"Unreacheable": Hugh's Silence is Understandable

My favorite line from yesterday's Winnipeg Free Press about a new Probe poll reporting that NDP fortunes are sagging in rural Manitoba was:

"Tory leader Hugh McFadyen was unreachable for comment Saturday."

Go figure? The first over-hyped 'good' news the man has had in months and he was what? "Unreachable"? Was there a Tony Robbins self-improvement cult meeting in Winnipeg this past weekend? Where was Hugh? Somewhere in a trance whispering: "Yes, I can, Yes, I can. Yes, I can ... choo, choo!!"

Amazing.

While the silly (and arrogant?) reaction of the NDP government to the poll has already been cited here - I think it is also fair to ask: what's all the fuss?

So there is a Probe-phone-probe (ha,ha,ha) showing the base of the Conservative party in RURAL Manitoba is now more predisposed to Hugh-Tory. So what? Even if little-Hugh's numbers were to approach an 60% favourable reading in all southern ridings outside Winnipeg, and an election were held today, little would change. Essentially Hughie would keep what he has - his narrow, narrow base. And Doer would keep what he has now - his Premiership.

That rural Manitoba has momentarily swung in favour of the Tories a few points here, or there, is about as meaningful as saying casualties are down in Iraq. Both beg the question - so what? In both cases, the fact is, neither the fortunes of the Tories or Iraqis are likely to improve anytime soon.

As Dan Lett rightly observes: "...most pollsters will tell you it's nearly impossible to get an accurate snapshot of provincial voting intentions when federal politics is providing the headlines." Aside from the fact that yesterday's poll story in the same paper forgot to highlight this point, one has to ask, if it is true that "for the most part, McFadyen has not been able to fundamentally shake Doer's support" then, really, why all the fuss?

I say, it is much ado about nothing. Just another ephemeral poll which, like a fleeting bout of intestinal gas , will haunt Hughie because he knows it is but an empty stink about something that portends nothing "reachable".

McFAYDEN ALL ABOUT FRESH IDEAS

With friends like this who needs enemies?

When he won the Tory in 2006, Hughie was all about bringing "fresh ideas"!

Seems only yesterday the CBC was reporting his website depicted "a young, unassuming man leaning against a door frame wearing a T-shirt and sweater. The catchphrase comes straight out of the marketing textbooks: 'New day. Winning day. Join the winning way today.'" Oh, how little has changed.

A visit to Hugh's site proves his search for "new ideas' has run into a few problems and that, unfortunately, his personal knowledge cupboard remains largely bare. A visit to his "Issues Room" confirms it. Rather than disseminating knowledge in the 'room' he's decided he wants "to hear from you" and he encourages visitors to "use this issues room as a source of information for all issues being dealt with by myself and the Official Opposition in the Manitoba Legislature." Unfortunately, the room is just like Hughie's own idea board: absolutely empty. How odd.

As his undying endorsement of big-box stores along Kenaston has proven, Hughie is the sort hampered by thinking "within the box". Undoubtedly today will see him once again utter support for the inane - - a prorogation that has already been granted. Clearly, the man is not getting enough time to 'just think'. A change is needed.

In an effort to allow him to realize his promise to bring new ideas to the political arena, Hugh should be declared Manitoba's preeminent public intellectual. He must be given the time to seek out these ever elusive "new ideas". Perhaps, the University of Manitoba can create a special Chair (a very special high-chair?) called the Manitoba's Publicus Erectus Scientia that would allow Hugh to continue his quest to erect ideas for public consumption for years to come.

It is time to draft Hugh for Public Intellect.
Those interested in supporting Hugh may make donations to their local chapter of the Dustin Hoffman's "Rainman Fund".

Thanks in advance for your support.