Better than inbreeding, I guess...
Blame game being played out inside lumbering Conservative campaign as insiders voice their worries
WELLAND, Ont. — The blame game has begun in earnest among some senior Conservatives, as interpersonal rivalries bubble away below the surface and longtime stalwarts worry about the state of the campaign.
Stephen Harper himself finds himself an even more solitary figure this week, with his right-hand man and friend Ray Novak dispatched to work in the party’s war room in Ottawa rather than accompany the leader. Campaign manager Jenni Byrne is also back in the capital this week.
Several senior Conservative insiders — speaking to The Canadian Press on the condition of anonymity for fear of party reprisals — had different opinions and gripes about what is ailing the campaign.
They all agreed it clearly “wasn’t firing on all cylinders,” as one person put it.
Regional organizers and ministers are not being consulted regularly nor drawn into the loop on issues as they arise in the campaign, the source said. The assessment is one of a general lack of nimbleness, which means Harper’s rivals have been able to frame parts of the electoral debate.
One Conservative went so far as to call it “open mutiny,” saying many Tories are simply not pitching in to help with the campaign out of disenchantment.
Campaign manager Jenni Byrne is a polarizing figure, with some defending her record as a competent strategist and organizer. Others say her hyper-partisan instincts have resulted in Harper being poorly advised on the Syrian refugee crisis in particular.
“(Byrne) speaks to the worst instincts in Harper,” said another Conservative.
While the core “base” of the Conservative party might not be in favour of bringing in more refugees, the issue is one that has Canadians talking and the premiers and mayors across the country springing to action.
Meanwhile, there are dark stories travelling through the ranks about poor polling numbers in places like Edmonton, where several seats could be in jeopardy.
...full article...
Blame game being played out inside lumbering Conservative campaign as insiders voice their worries | National Post
Blame game being played out inside lumbering Conservative campaign as insiders voice their worries
WELLAND, Ont. — The blame game has begun in earnest among some senior Conservatives, as interpersonal rivalries bubble away below the surface and longtime stalwarts worry about the state of the campaign.
Stephen Harper himself finds himself an even more solitary figure this week, with his right-hand man and friend Ray Novak dispatched to work in the party’s war room in Ottawa rather than accompany the leader. Campaign manager Jenni Byrne is also back in the capital this week.
Several senior Conservative insiders — speaking to The Canadian Press on the condition of anonymity for fear of party reprisals — had different opinions and gripes about what is ailing the campaign.
They all agreed it clearly “wasn’t firing on all cylinders,” as one person put it.
Regional organizers and ministers are not being consulted regularly nor drawn into the loop on issues as they arise in the campaign, the source said. The assessment is one of a general lack of nimbleness, which means Harper’s rivals have been able to frame parts of the electoral debate.
One Conservative went so far as to call it “open mutiny,” saying many Tories are simply not pitching in to help with the campaign out of disenchantment.
Campaign manager Jenni Byrne is a polarizing figure, with some defending her record as a competent strategist and organizer. Others say her hyper-partisan instincts have resulted in Harper being poorly advised on the Syrian refugee crisis in particular.
“(Byrne) speaks to the worst instincts in Harper,” said another Conservative.
While the core “base” of the Conservative party might not be in favour of bringing in more refugees, the issue is one that has Canadians talking and the premiers and mayors across the country springing to action.
Meanwhile, there are dark stories travelling through the ranks about poor polling numbers in places like Edmonton, where several seats could be in jeopardy.
...full article...
Blame game being played out inside lumbering Conservative campaign as insiders voice their worries | National Post
