Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Hockey Night In Vaughan?

So Don Cherry decided to weigh in on the Vaughan by-election.
 Interesting call...don't ya think?

Does the guy whose "rock-em sock-em" commentary on hockey have a valued opinion on politics?
Let's see, Cherry shills for Magic Windows and other products...so I guess he can promote Fantino too.

A visit to his promotional companies page indicates the following:


"Don Cherry is now available for celebrity appearances, corporate appearances, personal appearances, casino appearances,tradeshow appearances, convention appearances, celebrity golf tournaments, sports camps, coaching clinics, corporate sales meetings, autograph signings, endorsement deals, website endorsements, television commercials, radio commercials, store grand openings, VIP Meet & Greets, new product launch campaigns, spokesperson campaigns and speaking engagements. Book Don Cherry to meet and mingle with your best corporate clients, friends and business associates. Contact our celebrity agents to find out about Don Cherry booking fees and cost, availability and upcoming appearance schedule."


Apparently he will promote anything....he's available!

I'm sure Don Cherry is an expert on the window business and knows exactly why those magic windows are so good...clearly they must be better than the competition, in both technology and efficiency. I mean he must be an authority on windows because he promotes them....Does anyone believe that?
And wait a minute! Doesn't Cherry get paid to shill for magic windows?
Is it possible that he doesn't really know that much about windows?


If it was my investment I'd do my own research and compare products so I could make an educated decision.

So take his new product, Fantino... What makes Don an authority on politics? Does he even know the platforms...the differences between the blue team and the red team? What qualifies him to say "he'd make a fine member of parliament". Like he knows?


Does anyone possibly believe that Don Cherry  is an expert on politics or policy? 

So if it was my vote....I'd do my own research and compare "products" so I could make an educated decision.

Don...stick to Hockey Night in Canada...and by the way...I like Ron MacLean better!.




Thursday, November 11, 2010

Tough on Crime, Fighter Jets and Mega-prisons vs. The Economy

As the battle for Vaughan wears on, the strategies are becoming clearer.

The Conservative campaign is trying to promote their deft handling of the economic downturn. The problem is that doesn't really sell well. The economy is not a good news story yet and the Conservatives record on the economy is not a winner for them - On their watch they brought in the biggest deficit of all time in Canada, $56 Billion, and their management of stimulus spending consists of lots of signs to promote projects that have not even broke ground.

Flaherty, who left a whole in Ontario's budget when he left is seemingly doing the same thing in Ottawa.

Fantino, the poster boy for Law and Order, is easily associated with Harper's new fighter jets and expanded prisons and is less credible on the economy or family issues (unless it's how to keep families safe...through Mega-prisons!). A visit to Fantino's website features his "tough on crime" video! and nary a word about our economic challenges.

The Liberals are taking the fight to the Tories...and Harper specifically - on the economy.  Witness Tony Genco's video on his website talking about how he has not encountered any  constituents that are interested in talking about fighter jets and mega-prisons while door-knocking. http://tonygenco.liberal.ca/photos-and-video. The latest Liberal literature touts Chretien and Martin's balanced budgets vs. those of Mulroney and Harper...


How did the Tories get themselves into the predicament of being seen  as weak fiscal managers?


If the Libs are able to establish credibility on fiscal management and caring about the middle class, Harper could lose this one and Fantino would be back to retirement and "sweeping the garage".

So the battle rages on...

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Battle for Vaughan... There's a lot on the line!

Who will win the battle for Vaughan in the November 29 election?

The Liberals have Tony Genco running against Julian Fantino for the Conservatives.

Fantino appears to be the favourite - after all he was Ontario's top cop and a household name to most in Ontario.  He is well recognized amongst the Italian community, although I don't think I would say he has "favourite son status".

So is Fantino a shoo-in? I would say no for the following reasons...

  • Fantino has name recognition but maybe not in a good way. He does things his way and does not take direction well from others
  • He is a cop...not a politician...is he Garth Turner with a badge? A rebel with a cause? Look out in the debates...cause if he gets pissed off you better run for cover!
  • The Vaughan community has elected a Liberal MP for the past 23 years. They have elected a Liberal MPP most of that time as well...will they switch teams for Fantino? 
  • Fantino is 68. This may be his only term. How will he hold up during the frantic pace of a by-election?
  • Can he run on the Harper record?  (their economic record is not much to brag about...these guys had to be dragged to the edge to realize there was a recession!) It would be interesting to see how he defends the record - and if he will.
So can Genco win? I say maybe.
  • He's young and may hold up better to the rigors of a campaign.
  • He's Italian - this never hurts in Vaughan.
  • He has some name recognition - as the former CEO of Downsview Park and a board member of the hospital. 
  • He has the help of Greg Sorbara...the Vaughan MPP is a popular player in this town.
  • Is more likely to stay on message  - not a rebel with a badge!
This would be an important win for either side...if Conservative, then a vital beachhead in the GTA for Harper, and if it stays Liberal , a signal that the tide is turning positive for Iggy.

The troops are in place...the strategy set...watch this one...it could be a nail biter!