kingston and the islands Archives - Page 2 of 3

Prime Minister Tony Clement?

I haven’t said too much about Tony Clement’s bid for leadership and indeed, my level of attention has been paralleled among most Canadians. However, I do believe that Mr. Clement does require a closer look. The man just might clinch this race, not by his visibility, not by his organization, but by his mere unthreatening image that he poses to the leadership candidates and to all Canadians. This leadership race is becoming polarized with Tony merely floating precariously in the middle. This contest, as it is, has become a “Stronach not Harper” or a “Harper not Stronach” race.

We all know the story. Supporters of Belinda Stronach feel that she’s the most likely Ontario Tory to secure the race and they believe that a Stephen Harper victory will only reflect a Alliance takeover of the Progressive Conservatives. A Western politician, they believe, will be unelectable east of Manitoba. Conversely, supporters of Stephen Harper believe that Belinda Stronach’s inexperience in politics will present a liability to politics at home and politics abroad. The numerous admirable qualities of the two candidates each respectively outweigh the petty detractions but when the voters choose the leader, they’ll add up the negative aspects of the candidates and then decide. We should decide based on the positives, but it seems as though the negatives are more prominently etched in our minds.

So, where does this leave ‘lil Tony Clement? He’s in the unique position were he can take the high road — not by choice, but because it’s the road less traveled. He’s correct when he said yesterday that he’s everyone’s second choice. Tony’s lack of visibility and Stronach’s knack for visibility makes Tony the second choice of Harperites, while his personal non-threatening nature and Ontario Tory roots make him the natural second choice among the Belinda Boosters. Indeed, enough Conservatives may add up the negatives of the two apparent front-runners and vote Clement as their first choice. These Conservatives may also believe that in an election, Tony’s unknown yet ‘non-threatening’ image may indeed draw voters who usually vote Liberal to vote Conservative because these voters couldn’t, in clear conscience, vote for the modern-day Liberal Party of Canada. Tony could indeed be the “anybody but” vote in both the Conservative leadership race and in the next federal election. This is Tony Clement’s greatest drawing factor and he knows it.

An optimist would say that Tony Clement’s campaign has nowhere to go but up. If Tony does well in the debates, which is most likely, he may just surprise us all, himself included.

Tony Clement is coming to Kingston on Saturday, February 21st. Mr. Clement will be speaking and meeting potential voters at Aunt Lucy’s Restaurant (Princess & Portsmouth) at 4pm.

Update:I met Tony Clement at Aunt Lucy’s. Lou Grimshaw, our riding president, was nice enough to announce that I’m seeking the nomination in Kingston and the Islands. The first declared nomination contestant!

With Tony Clement – Click to enlarge

Stephen Harper in Kingston

Yesterday, I met Stephen Harper in my riding of Kingston and the Islands. Mr. Harper was recruiting support for his leadership campaign and he addressed a room full of about 80 people. His speech was interesting and straightforward, underscoring his capability and accomplishments as Leader of the Opposition. In his speech, he informed us that Canadians have told him that the leadership race should not be a competition, but a choice. Indeed, I have always believed that the leadership candidates should focus on attacking the Liberals instead of each other. In my opinion, the victor should be the one who most effectively does this. However, I am confused as to why Stephen Harper would endorse Lois Brown, a nomination contestant in Belinda Stronach’s riding.

Memorable moments: At one point during the evening, a member of the audience asked Mr. Harper to differentiate himself from the other candidates. Stephen Harper replied, in jest, that he is “male and tall”. Another memorable moment came when John Reynolds promised that if I get my nomination, they’d get me elected and on my way to Ottawa because the Liberal Party is falling apart across the country.

Speaking of which, the Harper event was the official kick-off of my campaign. I worked the room talking to members about the leadership race and their concerns. At the end of the evening, I was interviewed by a reporter from the Globe and Mail.

With Stephen Harper – Click to enlarge

I’m in

Hello! I’m glad that you’ve found your way to my website. Since you are here you must share my interest in changing Ottawa for the better and for making government work for you, the taxpayer, instead of the other way around.

My name is Stephen Taylor and I’m seeking the nomination for the Conservative Party of Canada for Kingston and the Islands. In conversations with other Canadians and particularly Kingstonians, I have heard how disappointed most of us are in our current government and how we must seek change.

The unification of the Conservative Party of Canada presents us with a unique opportunity for democratic change in this country. No longer will principled conservatives sit on the side-lines or feel that their vote doesn’t count. No longer will this country’s politics be uncompetitive and conducive to voter apathy. Indeed, the Conservative Party of Canada presents a viable alternative to the Liberal party so that Canada will no longer suffer from a so-called “democratic deficit”.

I am currently finishing my undergraduate degree in biochemistry this year at Queen’s University. Kingston has been my homebase for the past five years and my family has had roots in this community during the past three generations. This city has a historical significance to Canada and to the Conservative party that Canadians appreciate and that we, as Kingstonians, truly cherish. Indeed, the limestone city was the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister and father of the Conservative Party, Sir John A. MacDonald.

My experiences as a biochemist have lent me incredible opportunities for which I am grateful. In 2002, I was employed by the University of Notre Dame as a malaria researcher where I investigated the particular genetic contribution of a particular gene that causes drug-resistance in the new harmful strains that permeate throughout the developing world. Last year, in Ottawa, I had the opportunity to work on a team developing a novel gene therapy approach for the treatment of prostate cancer.

I would be honoured if you would consider me to be your voice in Ottawa. As your representative, I would spend my time, while not in Ottawa, living in Kingston so that I may be more attentive to the needs of its constituents. This party is based upon its grassroots and it is my sincere hope that you will help us bring responsible government to Ottawa. I believe that I would bring an invigorated approach to politics on Parliament Hill.

Stephen Taylor
email@stephentaylor.ca
(613) 540-2001