A local journalist brought to my attention a story, which appeared today on vocm.com. Here is the full text of that story (I corrected a couple of typographical errors):
A man claiming to be contemplating a run at the Tory leadership doesn't like the process. The potential candidate, who prefers to be unnamed for the time being, says he has as much or more experience than Kathy Dunderdale. The man cites a lack of public notice and public disclosure as reasons for his displeasure, and goes so far as to call the process “rigged” and “perverted.”
Nominations opened Dec. 30 and close on Jan. 10. The potential candidates point out the Progressive Conservative office was closed for several of those days given the holiday schedule. He also says there are a $5,000 fee and a requirement of fifty party signatures to seek the party's top spot. All this, he suggests, makes it virtually impossible to apply for the PC leadership, unless they are already in.
He goes on to say that the stipulations virtually deny a common person the ability to enter the race. The man says he is unsure if he will actually run for the position and claims the current process is a “mockery’ and one that he says threatens the province’s democratic values.
It is passing strange that VOCM gives no clue, other than gender, of the person’s identity. For example, is he a member of the Tory caucus? If so, that would lend credence to the man’s complaint. In fact, it would be a bombshell. Is he a prominent local business person or opinion leader? That, too, would be interesting. However, with no information at all, we are left to assume that it was no one of any significance. Which gives rise to the question: Why bother reporting it at all?
This was put in a slightly funnier fashion by the journalist who brought it to my attention:
“A man claiming to be ‘contemplating’ is weak,” wrote my source. “I get calls from people claiming to talk to God, to see aliens, to have the cure for cancer. Did they check it out, ask the other side? Do they even know his name? Is he a big deal or some nutjob? It's not journalism.”
The above-quoted person, ironically enough, also requested anonymity. However, we do know it was a journalist, which adds important context and is more than VOCM told us about their source.
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