Nixing Preemptive PLP Purge
The Bahama Journal Editorial
There is a sense we are getting that tells us that there may be forces and elements currently at work in the precincts of the Progressive Liberal Party that would [if given their chance] help their organization to a defeat.
There are occasions in life when the sure thing can become the very thing that is lost – having been sacrificed to greed, jealousy and a species of one-upmanship run amok.
One such occasion now seems to be upon the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie as some of his party’s more senior members seek to persuade him [and the Party hierarchy] to deny nominations to a number of his closest allies; inclusive of Leslie Miller, Obie Wilchcombe, Vincent Peet – and Shane Gibson.
If Mr. Christie was ever dumb enough to agree with these men, he would in that same gesture prove that he is unfit to lead this nation.
In addition, we seriously wonder if the men who are trying to advise the former prime minister that he should so purge his party really understand the true import of what they are suggesting.
We cut – as it were – to the chase: Mr. Christie would prove himself a hypocrite of the highest order were he to be perceived as being party to this kind of proposed back-stabbing.
Like others who are all for probity in public life, we are also realistic enough to know and appreciate – as fact – that the Bahamian people are smart enough and savvy enough to appreciate – again as fact – that they are voting for men and not angels.
It therefore follows that, if the people in a constituency; members in a party – and others concerned – are prepared to support a candidate, that should be their choice.
Furthermore, Mr. Christie would be well-advised to watch carefully as this or that self-serving crew tries to get him to second-guess his earlier notions that there should always be some second chance for this or that person.
In addition, the PLP’s party leader would also be well-advised to tune in to what the people are saying at the constituency level – this because this is going to be decisive whenever general elections are called.
Clearly, those men who would have the PLP’s leader divest him and his team of some of their most precious assets are jesting.
If they are not jesting, they must be on some mission or the other designed to help the PLP to a resounding defeat.
No political organization can ever hope to succeed if it allows itself to become little more than a mechanism designed to service the needs of the few.
Indeed, all who have succeeded have done so because they have kept close to the people whose voices matter most; namely the masses.
Put simply, winning a seat in parliament has all to do with being – as the saying goes – popular.
It therefore follows that the people can and should be allowed their choices of candidate, warts and all.
These people know better than anyone else that election to parliament is not about selection to sing in a heaven-bound choir.
Evidently, there will arise occasions when the people decide that they want this or that man or woman to represent them, regardless.
We remember some of Whitney Bastian’s travails when he sought [and did not get] a PLP nomination. As the record shows, he begged, he cajoled and he was denied.
He went on to win the seat in South Andros because he was the people’s choice.
Clearly, then, the same principle applies to all others who find favor with the Bahamian people. This list could well include the likes of Leslie Miller, Vincent Peet, Obie Wilchcombe and [yes!] Shane Gibson.
We are today bemused by those men who have decided that, among all others, they are uniquely qualified to stand in judgment of some other men and women.
Like others who make it their business to take stock of matters political, we are sometimes left bemused by some of the stuff that comes to our attention.
We are today bemused not only because we know a thing or two about the men who are said to advising PLP leader to deep-six a number of his parliamentary colleagues.
In addition, they would have "their leader" renounce giving his nod to the candidacy of a man who was once a Cabinet Minister under the leadership of none other than the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie.
These men – again as we understand the matter at hand – would have the former prime minister sever connection with some of his parliamentary colleagues – men who have been with him through thick and thin.
May 17th, 2011
The Bahama Journal Editorial
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
George Smith - former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP says that he hopes his party's supporters will see the wisdom in his words about the withdrawal of certain PLP candidates from the upcoming general election
Ex-PLP MP defends controversial letter
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DEFENDING the letter he co-penned calling for the withdrawal of certain PLP candidates from the upcoming general election, former PLP MP George Smith said that in the passage of time he hopes his party's supporters will see the wisdom in his words.
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Smith said he, with former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby and former campaign coordinator Philip Galanis, were not being critical of these particular candidates because they believed what was being said about them - but rather there is a "perception" that surrounds some of them.
"If the public perceives you to be something, that is what you are. I don't believe that anybody, principally the leader, can put affection for any individual above the good of the Bahamas, the good of the party, and I believe - since I believe the PLP is the best party in the Bahamas - we should remove as many stumbling blocks as possible. And it is not always easy to do that. Sometimes you have to ask your best friend to move aside," he said.
Mr Smith was referring to a letter that he, Mr Rigby and Mr Galanis wrote to PLP leader Perry Christie urging him to block the nominations of Shane Gibson, Vincent Peet, Obie Wilchcombe, V Alfred Gray, Leslie Miller, Anthony Moss and Picewell Forbes for fear that their nominations could hurt the party on a national scale if the varied pasts of some of them were once again highlighted during a general election campaign.
The PLP's leader went on record to express his disappointment that this "internal" letter had been leaked to the press.
However, Mr Christie said, he was not going to be distracted by this latest incident and that his party remains focused on supporting the "excellent candidates" and hardworking activists who comprise his party.
Vetting
"Each and every candidate is required to undergo a vigorous vetting process - a process that is open, fair and transparent. All voices are welcome, and the process is both balanced and inclusive," Mr Christie said.
While accepting this, Mr Smith said that a requirement not to run "tainted" candidates does not come from a fear that the FNM will gain some political mileage, but rather a belief that the people of the country ought to have faith that the people who represent them in Parliament will always put the welfare of the country above their own personal interests.
"That has to be obvious. If the public believes you are in there to enrich yourself, even if you don't, if the public believes it, they will question your activities.
"And, it's like if a fella' has a weakness in a particular area, if he is for instance a gambler, you have to be very careful how you expose him to the great temptation of money. That got one politician in trouble.
"Or if a fella' is a heavy womanizer, you have to be careful that you protect him from his own weakness.
"And some of us became victims and paid prices because of perception and that is how it is."
Mr Smith said that this advice is, of course, applicable to the FNM as well.
"They have people there who the people have had cause to question, Tommy Turnquest, and Dion Foulkes, and you have to recognise that my actions in this instance will do damage to my party," he said.
Mr Smith also highlighted, however, that he does believe in rehabilitation.
"If any wrong that I may have committed, if I was sentenced to a prison term, I would have been out long time. But I also believe that our society should be a forgiving society. So if some of these fella's would just step aside and acknowledge that my action in this particular thing was wrong, and not because it was legally wrong, it was perceived to be wrong. Step aside, and come back," he said.
Mr Smith gave the famous example of Jamaica's former Prime Minister, PJ Patterson, who was forced to resign as the Minister of Finance to later return as chairman of his party and then eventually become Prime Minister.
"I also believe that the problem we are facing in this country is, I am not sure if (Prime Minister) Ingraham and other people who call themselves leaders look at themselves and look and say am I a liability?" he laughed.
Having been roundly criticised on the talkshows for the now infamous letter, Mr Smith said people have a right to "cuss him."
But, at the end of the day he asked, "is my message right?"
