Politicians or wannabe politicians aren’t always eager to talk to the media. In fact, some of them will go to extreme measures to avoid interviews or situations where they might face questions.
This is not a new phenomenon. We’ve been snubbed by city politicians, provincial politicians and even folks who are just running for their local parents’ group’s executive.
It’s understandable that some candidates might want to avoid the media. Candidates who have troubled pasts, or who have no idea what their party platforms or party positions are on a number of subjects, tend to shy away from publicity. Who wants to expose the fact that he or she is really just hoping to slip in to a high-paying position with little or no understanding of what the job is or what their party has promised?
This also is not new, nor does any one party or level of government hold the patent on such behaviour. We’ve had NDPers, Liberals and Conservatives play this game.
If they can stall long enough and hide behind campaign managers, play telephone tag and redirect media attention to their leaders – well, it’s actually proven to be a pretty good tactic. Candidates who decide they’re better off not risking talking to the media or attending all-candidates’ meetings where the media will likely be present are playing the odds – and the odds, are, unfortunately, in their favour.
And that’s why the Conservative candidates are harder to catch than greased wild boars.
Last week Burnaby NOW reporter Jennifer Moreau tried to pin a couple down. You’d think she was trying to get an interview with the Pope in Cuba. She then tried to find out if the candidates were following some kind of national campaign directive. Trying to get an answer from a Conservative national communications director was like trying to catch a greased wild boar in a corn maze during a hurricane. It would be comical if it wasn’t so anti-democratic.
Candidates owe – yes, owe – their constituents answers and appearances. Hiding behind national advertising campaigns and leaders who are also avoiding questions is the height of arrogrance and indifference.
Is this what elections have become? Hide and seek games designed to avoid real conversations? Any candidate who will not openly debate or answer questions from voters or media does not, in our opinion, deserve a voter’s consideration.
If they think so little of voters now, what on earth will they do if elected?
