Elizabeth May on CTV's Question Period
Elizabeth did a great job on CTV's Question Period this afternoon. Like other reporting they seemed to want to spin a few things negatively, namely David Chernushenko stepping down and a misinterpretation of what had happened around a GPC budget committee. Ms. May turned the interview around and spoke about how this is not only not a problem, but the fact that the media is wanting to spin it is a positive sign of the growth of the Green Party.
Her snip against the Harper Conservatives calling them the cobbled together Reform-Alliance-Republican was great, and continues to keep the olive branch out to the growing number of historical Progressive Conservatives that recognize more of themselves in the Greens than the unstable party Harper cobbled together. Our open acceptance of fiscally conservative but socially liberal thinkers that historically supported the PC's will be key in her riding of Central Nova.
As someone who re-joined the party because of the leadership of Elizabeth May, I am continuously impressed with how well she speaks publicly -- including with the media which is not always wanting to hear what she has to say.
- Russell McOrmond's blog
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Comments
Room For Improvement
I too watched the segment on Question Period. As always, Elizabeth was calm and answered questions well. She represented our party well. I was however disappointed that, as far as I can recall, there was no mention of even one issue. The whole segment discussed our party and the other parties and the internal machinations of our party.
Who cares except political junkies.
I would like to see Elizabeth take every opportunity to put forward Green Party policies and ideas - rather than promote say, our Membership drive. I realize that Elizabeth doesn't just decide on her own what to talk about. She answers to all of us directly or indirectly. She receives direction, advice and guidance from many sources.
We must have some important issues to inform Canadians about. Maybe SPP, or the War in Afghanistan or something. If we don't - who will care about us?
Rob Brooks
Hull-Aylmer EDA
"Who cares except political junkies"
Remember, this was "Question Period" which isn't a normal news cast, but news aimed entirely to political junkies. The audience of QP is very related to the audience of CPAC.
Which is of course why I watch both ;-)
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Russell McOrmond (Constituent, Ottawa South)
Check out my BLOG on Digital Copyright Canada.
She's talking
For example, Elizabeth is quoted in press releases on key issues every day. You can catch some of these on the News section of this site. Our press secretary works tirelessly each day to get them out, and they reach thousands of media outlets nationwide in both languages daily. The fact of the matter is not that she has not been disseminating information or propagating Green positions, but that we're simply not getting enough media...yet. However, each time you see the Green Party quoted in the newspaper...that's probably from a statement by or attributed to Elizabeth.
You're right when you say that it's mostly political junkies that care, but the media eventually gets through at some point. And as far as media coverage goes, may our hope be renewed given the marked (and accurately predicted by the GPC) increase in media following our by-election success. As the Greens continue to grow, so will our audience.
And the question always comes back to 'what can we do at the grassroots?' We do indeed have important issues to tell Canada about! You bet we do! How can we encourage GPC supporters to get on board by living out what we believe about democratic renewal? It's easy, for example, to read up on parts of Vision Green that appeal and become a "specialist" on particular policies and rationales! There will be hundreds of ideas out there and I know many have been expressed on these blogs. I wonder if there is a place where ideas like this accumulate..
In any case, I think people recognize when big-G Greens truly live by their small g-green principles. Elizabeth May is one fantastic role model in both word and deed, and the Green Party is full of many more.
Elizabeth positioning the Greens
The way I see it, every time Elizabeth makes an appearance she is showing Canada what the Green Party is all about. There are still a lot of people who think the Greens are nothing but flower power dreamers. So when I hear Elizabeth talk knowledgeably about governments and collaboration, and sounding smart, honest, and informed, I think she is contributing enormously to bringing the party forward in the mind of a lot of people.
People are tired of the old party lines, and tired of positioning. She is like the green party, a breath of fresh air.