Bill Barry
has left the Tory Leadership race. ‘Quitter’ is not an entry one would expect to
see on his Resume.
Barry
entered the race with gusto, announcing his intention within days of Premier
Dunderdale’s departure. When this Blogger wrote that Danny Williams had arranged
a “fix” for Frank Coleman, Barry called up to confirm he was in the race “to
the end”.
entered the race with gusto, announcing his intention within days of Premier
Dunderdale’s departure. When this Blogger wrote that Danny Williams had arranged
a “fix” for Frank Coleman, Barry called up to confirm he was in the race “to
the end”.
Of course,
candidates change their minds all the time, as is their right. The oddity is
that Barry invested so little effort in an enterprise about which he first
seemed so passionate.
candidates change their minds all the time, as is their right. The oddity is
that Barry invested so little effort in an enterprise about which he first
seemed so passionate.
It is fine
to be critical of a Party’s policies, as Barry was; but renewal and change is
created when energetic, creative and interesting people employ well-honed talents
to climb to the top of the political ladder. Quitters rarely get to convince
a large public of the value of their ideas.
to be critical of a Party’s policies, as Barry was; but renewal and change is
created when energetic, creative and interesting people employ well-honed talents
to climb to the top of the political ladder. Quitters rarely get to convince
a large public of the value of their ideas.
Then, too,
it is fine for Bill Barry to criticize the P.C. Party’s system of delegated leadership
conventions. He knew, from
the beginning, that it was constitutionally inscribed and, therefore, the only one
legally permissible right now.
it is fine for Bill Barry to criticize the P.C. Party’s system of delegated leadership
conventions. He knew, from
the beginning, that it was constitutionally inscribed and, therefore, the only one
legally permissible right now.
For that
reason he had an obligation, if his formal candidacy was a serious
manifestation of intent, to play within the current rules and to seek change
later, win or lose.
Mr. Barry’s
candidacy began with little support; it ended the same way.
The letter announcing
his decision to withdraw noted: “As of now, not a single member of caucus
has seen fit to place support in my direction …it’s less than interesting for
me to play against a stacked deck…the final outcome is preordained”.
The road to
the eighth floor is seldom as free or easy as it was for Kathy Dunderdale or as
it is now for Frank Coleman. Nor should
it be.
reason he had an obligation, if his formal candidacy was a serious
manifestation of intent, to play within the current rules and to seek change
later, win or lose.
Mr. Barry’s
candidacy began with little support; it ended the same way.
The letter announcing
his decision to withdraw noted: “As of now, not a single member of caucus
has seen fit to place support in my direction …it’s less than interesting for
me to play against a stacked deck…the final outcome is preordained”.
Barry’s comments
are disingenuous and not just because of Danny Williams’ “fix” or his own failure
to bring at least some members of caucus onside.
are disingenuous and not just because of Danny Williams’ “fix” or his own failure
to bring at least some members of caucus onside.
Having
entered the Race, Mr. Barry had an obligation to make something of the
opportunity; he barely even tried.
entered the Race, Mr. Barry had an obligation to make something of the
opportunity; he barely even tried.
He was aware
that, in all but two ridings, the one year terms of District Association
Executives had run out. As a result, the
delegated process would deliver all eleven delegates rather than just
six. Inclusive of Tory Associations,
like P.C. Youth and P.C. Women, an estimated 710 delegates would have been eligible to attend the Convention, in July. Only
about 160 ex-officio delegates, including the Members of the Tory Caucus,
were exempt from this process, leaving roughly 78% to be chosen in a series of local elections.
that, in all but two ridings, the one year terms of District Association
Executives had run out. As a result, the
delegated process would deliver all eleven delegates rather than just
six. Inclusive of Tory Associations,
like P.C. Youth and P.C. Women, an estimated 710 delegates would have been eligible to attend the Convention, in July. Only
about 160 ex-officio delegates, including the Members of the Tory Caucus,
were exempt from this process, leaving roughly 78% to be chosen in a series of local elections.
On this
basis, Mr. Barry’s opportunity to introduce change to his moribund Party was far from closed. Indeed, the process offered him an enormous “bully
pulpit” to speak about his favourite issues and ultimately, if he displayed the
virtues of a fierce competitor, to win more delegates than Frank Coleman.
_________________________________________________________________
basis, Mr. Barry’s opportunity to introduce change to his moribund Party was far from closed. Indeed, the process offered him an enormous “bully
pulpit” to speak about his favourite issues and ultimately, if he displayed the
virtues of a fierce competitor, to win more delegates than Frank Coleman.
_________________________________________________________________
Related Story: P.C. LEADERSHIP RACE NOT CATCHING FIRE
_________________________________________________________________
The road to
the eighth floor is seldom as free or easy as it was for Kathy Dunderdale or as
it is now for Frank Coleman. Nor should
it be.
Traditionally
it has required hard work on the part of the Candidates. It is a prize in pursuit of which huge demands are placed upon large, highly skilled,
well-funded, organized and motivated teams of workers.
it has required hard work on the part of the Candidates. It is a prize in pursuit of which huge demands are placed upon large, highly skilled,
well-funded, organized and motivated teams of workers.
Bill Barry could
have assembled such a campaign and promoted policies based upon the principles of
open and transparent government, fiscal responsibility and clear headed
social programs. He
might even have talked to a crowed convention and a larger public about the
future of the Province.
have assembled such a campaign and promoted policies based upon the principles of
open and transparent government, fiscal responsibility and clear headed
social programs. He
might even have talked to a crowed convention and a larger public about the
future of the Province.
