Another APNU Boomerang
Written by Ron Cheong & Danny Doobay in Toronto
Sunday, 18 September 2011 04:32
Source - Guyana Chronicle
SUCCESSFUL political leaders know how to organize and execute effective fundraising drives. This is necessary, firstly, to fund their campaign for office, but just as importantly, it demonstrates support in the community, his or her ability to get things done, and the candidate’s effectiveness at inspiring people. Having failed to organise and execute an effective fundraising drive, Brigadier David Granger is now trying to deflect culpability. His campaign manager claims in a Stabroek News report that “the incumbent’s access to state funds still makes for an uneven contest.”
The insinuation of “abuse of state funds” for electioneering is disingenuous.
The reality is that PPP/C presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar has attended numerous fundraisers in Trinidad, Miami, New York, London, and several across Guyana, with an upcoming one in Toronto this weekend. And Guyanese, in Guyana and overseas, in the thousands have responded by contributing millions of dollars to make sure that the PPP/C continues in government, and that the APNU/PNC does not come back into power to squander the gains made over the past 19 years.
At the same time, the Brigadier has had very poor results within the democratic process of political fundraising that affords all candidates equal opportunity, and a level playing field. For example, scarcely a dozen persons turned out in support of the APNU fundraiser in Toronto in July, even though the presidential hopeful and principal architect of the ‘ditch-the-PNC’ strategy, David Granger, was himself on hand for the event, his first since forming APNU.
Most notably absent were the key PNC operatives in the Toronto area.
The Scarborough Golf Club Road event was the worst ever showing for any opposition event organized in Toronto. The embarrassing numbers fell short of the modest numbers attracted by Robert Corbin in 2006, or by Desmond Hoyte in 2001. Slated to begin at 7:00pm, it finally started at around 8:30pm, when it became clear that no one else would be coming.
By contrast, a PPP/C fundraiser sponsored by the Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG) the following evening saw a turnout of well over 400, with no direct influencing by the PPP/C campaign machinery (except maybe for some anticipation that presidential candidate Donald Ramotar might attend).
We had predicted in an earlier piece on APNU that the hasty opportunism of abandoning the PNC brand-name could only be trumped by its political naiveté. For the Brigadier’s roll of the dice to have been worthwhile at the end of the day, it had to deliver more APNU votes. We noted, however, that the more likely outcome was going to be disenchantment among the core base of the party’s supporters who see themselves as PNC, and take pride in being PNC – resulting in defections and votes withheld.
We also questioned the Brigadier’s wisdom in abandoning the time-tested campaign machinery of the PNC in favour of ex-military people with little experience in this area.
The poor execution of the APNU fundraising, the defection of PNCR-1G Region 10 youth leader, Denton Osborne (ostensibly because the APNU leadership structure failed to provide room for youth voices), and the poll conducted by the US-based North American Caribbean Teachers' Association (NACTA) are confirming those observations.
The NACTA poll shows that a solid 41% of PNCR supporters opposed “ditching the PNC” in favour of APNU. Support for the Brigadier’s leadership is similarly dismal. Many said they much preferred former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge to be the candidate.
Of decided voters, just 32% would vote APNU. PPP/C support is almost double that at 59% while. The AFC is at 6% with other parties accounting for about 3%.
Far from revitalizing the Party, Granger’s leadership has resulted in a contraction of the base. His bungling of his party’s business and immature economic pronouncements reveals serious weaknesses which do not bode well for his aspirations to lead the country.
APNU’s self-appointed leader’s failing at running a credible fundraiser in support of his candidacy, only adds trepidation to his aspirations of running the economy of a country.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 18 September 2011 04:32 )
Written by Ron Cheong & Danny Doobay in Toronto
Sunday, 18 September 2011 04:32
Source - Guyana Chronicle
SUCCESSFUL political leaders know how to organize and execute effective fundraising drives. This is necessary, firstly, to fund their campaign for office, but just as importantly, it demonstrates support in the community, his or her ability to get things done, and the candidate’s effectiveness at inspiring people. Having failed to organise and execute an effective fundraising drive, Brigadier David Granger is now trying to deflect culpability. His campaign manager claims in a Stabroek News report that “the incumbent’s access to state funds still makes for an uneven contest.”
The insinuation of “abuse of state funds” for electioneering is disingenuous.
The reality is that PPP/C presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar has attended numerous fundraisers in Trinidad, Miami, New York, London, and several across Guyana, with an upcoming one in Toronto this weekend. And Guyanese, in Guyana and overseas, in the thousands have responded by contributing millions of dollars to make sure that the PPP/C continues in government, and that the APNU/PNC does not come back into power to squander the gains made over the past 19 years.
At the same time, the Brigadier has had very poor results within the democratic process of political fundraising that affords all candidates equal opportunity, and a level playing field. For example, scarcely a dozen persons turned out in support of the APNU fundraiser in Toronto in July, even though the presidential hopeful and principal architect of the ‘ditch-the-PNC’ strategy, David Granger, was himself on hand for the event, his first since forming APNU.
Most notably absent were the key PNC operatives in the Toronto area.
The Scarborough Golf Club Road event was the worst ever showing for any opposition event organized in Toronto. The embarrassing numbers fell short of the modest numbers attracted by Robert Corbin in 2006, or by Desmond Hoyte in 2001. Slated to begin at 7:00pm, it finally started at around 8:30pm, when it became clear that no one else would be coming.
By contrast, a PPP/C fundraiser sponsored by the Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG) the following evening saw a turnout of well over 400, with no direct influencing by the PPP/C campaign machinery (except maybe for some anticipation that presidential candidate Donald Ramotar might attend).
We had predicted in an earlier piece on APNU that the hasty opportunism of abandoning the PNC brand-name could only be trumped by its political naiveté. For the Brigadier’s roll of the dice to have been worthwhile at the end of the day, it had to deliver more APNU votes. We noted, however, that the more likely outcome was going to be disenchantment among the core base of the party’s supporters who see themselves as PNC, and take pride in being PNC – resulting in defections and votes withheld.
We also questioned the Brigadier’s wisdom in abandoning the time-tested campaign machinery of the PNC in favour of ex-military people with little experience in this area.
The poor execution of the APNU fundraising, the defection of PNCR-1G Region 10 youth leader, Denton Osborne (ostensibly because the APNU leadership structure failed to provide room for youth voices), and the poll conducted by the US-based North American Caribbean Teachers' Association (NACTA) are confirming those observations.
The NACTA poll shows that a solid 41% of PNCR supporters opposed “ditching the PNC” in favour of APNU. Support for the Brigadier’s leadership is similarly dismal. Many said they much preferred former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge to be the candidate.
Of decided voters, just 32% would vote APNU. PPP/C support is almost double that at 59% while. The AFC is at 6% with other parties accounting for about 3%.
Far from revitalizing the Party, Granger’s leadership has resulted in a contraction of the base. His bungling of his party’s business and immature economic pronouncements reveals serious weaknesses which do not bode well for his aspirations to lead the country.
APNU’s self-appointed leader’s failing at running a credible fundraiser in support of his candidacy, only adds trepidation to his aspirations of running the economy of a country.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 18 September 2011 04:32 )