The Tribune

THE latest taunt coming out of the FNM war machine is that the 'Bay Street Boys', long associated with the governing party, would actually prefer opposition leader Perry Christie to be prime minister.

A speaker was heard to tell an FNM rally in North Andros that contrary to popular belief, Mr Christie is viewed by descendants of the once all-powerful white elite as their very own "cousin".

They have no such love for FNM leader Hubert Ingraham however - he is just "too black for them", according to the speaker.

3D collusion?

Meanwhile, the PLP launched a few taunts of their own, accusing prime minister Hubert Ingraham of "crowd envy".

Following Mr Ingraham's suggestion that the PLP may be using holograms to increase the size of their rally crowds, the opposition claimed he is jealous of their "enormous" following.

The party said: "Thousands of Bahamians are attending PLP rallies because they are excited about a new generation of PLP leaders, because they are ready for a government that knows how to fight crime and create jobs."

The PLP called Mr Ingraham's suggestions about "holograms and dead people" pathetic and incoherent - pointing out that the media would have to be complicit in such a massive deception of the public.

If you can't beat 'em,

don't join 'em

The PLP put a new spin on a well-known adage this week, in a move observers are calling: "Can't beat 'em? Quit the race completely."

More than a week after the FNM and DNA released their manifestos, the opposition finally broke its silence - telling the public they've decided not to issue one at all.

Amid accusations that they were "late again", the PLP decided to flip the script and release a "Charter of Governance" - a national development scheme supposedly designed to take the country through to 2030.

No more short-sighted manifestos every five years for them - they are in it for the long haul this time.

PLP leader Perry Christie said: "This isn't some campaign manifesto, Bahamians, this is a path to the future, an innovative national development plan, one which reflects our core commitment to putting Bahamians first.

"The Charter for Governance represents not just our own team's expertise but many months of consultation with leading lights in the private sector, economists, law enforcement and defence experts, energy analysts, health experts and more."

Impressive.

Still, some political pundits are wondering if it isn't really just a way to avoid ever being called late again - well, for the next 18 years at least.