A campaign coincidence
February 25, 2008 | 01:16 PM
John Archer
Getting your mug on TV is not always easy for candidates during a campaign. Commercials are extremely costly and news coverage usually leans towards what the party leaders are saying or doing on most days. But Doug Griffiths caught a bit of a break.
The Tory running for re-election in Battle River-Wainwright has made a number of appearances lately in what is undoubtedly Hardisty's No. 1 television show these days — CBC-TV's own "The Week the Women Went."
For those of you who haven't caught it yet, most of the women in Hardisty (population 760) left town for some rest and relaxation in Canmore last year.
The men stayed behind to look after the kids with the TV cameras running as they:
a. made sure everyone got to school on time
b. realized what it took to keep the household running
c. goofed off
d. all of the above.
Doug, Sue and Austin Griffiths (CBC)
Sue Griffiths, the incumbent's wife, made the trip south. The production crew diligently recorded events in their house immediately after as Doug looked after a sick and cranky toddler, Austin.
One of the quotes that made it to air was a sleep-deprived daddy looking frazzled saying, "I don't know how single moms do it." At another point, the politician and former teacher is asked what his overall goal in life is. He responds, "To make my son proud," and chokes up a bit.
Griffiths says he's been hearing plenty about the show on the doorsteps. He even got a call from a woman in Wainwright telling him she had never voted Tory but was planning to this time because of what she saw on the show.
The broadcast of "The Week the Women Went" falling in the middle of the election campaign was a coincidence. But from Doug Griffith's standpoint, it's a coincidence he'll gladly take.
Comments: (1)
An advertisement for PC candidate in Lethbridge East, Jason Herasemluk, has been running in the Lethbridge Herald. In the ad Donna Bier, appointed member, of the Chinook Regional Health board endorses the PC cabdidate and encourages "her friends and neighbours" to vote for Jason Herasemluk stating that she has become very aware that there are great challenges in providing Albertans good quality health care - which requires a commitment and hard work beyond promises of spending more money. She continues "I have seen first hand that the Progressive Conservative government is best able to meet those challenges." Is this not a blatant conflict? A Health Region Board member appointed by the Alberta PC government endorsing a PC candidate on behalf of the Chinook Regional Health Authority? It would be interesting to know who is paying for this adverisement Donna Bier, the Chinook Health Region or the PC party. Perhaps this issue could warrant some investigative journalism.
Posted February 25, 2008 04:14 PM