Yet, his
Press Releases were an inadequate contribution especially given the current state of public policy and the Government’s recklessness.
Mr. Barry may well have had ideas but he allowed his personal foibles to
get in their way.
Press Releases were an inadequate contribution especially given the current state of public policy and the Government’s recklessness.
Mr. Barry may well have had ideas but he allowed his personal foibles to
get in their way.
His campaign
needed interaction with the public. He did not possess a skill for communications or characteristics like
political savvy and intuition. He was
fond of disavowing any of the talents of a politician; yet he found room for his own inappropriate “bucket of shit” comment, which indiscreetly he termed a “Billism”.
needed interaction with the public. He did not possess a skill for communications or characteristics like
political savvy and intuition. He was
fond of disavowing any of the talents of a politician; yet he found room for his own inappropriate “bucket of shit” comment, which indiscreetly he termed a “Billism”.
His view served to undercut politics as a noble and essential profession. He might have helped raise its poor public perception by not becoming one of that vocation’s oversubscribed legion of underachievers.
That Frank
Coleman, too, had hidden from public view any of the attributes of ‘politician’
ought to have been a clue to Barry that that the possibility of out-organizing his
competitor held promise.
Coleman, too, had hidden from public view any of the attributes of ‘politician’
ought to have been a clue to Barry that that the possibility of out-organizing his
competitor held promise.
Attendance
at the delegate selection meetings in Topsail, Clarenville, MUN and Heart’s
Content was dreadful; the largest attracted only 129 people.
at the delegate selection meetings in Topsail, Clarenville, MUN and Heart’s
Content was dreadful; the largest attracted only 129 people.
Indeed, the low
numbers offered proof that a
professionally organized campaign might actually have displaced Coleman. When he should have been building a strong team, Barry relied chiefly on his own persuasiveness. That was a poor calculation.
numbers offered proof that a
professionally organized campaign might actually have displaced Coleman. When he should have been building a strong team, Barry relied chiefly on his own persuasiveness. That was a poor calculation.
Leadership Candidate Bill Barry was not ready to win.
Mr. Barry had
political aspirations. But he did not bring to their pursuit the single-mindedness he is known to have employed in his business.
political aspirations. But he did not bring to their pursuit the single-mindedness he is known to have employed in his business.
In the end,
he succeeded only in confirming he did not have the discipline to play by the
rules. He had no stomach for the marathon of foot slogging, the little victories tempered by incessant disappointments that are part of the game; he was unprepared for the large investment of money and resources winning, and losing, requires.
His departure has served only to have him play into the hands of his nemesis, Danny Williams, who has secured for Frank Coleman a free ride.
Mr. Barry did not have what it takes.
he succeeded only in confirming he did not have the discipline to play by the
rules. He had no stomach for the marathon of foot slogging, the little victories tempered by incessant disappointments that are part of the game; he was unprepared for the large investment of money and resources winning, and losing, requires.
His departure has served only to have him play into the hands of his nemesis, Danny Williams, who has secured for Frank Coleman a free ride.
Mr. Barry did not have what it takes.
We thank him
for his efforts and wish him all the best.
for his efforts and wish him all the best.
Bill Barry didn't demonstrate a real energy for a leadership race, it is true. Frank Coleman has demonstrated less even though he will be Premier. The same is true though, of Kathy Dunderdale and come to think of it, most if not all of the PC caucus and other members on the blue side of the House. It has been a fairly easy ride to Confederation Hill for these people, on the coattails of Danny Williams that is. Which explains why none have stepped up to the possibility of leadership…they didn't have what it takes in the first place. There will be pensions racing through the door come next election. Too bad Barry credited so much power to the PC Caucus because really it wouldn't have taken much energy to move others who actually might care that the PC's are on the way out. And Coleman, well pity the poor sod!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This blog is ridiculous, every time I have read an article on here I am completely baffled at how far your head must be stuck up your chocolate star fish. Take your head out of your anal cavity and get some air, your brain is obviously lacking oxygen. This province is doomed if the party who runs it is for their party and not for the people of the province. I don't care what party your from, every party, especially the party who is in control at any particular time should be for the people, not for their party. If all the party does is focus on themselves then they should not be in control, simple as that. We don't need a party who hides as much information from the people as possible, who sugar coats everything to create a persona that they are doing good, and the province is doing good.. Fun Fact for you, things aren't good, government has ruined this province, and kept in it the dark. We need someone who will tell it like it is, tell the people whats wrong that's happening(which the pile continues to grow), and start talking about solutions with the people, not with the party, F the party, our government has done nothing but prove how untrustworthy they are. NFLD is at a crucial point, change now, or be in total and udder distress later, we are on a downward spiral with how things are going right now, and its disgusting. Bill Barry would be been the difference, He can influence change, because he is not going to let himself be the problem, he thieves to be part of the solution. Party's of Newfoundland and Labrador- Think about change, If your not going to be part of the solution, then you will and have been part and basically all of the problem. When the party thinks that their priority is to be elected, that is wrong… Your priority is to lead and serve the people, and if you do it right the People will reward you by electing you. That is how it should work, but sadly it is not. I think a party that see's it as that, should not be in control because of conflict of interest. That party does not in turn deserve to lead the people. Not one little bit.
So naive! The party is a merely a tool. If you are building a house you first need tools. You can't do it with a rock or intent alone. Knarley is right about Bill Barry. Full of bluster and other stuff. Having read his foolish article on education reform and MUN on the weekend I concluded two things: the first is that we dodged a bullet; the second that a little learning is a dangerous thing.