May 18, 2011
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DEFENDING the letter he co-penned calling for the withdrawal of certain PLP candidates from the upcoming general election, former PLP MP George Smith said that in the passage of time he hopes his party's supporters will see the wisdom in his words.
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Smith said he, with former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby and former campaign coordinator Philip Galanis, were not being critical of these particular candidates because they believed what was being said about them - but rather there is a "perception" that surrounds some of them.
"If the public perceives you to be something, that is what you are. I don't believe that anybody, principally the leader, can put affection for any individual above the good of the Bahamas, the good of the party, and I believe - since I believe the PLP is the best party in the Bahamas - we should remove as many stumbling blocks as possible. And it is not always easy to do that. Sometimes you have to ask your best friend to move aside," he said.
Mr Smith was referring to a letter that he, Mr Rigby and Mr Galanis wrote to PLP leader Perry Christie urging him to block the nominations of Shane Gibson, Vincent Peet, Obie Wilchcombe, V Alfred Gray, Leslie Miller, Anthony Moss and Picewell Forbes for fear that their nominations could hurt the party on a national scale if the varied pasts of some of them were once again highlighted during a general election campaign.
The PLP's leader went on record to express his disappointment that this "internal" letter had been leaked to the press.
However, Mr Christie said, he was not going to be distracted by this latest incident and that his party remains focused on supporting the "excellent candidates" and hardworking activists who comprise his party.
Vetting
"Each and every candidate is required to undergo a vigorous vetting process - a process that is open, fair and transparent. All voices are welcome, and the process is both balanced and inclusive," Mr Christie said.
While accepting this, Mr Smith said that a requirement not to run "tainted" candidates does not come from a fear that the FNM will gain some political mileage, but rather a belief that the people of the country ought to have faith that the people who represent them in Parliament will always put the welfare of the country above their own personal interests.
"That has to be obvious. If the public believes you are in there to enrich yourself, even if you don't, if the public believes it, they will question your activities.
"And, it's like if a fella' has a weakness in a particular area, if he is for instance a gambler, you have to be very careful how you expose him to the great temptation of money. That got one politician in trouble.
"Or if a fella' is a heavy womanizer, you have to be careful that you protect him from his own weakness.
"And some of us became victims and paid prices because of perception and that is how it is."
Mr Smith said that this advice is, of course, applicable to the FNM as well.
"They have people there who the people have had cause to question, Tommy Turnquest, and Dion Foulkes, and you have to recognise that my actions in this instance will do damage to my party," he said.
Mr Smith also highlighted, however, that he does believe in rehabilitation.
"If any wrong that I may have committed, if I was sentenced to a prison term, I would have been out long time. But I also believe that our society should be a forgiving society. So if some of these fella's would just step aside and acknowledge that my action in this particular thing was wrong, and not because it was legally wrong, it was perceived to be wrong. Step aside, and come back," he said.
Mr Smith gave the famous example of Jamaica's former Prime Minister, PJ Patterson, who was forced to resign as the Minister of Finance to later return as chairman of his party and then eventually become Prime Minister.
"I also believe that the problem we are facing in this country is, I am not sure if (Prime Minister) Ingraham and other people who call themselves leaders look at themselves and look and say am I a liability?" he laughed.
Having been roundly criticised on the talkshows for the now infamous letter, Mr Smith said people have a right to "cuss him."
But, at the end of the day he asked, "is my message right?"
May 18, 2011
tribune242
Raynard Rigby - former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman resigned from a crucial party election committee
Rigby resigns from PLP committee
By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
Many PLPs angered by letter to Christie
A day after The Nassau Guardian revealed that three influential members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) were seeking to block the re-nomination of several PLP members of Parliament, former party chairman Raynard Rigby resigned from a crucial party election committee.
The Nassau Guardian confirmed that Rigby resigned yesterday as the coordinator of the southwest constituencies for the party in the upcoming general election.
It was considered a key position as the PLP oils its machinery for what some pundits think will shape up to be a bitterly fought battle at the polls.
Rigby told The Guardian he had no comment on the matter.
As the party has already gone into campaign mode, Rigby was selected to organize the party’s efforts in southwest New Providence.
As was reported exclusively by The Guardian Monday, Rigby was one of the authors of a letter written to PLP leader Perry Christie, urging him to make “bold decisions” with respect to party nominations.
The other authors of the letter were Philip Galanis, a former parliamentarian who organized the party’s re-election effort in 2007, and George Smith, a former parliamentarian and Cabinet minister.
The three men are against the nominations of Shane Gibson (Golden Gates); Vincent Peet (North Andros and the Berry Islands); Obie Wilchcombe (West End and Bimini); V. Alfred Gray (MICAL); Picewell Forbes (South Andros); Leslie Miller (Blue Hills) and Anthony Moss (Exuma).
They also said the party must be in a position to defend Arnold Forbes (Mount Moriah) in the event he faces any attacks over a reported challenge in his professional life.
Wilchcombe, Gray, Miller and Arnold Forbes have been ratified by the party’s National General Council.
Still, Rigby, Smith and Galanis suggested that these nominations ought to be reviewed if the party is to have a chance of winning the election.
They believe that the various controversies would hurt the party’s chances at the polls.
Christie has already expressed disappointment that someone leaked the letter to The Guardian and many within the party are calling for the heads of the three authors.
They have come under fire from PLPs angry that they would even suggest the men are not suited to run on the PLP’s ticket.
Rigby, Galanis and Smith are themselves no strangers to controversy. They are among the most outspoken men in the PLP. Rigby has made several candid comments since the 2007 election that have angered some PLPs.
In 2008, Rigby blasted the opposition for “failing to properly address national issues”.
At the time, he said: "I think the opposition has demonstrated a degree of strength, however, there appears to be a lack of coordination between what is being done in Parliament and what is required to be done outside of Parliament by the party and its broad-based membership."
Earlier, he said a number of things went wrong for the PLP in the last election.
"People were not connected to our message. People did not understand what the government was trying to achieve by these anchor development projects," he said.
"People didn’t get a sense that the government was close enough to them."
Rigby — who made the remarks after the last general election while he was still PLP chairman — said the party probably made some errors in judgment as it related to selecting candidates.
"And I think by and large people bought into this question of Mr. Christie that he was weak and indecisive and we allowed the FNM, to a very great extent, to determine the issues in the election, and they focused purely on issues of leadership," he said at the time.
In 2009, Rigby said publicly that it was inappropriate for Wilchcombe to serve as chairman of the approaching PLP convention and run for the deputy leadership post.
And on numerous occasions, Rigby has publicly criticized Christie’s leadership.
But the various controversies were set aside several months ago when the party’s leadership appointed Rigby coordinator for the southwest constituencies for the approaching election.
Some observers viewed it as a “kiss and make-up” between Rigby and Christie.
Christie has repeatedly talked about the importance of the party getting an early start as the campaign season approaches.
It announced candidates for the 2007 election just several weeks before voters went to the polls.
In addition to Wilchcombe, Gray, Miller and Arnold Forbes, the PLP has already made key selections for the upcoming election.
