By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
Progressive Liberal Party leader Perry Christie last night accused Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of making a veiled threat to constituents of Elizabeth, and suggested that the Free National Movement is losing significant ground as it faces what he called a voter backlash.
Christie referred to a recent statement made by the prime minister who urged Elizabeth constituents to vote for the FNM's candidate and pointed out that after the February 16 by-election the FNM will still be the government.
"That sounded to me like what he was saying was that if you expect to get anything out of this government you better vote FNM or you can forget it," Christie charged at a rally in Elizabeth last night.
"Sounded like he was saying if you vote PLP and elect Ryan Pinder, you better not think you can expect any help from the FNM. That sure was what the intended message sounded like to me."
Christie claimed that Ingraham was attempting to trade off of the tremendous suffering he (Christie) said exists in Elizabeth.
"Right now there are people in Elizabeth who find it hard to sleep at night not only because of worry over rising crime but for other reasons as well," he said.
"Many people are making themselves sick with worry over the fact that they don't have any way of helping their children prepare for the future as a result of what this FNM government did when it canceled the government scholarship scheme."
Putting a question to government ministers campaigning in Elizabeth, he asked: "Since you are saying you have the power to help people and that only the FNM is in a position to help the people of Elizabeth, well, then, let me ask all of you, what has been stopping you from helping them for these almost three years that you have been in power now?"
Christie told PLPs that they have a "wily and resourceful political enemy to contend with."
"They have lost more ground than they could ever have imagined possible. Each day finds them losing even more ground. They didn't count on this backlash from voters. They didn't think they would be getting the kind of poor reception they've been getting. This is turning into a nightmare for the FNM," he said.
Christie alleged that FNM candidate for Elizabeth Dr. Duane Sands was tricked by the FNM into believing that the race would be "easy pickings for him."
He charged that because things are going downhill "so bad and so fast for the FNM", the party is getting desperate "and they will get even more desperate as we get closer to election day."
The PLP leader said because the FNM is getting desperate "they are also getting dangerous."
"Believe you me the FNM have a lot more tricks up their sleeve," Christie told party supporters.
"They will try to do what it takes to win, no matter how much money or how many empty promises it may take. They will try to fool you and trick you and deceive you and mislead you right up to election day. They are not going to roll over and play dead. Don't believe that for a moment. Instead, they intend to pull out all the stops and go for broke."
Christie said this is why the PLP has to be on its guard.
Pinder — who Christie previously referred to as the poster boy for the new PLP — said that as MP, he would focus on youth development.
"As a young member of parliament sitting at the table where decisions are made about the direction of our country, you can be assured that I will be your voice, always mindful of programs and policies designed to ensure that my generation plays a meaningful role in the rewards and responsibilities of an expanding Bahamas," said the 35-year-old PLP candidate.
February 4, 2010
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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.