Dear Editor,
[Re: An anti-media kind of feeling in 黑马磁力, langleyadvancetimes.com, may 31]
I would agree with the observations noted by reporter Dan Ferguson and also the KPU Journalism and Communications instructor Mr. Chad Skelton.
I, too, in my 42 years in being active in campaign and party politics, have noticed the trend noted by Mr. Skelton. The Conservatives even here in Surrey did not for the most party attend all candidate meetings including the largest one hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade for both the provincial and more recently the federal election.
As a member of the management team of many campaigns 鈥� almost 70 in fact 鈥� civic, federal and provincial I always encouraged candidates to attend candidate meetings.
The reason given for being absent is "I'm out meeting the voters door to door" is a very poor excuse. Campaign teams have volunteers doing that. I sent volunteers out when the candidate myself and another attended an all candidate's meeting. It's a missed opportunity for the candidate to be seen and heard in a much wider scope than completing 10 to 15 home visits that same evening.
In fact when I first got involved, the party I was with (BC Social Credit) insisted that the candidates attend such meetings and yes there were manuals written as to how to handle an all candidate's meeting. What to say what to do, what not to do in meetings, and how to engage with the local media.
We spent time going over what the meeting was for, where it was, and how to respond to questions. My role was also to consult headquarters for answers to the more challenging issues of the day to give to our candidate notes and briefs.
The manuals and practice exercises were given by real retired journalists. I, on purpose, wrote very challenging scenarios for practice based on real out-there examples.
Candidates were told if you can't handle an all candidates meeting, then how are you going to handle yourself if you're facing hard questions from the other side of The House? They were also told it's an opportunity to sell yourself to a challenging market. Just like in competitive business.
Campaigns were told use the media as an opportunity. Engage the media. The media is not our friend, but don't get the media mad at you and never say anything that will end up in tomorrow's news. Ever.
Yes, candidates will make blunders at all candidate meetings, I've seen many that caused the voters and us to wince. But better to use an all candidate meeting for opportunity practice and selling rather than make serious errors after being elected. I've seen that happen happen with Conservatives and other politicians.
It's both pathetic and sad that candidates are strictly controlled by HQ by those who do not know or never even visited the riding to know the environment. I saw this particularly during the last provincial election.
Candidates, as noted by Mr. Skelton, are very wise to attend all candidate meetings and to engage with the attending voters.
I could not as a very long-time volunteer in campaigning and party politics agree more.
Paul Keenleyside, Surrey
