Barbs & Jabs

Taste of sour grapes seems to linger

How to lose gracefully ought to be a mandatory course before entering politics.
I was in the room when Ballantrae resident Phil Bannon won the candidacy for the Progressive Conservatives in Oak Ridges-Markham.
It wasn't much of a contest — he was, by far, the best choice. The delegates knew it from the get-go.
Of course, the voting delegates were nice to the other hopefuls, Sue Sherban, D'Arcy Pigott and Gayani Weerasinghe, but the PCs were hunting for a candidate who'd go on to win the riding Oct. 10.
Seconds after Mr. Bannon stepped on to the stage to deliver his victory speech, I shifted my attention elsewhere.
Having witnessed candidate selections for about 40 years, I have picked up a few pointers. First, never mind the winner. Instead, keep an eye on the losers.
About 80 per cent of the time, losers reveal why they lost. It often comes down to a lack of regard for loyalty, fairness and dignity.
When Mrs. Sherban took the stage, she told the crowd she'd work to keep the riding blue. And then she blew it.
Mrs. Sherban did not congratulate Mr. Bannon. Since the former mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville was not gracious in defeat, it was clear why she lost.
The gig was not up when Mr. Bannon won and Mrs. Sherban lost. The taste of sour grapes seems to linger.
Mrs. Sherban is now hustling votes for the Liberals. Apparently, she told John Tory of her decision to back the Grits.
No doubt, Mr. Tory turned to his aids and whispered, "Sue, who?"
If I was Grit candidate Dr. Helena Jaczek, I'd turn to Mrs. Sherban and say, "Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer Liberals on my campaign."

A whole new kind of campaign bus

When busloads of illegal Mexicans rolled into Ontario, Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty was quick to respond.
Standing firm, facing Ottawa and using his very best voice, dear Dalton yelled in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's ear, "Over to you, Jack".
"These refugees aren't so much coming to Windsor as they're coming to Canada and this is properly a federal responsibility," Mr. McGuinty said during a campaign stop in the border city yesterday.
The Mexicans are on the run following an immigration crackdown in the United States. A group formed in Florida apparently decided to promote Canada as a refuge for the Mexicans. The group's a little iffy since it's handing out misleading information for a price. 
As of today, 185 of 300 Mexican refugees have been given social assistance in Windsor. The money holds them over while they wait to see how their refugee claims fare out. 
Under the current system, the province pays 80 per cent of the welfare costs, while the municipality takes care of the rest. The wave of illegal Mexican migrants is overwhelming shelters and emergency services in Windsor and it's apt to take more than a year before their refugee claims are dealt with.
Since Windsor is facing a 10-per-cent unemployment rate, the city needs an influx of jobless, hungry refugees like a third leg.
A reality check suggests most of the refugee claims have little chance of success.
While the Mexican issue isn't Mr. McGuinty's fault, he'll inherit the problem the moment he's returned as premier. Surely, Mr. McGuinty can come up with a better answer than to try to shift the burden onto the feds.
The Mexicans are in Windsor. They're not in Ottawa.
Then again, we could ask PC Leader John Tory what he'd do given the dilemma.
Since Tory's on a roll, maybe he'll promise a free vote on if his Ontario includes busload of illegal Mexicans.

Despite leader's gaffe, York Tories still in it

The wheels are coming off the John Tory campaign, but that doesn't mean every Conservative in York Region is tumbling to the ground.
When the fat lady sings Oct. 10, the sound of voter applause will accompany Newmarket-Aurora PC candidates Frank Klees and York-Simcoe Julia Munro to a return trip to Queen's Park.
Both veteran politicians, Mr. Klees and Mrs. Munro are well-known, well-liked and well positioned to win.
Excellent constituency caretakers, Mr. Klees and Ms Munro have fully functioning brains.
When Mr. Tory kicked off his campaign with the faith-based school funding issue, I'll bet his toe turned purple.
The moment he announced he was rethinking his controversial scheme, the gig was up. He pulled the plug on his own campaign.
The human condition seldom makes sense. People can tolerate stupid promises and stupid government. People can't and won't put up with an admission of stupidity.
Back-peddling is only OK post election. Back-peddling during a campaign is suicide.
Polls show the scheme to fund faith-based schools has been unpopular from the get-go. I'd take it one step further and suggest religion or the lack of it, is a 100-per-cent family responsibility. Kids go to school to learn, including how to get along with each other. Praying a zillion different ways does nothing but divide and antagonize. As well, religion fosters ignorance.
If, by chance, you're inclined to believe in a higher power, practise it on your own time, not mine.
I'm shocked Mr. Tory's backroom boys didn't remind their leader election campaigning 101 dictates you don't include God.
However, not every PC except Mr. Klees and Mrs. Munro are destined for defeat. Oak Ridges-Markham candidate Phil Bannon's no push over. Liberal Helena Jaczek is, however, hard on his heels.
Oak Ridges-Markham voters could deliver the only cliffhanger in York Region.