Calgary Civic Election Poll #3: The race heats up

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

Actually yes they did. Naheeds volunteers and supporters have donated to the campaign. The backers will be released shortly. I can assure you that Naheed is not the only person to not release the details yet but was one of the first to release his platform, which to some was actually more important.

No doubt his volunteers donated, but how much of the overall pie have they contributed?

His detailed platform that was released very early in the game is certainly a plus and why I would consider him a top notch candidate. However a platform is only as good as his ability to deliver on it. Flip flopping on the disclosure issues is certainly an early warning sign for me. (Simply pointing out that most other candiates including the front- runners haven't disclosed either is a moote point because they aren't the ones who demanded disclosure and then waffled citing volunteer legal adivsed against it without an adiquate reason why).

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

No doubt his volunteers donated, but how much of the overall pie have they contributed?

His detailed platform that was released very early in the game is certainly a plus and why I would consider him a top notch candidate. However a platform is only as good as his ability to deliver on it. Flip flopping on the disclosure issues is certainly an early warning sign for me. (Simply pointing out that most other candiates including the front- runners haven't disclosed either is a moote point because they aren't the ones who demanded disclosure and then waffled citing volunteer legal adivsed against it without an adiquate reason why).

He hasn't flip flopped though as he hasn't said he won't release the information, he just hasn't done so yet.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by FireFly

He hasn't flip flopped though as he hasn't said he won't release the information, he just hasn't done so yet.

Actually if you go to his website....

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/about/media-clippings

May 27, 2010 – Calgary Herald – 5 questions with Mayoralty candidate Naheed Nenshi
> Watch it now

Watch the Herald interview from May 27 he clearly stated

"I will be immediately disclosing every week, all donors. Ahh on my website."

[frinkprof]

^Yes, the hang-up is what "immediately" means. Immediately after the interview on May 27th? Immediately after submitting candidacy papers?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

^Yes, the hang-up is what "immediately" means. Immediately after the interview on May 27th? Immediately after submitting candidacy papers?

Yes, well that is the spin Carter is putting on it.

Frankly they would have been further ahead if they just admitted it was an unrealistic promise to keep.

Personally, I don't care one way or the other if Mayoralty candidates release anything prior to election day (law stipulates filing post election). To me voting shouldn't be based on financial statements.

[worth]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

is that why you pasted a racist picture on the site. I think you should be ashamed of yourself.

I'm pretty sure I didn't "paste" any racist picture.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Yes, well that is the spin Carter is putting on it.

Frankly they would have been further ahead if they just admitted it was an unrealistic promise to keep.

Personally, I don't care one way or the other if Mayoralty candidates release anything prior to election day (law stipulates filing post election). To me voting shouldn't be based on financial statements.

Except that there isn't anything unrealistic about it. If Kent Hehr has been able to deliver on this then there is no reason why Nenshi can't.

The news about the vandalism and property damage is ridiculous though. If indeed these are hate crimes, or hate related then it really is despicable and a black eye on the city.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Slava

Except that there isn't anything unrealistic about it. If Kent Hehr has been able to deliver on this then there is no reason why Nenshi can't.

I meant unrealistic from a campaign perspective.

It's really a no win situation. No matter what is contained in what you reveal, it will be twisted by your competitors. If it is a low overall figure; you will be seen as 'weak'. If you have one or two heavy contributors; you will be seen as 'being in the pocket of'.

Unless EVERYONE does it or a law applies to everyone, then it is unrealistic to expect any to submit to it.

The proposed law calls for donations to be revealed on nomination day. This will just cause contributors to hold off until after that date.

The law in place calls for all donations over $100.00 to be disclosed post election. I think that is sufficient and its in line with Prov & Federal laws.

I disagree with the whole "3 year window" for raising campaign funds. I think it too should be cut to a very specific period.
Provincially it is from drop of Writ to 60 days post election date. The same could apply to civic; nomination day to 60 days post election date.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

I meant unrealistic from a campaign perspective.

It's really a no win situation. No matter what is contained in what you reveal, it will be twisted by your competitors. If it is a low overall figure; you will be seen as 'weak'. If you have one or two heavy contributors; you will be seen as 'being in the pocket of'.

Unless EVERYONE does it or a law applies to everyone, then it is unrealistic to expect any to submit to it.

The proposed law calls for donations to be revealed on nomination day. This will just cause contributors to hold off until after that date.

The law in place calls for all donations over $100.00 to be disclosed post election. I think that is sufficient and its in line with Prov & Federal laws.

I disagree with the whole "3 year window" for raising campaign funds. I think it too should be cut to a very specific period.
Provincially it is from drop of Writ to 60 days post election date. The same could apply to civic; nomination day to 60 days post election date.

I know what you are saying here and don't really disagree. My guess is that not many of the mayoralty candidates have a lot of money as compared to past elections. After some drop out and the field tightens a little things could change, but that is my thought at this point.

There should be some tax break for contributions to a civic campaign as well...I know it will never happen, but there really ought to be something in place.

[Kjesse]

Nenshi is a typical politician, as it turns out. I was thinking about voting for him but will not.

