Tory evasive over comments
Jan. 12, 2006. 11:16 PM
KEVIN MCGRAN
STAFF REPORTER
Conservative candidate Rondo Thomas refused to answer questions yesterday about his comments that describe same-sex marriage issues as a battle between “righteousness” and “immorality.”
“Show some respect,” Thomas said as he drove away from a Star reporter and photographer, refusing to say whether he stood by the comments captured on video last February, and whether he’d been ordered by Conservative party headquarters to remain tight-lipped.
Thomas, an evangelical minister, missed two all-candidates debates this week in Ajax-Pickering just as Liberal incumbent Mark Holland posted Thomas’s video on his campaign website. On the video, Thomas says: “There is going to be a clash of morality views between those who believe in righteousness and those who believe in immorality and when we collide there is going to be conflict.”
Thomas’s campaign manager, Mike Young, said his candidate missed debates Monday and Tuesday because he was at a funeral in eastern Ontario. Thomas was at his home in Ajax yesterday.
The first time, he slowed to pull into his driveway, but saw the reporter and photographer. He led them on a five-minute slow-speed pursuit through a subdivision. Thomas then returned to his home, refusing to answer the door or his phone.
A few minutes later, Young showed up. A casually dressed Thomas emerged from his home with a woman. The pair drove away, at which point Young said Thomas didn’t want to talk because he had “another funeral to attend.” Earlier this week Young said Thomas would address the issue today.
The Tories have been hurt in the past by allegations of intolerance. Tory campaign chair John Reynolds this week told Canadian Press that Harper has made his position on gay marriage clear — he will allow a free vote in the Commons — and if people go beyond that, they do not speak for the party.
Outside a Kingston Rd. strip mall a few blocks east of Thomas’s home, voters in the riding urged him to answer questions on his comments.
“You shouldn’t be running if you’re not giving your views,” said Pickering resident Mary Woodhouse.
A few cars away, Michael Richards echoed those comments as he packed groceries into his truck. “He must be open,” Richards said. “We have burning issues. We need to know whatever you think to determine what you stand for.”
Todd Stephens, emerging with skates from a sports store with his wife and two children said Thomas’s “dubious” views made it even less likely that Stephens would vote for him.
“I can’t speak for Mr. Thomas, but I know for myself it’s important to answer questions,” NDP candidate Kevin Modeste said. “I think whether you agree or disagree, you have to move on.”
