EDITOR, The Tribune.
There will be no argument from me, whether Candia Dames is good at what she does. Her articles in the National Review have kept many adequately informed on what is going on in the Nation, but, there seems to be something about Dr Hubert Minnis, that causes her to get unhinged. There are persons who remind us of other persons and her description of Minnis as “lackluster”, “uninspiring”, and a host of other associated adjectives, raise the question of why should she even have him in her memory; especially since he does not fit the profile of what she thinks a leader looks like. However, it is not just a problem she has, because for many, Dr Minnis does not fit the profile of any leader we have had since 1967, and for some that is very uncomfortable.
In this age of media-driven personalities, it is always good to know where those who seek to lead us, stand on the popular issues, but apparently Dr Minnis has no interest in being popular. To be popular in the Bahamian political context may mean that you have to do a dance at any given moment or make a promise you cannot keep. I have seen Minnis on the “beller line” with the Saxons, but he has never carried a costume or led the parade. Ms Dames is attempting to pass an unwarranted judgment on a man who wants to do his politics from a place where he will not be distracted. She wants him to dance to a tune that has not helped leaders in the past. It is up to Dr Minnis to stay on the path he is on and give the people of The Bahamas a clear choice in 2017 or even earlier.
The FNM does have some problems when it comes to leadership having made the same mistake in 2002 and 2012. They allowed confusion at the top. While the younger crowd in the FNM thought that it was “their time”, in both instances what they actually did was take away the opportunity for the Bahamian people to choose between two political parties, and the opportunity to see a philosophical difference between the two. We forget that a valid political choice requires a perception of being diametrically opposed to the group you are in opposition to, and this perception must be created and maintained. When Pindling called Ingraham a “rude boy”, he actually created that perception for the FNM and all Mr Ingraham had to do was maintain it and it was all over from there. The problem with the FNM’s last two losses is that the FNM failed to present a difference to the Bahamian and it was like voting for the same political party ( status quo) and when people are presented with those kind of choices they will vote for the “devil they know”.
Just before the recent FNM Convention, “Simon” attempted to create a perception of Mr Minnis that was out of step with the good doctor’s persona; he made a last ditch effort to have him labelled as a “ “silver spoon”, grouping him with the persons that had caused the party its losses in 2002 and 2012. However, in this instance the members were up to speed on the “play” and dealt with the issue decisively.
I know that Ms Dames is a perceptive individual and she has sense to know that a divided opposition will never survive in The Bahamas. I would suggest that she keeps doing the good work she is doing, but treat all political leaders with equal disdain; as she has done in the past.
She can begin by checking on the accomplishments of the present Prime Minister when he was Minister of Health and see if it compares to that of Dr Minnis. She could take a shot at comparing those who lead, on their work ethic and their ability to get things done, instead of this subjective nonsense that reminds us of the judging process at a Junkanoo Parade. Pretty costumes may be good for only one lap, but the bellers have to keep on pushing through.
EDWARD HUTCHESON
Nassau,
June 2, 2015.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 9 months ago
Candia is spot on. And if anyone does not see Minnis as the model of mediocrity he is then they are delusional....
Minnis is a good man, no doubt. But he is no leader. He has had 3 years to prove his leadership and he has failed.
The FNM MUST replace Minnis and they must do so soon enough to give the new leader time to get his or her footing to be prepared for the GE in 2017...
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
For persons who have to keep making excuses for this man who leads the FNM, if you have to keep trying to convince the masses that a person has it, he or she doesn't, particularly as it pertains to politics. The constant whining on his behalf is as exhausting as it is telling.
As for Mr. Minnis' record while Minister of Health, I am quite certain the letter writer does not know what he is asking by asking Miss Dames to look into that!
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 9 months ago
The people have spoken in all quarters of our small country. If Minnis really cared about the FNM standing a chance of winning the next general election, he would gracefully step down from his leadership position at the earliest possible time. Many who have been staunched supporters of the FNM in the past (including those with very fat wallets) would rather not vote, or vote PLP if need be, if that's what it will take to keep Minnis from becoming PM.
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