First published in The Tribune on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 under the byline, Young Man's View.
Adrian Gibson
AS THE PLP Convention kicks off tonight, the internal bickering and power struggle intensifies. Today, I will continue from where I stopped in Monday's column and discuss the challengers for the deputy leadership and chairman posts.
Contesting the open deputy leader post are Cat Island, Rum Cay and Salvador MP Philip "Brave" Davis, Senator Jerome Fitzgerald and West End MP Obie Wilchcombe.
Brave Davis, known as the emperor of Cat Island, was once taught of as merely a flimsy, smiling backbencher (during the PLP's governance), who appeared to be inclined to quietly standing in the background. He has since repackaged himself.
In the 1980s, I'm told, Brave Davis' political story began when he stated, in a nationally published interview, that he was prepared to run for either the FNM or the PLP.
According to Mr Davis' promotional newsletter 'The Brave Voice', in an eloquently written letter, Davis supports his campaign platform–eradicating crime, reducing unemployment and promoting native economic ownership–and touts the rise of a new day in local politics.
According to the Issue, Brave states that: "Crime is rampant and becoming more savage and brazen by the day; our young people have become disenchanted with their country, as the image of their Bahamian dream has been shattered; unemployment is at a staggering 14 per cent and Bahamian ownership of our economy is almost non-existent."
While I found Davis' message to the stalwart councilors and party delegates to be strong and stirring, where were all these ideas during the PLP's governance?
And, why didn't Mr Davis seek and/or accept a Cabinet post to truly demonstrate his commitment and leadership prowess to the nation?
Furthermore, it must also be noted that while Davis expresses his desire to tackle crime, some of his most notable legal works have been in defence of high profile, convicted hoodlums.
He has also had run-ins with the media due to comments that were perceived as alluding to the press being gagged.
Based upon recent reports, it appears Mr Davis has garnered the support and endorsements of the grassroots as well as prominent PLPs (George Smith, Leslie Miller, Charles Carter, Loftus Roker, Cynthia "Mother" Pratt, Effy Walkes).
Although he is said to be a down-to-earth person, his oratorical delivery, publicly, is about as explosive as a soaking wet fire cracker.
When it comes to speaking, the deputy leader contender is no Barack Obama, no Hubert Ingraham or Perry Christie, no toastmaster awardee! Frankly, if Mr Davis' campaign was based wholly upon his oratorical ability to electrify and project his vision, his stock would be lower than the Zimbabwean dollar.
It does appear that Brave Davis is cognizant of his oratorical weaknesses and has employed various complementary means to advance his message.
Brave, thus far, has run an innovative, "Obamasque" campaign.
Campaign
Quite frankly, I have never seen a campaign of this nature in local politics and, if it becomes a norm (and it should), there could be some average income folks vying for public office who, financially, may not be able to compete against such an electoral machine.
However, yesterday both Davis himself and his supporter and legal associate Andrew Edwards refuted this assertion. Mr Edwards claimed that Davis "has simply chosen to involve a lot of young people in his campaign, has printed 30,000 copies of the newsletters in Florida for a mere $3,000 and produced the videos broadcast on ZNS/Cable 12 for about $1,000, while paying those stations about $600 to broadcast it." Davis' campaign has been truly superb and of a 21st century, first-world quality.
As a Family Island boy myself, I have a great appreciation for Davis' successes, how he was able to pull himself up by his bootstraps and worked his way to the top. Nothing was ever given to him and his humility seems genuine.
Thus far, it does appear that as his advertisements continue, Brave has a slight upper-hand. I have, however, wondered why Mr Davis, who promotes himself as being brave, wasn't brave enough to enter the leadership race.
Perhaps, and PLPs should also consider this, this race is merely a preliminary, a feeler of sorts!
Jerome Fitzgerald, the Perry Christie appointed senator and a member of the PLP bourgeoisie, appears to have been called down from his ivory tower and come galloping into the deputy leadership race where, for him, there is no realistic chance of a triple crown or even a derby victory.
Mr Fitzgerald is another seat-less wonder whose political campaign to "save Saunders Beach" and prohibit the expansion of Arawak Cay has earned him little to no grassroot support.
To the curious mind, it now seems self-serving that Mr Fitzgerald was baying about the Arawak Cay port development immediately before he expressed his intent to contest for the deputy leadership. Was this all some kind of self-promoting gimmick? And, has Mr Fitzgerald suddenly dropped the issue? Was Mr Fitzgerald talking about issues and problems that he may be completely detached from? Was it all a well scripted play? And, didn't he seek to establish a water plant at Arawak Cay?
Frankly, the senator boasts on his deputy leadership resume that he has "championed causes that affect ordinary Bahamians, ie, save Saunders Beach, objection of the port transfer to Arawak Cay."
The results of the deputy leadership race will reveal whether or not he has gained any political mileage from these "championed causes."
Now vying for the PLP's deputy leadership post, it was this same Jerome Fitzgerald who, as a prospect, spoke at the FNM convention on November 10, 2000, immediately before current Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. Also speaking that night were Dion Foulkes and Michael Pintard!
Furthermore, although Mr Fitzgerald was appointed to the senate by Mr Christie, he shortly thereafter took to the airwaves and called for him to quit – that is, before flip-flopping, rescinding his statement and pledging his support.
