The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Candidate Determination and Loyalty The Corner recently mentioned Buddy Simpson, one of the most popular MPs ever in the Churchill Riding, at least from a Flin Flon perspective. The Progressive Conservative never made cabinet but spent his career doing his best for the North. In his last election, he received the votes and support of this writer's mother and stepfather. Mother told me: "Ed received some pressure at work to vote for the NDP, but we voted again for Mr. Simpson. After all, he got TV for Flin Flon." Of course I agreed. Speaking of candidates, the Tories also came up with a "star" candidate from Canadian TV news who will run in a Toronto seat against Liberal cabinet minister Carolyn Bennett. His name is Kent, a news anchor for a major network (no it is not Clark Kent, the mild-mannered reporter). Who knows how he will make out, but he may impress Ontario voters. Recently Mr. Kent has been involved in a research project with the help of several academics, studying the Liberal media bias. As mentioned several times in this column, you don't have to be a genius to see the pro-Liberal bias in the eastern media, including the CBC. A recent telecast on the Gomery Inquiry saw the host interview at length a past Liberal Party president and no one else. He of course gave Liberal spin. What about candidates who run again and again for public office in spite of suffering defeats? A lot of MP candidates run once, lose and disappear, but several are determined to get elected. John Diefenbaker ran several times for election in Saskatchewan, including once for mayor of Prince Albert, until he was finally elected MP in 1940. But the best example is the resume of Abraham Lincoln: 1832: Failed in business. 1834: Elected to the Legislature 1835: Sweetheart died 1836: Had A nervous breakdown 1838: Defeated For Speaker 1843: Defeated For nomination For Congress 1846: Elected To Congress 1848: Lost renomination 1849: Rejected For Land Officer 1854: Defeated for Senate 1856: Defeated for nomination for Vice-President 1858: Again defeated for the Senate 1860: Elected President Of The United States "Honest Abe" was most certainly a unique and determined politician. What about political loyalty Ð how is it obtained and what is needed? There are plenty of examples of political disloyalty today, as the Liberals have bought off several such as Belinda Stronach, Scott Brison and John Loewen. So how does a party or leader inspire loyalty in followers? Is it Brian Mulroney's candid "Ya dance with the girl what brung ya!" comment? There are plenty of examples of leaders who follow this advice, and several of those who, to their detriment, abandoned their loyal followers. No one inspired his followers and supporters more than John Diefenbaker, who retained a loyal following long after he had lost the PC leadership. How about a couple of personal examples? Friend Dave, a pharmacy student at the U of Sask, spent a summer working at a Prince Albert drug store owned by a Diefenbaker loyalist. Every time The Chief came to PA, the owner would shut down the drugstore and send every employee to the train station to cheer on Saskatchewan's favourite MP. Another example is when this writer, a member of "Youth for Dief," was recovering from an operation in St. Boniface Hospital and feeling mighty sorry for himself. Around 9 p.m. a nurse came in and said, "This will make your day!" She handed me a hand-delivered letter from Dief, who was in Winnipeg on a speaking engagement. The letter did indeed make my day. Here's what it said: Dear Roger: I looked around at those in attendance at the Youth Parliament who gave a dinner on my birthday, but I failed to find you there. Later on, in speaking with some mutual friends, I was informed that you were off to the hospital for an operation. I hope that it turns out well and that in a very short time you will be your usual self. With warmest regards, and all good wishes, I am. Yours sincerely, John Diefenbaker That was three decades ago, and I am still proud to be known as a John Diefenbaker Conservative! As Christmas approaches, and in spite of the coming election, let us put aside all political and other antagonisms for a time and count our blessings for being able to live in a wonderful country like Canada. A very merry Christmas and best wishes for 2006 to all readers.12/21/2005