They are: Renardo Curry (North Abaco); Dr. Andre Rollins (Fort Charlotte); Alex Storr (Long Island and Ragged Island) Tanisha Tynes (Lucaya); Clay Sweeting (North Eleuthera); Dr. Bernard J. Nottage (Bain and Grants Town); Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill); Frank E. Smith (St. Thomas More); Melanie Griffin (Yamacraw); Glenys Hanna-Martin (Englerston); Cleola Hamilton (South Beach); Dion Smith (Kennedy); Gregory Moss (Marco City); Dr. Michael Darville (Pineridge); Jerome Gomez (Killarney); Dr. Daniel Johnson (Carmichael); Senator Jerome K. Fitzgerald (Marathon); Senator Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles); Senator C.V. Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal V.O. Major (Garden Hills).
5/18/2011
thenassauguardian
By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
Many PLPs angered by letter to Christie
A day after The Nassau Guardian revealed that three influential members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) were seeking to block the re-nomination of several PLP members of Parliament, former party chairman Raynard Rigby resigned from a crucial party election committee.
The Nassau Guardian confirmed that Rigby resigned yesterday as the coordinator of the southwest constituencies for the party in the upcoming general election.
It was considered a key position as the PLP oils its machinery for what some pundits think will shape up to be a bitterly fought battle at the polls.
Rigby told The Guardian he had no comment on the matter.
As the party has already gone into campaign mode, Rigby was selected to organize the party’s efforts in southwest New Providence.
As was reported exclusively by The Guardian Monday, Rigby was one of the authors of a letter written to PLP leader Perry Christie, urging him to make “bold decisions” with respect to party nominations.
The other authors of the letter were Philip Galanis, a former parliamentarian who organized the party’s re-election effort in 2007, and George Smith, a former parliamentarian and Cabinet minister.
The three men are against the nominations of Shane Gibson (Golden Gates); Vincent Peet (North Andros and the Berry Islands); Obie Wilchcombe (West End and Bimini); V. Alfred Gray (MICAL); Picewell Forbes (South Andros); Leslie Miller (Blue Hills) and Anthony Moss (Exuma).
They also said the party must be in a position to defend Arnold Forbes (Mount Moriah) in the event he faces any attacks over a reported challenge in his professional life.
Wilchcombe, Gray, Miller and Arnold Forbes have been ratified by the party’s National General Council.
Still, Rigby, Smith and Galanis suggested that these nominations ought to be reviewed if the party is to have a chance of winning the election.
They believe that the various controversies would hurt the party’s chances at the polls.
Christie has already expressed disappointment that someone leaked the letter to The Guardian and many within the party are calling for the heads of the three authors.
They have come under fire from PLPs angry that they would even suggest the men are not suited to run on the PLP’s ticket.
Rigby, Galanis and Smith are themselves no strangers to controversy. They are among the most outspoken men in the PLP. Rigby has made several candid comments since the 2007 election that have angered some PLPs.
In 2008, Rigby blasted the opposition for “failing to properly address national issues”.
At the time, he said: "I think the opposition has demonstrated a degree of strength, however, there appears to be a lack of coordination between what is being done in Parliament and what is required to be done outside of Parliament by the party and its broad-based membership."
Earlier, he said a number of things went wrong for the PLP in the last election.
"People were not connected to our message. People did not understand what the government was trying to achieve by these anchor development projects," he said.
"People didn’t get a sense that the government was close enough to them."
Rigby — who made the remarks after the last general election while he was still PLP chairman — said the party probably made some errors in judgment as it related to selecting candidates.
"And I think by and large people bought into this question of Mr. Christie that he was weak and indecisive and we allowed the FNM, to a very great extent, to determine the issues in the election, and they focused purely on issues of leadership," he said at the time.
In 2009, Rigby said publicly that it was inappropriate for Wilchcombe to serve as chairman of the approaching PLP convention and run for the deputy leadership post.
And on numerous occasions, Rigby has publicly criticized Christie’s leadership.
But the various controversies were set aside several months ago when the party’s leadership appointed Rigby coordinator for the southwest constituencies for the approaching election.
Some observers viewed it as a “kiss and make-up” between Rigby and Christie.
Christie has repeatedly talked about the importance of the party getting an early start as the campaign season approaches.
It announced candidates for the 2007 election just several weeks before voters went to the polls.
In addition to Wilchcombe, Gray, Miller and Arnold Forbes, the PLP has already made key selections for the upcoming election.
They are: Renardo Curry (North Abaco); Dr. Andre Rollins (Fort Charlotte); Alex Storr (Long Island and Ragged Island) Tanisha Tynes (Lucaya); Clay Sweeting (North Eleuthera); Dr. Bernard J. Nottage (Bain and Grants Town); Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill); Frank E. Smith (St. Thomas More); Melanie Griffin (Yamacraw); Glenys Hanna-Martin (Englerston); Cleola Hamilton (South Beach); Dion Smith (Kennedy); Gregory Moss (Marco City); Dr. Michael Darville (Pineridge); Jerome Gomez (Killarney); Dr. Daniel Johnson (Carmichael); Senator Jerome K. Fitzgerald (Marathon); Senator Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles); Senator C.V. Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal V.O. Major (Garden Hills).
5/18/2011
thenassauguardian
Branville McCartney - Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader appears to be a "bigger dictator" than his former boss – Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham - according to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)
“McCartney A Dictator”
By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney appears to be a "bigger dictator" than his former boss – Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham – "who he could no longer work for," according to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Days after the official launch of the DNA, The PLP said Mr. McCartney appears to be a "figure of contradiction and an enigma," which the party says raises more questions than answers about the honour of his initial political intent.
The PLP said on the face of it, the DNA’s structure and function is "rank with the stench of dictatorship."
The party says there is no published constitution that governs the structure, function, policies and processes of the DNA, nor is there an executive committee or council to execute mechanisms that form the basis of the DNA’s policies and processes.
"It appears that Mr. McCartney is a self-appointed leader who in turn appointed a chairman. He apparently unilaterally appointed his candidates," the party said in a press statement.
"To the casual political observer, this is not democracy, but dictatorship in its rankest form. This practice has no place in a free, modern democratic Bahamas and Mr. McCartney must clarify this apparent debacle to the Bahamian people.
The Opposition said he is setting a dangerous precedent for The Bahamas and must be viewed with "extreme caution and suspicion."
The party says Mr. McCartney has a lot of explaining to do to the Bahamian people.
"For example, why did he support the FNM’s heavy tax increases that have hurt Bahamians and slowed the economic recovery? Why did he support the FNM’s jobs programme for foreigners?" the party asked.
"How does he explain the failed work permit policy of the Department of Immigration under his leadership? Certainly Mr. McCartney had to know that using the Department of Immigration as a principal revenue generator for the government displaces many suitably qualified Bahamians from the job market."
The PLP noted that there have been no fewer than nine attempts in the past to form an alternative to the two major political parties – the PLP and the FNM.
The party said if history is an accurate or reliable predictor of the future, "we know what will happen to the DNA."
