The Second "All Candidate's" Meeting, Hosted by CRAP - er, CARP

I attended the second all-candidates meeting for Prince Edward – Hastings tonight. As I have a more important turkey to roast this evening (see my column for the Intelligencer on Saturday, also available on jamesphieffer.com early Saturday morning) I will be brief.

Tim Hickey - Independent

After a solid debut on Monday night, his performance slipped, but with mitigating circumstances (see Saturday's column for more on this, as well as Progressive Canadian Party candidate Andrew Skinner's non-appearance). He played to the crowd but was seriously missing specifics. He kicks off with the presentation of his platform in downtown Belleville's Market Square on Thursday April 21 at 11 AM.
Grade: D

Daryl Kramp – Conservative

In spite of a crowd with some real idiots in it (yes, I mean you, guy with gray hair and a pony tail who hurled crude invectives at random intervals), he did well, never losing his cool regardless of being misquoted, etc. Calm, friendly, measured, clear.
Grade: A




Patrick Larkin – Green
After a strong outing Monday night, he was reduced to political/Green cliches in a performance which left me wondering who the real Larkin is.
Grade: C-

Michael McMahon – NDP

Another candidate who posted a strong performance on Monday, but seemed to fall off tonight. He continues to pursue a virtual 'hands off' approach to the Liberal candidate, focusing his attacks on the Conservatives. The problem with this approach is even if he is able to convince a voter not to support the Conservatives, he has neglected to point out why the NDP is the superior choice vs. the Liberals. A strong presence, tactically strong but strategically weak.
Grade: C

Peter Tinsley – Liberal

After a lackluster performance on Monday, the Liberal candidate came back with a vengeance. Demonstrating a strong grasp of the issues, and staying away from political cliches and invective, he demonstrated himself as a strong candidate, with the calm, steady demeanor which was missing for much of Monday night, but which his biography had led me to expect. He has moved himself to the head of the group of challengers to Daryl Kramp.
Grade: A-

Andrew Skinner – Progressive Canadian Party

As much as I was unimpressed with him Monday night, his absence is part of a massive issue with this event for which the blame lies with the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, for whom the acronym CARP has never been so appropriate on so many levels (see Saturday's column). As such, he and those who might have considered him were done a grave dis-service, as was the cause of democracy itself.
Grade: Not present due to actions of CARP organizers.