Bokhari can pull this out of the fire

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2016 (3446 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari is reeling these days. In fact, in a week that battered the Manitoba Liberals some more, she took a breather of sorts. She stepped off the campaign trail Tuesday and let her candidate in Assiniboia, Ian McCausland, stand in to make an election promise.

Mr. McCausland’s announcement a Liberal government would change the provincial campsite reservation system is not a bad idea. In fact, it makes sense, adopting a process from jurisdictions that open reservations on a rolling calendar basis, rather than on a single date that triggers the free-for-all that inevitably overwhelms Manitoba’s process.

But is this what it’s come to for the Liberals — a party poised to profit from the NDP’s woes when the governing party dropped the writ weeks ago?

The potential for a Liberal breakthrough was in the air, and it was familiar territory. In 1988, Sharon Carstairs — the sole Liberal in the legislature — capitalized on an electorate ready to turf the NDP and led her party to official Opposition with 20 MLAs, reducing the heir-apparent Tories to a minority government in the process. Ms. Carstairs did that by selling herself as the safe, compassionate alternative for voters who also wanted fiscally responsible government.

Drawing too many comparisons may be unfair. Carstairs had politics in her blood; she was savvy and astute. But Ms. Bokhari should learn from Ms. Carstairs’ example. She could highlight her many contrasts with the Tories’ Brian Pallister. As in 1988, the political climate has helped draw strong candidates to the Liberal fold, something the party should emphasize. And, as with Ms. Carstairs’ campaign, the party’s platform has some bankable promises capable of attracting voter support. 

But the Liberals have tripped up in some perfectly avoidable holes — for example, the vetting of candidates. This is ultimately the leader’s responsibility. No election is easy, and a leader has to meet and overcome a variety of challenges. Yet, Ms. Bokhari herself continues to struggle, especially when it comes to presenting a coherent voice with a full grasp of the issues. And on Wednesday, at the Chambers of Commerce breakfast, she once again revealed she lacks the poise of a skilled politician. Tossed a softball question from a former candidate, Ms. Bokhari couldn’t enunciate what sets her apart from a government Mr. Pallister would lead. It was a moment to offer a clear choice in style and substance. And it just didn’t happen.

Ms. Bokhari feels she has been hard done by with the media. She has made a number of scathing remarks about news organizations — although she now regrets saying media outlets will not cover some stories in order to protect their ad revenues from governments. To be fair, this is the fiery baptism all new politicians, especially untested new leaders, stumble through. It is small, however, compared with the challenges of leading a province a would-be premier must master.

Manitobans are getting real choice this election campaign — a choice between the Tories and the NDP. But it is also evident from opinion polls they are looking for more, with no party leader doing well in personal popularity polling. In short, Manitobans, historically given two strong parties to choose from, are thirsty for another viable option.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

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Some 13 days remain in the campaign. Ms. Bokhari could still offer that choice. The party leaders are heading into a string of debates, the first in Brandon Thursday and two next week in Winnipeg, where personal performances can help make or break the odds April 19. The Liberal leader has repeatedly said she wants to get out of the circus sideshows that inevitably crop up in campaigns, to get back to talking about the important issues.

Now she has the chance to do just that. Manitobans will be watching.