A jab too far?
Comments (9)
Friday, August 25, 2006 | 09:58 AM ET
By Jacques Poitras
The Liberals are trying to exploit Bernard Lord's latest attack on their leader, Shawn Graham. Yesterday, Lord told Radio-Canada that when it comes to the job of premier, "You have to have someone who knows what they're doing" (my translation from French).
The Liberals were quickly telephoning reporters, trying to confirm exactly what Lord had said. They wanted to use it to portray Lord as a nasty, negative campaigner – and to contradict Lord's own assertions that the Tory message is a positive one.
The fact is, Lord has been taking swipes at Graham since the campaign began. His "he's their guy, I'm your guy" routine, accusing Graham of being a front man for the oil industry on gas regulation, is a prime example. Legit or not, it's at least rooted in a disagreement over policy. The suggestion that Graham doesn't know what he's doing takes things a step further.
People who don't see Lord up close on a regular basis may not realize that he can be thin-skinned. He doesn't shy away from taking on his opponents and his critics, and he sometimes doesn't know when to pull back. This trait has little bearing on the issue of competence in office, so this latest shot may prove to be a one-day flash in the pan on the campaign trail. The Liberals clearly hope otherwise.
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About the Author
Jacques Poitras is CBC Radio's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick. He has reported on the province's politics for The Current, The House, Don Newman's Politics, and other CBC and Radio-Canada programs. He is also the author of The Right Fight: Bernard Lord and the Conservative Dilemma, published by Goose Lane Editions.
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Comments (9)
Harry Windsor
Fredericton
As an update to my earlier post on this topic...Looks like Shawn's team of spin doctors is not working so well after all, now that they have "moved" Rayanne Brennan out into regional campaigns.
Yet another sign that Shawn Graham does not have what it takes...he can't even pick the right imported spin doctors.
Posted August 31, 2006 03:56 PM
Jeff Burgess
I find it funny that Bernard Lord attacked Shawn Graham's experience by saying that "you need to have someone who knows what they're doing" for the job of Premier. Did Bernard Lord have any experience at all when he was elected at the age of 33? Lord's comments are a tired old attack that that governing party always brings out to undermine their opposition. If experience in governing was to be required for people to get the job, elections wouldn't be necessary, as the government would never change. There's only one way to get experience at the top level, and if Mr. Lord thinks that this will dissuade voters he should reconsider. Heck, we gave him a chance once.
Posted August 29, 2006 05:40 PM
Harry Windsor
Fredericton
I think we need to take a step back and reflect on the actual issue at hand - Is Shawn Graham up to the job as Premier?
No he is not. Despite the advisors that Shawn has brought in from Ontario, and the many more he plans to if elected...Shawn has not demonstrated the ability to think broadly on multiple complex issues, he has not demonstrated any strong leadership skills and he is not inspiring as an individual. He talks a good show, but so does my Uncle Frank (no offense Uncle Frank).
Posted August 27, 2006 01:51 PM
Roger Durepos
Moncton
I would like to add to M. Leger's (Moncton) comments. To set the record straight, M. Leger should talk about the record of the previous liberal government in New Brunswick. They increased the debt, cut the funding for schools, and universities (I know what I'm talking about here !). That is the real mess, not the orimulsion (actually introduced by the Liberals in NB)...
Posted August 26, 2006 07:24 PM
Angela Saxon
MR. lORD HAS BEEN MOST ARROGANT AND LEAST ACHIVING PREMIER IN THE COUNTRY. tHE ATMOSPHERE OF CORRUPTION AND PRMOTING YOUR NARROW PERSONAL GAINS OVERCAME THE GENERAL GOOD OF NEW BRUNSWICKERS.
THE WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE OVER BEAURACRACY ROB PEOPLE OF DIRECT PATIENT CARE AND GOOD EDUCATION. MR. LORD PROMOTES THIS ATMOSPHERE.
Posted August 26, 2006 04:44 PM
Roger Durepos
Moncton
I read that Liberals try to portray Lord's as running a negative campaign. Well, they are wrong.
Premier Lord is having a very positive campaign. His campaign is focused and about the results and record of his government. He presents a very inspiring vision based on the 5 goals in 5 years initiative.
Liberals attacked Premier Lord on some points, and he was in right to rebut the accusations.
Shaw Graham and Liberals started the campaign, or the pre-campaign, with a very negative approach. They were not presenting any solutions; instead they were trying to be negative on the back of the Lord government. I am not sure they have realize yet that this approach is not working.
And I don’t think that what we need for the next four years!
Posted August 26, 2006 12:56 PM
M. Leger
Moncton
Bernard Lord has consistently displayed arrogance. He should focus on his dismal record. The only reason this province is still in reasonable financial shape is because of the substantial increase in federal funding. It's not due to good management on behalf of the Lord tories. Just look at the orimulsion mess. If that's what Lord is referring to as having what it takes I'm terrified at what he is proposing next.
Posted August 25, 2006 02:07 PM
Velma Meahan
Fredericton
I think that Bernard Lord is right - to be premier you have to have someone who knows what they're doing. Plain and simple - we want qualified people to lead our province! Shawn Graham and his Liberal party's policies as well as their “election hiccups” are far from demonstrating the “know how” when it comes to running a province. Regardless of whether or not Bernard Lord was taking a personal dig at Shawn Graham, the fact remains – he was stating the obvious.
Posted August 25, 2006 01:11 PM
Charles LeBlanc
Fredericton.
You hit that one right on the nail Jacques.
Bernard Lord hasn’t been too kind to critics.
It all began when he was first elected Premier in 1999.
His first stop was Sussex. He came face to face with a group of angry farmers.
There’s nothing worst than a bunch of angry farmers in your face...lol
This really shook him mentality.
Ever since then, he hasn’t been too kind with protesters. He totally refuse to negociate with them.
This is the reason I stayed in a tent in front of the Legislature for 6 months. If the premier would have visited me at the beginning?
The protest would have been over in days!
http://oldmaison.blogspot.com/
Posted August 25, 2006 10:45 AM