"But, the DNA is not the business of the PLP. Our business is winning the next general election and if they can help the PLP win the next general election, so be it.
May 17th, 2011
jonesbahamas
By ROGAN SMITH
jonesbahamas
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney appears to be a "bigger dictator" than his former boss – Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham – "who he could no longer work for," according to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Days after the official launch of the DNA, The PLP said Mr. McCartney appears to be a "figure of contradiction and an enigma," which the party says raises more questions than answers about the honour of his initial political intent.
The PLP said on the face of it, the DNA’s structure and function is "rank with the stench of dictatorship."
The party says there is no published constitution that governs the structure, function, policies and processes of the DNA, nor is there an executive committee or council to execute mechanisms that form the basis of the DNA’s policies and processes.
"It appears that Mr. McCartney is a self-appointed leader who in turn appointed a chairman. He apparently unilaterally appointed his candidates," the party said in a press statement.
"To the casual political observer, this is not democracy, but dictatorship in its rankest form. This practice has no place in a free, modern democratic Bahamas and Mr. McCartney must clarify this apparent debacle to the Bahamian people.
The Opposition said he is setting a dangerous precedent for The Bahamas and must be viewed with "extreme caution and suspicion."
The party says Mr. McCartney has a lot of explaining to do to the Bahamian people.
"For example, why did he support the FNM’s heavy tax increases that have hurt Bahamians and slowed the economic recovery? Why did he support the FNM’s jobs programme for foreigners?" the party asked.
"How does he explain the failed work permit policy of the Department of Immigration under his leadership? Certainly Mr. McCartney had to know that using the Department of Immigration as a principal revenue generator for the government displaces many suitably qualified Bahamians from the job market."
The PLP noted that there have been no fewer than nine attempts in the past to form an alternative to the two major political parties – the PLP and the FNM.
The party said if history is an accurate or reliable predictor of the future, "we know what will happen to the DNA."
"But, the DNA is not the business of the PLP. Our business is winning the next general election and if they can help the PLP win the next general election, so be it.
May 17th, 2011
jonesbahamas
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The generic nature of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and the genetic make-up of the political character of its founder Branville McCartney
The generic and genetic make up of Bran's DNA
By SIMON
FRONT PORCH
After the roll-out of the country’s latest third party, two things are clearer: the generic nature of the Democratic National Alliance and the genetic make-up of the political character of its founder Branville McCartney.
Despite Mr. McCartney’s inability to resist the self-referential and narcissistic claim that it’s a Bran(d) new day, there is little original about the generic brand he is desperately peddling as new and exciting. He will never have to worry himself with being considered an original thinker, nor for that matter, much of a thinker.
Whether or not he purloined the lighthouse logo from an erstwhile ally, his green flavor, in only one sense of that word, was the party color of the defunct Bahamian Democratic Party. Green was the gloss Mr. McCartney used for much of his public relations even as an FNM, curiously painting his Bamboo Town headquarters green at one point.
Was it not always about Bran, with his mutable party colors, depending on whatever served his vaunting ambitions? We have seen this before with those inveterate party hoppers-cum-political chameleons whose loyalty is to themselves, not to a party or cause larger than their personal ambitions.
The DNA is decidedly green through and through, more of which later. For now, his party colleagues will come to realize that the DNA is not about a movement or an ideology or a vision. It is foremost a vehicle for Mr. McCartney’s vanity and pursuit of celebrity and power. Tellingly, he didn’t even go through the pretense of having himself elected as Leader.
When Mr. McCartney eventually abandons his self-creation, it will quickly collapse, fading into irrelevance much like those pathologically narcissistic former and current politicians who never grasped why “the people” never realized the genius such self-proclaimed geniuses saw in themselves when they looked in the mirror.
In his maiden address as the DNA’s self-anointed leader, Mr. McCartney shamelessly borrowed and unsuccessfully attempted to repackage ideas that have enjoyed currency for decades. His approximately 5000-word speech was a glaring and glib cut and paste job, long on other people’s ideas, desperately short on how to achieve or pay for them.
There was a cavalcade of clichés including: “redefine the possible”, “putting people first” and “change”. Many are not insulted simply because they have heard such slogans ad nauseum. They are also amused and stunned that Mr. McCartney believes that such fatuous rhetoric will propel him to the prime ministership.
Perhaps Mr. McCartney is owed some sympathy. Absent the clichés and stilted rhetoric, he would have been left with “Good evening” at the beginning of his address and “God bless The Bahamas” at its conclusion. As he wants to be considered a man of empathy, he might have shown more care and compassion for Hubert Ingraham, especially after attempting to make his own the Prime Minister’s vision and record.
IMAGINE
The unelected Leader of the DNA asked us to close our eyes and imagine. Among other dreams, we were invited to imagine the possibility of better public infrastructure, including roads and public schools, an enhanced natural environment and an improved public health system.
Bahamians don’t have to close their eyes to imagine these. In driving around New Providence and traveling to the Family Islands, one can see Mr. McCartney’s supposed dream becoming a reality — no thanks to him. After all, he abandoned Mr. Ingraham’s cabinet in the midst of the hard work of transforming and revitalizing New Providence and the Islands of The Bahamas.
Mr. McCartney also spoke of reducing government bureaucracy, advancing plans for agriculture and food security, as well as increasing opportunities for small businesses. Again, Bahamians need not keep their eyes wide shut in a dream world spun by Mr. McCartney.
The dreams of which he spoke are being advanced by Mr. Ingraham, who since 2007 navigated an extraordinary economic crisis, launched new social programs and put in place other measures for the long-term and economic security of Bahamians while Mr. McCartney was still in his political Pampers and trying out his training wheels as a politician.
The artifice and conceit as well as amateurish impetuousness that is at the heart of Mr. McCartney’s political character and DNA was on full display on live television during the not-ready-for prime-time launch of his self-promotion tour.
Those who are now on the Branville bandwagon may wish to caution their leader that protestations of how humbled one is while preening and primping at the same time, does not make for good television or believable rhetoric.
Still, as reality TV goes, the production quality of the launch of brand-Branville was reasonably good from a technological viewpoint. However, the showmanship, entertainment and slick visuals did not mask how generic and generally substance-free the whole affair was.
No matter how desperately one attempts to repackage porridge, in the end it’s still pablum. Some may recall that Pablum was also the trademarked name for a processed cereal for infants. Mr. McCartney deserves credit for a rare marketing feat, of which he may only be half-proud: His launch event was simultaneously, thus far, perhaps the best and the worst day for the DNA.
Many packed the ballroom at the Wyndham Crystal Palace while others watched on TV. But in the end, it’s about votes, not viewership. Bahamians love politics and a good show. The test is to translate such interest into concrete support.
Mr. McCartney has his true believers and those who will flirt with his DNA for various motives, some genuine, some suspect. Others will pat him on the back and tell him to keep up the good work, though they will never vote for his party.
NONSENSE
He will be well advised to discount much of the nonsense that will be whispered into his ears. While some may have projected their hopes onto him and the DNA, the reality post-launch and the managing of expectations will test the scant political maturity and experience he has.
