Lanisha Rolle
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson said Free National Movement Senator Lanisha Rolle has “no sense,” adding yesterday that her appointment to the Upper Chamber was one of Dr Hubert Minnis’ “tragic mistakes”.
His comments came after Mrs Rolle, who called in to a 96.9 FM radio talk show last week, said Bahamians will not support Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner for leader of this country over Prime Minister Perry Christie and accused Mrs Butler-Turner and FNM MPs of being “jealous” of Dr Minnis.
As the fall out over her remarks continues, reactions are revealing the fault-lines in the FNM, with Mr Watson, who has praised Mrs Butler-Turner in the past, offering veiled criticism of Dr Minnis even as he condemned Mrs Rolle.
When contacted by The Tribune, he said Mrs Rolle should not have been chosen as a senator in the first place.
“She had no right to it,” Mr Watson said. “She has not earned it. One of (Dr Minnis’) tragic mistakes was to put someone like that in the Senate who has no political experience, no party experience and no sense.”
“It’s a very unfortunate circumstance that she as a senator determines she will get in the public domain to criticise members of Parliament who people voted for.”
Mrs Rolle was appointed to the Senate by Dr Minnis in February 2015. She replaced Heather Hunt, who was asked to resign by Dr Minnis. According to party insiders, she was not a visible member of the FNM before her appointment.
Mr Watson said he would watch closely to see if Dr Minnis would reprimand her for criticism of members of her own party.
“She has not yet been reprimanded,” he said. “I’m waiting to hear what is going to happen. I don’t believe the party ought to put up with that kind of behaviour.”
Last Thursday, Mrs Rolle called in to the talk show “The Conversation” with host Shenique Miller to defend Dr Minnis, while castigating those in her party who do not appear to support him.
“The fact is that Dr Minnis has the majority of support of the party and that is about 492 councillors and thousands of voters, versus one, two, three or four persons who are holding seats for now, until the people say otherwise,” Mrs Rolle said last week.
“The country in my opinion will not support Loretta Butler as leader over (Prime Minister) Perry Christie.
“Dr Minnis is Christie’s match and he will win with the help of God, not man.
“Some sitting MPs are, and let’s call it what it is, they are jealous, some are envious of the favour Dr Minnis has with the masses and they are in positions of power.
“Some of them have chosen to misuse their positions of power for self-serving interests and not in the interest of the country. So therefore they have caused the focus to change.”
Mrs Rolle also compared Mrs Butler-Turner to US presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, noting that despite Mrs Clinton losing the presidential nomination to Barack Obama in 2008, she later “humbled herself” to become the president’s secretary of state, working to advance his agenda.
Her commentary was further evidence of the rift within the FNM and fuels speculation that Dr Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner have not reconciled since her failed bid to unseat him as party leader at the FNM’s one-day convention in 2014.
In response to suggestions that Mrs Rolle may view herself as a surrogate for her party’s often criticised leader, Mr Watson said no one in the party has publicly lambasted Dr Minnis, especially not the way Mrs Rolle did to the Long Island MP.
“All we have said is that these are things we believe he must do in order to win,” Mr Watson explained. “We have given him some directions and suggestions on how he could become more attractive to the Bahamian public. Nobody has attacked him. We’ve given him advice on how to make (himself) someone who could lead us to a win in the next general election. That’s all.”
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 3 months ago
Meanwhile, read and weep Bahamians!
http://www.economist.com/news/america...">http://www.economist.com/news/america...
TruePeople 8 years, 3 months ago
Yeah, it's better in the Bahamas.....
sheeprunner12 8 years, 3 months ago
I will lift up mine eyes to the hills .............................. Frank should know (been there done that) ..................... Come on Frank and Brent, its your time to shine as FNM sages (SMH)
Publius 8 years, 3 months ago
ha!
Honestman 8 years, 3 months ago
Minnis is making such a mess of trying to lead the FNM. He is trying hard to be somebody he is not. HE IS NOT A TEAM BUILDER AND A LEADER. He appears to have no vision other than to gain the seat of power on the back of the abject failure of this PLP administration. After almost four years of mis-rule the country needs a savior, someone with vision and integrity, someone who has a feel for leadership, someone who can make the right decision most of the time, someone who is confident in who he is (and who he is not) someone who is courageous and someone who can genuinely lead this country out of the mire of corruption we find ourselves in. It is clear as day that DR. HUBERT MINNIS IS NOT THAT MAN. The appointment of Lanisha Rolle as Senator merely underscores the point.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
I recall him saying recently that his objective is to get the PLP out of gov't. He said that (in regards to the infighting) all the FNM would co-operate with him in this regard.
So. That's his plan. Win the election for himself. beyond that is a blank canvas.
TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago
Comrades there is humour be found when a senior red politician of the likes and ranks Frankie, thinks it was so tragic a mistake for 'one they own' Senator Lanisha be calling ups a Talks Free Radio 'Ting'.
I thinks what Frankie really is saying is - why in name of sweet Jesus, would Lanisha dare inform the populace when such private dirty party business does opens doors comes back bites Red Shirts in their butts?
Dear Comrade Frankie, wasn't this the reds philosophy behind da Talk Free Radio ''Ting' to open up the airwaves as the best method to keep da populace informed about all matters - Transparency in Governance and in "Opposition" and how politicking Tings supposed works?
Who could have thought an fresh and until now, unknown Senator Lanisha would be the red to preach all about the inner dealings red party.
Comrades here comes the "real" reds intents for 2017 General. Take away rights convention delegates to vote for they leader and party executives, and to muscle all reds from calling into talks radio 'Ting' shows to freely express their opinions.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 3 months ago
I wouldn't say she has no sense. But her appointment to the senate was WEIRD. It's not a pulpit. The senate is not the place to "give young people a chance", its purpose is actually the opposite, "give the old experienced wise men the opportunity to debate" these bills that could change our lives fundamentally.
If Laneisha Rolle doesn't think she miss-stepped on this, she should look at the fallout caused by her ill thought out 5 minute statement. Ever heard the statement it's not what you say, it's how you say it.
licks2 8 years, 2 months ago
THEREIN LIES OUR NATION'S PROBLEM. . . OLD PERSONS WHO DON'T WANT TO PASS ON THE BATTON OF POWER. . .TO A WELL TRAINED LAWYER. HER "5 MINUTES STATEMENT" ONLY "SPOOKED" TGHOSE WHO THE TRUTH SMAKED RIGHT BETWEEN THEY EYES!! THE PUBLIC THINK SHE SHOULD "RED" YALL SOME MORE. DID I JUST SAID "RED"? NO PUN INTENDED. . .LOL!!
dahasamo 8 years, 3 months ago
All indications are that the PLP are hoping, wishing, and praying that Minnis stays as the leader of the FNM.
jackbnimble 8 years, 3 months ago
Fa real. I heard a sitting PLP MP say that with my own two ears. He said Perry Christie would stay on as leader as long as Minnis was at the helm of the FNM because he knew the FNM could not win an election with Minnis at the helm and that they would only be concerned if Loretta, Ingraham or McCartney were leading the party. Everything he said is coming true. Minnis is leader and Perry Christie has not stepped down (yes he is that confident).
The FNM is cooking their own goose!
banker 8 years, 3 months ago
LOL
by banker
Even funnier is the Tribune's pathetic "news-gathering" by phoning has-beens from 20 years ago for a comment, and then making like its news! Amateur wannabee hacks. Get some real news reporters.
Publius 8 years, 3 months ago
Indeed. What a testament to how pathetic the press is in this country that this story is dominating headlines for days on end. All that is happening in this country that the media is refusing to expose - they focus heavily on this nothing-of-a-issue in terms of the grander scheme of things.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
Hint, the media is politically controlled
jus2cents 8 years, 3 months ago
This is just another case of Wag the Dog' blah, blah, blah same s%$# different day.
When are we going to start voting and judging people by their ACTIONS and DEEDS, not on their hot air and rhetoric?
LBT has DONE a lot of good things for her constituents, particularly after the hurricane, she is a dynamic and vocal opponent to the PLP, and that is how an opposition party is supposed to advocate for its people, and why they FNM stalwarts are jealous and the PLP dinosaurs are scared of her. (ALL Governments should be held accountable and always be challenged.)
Minnis may be a very nice guy but his actions show he cannot Unify the FNM. And that is why the PLP love him, they hope as long as he's leader of the FNM the PLP will have a better chance at defeating them.
Economist 8 years, 3 months ago
LBT is looking better by the day. Minnis should resign.
TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago
by TalRussell
killemwitdakno 8 years, 3 months ago
Damn unpolished , not accustomed to protocol. Must be covering up a ghetto side. Jealous. Newbie need to humble herself. New and calling into a show speaking for an institution you're just reach to. Have several.
licks2 8 years, 2 months ago
Chill. . .ya snobbishness is showing. . .MUST HURT THAT SHE JUST REACH AND QUALIFY FOR SENATE. . .AND YOU BEEN THERE HOW LONG? YALL DUMP MINNIS AND YALL WILL NOT EVER SEE THE HOUSE AGAIN!! WHILE WE ALL DEAL WITH PM MCCARTNY AND HIS GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN THE NEXT TWO ELECTIONS!! OH BOUY! THIS GER BE LONG FOR REAL. . .THESE FNM PEOPLE TALK THIS POWER THING SERIOUS!! LOL!!
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