Sophisticated
Frankly, I've come to view Jerome Fitzgerald as a sophisticated and aloof wannabe whose elitism was demonstrated when he, unlike all the other candidates for prominent positions, chose to announce his premature candidacy for deputy leader at an elite, high-class restaurant. A place that the masses, from whom quite a number of the low to average income delegates/stalwart councilors come, can hardly afford.
The senator should have taken a page out of the books of Paul Moss, Bernard Nottage, Brave Davis and Obie Wilchcombe when announcing!
Although I have seen the tacky photographs of Mr Fitzgerald distributing school supplies and other accessories to the needy, I am not convinced that common, everyday citizens can identify with him. There are many politicians that do the same, but do so quietly. Furthermore, it is generally accepted that once the senator has performed his duties at the convention, he will be leaving the masses on New Providence behind to return to his palatial home on Paradise Island.
As it stands, he is a nil-to-nowhere prospect with no political track record behind him.
Obie Wilchcombe, a student of Sir Lynden Pindling and a charismatic and dynamic orator, is the second real contender in the showdown for the deputy leadership. Mr Wilchcombe is the only living Bahamian who has served as MP, minister, senator and party chairman.
Thus far, I'm told, Mr Wilchcombe has launched a very aggressive ground campaign and, as one source suggested, "comes from the belly, the core, of what 'PLPism' is all about."
Years ago, Mr Wilchcombe, a former journalist, went to prison for protecting a source and has been deservedly praised for traveling to Grand Bahama and enduring two very destructive hurricanes -Frances and Jeanne – with his constituents. Since these hurricanes, the economy of Grand Bahama has tanked.
Frankly, I have always thought that Mr Wilchcombe had the appeal and tenure to have possibly mounted a successful leadership campaign against party leader Perry Christie.
In recent times, the West End and Bimini MP has had to credibly defend his innocence after the Travolta alleged extortion case garnered national and international headlines and involved his business partner Pleasant Bridgewater and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne.
Of late, Mr Wilchcombe has been subjected to much negative press. Recently, the former Minister of Tourism testified as a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial.
Although Mr Wilchcombe has proclaimed his innocence, misplaced perceptions after the Travolta episode has, in the eyes of some, hampered his chances.
Honestly, I once thought that Mr Wilchcombe would have easily wiped the floor with his competition. This time around, he will have an uphill battle. However, it is hoped by many young persons that he will be successful in his bid for the deputy leadership.
Obie Wilchcombe, a titan in the PLP, is expected to storm the convention.
PLP CHAIRMAN
THE contenders, and pretenders, vying for PLP chairman are Glenys Hanna-Martin (sitting chairperson), former MP Bradley Roberts, perennial protester Ricardo Smith, vice chairman Ken Dorsette and former MP Keod Smith.
Glenys Hanna-Martin, the youthful chairperson has been a pacesetter thus far. She is the first female chairperson and, as a politician, has managed to step out of her father's (AD Hanna) shadow and, via her tenacious approach to the issues, earned respect. Earlier this year, she again entered the history books when she was named and banned from the House of Assembly for two sittings as she, in the midst of seeking information about the death of a teenager in police custody, ignored an order by the Speaker. I do feel though, that a most memorable moment in modern parliamentary history was interrupted when fellow PLP MPs sought to obstruct the sergeant-at-arms from removing her. It appears that she has arduously worked at inter-party affairs and, if the party is to transition to embracing a new generation of politicians, she is likely to put a spanking on her challengers.
In this race, Ricardo Smith is a no-hoper. He is a featherweight punching way above his weight level. After the convention, Mr Smith–placards and all–will be sent packing with a one way ticket into political oblivion.
Former MP Keod Smith has absolutely no chance of winning the chairman post. He is viewed by some PLPs as a loose cannon, particularly as he is most famous as one-half of the dueling twosome that came to blows in the Cabinet Room.
Mr Smith should take a blanket to the convention as he is likely to make an abrupt return to the political wilderness.
Bradley Roberts, a former minister and MP of 25 years, is Mrs Martin's only real competition. He will not be easily dispatched to the political boneyard.
If Mr Roberts is victorious, no one doubts that the 64-year-old will be on the FNM like white-on-rice. However, Mr Roberts has had his time and if PLPs bring him back from the political graveyard, it is a sign of the party's desperation and a clear indication that the PLP is unwilling to break with the past.
History
During the last election, the PLP pledged not to turn back, so will they when it's convenient for them? Is the party going to go deep into the annals of its history and elect a retired, near 70-year-old as chairman?
Little is known about Ken Dorsette.
I am told that he is known within his party, was a legal journeyman having worked at several law firms and, as one source put it, "could sell sand to the beach." At best, he finishes in third place.
Mr Dorsette must be likening his chances to watching a wilting rose as one minute he was Mrs Martin's main challenger and in the other, Bradley Roberts–who stood with him and appeared to be supportive–dropped the bombshell that he to would be contesting for the post.
While it is expected to be a stormy convention, the PLP must accept their defeat and emerge as a reinvigorated organization. The people are tired of false promises, scandals and government by committees.
I do wonder whether the persons vying for the top posts in the party have an intellectual grasp of the position of today's world and how it relates to leading an archipelagic state into a stable future.
These leaders must all have fundamental principles that can be molded into futuristic and coherent policies that would advance this nation.
Lastly, it is high-time that the old curmudgeons dominating that party take a back seat!
