It will NOT WORK. And furthermore, I believe it will ONLY INFLICT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE BC CONSERVATIVE BRAND
This mornings political email avalanche was indeed an avalanche, as always, and it included one from the BC Conservative Party.
The Subject line? "Electorally enfranchised or no?"
I thought,
that's an interesting, what are they up to now?
Turns out I had been made aware of the topic awhile back, in a basic
general discussion. Still I am, and was,
surprised that it came to pass.
Here is a copy of today's email.
What do I
think? Well, first off, it will not be
much of a stealth campaign because everyone is now aware of their
intentions.
I also
have to say however, that the individual that I discussed this idea with, a few
weeks back, probably had the best of intention -- however it will NOT work. And furthermore, I believe it will ONLY
INFLICT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE BC CONSERVATIVE BRAND.
The BC
Conservatives plan is to endorse individuals.
It's unclear from the email I received however, whether they are
actually to be BC Conservative candidates.
If discussions previously are what I think this plan is about, then
these individuals will actually be running as Independents. They will however be endorsed by the party.
As you
can see, the only support they will have is by being included on the party
website (I suspect there will be a separate section for endorsed rather than
official candidates), but after that they are on their own ... no campaign
signs, no campaign office ... no advertisements.
Having
been part of a doomed campaign from the outset, as the Campaign Manager for B C
Conservative Candidate Peter Sharp in Kamloops South Thompson, it actually
doesn't sound a lot different from the 2013 election campaign actually. After the party imploded, we were pretty much
on our own to try and be a credible option.
As most
(all?) of you are aware, I have not been part of the BC Conservative Party for
quite some time now. Still I honestly
have a deep down desire that sometime (hopefully before I die) they can indeed
become a realistic option for BC voters.
To twist
the subject line of the BC Conservative email this morning ... British
Columbians are disenfranchised when it comes to have a true small 'c'
conservative option to vote for. Endorsing
independent candidates however is NOT the way to go for this election.
It will
only ensure that the thinned ranks, within the party, will not have the
opportunity to full vet, and then endorse, those who apply.
It will
leave the party wide open to an individuals interpretation of party policy,
with no control over them.
Media
comments made by this individuals, to news reporters, will ultimately be
reported as a valid viewpoint of the party, regardless of how crazy it might
be.
Individuals
in the midst of a campaign, with no support from the party, will feel total
adrift and abandoned (see my above comment about 2013 campaign).
That will
likely lead to nonconstructive, and pessimistic, comments being made in social
media about the experience they are going through.
Here's my
message to Bob Bray, Director of candidate support for the BC Conservative
Party ... PULL THIS PLAN BEFORE IT IS
TOO LATE.
I'm
interested in your thoughts on this idea, please feel free to add they to the
comment section below.
In Kamloops, I'm Alan
Forseth.
Thanks Alan. This "policy" smacks of desperation. If I were a BC liberal supporter, I would sign up...become the biggest racist, womanizer and whatever negative word I would come up with and totally sink the BC Conservatives.
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