectively be an independent and may have more power (in a minority situation) than any other party selection.
This election is nothing more than a giant waste of taxpayers money…. especially if we have another minority government with either of our prime candidates as our reps. The current “whip” decision making process employed within our federal government ensures that a back bencher has no effective say in the governing of our country and similarly, no voice to represent our local needs.
so summing it up…
I may be wasting my vote (according to some) but I am going GREEN.
Not for the policy
Not for the candidate
Not for the party
for the potential of representation in the Commons.
Fred McFall