Somebody brought a TV to the campaign office, and first we watched a local TV news clip on our campaign in Halton, then the fall of the government. Outside, Patric, Charlie and Keith were doing battle in the rain with a big banner that was resisting getting nailed to the front of the building. In the back lot, Doug was loading arterial signs into the trunk of his car.
I took my truck over to the lumber yard and brought back a mess of six-foot wooden stakes that had been sharpened into fearsome points on one end. Then, as the MPs on the little TV screen clapped and hugged and did strange things for people potentially facing electoral mayhem, the sign crews set off.
Main intersections tonight, into the northern areas tomorrow, and the riding pretty well covered within a day and a half. It is a giant area, and the job of the sign guys will be never-ending until the day of the vote. I am told that in the last campaign here a lot of Conservative signs met a premature death – something I am obviously hoping the other side will rise above this time. Yeah, right.
In any case, we are finally off and running. Martin’s speech tonight was warlike and accusatory, certainly setting the scene for what will be a vicious fight on the part of the Liberals. Harper took a less hostile tone – which he must do – mentioning the Liberal’s scandalous sins, but also talking about a positive future to come.
As I wrote here below, this is a message so vital to our campaign. We are for the future, and not just against the past. We stand for constructive change, not change merely for the sake of it. It is not worth winning the riding, or the government, if you have to lie to get there – because sooner or later, the lie will be found out.
Campaigns are tough and relentless. They tempt you to say things to get attention, or to wound your opponents. They play themselves out in absolute colours – black and white. They are often the enemies of both compromise and common sense.
I am at the beginning of it now. I have neither met nor spoken to my chief opponent, and perhaps will not until a minute or two before we take part in a debate. While I have criticized the way he has done his job as an MP, being so incredibly partisan and remote from the community, it is not my place to put him down as a person. Anybody who stands for a job like this, or goes through this political process has my respect.
It will be a hard campaign. Not hard enough, I hope, to threaten the civility and decency that are the cornerstones of Canadian democracy.
17 comments ↓
Dumb question but when the goverment is dissolved tomorrow, who’s running the country….Martin until after the election?
Yes. No dumb at all! –Garth
Go Garth Go!
Then run Garth run, like the howling winter winds from Hans Island; for when winter is past comes spring.
Just another question as I’m sure you’re getting ready to hit the streets.
If you do win, are you legally/ethically able to continue your weekly financial posts? I really admire your straight forward approach and would miss the information.
I will continue to write a commentary and publish it online. Should any publications wish to carry it, well, that’s their choice. It is something I enjoy doing, and am glad you find it useful. And what’s this “if” I win stuff? — Garth
Good luck Garth, I will be cheering for your win out there in Ontario. It would seem that any likely outcome is not going to be favorable to the Canadian people these days. Am I wrong?
This campaign will be long and could have many outcomes. Have faith, support good people, and you will influence it for the better. — Garth
Garth, I don’t agree with all your views, but I certainly do appreciate a candidate who puts his platform (on a blog, no less) right out there for all to see. So, though I’m not in your riding, best of luck in what I’m sure will be a hard fought and slushy campaign!
Good luck Garth. Kick some Liberal A$$!
Hi Garth
I’ve been reading your blog for some time now, and I’m a bit jealous.
I’m a political neophyte, but am itching to become involved. I’m jealous because , first, I think you’re going to run a hell of a campaign and come up as the best candidate. Second, because I figure my riding of Calgary Centre is pretty much locked-up, Lee Richardson’s office isn’t going to have the kind of energy that you and your office have. Essentially, I fear I’ll miss out on much of the “thrill of the battle.”
Nevertheless, I shall volunteer and do my part. But I wish I could volunteer on your campaign.
Good luck, Garth!
Good luck on your campaign, Garth. Yours will be a well deserved win. No if Canadians in all ridings could acknowledge…Stand Up for Canada. Stand Up for Change.
All the best Garth. Hurray Hard! And if you must know it’s snowing in Victoria but I understand that we will delay the January Flower count so that we can vote.
When you get elected into office. I expect you to become the Minister of Finance. We need someone who understands economics and taxation. Someone who understands the struggles of the middle class.
Garth, have you checked out this piece from The Star today?
Yes. Not bad for the Star! — Garth
Garth, I know you’ll win the Halton riding but I’m nervous that our association with the Block and NDP (though necessary) will hurt our chances of gaining majority ground on the “Fiberals”. Can we survive possible minority status and still get this country back on track?
I consider this new Conservative Party as nothing but the Alliance/Reformers who’ve taken advantage of a weakened PC party and called it theirs. So what is it? Are you PC’s and take responsibility for Mulroney’s past follies or are you really Reform Party who no Ontarian can stand? You tend to point out Liberals past problems, but at least they have one.
Garth: We have been reading your financial columns for some time and appreciate them so much. Also, since your blog went up we have been reading your adventures in your riding of Halton.
All the best in the campaign and we hope you win. The folks in Halton seem reasonable and intelligent and just like most of us out here in BC.
Here’s a bumper sticker slogan for all those who think the liberals deserve yet another chance to bleed us dry:
” Still voting Liberal?”
” You’re Stuck on Stupid!”
Folks out here think that Ontario will all vote liberal.
I don’t believe it. I think the Conservatives have a chance to form a decent and healthy majority!
Go get ‘em , Garth!
“…Mulroney’s past follies..”
Yo, MAC. Care to elaborate?
“…Mulroney’s past follies..â€
indeed … 120 pieces of legislation in 100 months.
up against 2 (SSM and Clarity?)in 162 months. it’s tough to put time into governin’ when you’re busy stealin’.