By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
ONCE again calling on Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham to engage in a public debate, the DNA claims after 25 years in political life Mr Ingraham has become "intoxicated" with power.
Responding to the official start of the election race the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) released a statement criticizing Mr Ingraham for abusing his position and poisoning democracy by not informing the public of the election day sooner.
It said: "The PM has become poisoned by power and has in turn poisoned our democracy. The greater the power, the greater the abuse. And he has shown ability to abuse it without remorse.
"We are glad that he has finally felt the necessity to 'allow' people to participate in the democratic process, maybe now he will
understand the necessity of him participating in a public debate. Will his drunken disregard for public opinion lead him to continue denying Bahamians the right to make informed decisions."
After much anticipation, in a televised national address yesterday, Prime Minister Ingraham announced May 7 as the date for the 2012 General Election.
Ringing the election bell, the Prime Minister called for clean, free, fair and honest election.
"As we begin this process," he said, "I want to ask all of our citizens to commit themselves to an election that is truly fitting of this great democracy of ours.
"Whatever the outcome, this will be an historic election on many levels. As of today, I announce that the Register of Voters is closed; this means that there will be no more registrations and no more transfers of registrations."
During his address the Prime Minister announced there are 172,000 registered voters, 22,000 more than the last election and the highest number of registered voters ever recorded in The Bahamas.
At DNA headquarters yesterday, leader Branville McCartney reiterated the Prime Ministers call for a safe and fair election.
He said "I think all party leaders should ensure that persons do the right thing - we do have persons coming to watch this election, which I think is a good thing, and we do not want a stain on this country."
Asking both PLP party leader Perry Christie and Mr Ingraham to join him in a public debate, Mr McCartney said it is about showing Bahamians where you stand on the issues and not about winning.
"I think we are at stage in our democracy where it is warranted," he said, "I am asking them to come with us to the future and not be set in the ways of the past."
The DNA will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Good Governance at the Hilton today at 7pm. During the meeting Mr McCartney said the party will outline their policies on election reform, higher standards of governing and limiting the powers of the Prime Minister.
He added the DNA Code of Conduct will be signed by every candidate, as well as an early release of the party's 'Vision 2012 and Beyond' pamphlet,
Comments
Rontom 12 years, 6 months ago
There is political red-meat and then there is over-the-top remarks. We are still very much a democracy and the PM/FNM was democratically elected. To suggest otherwise with phrases like "poisoned our democracy" and "intoxicated with power" is turning a wheel that itself is counter to our democracy and cannot so easily be shut off. More profoundly, it is self-revealing: It uncovers the naked, odious odor of a weak soul that is heavily burdened with all but three of the Seven Deadly Sins: There is evidence of Pride, Wrath, Envy, and Lust. This is monumental, almost Shakespearean. A tragic figure no less in an unfolding tragedy. The FNM victory ensures an irretrievable career for Mr McCartney.
Domingo 12 years, 6 months ago
The PM has already said that he has no interest in a farce, aka a debate, and I support him in that.If Christie and "2022" want to go before Jones and Nikki Kelly, and spew mindless verbiage and pablum, well, that is their affair. Colour red is all about winning, not pandering, and its winning time!
dacy 12 years, 6 months ago
"Bran the Man" is behaving like a little rude child who is use to having his way. If he has something to say just say it, have a rally and no more indoors events and spread your message...and get your facts together before you do so. I am tired of Branville and the DNA mis statements. It is beginning to look like truth is foreign to him.
conian 12 years, 6 months ago
Who are worthy of Debate? Debate because its the United States way? These fellows don't have anything constructive to say. When they do, maybe in 5 years a Bahamian Political Debate can take place. Can you imagine the Chaos. Papa, You have treated 'them' with the contempt they deserve.
Soon it will be all over and we can get back to managing the Country in a direction for ALL its Citizens.
