The Individual in the Campaign
So Bill Murdoch has decided to tell the voters in his riding that he doesn't support John Tory's plan to publicly fund private religious schools:
Good idea. In fact, I bet a lot of Tory MPPs could get elected in their ridings if they told constituents: "Well, I know Mr. Tory supports this idea, but, quite frankly - and I'm going to be honest with you - I don't."
So, what's being called a campaign disaster by some, SooeySays could be a campaign saver. And I think NDP candidates should do the same thing to get elected in their ridings. Say at the door, "I don't actually support the public funding of Catholic schools. Howard Hampton does, for some reason, but I don't."
It would be especially effective up North where financial resources are scarce and cities are struggling to maintain the dual system to just sort of do your own thing, and, you know, kind of cup your hand to your mouth like you're letting the voter in on the down low, "Look, I don't support it and I'll do what I can once elected to eliminate it, but we gotta get lots of guys like me elected to get it done."
I mean, Liberals can't really say much one way or the other about education because their guy is actually the Premier and will in all likelihood be the Premier again, so - what the hell. In politics, you go where the votes are.
So yeah - good strategy Bill Murdoch. Get yourself elected, first, and worry about the details later.
