Coleman proves - not ready to be Premier

Let's put all partisanship aside. Let's simply examine Mr. Coleman based on performance to date.

Here are the signs to me - as a voter - that Frank Coleman is not ready to be Premier.

1. He believes that the Tory's have done a good job to date. This means he is offside right from the get-go with the majority of people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

2. Pro-Choice Pro-Life positioning in that he does not acknowledge that by participating in anti-abortion rallies - he does hope to influence legislative powers to make changes.

3. Response to the Humber Valley Paving controversy.

4. His limited and controlled accessibility to the media.

The most pressing concern right now for Mr. Coleman, the government, and the people is the cancelled contract for road development and paving between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Humber Valley Paving. There is no question that timing for both Mr. Coleman's entry into the Tory leadership race and HVP being let out of contractual obligations to the government (the people of NL) is at best unfortunate and coincidental or at worst deliberate and not usual.

Mr. Coleman must recognize the concerns the people have with this and understand their reasons for that concern. Mr. Coleman does know that he is becoming an unelected Premier, both at the Party level and through general election under his leadership. Mr. Coleman had a golden opportunity to demonstrate his leadership prowess and interest by simply acknowledging the concerns of ordinary people and the questions by the media - by publicly calling on the government he wants to lead to call in the Auditor General to clear the air. He did not have to comment about a company he used to own - he simply had to recommend that a third - independent party - review the situation. In this way he would have shown some respect for the people he hopes to lead. In this way he would clear the air of an environment that has been secret and unaccountable.

Mr. Coleman must know that this whole situation looks unusual and also appears to be politically privileged. This was not the time to avoid, hide, or limit communications - this was a time to demonstrate societal leadership not a time to protect private business interests.

Frank Coleman failed to do this and as such demonstrated his leadership style. I believe the people of Newfoundland and Labrador through continued polling results have said - we are not interested in this type of leadership or government.