May 10, 2005

Campbell's Future

Ninety minutes out of the bubble was too much for Gordon Campbell. Fearful of being without support, the Liberals sent out an email asking supporters to stack the phone lines to the radio debate. There's nothing new about that tactic from any political party, but it is blatantly stupid for paid political staff to call a show. Steve from Prince George was identified by Vancouver Sun Legislative reporter Sean Holman as Heath Minister Shirley Bond's assistant, on leave to help her in her campaign. Confronted with the truth, Campbell admitted that the Liberals appealed for supporters to call into the show. It is disappointing that professional political staff would respond to that call and take airtime away from other voters.

The attack strategy followed by Campbell and his talk-show callers on Monday was followed by more negative news releases from his handlers. One listed the union affiliation of 25 NDP candidates. New Democrats must be encouraged that the list included candidates ridings which most pundits put in the "safe Liberal" category such as Delta South, Surrey-Tynehead, Chilliwak-Sumas, Prince George-Mt. Robson, North Vancouver-Seymour, Port Moody-Westwood and even Vancouver-Point Grey, Campbell's riding, and others.

New TV advertisements from both sides show that the last week of the campaign will be very nasty. Don't expect to see the Liberals show Gordon Campbell in any of their ads; he remains one of their major liabilities. Speculation has already turned to when the leadership race will start to replace him. Just a few weeks ago most observers considered it certain that the Liberals would take 50 or more seats; the outcome could be much closer. If Campbell wins by a slim majority, the race will be on to replace him as leader. Green voters hold the key to that outcome. They can elect Liberals or New Democrats but not Greens. How they vote may determine Campbell's future.