The Home Stretch

As the Seine River nomination meeting for the PC Party of Manitoba is tomorrow night, I thought I’d write down a few of my thoughts going in to tomorrow’s race:

1) Politics is the world’s longest job interview. Prior to engaging in the political process, I had no idea how much went into getting a candidate lined up for a riding. The nomination leg of this journey requires an amazing amount of effort – phone calls, one-on-one meetings followed by phone calls and more door knocking.

2) There are amazing people out there. All too often, we are cynical of those that engage themselves in the political process. The people I have had the good fortune of meeting are involved in the PC Party because it is their heartfelt belief that the core values of the Tories are the ones that will give them and their families the opportunity to achieve their life’s ambitions when government provides the requisite strategic framework. You will not read about most of these people in the papers or on the blogs but without them, democracy would suffer. It’s the people toiling away behind the scenes that make the magic of the electoral process happen – the riding executives, volunteers and members.

3) Those who grumble about a lack of choice in candidates only have themselves to blame. A wise person told me that they are astounded at how reluctant some people are to participate in the nomination process even when they are dues-paying members of a party. The nomination meeting is a perfect opportunity to support someone that you feel best represents your views and who will give the opposing political camps a run for their money. Seine River Tories have three very capable candidates to choose from tomorrow night. This is the perfect time to throw your support behind the person you feel will best take on what is sure to be one of the ridings to watch during the upcoming provincial election.

The meeting will be held tomorrow night (Wednesday April 18, 2007) at the Dakota Community Centre – 1188 Dakota Street. Registration starts at 6:00 pm and speeches will start at 7:00 pm. People from outside the riding are welcome to attend. I hope to see you there!