January 17, 2003

Shy Premier

The pulling of Crimestoppers' public service ads featuring Premier Gordon Campbell illustrates how a little crime while on holiday actually does affect the ability of the Premier to do his public job. We will never know how many appointments and public events were cancelled during the first week following Campbell's return from Hawaii, but everyone knows that damage control distorts the agenda.

The watch will be on for how quickly Campbell returns to business as usual. Of course, public appearances will never again be the same for Gordon Campbell. Protest posters will carry a constant reminder of his 8 hours in a US jail. Apart from protests, however, observers will look to see if Campbell commits to fewer public appearances over the next few weeks. His absence for the release of the Olympic Bid Book may be explained away but most will attribute it to camera shyness in the wake of the scandal.

Campbell promised to hold "open cabinet" meetings at least once a month. Opinions vary on whether the staged meetings are a complete waste of money or not, but the taxpayer paid "New Era Review" emphasized the promise and claimed that it has been "done" to date. If a staged cabinet meeting is not held in January, it will look like Campbell lacks the courage to be televised chairing a "meeting".

Campbell's March 25th court date, the day after the ferries are given away at auction, will keep reporters asking questions. What new information might be made available in court? Will the arresting officer's notes show inconsistencies with Campbell's version of events? Will blowing nearly twice the legal limit result in stiffer penalties? As long as questions linger, and they will at least up to the court date, Campbell risks being questioned about his drunk driving every time a reporter holds out a microphone. Campbell's crime may end up over riding any government event which features participation by the Premier. Perhaps that is why Campbell was no where to be seen at the long awaited unveiling of the Vancouver 2010 bid book.