FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday he has “no interest” in a public debate between the political leaders, insisting that he is “by far more interested in” unseating Prime Minister Perry Christie.
The Killarney MP said his efforts would be better served working to rid The Bahamas of an “ineffective CEO” incapable of making the “tough, but necessary decisions”.
“My answer to that challenge remains the same, we have an ineffective CEO running our country. I am by far more interested in removing him than a debate,” said Dr Minnis.
“They (the government) still have a lot of outstanding matters that they are running from and not discussing. Those matters need to be highlighted and addressed now.”
“We are still getting conflicting reports on BAMSI contracts and insurance, they need to bring everything current and to the public,” he said, referring to the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute in North Andros.
During a recent speech at The College of the Bahamas’ School of Journalism, Mr Christie implored students present to challenge him, Dr Minnis and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney to a public debate to determine who of the three has a better grasp on national issues.
“Bring Minnis here, bring Branville here, Christie here and say ‘tell us what you believe in,’ and make your judgment. Ask questions, see who has a command of the country, who understands where the country ought to be going and who could speak to those issues,” Mr Christie said last week.
On Tuesday, Mr McCartney accepted the challenge for a debate and said his party would even sponsor such an event.
It was also at COB that Mr Christie, in expressing his disdain for some members of the local media, controversially said of journalists who criticise his leadership capability, “to hell with them.”
Mr Christie also lashed out at calls from some in the media for him to resign. He said these critics were not in the trenches with him when he won eight consecutive elections, and stressed how grave a responsibility the media has to report truth so their audiences understand the information.
He said, “(Journalists) presume that the position they are in gives them the right to say what exists and what doesn’t, but the devil is a liar and it is important for you as students to be able to have your leader’s ear and don’t be scared.
“Their judgment as to whether I’m doing my best, to hell with them. It’s the people with the power, people whose aspirations are for a better way of life for themselves, and their children. You have the right to believe what you believe, to write what you believe. I must respect you for that. But respect me for what I’m trying to do.”
Dr Minnis said yesterday that those comments illustrated the prime minister’s “complete disregard” for democracy in the Bahamas.
“Christie has lost his way and is insulting everybody instead of dealing with the problems that exist within his poorly managed government. He is the CEO, the buck stops with him,” Dr Minnis said.
The Christie administration has come under fire in recent months over a number of scandals.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works Philip Davis has been mired in controversy since he announced that the fire-damaged dorm at BAMSI in Andros was never insured.
Two weeks earlier Mr Davis had told the House of Assembly that the dorm’s insurance had lapsed at the time of the fire due to the contractor’s nonpayment.
Last week, Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray was relieved of his local government portfolio amid an ongoing police probe into allegations he interfered with the judicial process.
Comments
duppyVAT 9 years, 1 month ago
RIGHT ANSWER ...... we have heard enough talk from Bran and PGC. HAM has to market himself as a man of action, no debates are necessary to figure out Bran & Perry.
caribguy 9 years, 1 month ago
He better not want to debate, because Perry Christie would've chewed him up and spit him out. He is no match for Perry Christie, in any form.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 1 month ago
First off a debate can't happen until the bell is rung. Secondly Bran has no candidates, none. Until he gets some he is not a contender in 2017.
So a debate is nothing but a distraction right now. A stupid Perry distraction. Perry got all the heat off of him and now on to Minnis with his stupid ass mention of a debate he most definitely does not want. Let's face it. Perry would walk into the debate as the worst, most failed PM this country has ever had. A child could beat him in a debate....
So let's get back to business. What's going on with Gray? BAMSI? Where is the BTC 2% take back deal Perry promised to table? What's going on at BEC?
Don't get distracted by nonsense Bahamians...
Tommy77 9 years, 1 month ago
Very well said.
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John 9 years, 1 month ago
you are a real racist!
duppyVAT 9 years, 1 month ago
Sooooooooooo, who (what) do you vote for General???????????
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
Frankly I do not think Mr.: Christie should waste his time debating either of them.
caribguy 9 years, 1 month ago
@birdie I agree. Neither of them is a match for PGC. Bran is an effective speaker, but still not ready for PGC.
ohdrap4 9 years, 1 month ago
Who would want to debate with a man who is incoherent and out of touch with reality?
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
The Red Party Reconfirms They Have "NO" Interest In Da Poor Votes.
Comrades Minnis, is the same Minnis, who just happens to be the leader of Her Majesty's Official Opposition party. the same party just yesterday issuing a press release: "That the layoffs at Scotia Bank come at a time when "middle-income jobs are scarce," with economic hardship intensified by the introduction of new taxes, so said Minnis's red shadow minister of finance and deputy party leader Peter T.
One can only surmise how the reds must have acted under the same circumstances, as Papa Hubert had decide upon prior to the 2012 General Elections with the red regime's, "outright abandonment of poor people." Only this time, the red party decided to go public with the intended direction the party will use to take the fight into the 2017 General Elections. Seemingly smart politician mens make stupid major political mistakes - cuz it's not so damn difficult to trace the exact cause of the disaster for Papa Hubert, back in 2012.
Tis no wonder why leader Minnis would want to avoid a debate with PM Christie. Avoid it knowing the political disaster that awaits him. The man can't much talk, much less debate, not even if he attends Toastmasters, every damn day leading up to the debate.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 1 month ago
The words of a future dictator - he don't need to debate nobody.
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Makes for an excellent party chairman, yes. But he no born leader and no, he is not leader mold-able by 2017? Absolutely not, and that's da end of all the discussion, necessary to dump him. Comrade Minnis, now 3 years into the red party's leader's post of the red party, remains steadfast in his inability to draw out even a small crowed to protest alongside with him, or to listen to what he has to say. What could possibly happen over the next 2 years to change that most important negative?
Big question might just be, can Bran bring new energy to the red party and if so, how quickly must Minnis go? Some say Bran should be made to first rejoin the party, but the same people never demanded that of Papa Hubert? It all came down to "winning government," back then and so it must be come 2017..
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