Already, after months of build-up and media hype and leaks and drama, the DNA’s launch proved to be an exceptional disappointment for many, most especially in terms of Mr. McCartney’s keynote address and the initial group of candidates.
If this is the best that the DNA can offer in terms of policy, people and politics, their prospects are even worse than many initially imagined. One never wants to dilute one’s brand especially at the roll-out event.
Not only does the party which bills itself as democratic have an unelected head, there were no branch elections for its candidates. The DNA is not a democratic organization. It seems more like a cult of Bran and a clique of his supporters. To attempt now to both rubber-stamp Mr. McCartney as leader and ratify candidates retroactively will be laughable and democratic in name only.
As problematic, are the amateurish blunders made by a number of the McCartney-appointed candidates. A mistake by a new candidate is understandable. But, the DNA may be in for more difficulties if their candidates continue to make basic mistakes such as confusing Elizabeth Estates with the Elizabeth Constituency and not knowing the difference between being disenfranchised and disempowered.
Then there was the candidate who sought to scrub his answer to a question and have a do-over on live television. Not only was he not responding to a difficult question. One would have thought that we would have had a ready answer to such a basic question as asked by the reporter.
And, this is the group from among whom Mr. McCartney will select a cabinet to manage the country’s foreign and domestic affairs? As well-intentioned as they may be, by no stretch of the imagination can most Bahamians imagine that these individuals are capable of running, or know how to run, a country.
Credibility-wise, the biggest stumbling block for the DNA is that Bran McCartney may actually be that party’s most capable member. The man who has scant executive or political experience and no vision, except what he has borrowed, wants Bahamians to hand over the nation’s affairs to him and a band of neophytes.
When Bahamians close their eyes and imagine that prospect, they won’t see a dream to be realized. They will see a nightmare to be averted.
frontporchguardian@gmail.com
bahamapundit.com
5/17/2011
thenassauguardian
By SIMON
FRONT PORCH
After the roll-out of the country’s latest third party, two things are clearer: the generic nature of the Democratic National Alliance and the genetic make-up of the political character of its founder Branville McCartney.
Despite Mr. McCartney’s inability to resist the self-referential and narcissistic claim that it’s a Bran(d) new day, there is little original about the generic brand he is desperately peddling as new and exciting. He will never have to worry himself with being considered an original thinker, nor for that matter, much of a thinker.
Whether or not he purloined the lighthouse logo from an erstwhile ally, his green flavor, in only one sense of that word, was the party color of the defunct Bahamian Democratic Party. Green was the gloss Mr. McCartney used for much of his public relations even as an FNM, curiously painting his Bamboo Town headquarters green at one point.
Was it not always about Bran, with his mutable party colors, depending on whatever served his vaunting ambitions? We have seen this before with those inveterate party hoppers-cum-political chameleons whose loyalty is to themselves, not to a party or cause larger than their personal ambitions.
The DNA is decidedly green through and through, more of which later. For now, his party colleagues will come to realize that the DNA is not about a movement or an ideology or a vision. It is foremost a vehicle for Mr. McCartney’s vanity and pursuit of celebrity and power. Tellingly, he didn’t even go through the pretense of having himself elected as Leader.
When Mr. McCartney eventually abandons his self-creation, it will quickly collapse, fading into irrelevance much like those pathologically narcissistic former and current politicians who never grasped why “the people” never realized the genius such self-proclaimed geniuses saw in themselves when they looked in the mirror.
In his maiden address as the DNA’s self-anointed leader, Mr. McCartney shamelessly borrowed and unsuccessfully attempted to repackage ideas that have enjoyed currency for decades. His approximately 5000-word speech was a glaring and glib cut and paste job, long on other people’s ideas, desperately short on how to achieve or pay for them.
There was a cavalcade of clichés including: “redefine the possible”, “putting people first” and “change”. Many are not insulted simply because they have heard such slogans ad nauseum. They are also amused and stunned that Mr. McCartney believes that such fatuous rhetoric will propel him to the prime ministership.
Perhaps Mr. McCartney is owed some sympathy. Absent the clichés and stilted rhetoric, he would have been left with “Good evening” at the beginning of his address and “God bless The Bahamas” at its conclusion. As he wants to be considered a man of empathy, he might have shown more care and compassion for Hubert Ingraham, especially after attempting to make his own the Prime Minister’s vision and record.
IMAGINE
The unelected Leader of the DNA asked us to close our eyes and imagine. Among other dreams, we were invited to imagine the possibility of better public infrastructure, including roads and public schools, an enhanced natural environment and an improved public health system.
Bahamians don’t have to close their eyes to imagine these. In driving around New Providence and traveling to the Family Islands, one can see Mr. McCartney’s supposed dream becoming a reality — no thanks to him. After all, he abandoned Mr. Ingraham’s cabinet in the midst of the hard work of transforming and revitalizing New Providence and the Islands of The Bahamas.
Mr. McCartney also spoke of reducing government bureaucracy, advancing plans for agriculture and food security, as well as increasing opportunities for small businesses. Again, Bahamians need not keep their eyes wide shut in a dream world spun by Mr. McCartney.
The dreams of which he spoke are being advanced by Mr. Ingraham, who since 2007 navigated an extraordinary economic crisis, launched new social programs and put in place other measures for the long-term and economic security of Bahamians while Mr. McCartney was still in his political Pampers and trying out his training wheels as a politician.
The artifice and conceit as well as amateurish impetuousness that is at the heart of Mr. McCartney’s political character and DNA was on full display on live television during the not-ready-for prime-time launch of his self-promotion tour.
Those who are now on the Branville bandwagon may wish to caution their leader that protestations of how humbled one is while preening and primping at the same time, does not make for good television or believable rhetoric.
Still, as reality TV goes, the production quality of the launch of brand-Branville was reasonably good from a technological viewpoint. However, the showmanship, entertainment and slick visuals did not mask how generic and generally substance-free the whole affair was.
No matter how desperately one attempts to repackage porridge, in the end it’s still pablum. Some may recall that Pablum was also the trademarked name for a processed cereal for infants. Mr. McCartney deserves credit for a rare marketing feat, of which he may only be half-proud: His launch event was simultaneously, thus far, perhaps the best and the worst day for the DNA.
Many packed the ballroom at the Wyndham Crystal Palace while others watched on TV. But in the end, it’s about votes, not viewership. Bahamians love politics and a good show. The test is to translate such interest into concrete support.
Mr. McCartney has his true believers and those who will flirt with his DNA for various motives, some genuine, some suspect. Others will pat him on the back and tell him to keep up the good work, though they will never vote for his party.
NONSENSE
He will be well advised to discount much of the nonsense that will be whispered into his ears. While some may have projected their hopes onto him and the DNA, the reality post-launch and the managing of expectations will test the scant political maturity and experience he has.
Already, after months of build-up and media hype and leaks and drama, the DNA’s launch proved to be an exceptional disappointment for many, most especially in terms of Mr. McCartney’s keynote address and the initial group of candidates.
