Looks like I'm not the only one
Another bandwagon jumper, from Hudak to Elliott... this one high profile. Looks like I'm not alone...
Truth is, I honestly haven't made up my mind yet. I've been trying very hard to be impartial and simply chronical the leadership race as it's been unfolding.
Of late, the BIGGEST story in this race hasn't been the various policy positions, or who's ahead, or anything like that... it's been the absolute collapse of the Hudak Campaign. And it's really sad to see, because of the four contenders, I think Tim would make the best Premier, end of story. But my biggest concern is that with the people he's got surrounding him, and whispering in his ear, I'M AFRAID HE'LL NEVER GET THE CHANCE.
And I really REALLY want to beat Dalton McGuinty! So because I've been left with the strong impression that Tim's Team simply isn't up to the task, I was forced to start looking around for a group, a team, who CAN put together a winning campaign. And I've come to the conclusion that it's Christine's Team who can do that.
Have I made up my mind yet? Not a chance. But make no mistake, I'm not alone. I know of a significant number of higher profile people who had planned to vote on Sunday, but who have opted to take a few more days to think about it instead. Some have indicated to me that they "were" Hudak supporters, and may (and are likely to) still vote for Tim. Others didn't indicate to me what their intentions were, but have decided to delay their decision until Thursday. And we're talking mid-level organizers, current and former riding Presidents, the people who are the movers and shakers at the local and regional levels... the folks without whom this Party simply can't win.
This race really is FAR from over folks.
Former Mike Harris Policy Chief Switches Support to Christine ElliottWhat's really funny is how some Hudak supporters have been accusing me of becoming a "shill" for the Elliott Campaign, or saying how I've been "spun" by various paid members of the Elliott team.
For Immediate Release
Toronto, ON – Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership contender Christine Elliott gained a new high-profile supporter today, as she left a rival candidate’s campaign to endorse Elliott.
“Christine speaks to the Progressive Conservative in me. We are fiscal conservatives but we can’t lose sight of our social responsibilities,” said Denise Cole, former Premier Mike Harris’ Director of Policy. “What I have seen from Christine throughout this leadership race is clear, thoughtful policy that will appeal to all Ontarians, not just some.”
Cole supported leadership candidate Tim Hudak before switching her support to Christine Elliott today. Cole is a long-standing Progressive Conservative Party member and volunteer and has a strong history of community involvement.
“Christine has taken an intelligent approach in saying we must fix, not scrap, Ontario’s flawed human rights tribunals,” said Cole. “She has articulated a clear policy that will not impede our party’s ability to win in 2011.”
Elliott launched her campaign on April 3, 2009, citing the need for an alternative to Dalton McGuinty’s failed leadership in the face of economic crisis. On April 16, she unveiled the Path to Victory, a comprehensive, tactical plan to build the PC Party and defeat Dalton McGuinty in the next election.
“I am delighted to have won Denise’s support,” said Elliott. “She has been a crucial part of a successful era for Progressive Conservatives and can help us apply those lessons in 2011.”
Christine Elliott is the twice-elected MPP for Whitby-Oshawa. As an elected official and long-time volunteer for the PC Party of Ontario who has loyally stood by its leader, Christine has fought for the things Progressive Conservatives believe in: lower taxes and a government focused on delivering high quality public services like hospitals, schools, roads and a tougher approach to crime. With a demonstrated record of compassion for the most vulnerable in our society, Christine believes strongly in her party’s legacy of helping those in need.
-30-
For more information:
Catherine Pringle
Tel: 866-944-6497
Email: info@votechristine.ca
votechristine.ca
twitter.com/votechristine
Truth is, I honestly haven't made up my mind yet. I've been trying very hard to be impartial and simply chronical the leadership race as it's been unfolding.
