theatretogo.net

I'm sorry that the NDP fared so poorly in the election yesterday. Unfortunately, they blew what could have been a decent showing or even a victory because they failed to capture the imagination of the electorate. The first error was the carbon tax claw-back plan. They made that the capstone of their platform, obscuring some excellent proposals in the 50 page doc. They were, in other words, "green-shifted" out of contention. People simply didn't care as much as they had when gasoline was $1.50 per litre. Green luminaries ran away from them in droves and the rest of the public stayed home and sat on their hands. Imagine what Suzuki, Berman et. al would have done to bolster the campaign had Carole James said that, not only would she have collected the carbon tax, but she would also have put every cent collected into rapid transit. When the group of powerful Lower Mainland Mayors requested such a move Campbell dismissed them. Carol needed to change gears and jump on that.

The rest of the  platform was filled with good intentions, but, as it was a repeat of a '90's political philosophy, remember "six bucks sucks?" It had no credence in the post economic collapse.

Finally, Campbell was vulnerable and the NDP didn't take advantage.

How could could he justify skipping a legislative session when people were losing their jobs?
How could he allow such "fast ferry" style over-runs on the Olympic village, Cambie RAV line, Convention centre?
How could he claim economic success when the logging industry and the fishing industry are falling apart?
How could he claim to be a champion of the environment with such ignorance of its worth?

I could go on but the election is over. I don't blame Carole James, although she could use a lesson or two in modulating her voice. She is personable and articulate. The advice she received was poor, the NDP platform was wishy-washy, the election strategy was abysmal and therefore a mediocre Premier; a Bush clone in the post-Bush era has another four years to do damage.

 Poor B.C.