He made a big deal about campaign financial disclosure while he was another underdog, and then, when he gets momentum, does not disclose what he said he would.

More of the same.

[welshboy2008]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Nenshi is a typical politician, as it turns out. I was thinking about voting for him but will not.

He made a big deal about campaign financial disclosure while he was another underdog, and then, when he gets momentum, does not disclose what he said he would.

More of the same.

So is that a good reason not to vote for someone who has by far the best platform and wants to fix this city. Read the platform and hold your judgement, I mean remember there is still a fairly long time until the vote. be patient.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

So is that a good reason not to vote for someone who has by far the best platform and wants to fix this city. Read the platform and hold your judgement, I mean remember there is still a fairly long time until the vote. be patient.

I dunno. Nenshi made me nervous to start as an ivory tower guy who'll cost a fortune and doesn't understand the real world, and this kind of thing sorta bears that out.

For the record, I am firmly undecided (though still considering voting barb higgins for this poll to watch people's heads explode)

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

I dunno. Nenshi made me nervous to start as an ivory tower guy who'll cost a fortune and doesn't understand the real world, and this kind of thing sorta bears that out.

For the record, I am firmly undecided (though still considering voting barb higgins for this poll to watch people's heads explode)

Yeah, being a news anchor for 20 years or being a bitter politician who strikes down everything just for the sake of doing it is FAR more qualified than a guy like Nenshi.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Yeah, being a news anchor for 20 years or being a bitter politician who strikes down everything just for the sake of doing it is FAR more qualified than a guy like Nenshi.

Happy to poke at the others as well if it'll make you feel better. Call me an optimist. I'm still hoping to vote *for* someone I can get behind instead of who sucks least. We'll see.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by welshboy2008

So is that a good reason not to vote for someone who has by far the best platform and wants to fix this city. Read the platform and hold your judgement, I mean remember there is still a fairly long time until the vote. be patient.

"by far the best platform".... I'll agree with you that he's provided the most detailed platform, and I appreciate that, but he was also the only candidate to promise regular and constant financial contribution information (months ago) and guess what, he's already swept that promise under the rug. Even if he discloses now, he's not doing what he said he would.

Lets just call it "Politics" and Nenshi is doing exactly that: Make big promises, delivery however will be optional.

That's good that you're an advocate for a candidate and its great that the mayor's seat is really up for grabs, but my post was more about that Nenshi has shown that he is another just like the rest. I'll look for a different "outsider" candidate for now, knowing I'll probably have to choose between lesser evils rather than goods.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Yeah, being a news anchor for 20 years or being a bitter politician who strikes down everything just for the sake of doing it is FAR more qualified than a guy like Nenshi.

What makes Nenshi so qualified though? He's never held political office. He ran once and was destroyed in that campaign. I'll give you that he has released more policy than anyone else so far, but frankly it's not even nomination day yet.

I happen to like a lot of his policies, but what track record is there to convince me that he could actually accomplish this? This is one place where I agree with Jon Lord...being mayor is not an entry level position.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Slava

What makes Nenshi so qualified though? He's never held political office. He ran once and was destroyed in that campaign. I'll give you that he has released more policy than anyone else so far, but frankly it's not even nomination day yet.

I happen to like a lot of his policies, but what track record is there to convince me that he could actually accomplish this? This is one place where I agree with Jon Lord...being mayor is not an entry level position.

Nenshi isn't qualified. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't succeed in the position.

His platforms, his vision, and his passion for this city are miles ahead of everyone else. Nenshi is looking to move past the city's 'status quo;' and he appears to have the pedigree, the knowledge and the intelligence to make that happen. He's looking to take Calgary into a new direction as the city streams larger and larger, and that's the kind of vision this city finally needs. He's educated in how to succeed in this postition in all the right ways. The man can debate like no one's business, too.

What we don't need is more of the same from the same failing city council that has plagued us for 10 years. McIver is more of that same failing pot, he's just smiling while he does it. Dr. No is not what this city needs right now; he'd be good as mayor for a city of Red Deer's size, but not Calgary's. And Barb might be a pretty face, but... that's about it. She'll get destroyed when push comes to shove in politics. Her knowledge goes as far as a teleprompter tells her.

That's why I'm voting for Nenshi.

[Slava]

^ Sure, and that is all great. My point isn't that he isn't worth voting for or doesn't have some good ideas. I'm just saying that Nenshi supporters talking about how unqualified Barb Higgins is are kind of like the pot and kettle.

I don't debate for a second that he has released the most policy. I'm not convinced that the race is who can release a platform first though?

[mykalberta]

The difference might be that Nenshi has been talking about these issues before he ran for mayor while higgens has been reading the news off a teleprompter. I am not saying that qualifies him FYI.

I think the only candidates with any "qualifications" are the ones who have been on council but even then I dont think its not a job that you couldnt pick up quickly if you did get elected to it. The only real learning curve IMO would be sifting through the BS you have already heard and learning the actual budget numbers to see what you have to work with.

[North East Goon]

I am starting to wonder if that alleged crooked MP/Lawyer from North East Calgary is financially backing Nenshi? No basis behind me saying this, just curious as to why he is delaying on his promise to disclose his backers?