Cathy -They Don't Appoint Liberals

Cathy Bennett has two significant messages for us.

1. I am a Liberal - Always been a Liberal - Will always be a Liberal.

2. I am the leader who can bring the Liberal Party together.

Let's examine these:

Williams and Dunderdale do not appoint Liberals.

In fact many of the Liberal and NDP complaints revolve around the extreme partisanship of this government.

Our agencies and Crown Corporations are run and managed by well known Tories such as Len Simms and Glenn Tobin.

The halls of Confederation building are traversed by many lifelong Tories and their families.

So partisan is this government that serving a community breakfast - if you are not a Tory - is a no no.

So how then can we possibly believe that this Tory partisan government appointed to the top position of Nalcor - a lifelong Liberal? How can we reasonably believe that the top priority - massive spending - key Muskrat deal would be under the hand of a lifelong Liberal?

For me this is not possible. I must go with the balance of probabilities - that is Cathy Bennett did in fact through contribution and action demonstrate that she was a loyal PC.

As for the second claim of bringing the Liberals together - I can only say that with her unmovable stance on Muskrat Falls and her longstanding Tory connections - that she would have the most difficult time in bringing Liberals together. One only needs to watch and listen to Liberals after they have observed her in a debate to know that electing her leader would be more divisive than the Efford Grimes fight.

To accept this candidacy as anything more than special interests protecting special projects is too much of a stretch for me. I guess it's up to the other candidates to expose this for what it is. Kissy Kissy Lovey Lovey - we are all Liberals chant - will not cut it for this circumstance.

Vaughn Granter - not the choice for Humber West - examine why

Let's look at the possible reasons for Vaughn Granter's decision not to participate in a debate regarding the environment - organized in the district he seeks to be elected in.

First: we are talking about a district (Humber West) that has lead the way in environmental discussions in the past - including topics such as clear cutting, mechanical harvesting, tourism development projects, salmon fishing, river stewardship, and most recently the burning of tires at the paper mill for energy.

Second: we are talking about a principal of a high school and a PC website proclaimed educational leader.

Third: we are talking about the location of the debate which is the Grenfell University Campus. The baby of the PC government - promoting autonomy and independence for the institution. (until somebody stopped the progress)

Possible reasons:

1. Vaughn Granter is not an educational leader and has no respect for the democratic process. Thereby making him a political fraud. (his own decision)

2. Vaughn Granter is an educational leader - does believe in the democratic process but has no backbone to buck the party brass. (not his own decision)

3. Vaughn Granter believes he should debate but is afraid to tackle Rosie Myers and Mark Watton. This means he is not the best candidate for the job. (his own cowardly decision)

Examine - if he is a political fraud then obviously - he should not receive a vote. If he is being told what to do then he will follow the party line on issues and not what's best for you the voter. Or finally if he does not feel comfortable with the issues of the district to debate - then he cannot be the best representative.

Any other possibilities you can think of?

The shame remains though on a principal who avoids a significant debate - being held at an educational institution. The example he sets is appalling.