Of late, the BIGGEST story in this race hasn't been the various policy positions, or who's ahead, or anything like that... it's been the absolute collapse of the Hudak Campaign. And it's really sad to see, because of the four contenders, I think Tim would make the best Premier, end of story. But my biggest concern is that with the people he's got surrounding him, and whispering in his ear, I'M AFRAID HE'LL NEVER GET THE CHANCE.
And I really REALLY want to beat Dalton McGuinty! So because I've been left with the strong impression that Tim's Team simply isn't up to the task, I was forced to start looking around for a group, a team, who CAN put together a winning campaign. And I've come to the conclusion that it's Christine's Team who can do that.
Have I made up my mind yet? Not a chance. But make no mistake, I'm not alone. I know of a significant number of higher profile people who had planned to vote on Sunday, but who have opted to take a few more days to think about it instead. Some have indicated to me that they "were" Hudak supporters, and may (and are likely to) still vote for Tim. Others didn't indicate to me what their intentions were, but have decided to delay their decision until Thursday. And we're talking mid-level organizers, current and former riding Presidents, the people who are the movers and shakers at the local and regional levels... the folks without whom this Party simply can't win.
This race really is FAR from over folks.
Labels: election, PCPO Leadership '09, Queen's Park
posted by Christian Conservative @ 9:52 a.m.
9 Comments:
At Tue Jun 23, 11:29:00 a.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
On what objective evidence has the Hudak campaign collapsed? We know he's run a LEADERSHIP campaign, not an air war. We know he's raised the most money, from the most donors. On Saturday, we'll know if his team has done their job. In this game, results matter.
If you're more comfortable with Christine as leader, vote for her. But please stop attacking other party volunteers.
At Tue Jun 23, 11:36:00 a.m. EDT,
Joanne (True Blue) said…
I really hope that all the different factions can come together at the end of the day.
I honestly don't understand all the little shots going on in the background. We need to respect each other above all else.
At Tue Jun 23, 03:59:00 p.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
Tim Hudak was the massive frontrunner - not true
Tim Hudak sold 14,000 memberships - not true
Tim Hudak followed the 11th Commandment - not true
Tim Hudak believes in the conservative principals of handouts to specific taxpayers but not everyone.
Also in property seizure without criminal charges being laid.
Oh yes, OHRC's - he will drop them like a hot potato
At Tue Jun 23, 07:51:00 p.m. EDT,
Paul M said…
I've always had trouble with giving credibility to anyone who waits this late in the game to not only throw their support behind a certain candidate, let alone switching their support from one candidate to another.
This "endorsement", in my opinion, was likely planned some time ago, for maximum effect.
At Tue Jun 23, 08:01:00 p.m. EDT,
Paul M said…
That said, this is politics. Akin to a game of chess where each candidate moves their pieces in an attempt to out-do their opponents.
Policy is development is definitely part of this process, but not the only part. Possessing the skill (and as you mentioned C.C., the TEAM) to effectively campaign is just as crucial. Christine Elliot does seem to have the edge in this regard. :p
She and Klees just really rankled me with their answers on TVO regarding the HRC's.
At Wed Jun 24, 10:25:00 a.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
CC -- a couple of things. You call Ms. Cole high profile. Had you heard of her before this?
I don't understand your objections to Tim's campaign and his team. can you explain how the campaign has faltered? All you've done to date is to say that Tim has lost a lead. That might make sense, if anyone could give you an accurate assessment of the state of the race then or now -- or in a world where the other candidates stayed home -- but you have to expect some tightening in a race, and with four candidates, this was always headed to at least 2 ballots.
I look at this differently. I think they've all run the campaigns that made the most sense for them. All of them smart -- Hudak and Hillier through disciplined exection of a campaing plan, the other two by throwing everything against the wall.
Hudak and his team have been very effective in staying on message and sticking with their strategy. They ran a campaign focussed on the party membership, and did not respond to the process gossip. (ie membership numbers).