If this is the best that the DNA can offer in terms of policy, people and politics, their prospects are even worse than many initially imagined. One never wants to dilute one’s brand especially at the roll-out event.
Not only does the party which bills itself as democratic have an unelected head, there were no branch elections for its candidates. The DNA is not a democratic organization. It seems more like a cult of Bran and a clique of his supporters. To attempt now to both rubber-stamp Mr. McCartney as leader and ratify candidates retroactively will be laughable and democratic in name only.
As problematic, are the amateurish blunders made by a number of the McCartney-appointed candidates. A mistake by a new candidate is understandable. But, the DNA may be in for more difficulties if their candidates continue to make basic mistakes such as confusing Elizabeth Estates with the Elizabeth Constituency and not knowing the difference between being disenfranchised and disempowered.
Then there was the candidate who sought to scrub his answer to a question and have a do-over on live television. Not only was he not responding to a difficult question. One would have thought that we would have had a ready answer to such a basic question as asked by the reporter.
And, this is the group from among whom Mr. McCartney will select a cabinet to manage the country’s foreign and domestic affairs? As well-intentioned as they may be, by no stretch of the imagination can most Bahamians imagine that these individuals are capable of running, or know how to run, a country.
Credibility-wise, the biggest stumbling block for the DNA is that Bran McCartney may actually be that party’s most capable member. The man who has scant executive or political experience and no vision, except what he has borrowed, wants Bahamians to hand over the nation’s affairs to him and a band of neophytes.
When Bahamians close their eyes and imagine that prospect, they won’t see a dream to be realized. They will see a nightmare to be averted.
frontporchguardian@gmail.com
bahamapundit.com
5/17/2011
thenassauguardian
Philip Galanis says: Branville McCartney did not offer concrete solutions on how his new political party will tackle the myriad problems facing The Bahamas in his recent Democratic National Alliance (DNA) launch speech
McCartney's DNA offered no concrete solutions to country's problems
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net
BRANVILLE McCartney did not offer concrete solutions on how his new political party will tackle the myriad problems facing the country, said former Senator Philip Galanis.
Mr Galanis' comments came days after the launch of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and the unveiling of 10 candidates who will vie for constituency seats under the party's banner in the next election. Mr Galanis said more tangible plans will likely be forthcoming over the next few weeks or months, but he believes that those looking for answers from Mr McCartney last week were disappointed.
"I would be very interested in understanding how Mr McCartney is going to be able to solve the country's issues and challenges.
"He spoke much about the things that need to be addressed, which we all know, but we didn't get a sense of how he's going to address that. I think that's what people want to hear, how are we going to get a hold on crime, how are we going to improve the economy and create jobs - people want specifics," said Mr Galanis when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.
"(For all the parties) if they are going to attract voters they are going to have to address issues of crime, unemployment and immigration.
"I wasn't particularly impressed with the (DNA's) candidates there were a couple that I thought would be good, but they didn't seem to have any depth," added Mr Galanis, a former senator and managing partner of chartered accounting firm Galanis, Horton & Co.
Still, Mr Galanis told The Tribune he believes that the DNA may siphon votes from the two established parties due to voter dissatisfaction with the status quo.
"I think he will affect both the PLP's and FNM's votes (though) I think it's more likely that he is going to attract FNM votes. In looking at the people in the room the other night many of them appeared to be FNMs.
"As a former FNM candidate and junior minister that would be his natural base but in all fairness there are a lot undecided people who are looking for change and who would welcome change if they think it will (shift) the established order," Mr Galanis added.
Officials in the Free National Movement and the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party have dismissed the chance that a third party can wrestle power from the two political parties, who have governed intermittently for decades.
However Mr Galanis said other countries with the Westminster system have seen impressive challenges to the dominant two-party system, a feat he thinks can be duplicated in this country. "I will not downplay the potential impact an alternative party can have particularly today when you consider the disaffection from and disappointment in the two mainstream parties.
"People are tired of the status quo, everywhere around the world in the Westminster Parliamentary model changes are taking place and alternative party models are making their presence felt in England, Australian and close at home in Trinidad and Tobago we saw the established parties significantly challenged in their recent elections.
"Third parties are making their presence felt around the world," said Mr Galanis.
May 16, 2011
tribune242
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net
BRANVILLE McCartney did not offer concrete solutions on how his new political party will tackle the myriad problems facing the country, said former Senator Philip Galanis.
Mr Galanis' comments came days after the launch of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and the unveiling of 10 candidates who will vie for constituency seats under the party's banner in the next election. Mr Galanis said more tangible plans will likely be forthcoming over the next few weeks or months, but he believes that those looking for answers from Mr McCartney last week were disappointed.
"I would be very interested in understanding how Mr McCartney is going to be able to solve the country's issues and challenges.
"He spoke much about the things that need to be addressed, which we all know, but we didn't get a sense of how he's going to address that. I think that's what people want to hear, how are we going to get a hold on crime, how are we going to improve the economy and create jobs - people want specifics," said Mr Galanis when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.
"(For all the parties) if they are going to attract voters they are going to have to address issues of crime, unemployment and immigration.
"I wasn't particularly impressed with the (DNA's) candidates there were a couple that I thought would be good, but they didn't seem to have any depth," added Mr Galanis, a former senator and managing partner of chartered accounting firm Galanis, Horton & Co.
Still, Mr Galanis told The Tribune he believes that the DNA may siphon votes from the two established parties due to voter dissatisfaction with the status quo.
"I think he will affect both the PLP's and FNM's votes (though) I think it's more likely that he is going to attract FNM votes. In looking at the people in the room the other night many of them appeared to be FNMs.
"As a former FNM candidate and junior minister that would be his natural base but in all fairness there are a lot undecided people who are looking for change and who would welcome change if they think it will (shift) the established order," Mr Galanis added.
Officials in the Free National Movement and the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party have dismissed the chance that a third party can wrestle power from the two political parties, who have governed intermittently for decades.
However Mr Galanis said other countries with the Westminster system have seen impressive challenges to the dominant two-party system, a feat he thinks can be duplicated in this country. "I will not downplay the potential impact an alternative party can have particularly today when you consider the disaffection from and disappointment in the two mainstream parties.
"People are tired of the status quo, everywhere around the world in the Westminster Parliamentary model changes are taking place and alternative party models are making their presence felt in England, Australian and close at home in Trinidad and Tobago we saw the established parties significantly challenged in their recent elections.
"Third parties are making their presence felt around the world," said Mr Galanis.
May 16, 2011
tribune242
Monday, May 16, 2011
Prominent Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) members want several PLP Members of Parliament to not receive nominations to run in the next general election
PLPs move to block nominations... Christie asked to make ‘bold’ decisions
By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
Three prominent members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) are appealing to party leader Perry Christie to ensure that several PLP Members of Parliament do not receive nominations to run in the next general election, claiming the party might be guaranteed a loss with them on the ticket.
