Riiight! The reason the PNM lost the election in 1995 is because, after eight people sat in a room with the Prime Minister and decided on the date, some turncoat leaked it to the UNC. The upshot of that was that the PNM did not know that the UNC knew and this is why the election was lost... And people accuse Ishmael Samad of being nuts?
If he really wanted the element of surprise to work in his favour, perhaps he should have called the election during the UNC internal elections! I will admit that I was one of those who thought it impossible that lightning could strike twice, that the Prime Minister could bounce his head twice.
I firmly believed that notwithstanding the fact that circumstances for the ruling party would only have gotten worse; that his reputation would have been further undermined beyond salvage, the very same attrition of time could have tested an untested Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The passage of time could have fomented dissent in this tenuous union between the Congress of the People and the UNC. Watching Kamla and Dooks at that news conference was like attending a wedding at which the bride is already six months committed. It has been said by many commentators that the Prime Minister was out of options because, for all intents and purposes, he was now a lame duck in office.
From a legislative standpoint this certainly is not the case, so the only theory that could hold any water is that he was facing such revolt from within the Cabinet and the party that the only person he could instruct is his wife. There is no doubt that this election in large part is merely a referendum on Patrick Manning's leadership. It is an interesting development given that only some weeks ago the Prime Minister was boasting that the kind of "indiscipline" (read democracy) that has shaken the UNC to the core cannot exist in the PNM! The fact that the Prime Minister alluded to a Judas in the ranks which cost them government in 1995, is an open admission that perhaps his iron fist is considerably corroded.
Sure, Dr Keith Rowley and Patrick Manning have been sparring for years. It just never dawned on Mr Manning that Dr Rowley's kung-fu was far superior to his. It was the very meek and personable Pennelope Beckles who was overlooked as a real contender by everyone else except the Prime Minister. Consider this folks: Rowley, who has garnered the respect of right thinking citizens for presenting as an immovable object to the metastasising scourge of corruption, has one big problem. The PNM membership, I understand, would never accept him as political leader because he would be too divisive an element in the party; diehard Manning supporters just would not have it. There is a name, however, that has been circulating as a universally acceptable heiress to the throne. That's right, Pennelope Beckles! This could explain why Mr Manning was offering her a diplomatic posting to Easter Island.
Now that the screening process has begun, the cracks that the Prime Minister said were never there are beginning to show. He was caught in an untruth this past week when he told the media that he spoke with Mrs Beckles-Robinson, who explained to him that because of "domestic commitments" she would not be able to accept his offer. Well dear Pennelope was on the radio the very next day making it very clear that the issue of "domestic commitments" never arose and that the focus was on a meeting she held with her constituency executive. In other words, she was not turning down the offer because of family, but because her work is with Arima. Mr Manning must be muttering to himself, "I knew I should have pushed for corporal punishment at party meetings! When dese fools get to thinking, stories does clash!" Another upstart who ought to know his place has been "offered" a demotion. Anthony Roberts, who is now persona non grata in Mr Manning's eyes, is the first person in recorded history to be offered a demotion.
Mr Roberts, who was found unsuitable by the screening committee for electoral politics, was offered the job of chairman of the San Juan Laventille Regional Corporation, one which he held prior to entering politics in earnest. How does the PNM propose to confront the cavalcade of scandals that has so incensed the society? Thus far the Bible is the primary text deployed on the campaign trail. When you relinquish all control in your life to the Lord, I have to say that does not inspire a tremendous amount of confidence. Make no mistake, this will be a battle royale, the PNM fat-a-- brigade will be out in full force. Fear of the Indian will be invoked because simple minds must be plied with primal instincts. Ironically, one significant threat to the ruling party is the GATE programme which Christine Kangaloo (chief of picong) has been boasting about. An educated young population is anathema to the ruling party.
The question remains: are these young people sufficiently motivated to vote based on their analysis of the issues? If Facebook, though no scientific poll, is anything to go, by we are slowly emerging from the zombie nation of voters. It is interesting to note that the business community had the temerity to tell the Prime Minister, in his presence, "yeah yeah yeah, just call the election and let's get on with it."
Sure, all of us laughed as Ishmael Samad nearly crushed his own nads with a sledge hammer twice his weight. He ain't no Percy Villafana, but he was sufficiently moved to make his statement on issues of corruption. There will be many others who may not make that natural progression to such crazed antics, but at the very least they could be inspired to vote when they haven't before.
The Prime Minister recently told a gaggle of reporters, "Indeed, my dear friends, the way to victory is becoming clearer, you will be surprised!" I doubt very much that this is a crazy-like-a-fox scenario, but on his latest remark, it is the only time I have ever found myself in agreement with him...I would be very surprised.