Christine and her team have done a good job of creating the illusion of momentum by concentrating on earned media, and occupying the Red Tory space with her stance on HRTs and being the pro-choice candidate. The flat tax was a great attention getter --every underdog needs a "big idea," no matter how impossible the policy is, sadly.
Frank has shored up his so-con base, and moved his public language to the centre. While I don't admire some of the campaign tactics, you've got to respect the fact that these guys have been really good at getting away with speaking out of both sides of their mouths -- HRTs are radioactive, abortion, not so much -- and distancing himself from the faith-based school policy that he proposed.
Randy has run a clean campaign and talked about issues that matter to him and many in the party.
And I guess I just dont buy that the HRTs are a real wedge issue, even for our party members.
I'm confident that most people will take their vote a lot more seriously than you appear to, and decide based on more relevant policy and who they think can win the general election and be the best Premier, not on something as obscure as the HRTs.
As for the teams -- You dont seem to know or have worked with any of them, nor do you appear to have much campaign experience or understanding of leadership campaign strategy or tactics. It might make more sense for you to decide based on what you know and what you believe.
At Wed Jun 24, 11:03:00 a.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
Hey Anon,
Thanks for your thoughtful questions...
My biggest problem with Tim's team is that, in my opinion, they've been walking into big brick walls that are going to get them in serious trouble down the road. Not just little ones, BIG ONES.
The HRT issue... they keep bringing it up. I'm sorry, but the Liberals are going to KILL US with each and every statement we've made on the issue. Why on earth do we keep stirring this hornet's nest? And I say that as someone who perhaps has the most to lose due to the HRT's, because I'm going to get called by them at some point... there's just no avoiding it.
Secondly, the whole "Stop the DST" campaign. Okay, that was just DUMB, because what's going to happen? It's Tim's "issue", and if he wins, guess what? It's gonna get implemented, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. At Queen's Park, it's 72 vs 23... GAME OVER. So, having made it his "key issue", Tim's going to look like an impotent little schoolboy RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, and that's how the Libs are going to spin things from now until election day. Our "He's just not up to the job" slogan from 1999? Just wait to see what the Libs are going to unload on us this time around.
Bottom line is that I can't stand the "long term pain for short term gain" mindset that I see at work in Tim's campaign. Then I see the likes of Frank and Christine's teams, who seem to get that concept.
In 2011, I WANT TO WIN. I want a broadly popular campaign strategy that resonates with real conservative issues, and ditches the garbage political landmines like Faith Based Funding, HRT's, and that leaves SoCon issues of morality WELL ENOUGH ALONE. (ie - the next leader better stay away from the Pride parades, cause that's how John started losing part of the base)
I don't see Tim's team as not quite ready for the NFL. If they've stumbled on these types of issues in the leadership race, they're gonna get us KILLED when they go for the hungry wolves of the Ontario Liberal Party. The like of Warren Kinsella & Co. are gonna eat them for breakfast.
At Wed Jun 24, 11:48:00 a.m. EDT,
Anonymous said…
So the Leader of the Opposition should be silent on a tax increase that disproportionately hurts the most vulnerable people in Ontario in the middle of a recession?
Your problem is not with Hudak's campaign team, its all of the candidates and with 99% of the party membership and support base, and our entire voter pool.
The ballot question in the next campaign will not be about tribunals that no one knows exist -- it will be McGuinty's handling of the economy, and his decision to raise taxes in the middle of a recession.
If you want to be quiet about the first issue Dalton has handed us since his broken promise on the "health" tax, you will ensure an election loss. They would be truly not ready for prime time if they followed your advice.
I'm not sure what the long term pain comment meant -- but it appears that you are voting based on fear of what the other guys will say, and the reality is that every one of the candidates has a landmine or two.
I understand that you're having trouble deciding who to vote for, but I agree with the anonymous poster above. Vote on what you believe in, not what you fear.
At Wed Jun 24, 01:04:00 p.m. EDT,
Christian Conservative said…
Oh go ahead guys, keep pushing me... I was just about back on board too.
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