The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. The general elections of the Bahamas must be called within the next four months. And to date, the FNM has not yet named one candidate. This is almost like a National Basketball Team who qualifies for the Olympics but is named one month before the big event. This would be a setup for failure because this team would not have enough time to build the chemistry needed to win games and be competitive. I am of the view that cohesion is needed amongst team members and that voters should have time to get to know their candidates. It shouldn't be a case where candidates are shoved down the throats of the electorate at the last moment. I believe that it is also unfair to the candidates not to know where they may be running because this puts them at an obvious disadvantage to other candidates who may be campaigning. I have heard many FNM candidates issue "politically correct" statements on the candidacy issue in the FNM. The most recent statement I heard was from the Chairman of the FNM, Carl Bethel. In a Tribune article dated December 29th, 2011, Mr Bethel said, "The FNM has been quietly campaigning as the 2012 election draws nearer, but has held off from launching a full throttle re-election bid so as not to distract from its job of governing the country." I tend to disagree with Mr Bethel's statement. The reason I believe why Mr Ingraham and the FNM haven't launched a full throttle re-election bid is because the candidates are un-named. Mr Ingraham did say that he was bringing in fresh faces to be candidates for the FNM this year and he also said that some incumbents would not be given the nod this time. I find that the un-naming of FNM candidates at this late hour is a total disrespect to the electorate and I find it "miraculous" that there are no major rumblings in the FNM with regard to same. Mr Ingraham by his own admission is never late, but many Bahamians must be wondering why Mr Ingraham and the FNM are late in ratifying their candidates. DEHAVILLAND L MOSS Nassau, January 3, 2012.