Philosopher_King 12 years, 6 months ago
An unfortunate tenor has arisen from some who support The Dear Maximum Leader and his new batch of minions in the party formerly known as the FNM that scares me. Yes a well organized political debate would have given us an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates rather than having to listen to their endless rhetoric filled speeches to rabid frothing at the mouth tribal colour clad followers we usually get every 5 years. Hard questions as to why we sold out BTC at 51% and not 49% (which was the only figure ever publically mentioned by either the PLP or FNM) in a no-bid deal to C&W or after deluding their followers in 2007 that they would oppose many of the deals left on the table by the PLP the FNM merely went ahead an executed them with small tweaks in favor of their financial benefactors or why in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression our government chose to embark on aggressive tax and licensing fee collection regime on small businesses etc... We could have also clearly heard from all candidates their message as to how they intend to tackle our crime, education and economic crisis without filters and spin doctors shilling for them. A well organized debate would have given the electorate one more data point to evaluate the prospective party’s agendas and the individual candidates make up first hand. Unfortunately the mindless tribal followers wish only to continue to jump up and down at rallies, parades and other forms of stupefying entertainment rather than engage in intelligent debate of the issues. For those of you whose minds are made up every election period based solely on tribal affiliations; you will never understand that the independent thinking voter wants to hear from our prospective leaders in as many possible forums before making up our minds.
Victor 12 years, 6 months ago
I would not have a problem if the PLP and FNM leaders had a debate. The DNA candidate should not be there because he would just waste time and space. They have been shown to be a fringe party who lack broad support. In the US, you have to get at least 15% to be invited to a presidential debate. The DNA does not have that level of support and even they know that.
Philosopher_King 12 years, 6 months ago
Victor, Firstly this not a presidential election and every constituency should have had an opportunity to hear from all prospective MPs. Secondly the DNA is polling between 15-17% in all the attempts to do credible polling thus far, although I believe it won't ultimately lead to more than a few seats if any in the end. Their presence is causing both relic parties much aggravation.
Danie 12 years, 6 months ago
Bahamian people need to stop being loyal to parties for no reason. I agree with McCartney ! Lets have a debate ! Our leaders should never back down from an opportunity to share their views with the country. Why should we only listen to them when they are preaching to us in an attempt to gather votes? A debate will allow for a situation where remarks will be accountable.
Gadfly 12 years, 6 months ago
This is a red herring. The DNA is calling for a debate between the leaders not by constituency. The constitutional, legal and practical separation of powers in the US makes it necessary for the Executive branch of governement to outline their prospective plans which is often different from the Legislative branch. In fact its very typical to have a different party leading the executive branch from the party leading the legislative branch. Our system is quite different, therefore, these calls for a debate between the leaders, in my view, are more political than substantive. I believe in democracy, I believe in the collective wisdom of the Bahamian people and I believe that those of you who choose to denigrate the Bahamian electorate by calling them "tribal" refuses to accept the fact that ultimately history will show that those tribal voters have repeatedly choosen the appropriate political party for the times in each election since independence. Without choosing sides, I am faithful that they will again choose the appropriate party for the current times during this election.
dacy 12 years, 6 months ago
I PROMISE YOU MR. P. KING THAT IF THE DNA HAD THE NUMBER THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR SUPPORTERS AT A RALLEY JUMPING UP AND DOWN TOO. THEY TRIED IT IN CARMICHAEL AT THE SOUTH SHORES HQ OPENING AND LESS THAN 400 PERSONS WERE THERE AND THEY HAD A MINI MINI RALLEY. THE CANDIDATES SPOKE FOR 3-5 MINS AND THE LEADER SPOKE FO 1HOUR 10MINS. REPEATING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER, SCREAMING FOR PAPA TO RING THE BELL AND MAKE FACES IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL HIS RAGE. IT WAS CARRIED LIVE ON TV.
THE DNA IS NOT A BAD IDEA IT IS JUST NOT ORGANIZED AND HAVING GREAT DIFFICULTIES KEEPING UP IN THE NUMBER GAME - FINANCIAL AND SUPPORTERS. THE DNA LEADER IS QUICKLY BECOMING THE PARTY'S LIABILITY AND THEIR FACEBOOK PAPER WHOEVER IS ADMINISTRATING IS NEEDS TO DO FACT CHECKING ESPECIALLY WITH DATES AND TIME LINES.
MY OTHER MAJOR CONCERN IS HOW THEY ARE SO NEGATIVE AGAINST THE ELDERLY...IT MIGHT BE THEIR VIEW THAT IT IS TIME TO REPLACE MR. INGRAHAM AND MR. CHRISTIE BUT TO KEEP REFERRING TO THEIR AGE IS NOT GONNA HELP THEM...IT IS NOT GOOD TO CREATE THAT KIND OF VIBE IN THEIR PARTY WHICH IS ATTRACTING THE YOUNG, BECAUSE THEY MIGHT ADOPT THE SAME...AND GOD HELP US MORE IF THEY DO!
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