Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlySports
Without Barb I think the dynamics of the entire campaign is different. McIver targets Nenshi quicker so it's not a surprise. The two probably have televised debates since Barb was the one holding those back. We'll never know what would have happened.
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Higgins definitely was a gamechanger.
McIver essentially ran an incumbent style campaign - cautious, risk averse, and in prevent defense mode. He had a large enough lead in the polls and enough money that he felt that he could cruise to the finish line. Barb's entrance put that into doubt. People became more engaged because she posed a legitimate threat to him. The light of day was shone on the other candidates and Nenshi was able to capitalize brilliantly on the opportunity. IMO, the true TSN Turning Point was the Police Chief debacle...it really legitimized Nenshi as a major force.
McIver never adjusted the campaign to deal with this and as they say in football - the only thing that a prevent defense prevents is a win.
Nenshi still won on his own merits (to my biased eye, he really is one of Canada's most impressively qualified mayors) and it takes an incredible team of dedicated volunteers to move from also ran status to winner in just a few weeks.