Former parliamentarian George Smith, former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby, and Philip Galanis, who coordinated the party’s campaign in 2007, wrote to Christie recently and suggested the party could not win at the polls if it runs Shane Gibson (Golden Gates); Vincent Peet (North Andros), Obie Wilchcombe (West End and Bimini) and V. Alfred Gray (MICAL).
The party has not yet announced any candidates for those constituencies but there is a widely held view inside and outside the PLP that the incumbents will seek re-election.
Smith, Rigby and Galanis also suggested to Christie that former Minister Leslie Miller, who has already been ratified by the National General Council of the PLP for Blue Hills, be removed from the ticket.
“We also hold the view that the candidacy of Anthony Moss and Picewell Forbes must be carefully reviewed based on the need to have competent and capable candidates, worthy of service in the Cabinet of The Bahamas,” the men wrote.
In the letter, dated May 5, 2011, the prominent PLPs also pointed to the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner report, completed in 2007 after the party’s defeat at the polls.
The researchers hired by the PLP concluded that the PLP faced four fundamental challenges: Expanding the party's base; cleansing the party's reputation; conveying former Prime Minister Perry Christie's leadership qualities and advancing a progressive social agenda.
A majority of Bahamian voters surveyed by the internationally-renowned research group said they did not vote for the PLP because they perceived Christie to be a weak and indecisive leader.
The researchers — who reportedly surveyed more than 1,200 people — also concluded that the PLP lost in part because of perceptions that its government was scandal-ridden.
Smith, Rigby and Galanis said this “disturbing” perception must be addressed and it must be evident in the candidates selected.
“We also hold the view that the party and its leadership must seek to restore the confidence that the people lost in the party,” the authors of the letter added.
“...We are confident that the Bahamian people will see you as a different kind of leader if you act now to safeguard the interest of the party.
“In fact, the Bahamian people elected the PLP, under your leadership in 2002, because you took a principled position and publicly declared that you preferred to lose doing what was right rather than to win doing what was wrong.
“It is our view that this same approach must be employed by you during the upcoming election so that the Bahamian people can be convinced that your leadership will be transforming.”
Most of the MPs named in the letter have all come under fire at some point in various controversies that have ensnared the party.
Gibson resigned from Christie’s Cabinet in early 2007 after The Tribune newspaper printed photographs of him in an intimate embrace with the late actress Anna Nicole Smith. He was accused by the Free National Movement (FNM) of fast-tracking the residency application of Smith, who had become a close family friend.
However, Gibson was still nominated for the 2007 election and was re-elected.
However, the Greenberg report pointed to the Anna Nicole controversy as one of the reasons for the PLP’s defeat in 2007.
Around the same time as that debacle was grabbing headlines, another minister was embroiled in what some termed a significant scandal.
Peet — who was once a young minister in the Cabinet of the late former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling — faced a whirlwind of controversy after information came to light that his driver stole a substantial sum of money from his bedroom closet. At the time of the theft, he was minister of labor and immigration in the Christie Cabinet.
Peet sued Hubert Ingraham as leader of the FNM for comments he made at several rallies over the money-in-the-closet incident. However, there is no evidence the lawsuit went anywhere.
More recently, Wilchcombe was questioned by police in connection with the alleged attempted extortion of American actor John Travolta.
The MP was never charged with a crime and was one of the witnesses in the case against his friend and business partner, attorney Pleasant Bridgewater, who at the time was a PLP senator.
Many observers believe the incident hurt Wilchcombe’s chances of becoming deputy leader of the party. Many observers inside and outside the PLP also believe he could never make a successful bid at the leadership.
Prior to the Travolta matter, Wilchcombe had been widely viewed as a likely successor to Christie.
The alleged plot was reportedly hatched in January 2009, not long after Travolta’s teenage son died on Grand Bahama.
In October that year, Forbes, the South Andros MP, declared while on stage at a PLP convention that Bridgewater was a free woman.
But the jury in the case was still deliberating. Senior Justice Anita Allen (now Court of Appeal president) declared a mistrial in the case.
In an unrelated matter, Gray threatened to sue The Tribune and the Punch over certain allegations relating to his alleged conduct.
These matters have long faded from the headlines, but Smith, Rigby and Galanis believe they could come back to haunt the PLP during the approaching campaign season.
“WEAK AND INDECISIVE”
In the run-up to the 2007 general election, the FNM, using a string of alleged scandals in the then-governing party to bolster its case, pointed to Christie's perceived "weak and indecisive" leadership style.
The three authors of the letter to Christie believe this perception has not gone away.
They wrote: “We also cannot lose sight of the fact that there is a growing perception that you are indecisive.
“This is a perception that the FNM will attempt to use as their advantage. We have already seen signs of their use over the past few weeks.
“Faced with this reality, it is our considered view that to defeat the impact of the FNM’s characterizations of your style of leadership, bold decisions must be made about the party’s ticket in the next election.
“This will allow you to speak to the intellectual and moral depth of the team and to demonstrate to the public that those who have (and continue to have) a negative perception were dropped from the ticket, a bold decision that you made as leader.
“To show your strength as leader, you must act with boldness and the public will see that you understood what our defeat in 2007 was about.”
Explaining why they believe the Miller nomination should be withdrawn, Smith, Rigby and Galanis pointed to the recent controversy in which Miller found himself when the Department of Customs initially refused to release one of his containers.
Customs Comptroller Glenn Gomez had said documentation needed to clear the container was incorrect and he also claimed that Miller, a prominent businessman, owed the department a substantial sum of money.
Miller told The Nassau Guardian at the time that there were errors with the invoices. The container was eventually released after payment was made.
He also strongly denied he owed a substantial amount in duties.
Still, the authors of the letter believe this situation could reflect poorly on the party in the campaign.
Referring to Miller, Gibson, Peet, Wilchcombe and Gray, the three prominent PLPs wrote to Christie: “We also fully appreciate the fact that these men served in your Cabinet.
“This makes the decision more important as it is likely that upon the party’s return to the government, you are more likely than not to extend to them similar postings.”
They added, “It is our considered view that the cloud and perception that encircle them are too much for the party to address during an intense and fiercely divided campaign.
“As you know, the good of one man should never overshadow the good of the thousands of supporters who expect us to do all in our power to secure the party’s victory.
“This must be our sacred approach to the selection and identification of our standard bearers in this election cycle.”
Referring to Moss and Forbes, the letter writers said, “We have been led to understand that these men have lost considerable influence and ground in their respective constituencies and the party must ensure that their presence on the ticket will not lead to defeats in these areas.
“Exuma and South Andros are valuable to the party in forming the next government and therefore all efforts must be employed to ensure that our base is galvanized behind these incumbents, otherwise the party must begin the search for new ‘winning’ candidates.”
The party has already ratified the candidacy of attorney Arnold Forbes for Mount Moriah, but Smith, Rigby and Galanis also advised Christie that this decision ought to be reviewed.
May 16, 2011
thenassauguardian
By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
Three prominent members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) are appealing to party leader Perry Christie to ensure that several PLP Members of Parliament do not receive nominations to run in the next general election, claiming the party might be guaranteed a loss with them on the ticket.
