The NDP took another step in its renewal with the election of Carole James as leader. She has a big job ahead which can be made more challenging by unrealistic expectations.

All political leaders had a point in their careers when they were unknown. Like other leaders, James will go through a process of gradually becoming well known through her role as the chief spokesperson for the NDP.

It is unrealistic to think that James will regularly appear on the front page or in the "major" TV and radio media. "If it bleeds, it leads" governs much of the content in "major media". Well reasoned, responsible leadership of a political party will not produce daily stories that compete with the regular fare of tragedies.

It is realistic to expect James to make herself available to local media. Initially, some may feel offended that she is not immediately available, but there is only one of her and many who will want her time in the first few days after her convention victory. Continued growth for the NDP can be built on earned media coverage in the Nicola Valley Voice, the Lumby Valley Times, the Hope Standard, the Arrow Lakes News and in dozens of other local papers and radio stations that are followed by those who want to know what's happening in their community. James will meet with editorial boards and appear on talk shows as she carries the NDP's message throughout the province.

A handful of political pundits will probably raise unrealistic expectations for the performance of the new leader, and then tell their listeners and readers that she has failed to meet them. On the day of James' election, Vancouver Province columnist Michael Smyth already played that game by writing "To me, this convention shows just how far the NDP has fallen. There will be no live TV coverage of today's balloting". Shaw or Rogers Cable which previously provided live coverage of political conventions has restructured and no longer does that kind of community programming. It has nothing to do with the NDP. Smyth went on to write "The Liberals didn't even bother to send the traditional official observers. What a slap!" It wasn't mentioned that the BC Liberals discouraged observers of any kind at their last convention by imposing visitor fees in excess of $350. Not attending might have far more to do with their policy of discouraging visitors and their desire not to create the need to reciprocate any welcome that would be extended by the NDP.

The next provincial election will be on May 17, 2005 - 18 months from now. As the new leader of the NDP, Carole James has a lot of work to do in those 18 months. She should be judged by how voters respond then, not by what columnists scribble as she leaves the starting gate.