Former parliamentarian George Smith, former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby, and Philip Galanis, who coordinated the party’s campaign in 2007, wrote to Christie recently and suggested the party could not win at the polls if it runs Shane Gibson (Golden Gates); Vincent Peet (North Andros), Obie Wilchcombe (West End and Bimini) and V. Alfred Gray (MICAL).
The party has not yet announced any candidates for those constituencies but there is a widely held view inside and outside the PLP that the incumbents will seek re-election.
Smith, Rigby and Galanis also suggested to Christie that former Minister Leslie Miller, who has already been ratified by the National General Council of the PLP for Blue Hills, be removed from the ticket.
“We also hold the view that the candidacy of Anthony Moss and Picewell Forbes must be carefully reviewed based on the need to have competent and capable candidates, worthy of service in the Cabinet of The Bahamas,” the men wrote.
In the letter, dated May 5, 2011, the prominent PLPs also pointed to the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner report, completed in 2007 after the party’s defeat at the polls.
The researchers hired by the PLP concluded that the PLP faced four fundamental challenges: Expanding the party's base; cleansing the party's reputation; conveying former Prime Minister Perry Christie's leadership qualities and advancing a progressive social agenda.
A majority of Bahamian voters surveyed by the internationally-renowned research group said they did not vote for the PLP because they perceived Christie to be a weak and indecisive leader.
The researchers — who reportedly surveyed more than 1,200 people — also concluded that the PLP lost in part because of perceptions that its government was scandal-ridden.
Smith, Rigby and Galanis said this “disturbing” perception must be addressed and it must be evident in the candidates selected.
“We also hold the view that the party and its leadership must seek to restore the confidence that the people lost in the party,” the authors of the letter added.
“...We are confident that the Bahamian people will see you as a different kind of leader if you act now to safeguard the interest of the party.
“In fact, the Bahamian people elected the PLP, under your leadership in 2002, because you took a principled position and publicly declared that you preferred to lose doing what was right rather than to win doing what was wrong.
“It is our view that this same approach must be employed by you during the upcoming election so that the Bahamian people can be convinced that your leadership will be transforming.”
Most of the MPs named in the letter have all come under fire at some point in various controversies that have ensnared the party.
Gibson resigned from Christie’s Cabinet in early 2007 after The Tribune newspaper printed photographs of him in an intimate embrace with the late actress Anna Nicole Smith. He was accused by the Free National Movement (FNM) of fast-tracking the residency application of Smith, who had become a close family friend.
However, Gibson was still nominated for the 2007 election and was re-elected.
However, the Greenberg report pointed to the Anna Nicole controversy as one of the reasons for the PLP’s defeat in 2007.
Around the same time as that debacle was grabbing headlines, another minister was embroiled in what some termed a significant scandal.
Peet — who was once a young minister in the Cabinet of the late former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling — faced a whirlwind of controversy after information came to light that his driver stole a substantial sum of money from his bedroom closet. At the time of the theft, he was minister of labor and immigration in the Christie Cabinet.
Peet sued Hubert Ingraham as leader of the FNM for comments he made at several rallies over the money-in-the-closet incident. However, there is no evidence the lawsuit went anywhere.
More recently, Wilchcombe was questioned by police in connection with the alleged attempted extortion of American actor John Travolta.
The MP was never charged with a crime and was one of the witnesses in the case against his friend and business partner, attorney Pleasant Bridgewater, who at the time was a PLP senator.
Many observers believe the incident hurt Wilchcombe’s chances of becoming deputy leader of the party. Many observers inside and outside the PLP also believe he could never make a successful bid at the leadership.
Prior to the Travolta matter, Wilchcombe had been widely viewed as a likely successor to Christie.
The alleged plot was reportedly hatched in January 2009, not long after Travolta’s teenage son died on Grand Bahama.
In October that year, Forbes, the South Andros MP, declared while on stage at a PLP convention that Bridgewater was a free woman.
But the jury in the case was still deliberating. Senior Justice Anita Allen (now Court of Appeal president) declared a mistrial in the case.
In an unrelated matter, Gray threatened to sue The Tribune and the Punch over certain allegations relating to his alleged conduct.
These matters have long faded from the headlines, but Smith, Rigby and Galanis believe they could come back to haunt the PLP during the approaching campaign season.
“WEAK AND INDECISIVE”
In the run-up to the 2007 general election, the FNM, using a string of alleged scandals in the then-governing party to bolster its case, pointed to Christie's perceived "weak and indecisive" leadership style.
The three authors of the letter to Christie believe this perception has not gone away.
They wrote: “We also cannot lose sight of the fact that there is a growing perception that you are indecisive.
“This is a perception that the FNM will attempt to use as their advantage. We have already seen signs of their use over the past few weeks.
“Faced with this reality, it is our considered view that to defeat the impact of the FNM’s characterizations of your style of leadership, bold decisions must be made about the party’s ticket in the next election.
“This will allow you to speak to the intellectual and moral depth of the team and to demonstrate to the public that those who have (and continue to have) a negative perception were dropped from the ticket, a bold decision that you made as leader.
“To show your strength as leader, you must act with boldness and the public will see that you understood what our defeat in 2007 was about.”
Explaining why they believe the Miller nomination should be withdrawn, Smith, Rigby and Galanis pointed to the recent controversy in which Miller found himself when the Department of Customs initially refused to release one of his containers.
Customs Comptroller Glenn Gomez had said documentation needed to clear the container was incorrect and he also claimed that Miller, a prominent businessman, owed the department a substantial sum of money.
Miller told The Nassau Guardian at the time that there were errors with the invoices. The container was eventually released after payment was made.
He also strongly denied he owed a substantial amount in duties.
Still, the authors of the letter believe this situation could reflect poorly on the party in the campaign.
Referring to Miller, Gibson, Peet, Wilchcombe and Gray, the three prominent PLPs wrote to Christie: “We also fully appreciate the fact that these men served in your Cabinet.
“This makes the decision more important as it is likely that upon the party’s return to the government, you are more likely than not to extend to them similar postings.”
They added, “It is our considered view that the cloud and perception that encircle them are too much for the party to address during an intense and fiercely divided campaign.
“As you know, the good of one man should never overshadow the good of the thousands of supporters who expect us to do all in our power to secure the party’s victory.
“This must be our sacred approach to the selection and identification of our standard bearers in this election cycle.”
Referring to Moss and Forbes, the letter writers said, “We have been led to understand that these men have lost considerable influence and ground in their respective constituencies and the party must ensure that their presence on the ticket will not lead to defeats in these areas.
“Exuma and South Andros are valuable to the party in forming the next government and therefore all efforts must be employed to ensure that our base is galvanized behind these incumbents, otherwise the party must begin the search for new ‘winning’ candidates.”
The party has already ratified the candidacy of attorney Arnold Forbes for Mount Moriah, but Smith, Rigby and Galanis also advised Christie that this decision ought to be reviewed.
May 16, 2011
thenassauguardian
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