Danny Williams and his ‘campaign of fear’
Please check out this link from CTV regarding Danny Williams’ alleged campaign of intimidation and threats against residents who wish to support the CPC. Kudos to Robert Fife for his excellent report.
There are stories of people’s family businesses being threatened if candidates run for the CPC, people being called up and discouraged from attending rallies or making a donation, and a general feeling of ‘heavy fear’ from a man who has "too much power".
More from Jim Morgan who backs up the story.
It’s positively frightening. Elections Canada might want to check it out.
Fife calls it a very serious campaign of intimidation.
H/T to Sammy and Fay in the previous post for this information. This really needs to get out on blogs and MSM.
Are Newfoundlanders going to take this?
And as Mary T. asks, is it legal?
Is Danny Williams having some kind of breakdown?
* * * *
Update: National Newswatch has now picked up the CTV link.
9:15 pm - CTV Newsnet had an updated report from Robert Fife, who said that Danny Williams’ press secretary was in touch with him and they are saying Williams denies any of these allegations.
So, somebody is lying about a very serious issue.
* * * *
Sunday Update: ASTTR - "If you run, we’ll ruin your father’s business…"
Via Jack’s Newswatch - Danny Boy has gone too far: Rex Murphy.
Right as Rain: "Danny the Dictator?"
Just Right - "Danny Williams unglued."
Daimnation! - "Some things never change (including Newfoundland politics)."
Sunday Evening Update : Stephen Taylor’s post on Danny Williams is picked up by the National Post’s Full Comment. Way to go, Stephen!
Hunter - Campaign of Intimidation and Campaign of Intimidation Part 2 .
* * * *
Big Monday Update: Check out National Newswatch! CTV’s Robert Fife Under Attack!
This story has also been picked up by Uncommon Truths. Also check out the first comment at Dante’s.
Tuesday Update: Thanks to Suzanne in comments for letting me know that this post has been picked up by CBC’s Susan Ormiston in "Blog Buzz".
Also from CBC - Williams registers anti-Harper ‘ABC’ campaign with Elections Canada. (Maybe the money would be better spent taking an anger management course?)
September 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I just watched it. Unbelievable. Williams has gone way too far, and this needs to be blasted out across Canada.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I want to say thankyou to Robert Fife for listening to these concerned citizens of Newfoundland. These people need to be provided the opportunity to support the political party of their choosing. This is what being a Canadian is all about.
Hopefully CTV will expose Danny Williams for what he is.This climate of fear has got to stop.If this was in the USA, the media would be all over it.
I feel sorry for the people of NFLD, there is no place to hide from Danny Williams.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Yeah, Robert Fife definitely needs to be commended here. This is just way over the top.
I would really like to get a legal opinion on Williams’ alleged actions.
Of course, in the report you hear them say that Williams denies it.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
So, is Saddam alive and well in NFLD. I hope everyone is sending a message to friends and relatives in NFLD about this. What is their media saying, or are they covering it. Have they been threatened with licence cancellations. This has got to turn into Canada against Danny, instead of Danny against PMSH.
This is why we are in afgan, to give people freedom, didn’t know it would be necessary in Canada. Think about it, a premier denying the right to vote by secret ballot, or to support any political party. Even May,Layton and Dion should get on this.
Send Danny a message by voting conservative where ever you are.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I have complained about Fife in the past for his knuckle draggers comments. I must say in this case he has actually done some good reporting. Rex has also warned Danny Williams that he is going too far.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
What I find appalling tho,is Jacq.Mil/Liberal,the ctv host,that refused to deal with this in a more serious manner.It was like she just wanted to sweep it all away,and get back to trying to help Dion get his lousy campaign promises across.I found her quite dismissive toward Mr.Morgan as well.
I see over at DMB,Lib toady Todd Russell in Nfld is slagging PMSH on some native issues as well.Hmmm,wasn’t it the Lib.team that just had to dump not one,but two RACIST toward native candidates in Que???? Keep it up,party of hypocrites!
September 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Stephen Harper is no bully, but Danny Williams certainly is.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Danny Williams = Robert Mugabe
September 13th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
cbc still running the most ignorant clips of DW speech on Sat.Report,with NO mention of this mess….but,they have a lovely bit with our PMSH playing piano at the airport! Paul Hunter blathers about DW being a problem for PMSH.Keep it up cbc…we have blogs for the REAL info!
September 13th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Harper needs to call Williams on this - I don’t see how there is any down side to doing so. This behavior is un Canadian. Talk about being a petty tyrant.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I would suggest that of course Danny is going to deny - but if Fife has heard it from more than one person, I would say it has some merit.
I guess Dano has been found out and doesn’t like it much.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Are there any blogs originating from NFLD, regardless of political stripe.
How many seats in NFLD, held by who.
Any non conservative MP elected on Oct 14 from NFLD will carry the taint of this with them the whole term.
We will all look at them and consider them elected by threat of intimidation. If there are members of his caucus with any spine they will go public and denounce this, even with threat of removal. With only four opposition members it would just take five or six to leave and form a new party, with official opposition.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Alberta Girl, I would like to hear the exact wording of the
apologydenial.i.e. Did Williams say that he himself did not threaten or intimidate, or did he include all ‘his people’ in the denial too?
[Comment edited. See AG at 9:39 pm]
September 13th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
“Alberta Girl, I would like to hear the exact wording of the apology.”
Apology?? Did I miss something?
September 13th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
‘Are there any blogs originating from NFLD, regardless of political stripe.’
MaryT, this Liblogger follows Danny around, daily, and he’s not a fan:
http://bondpapers.blogspot.com/
September 13th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Just watched CTV national news and Tom Clark made light of the fact that Danny Williams may be intimidating federal conservatives. Instead CTV chose to play video of Williams bashing Stephen Harper. So much for Ctv standing up for democracy!! Robert Fife tried but I suspect Craig Oliver blocked it.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Craig Oliver just announced he will be travelling with the liberals this next week, and what they have to do to change this election around. Get ready for liberal bias reporting, he and Jane Tabor are going to pull all their tricks tomorrow to set the stage to put dion back in a positive light. They will not report any negatives against their party - for example, MLA Thibeau here in my Province of Nova Scotia again put his foot in his mouth by saying - “you can put a sweater on a pig - but it is still a pig” - referring to Mr. Harper. He had to apologize several times before - one that his opponent being 60 years old - was too old to run against him - and he said that Marjorie LeBreton should retire and make tea for Mr. Mulroney…. now this, however, being the little Province of Nova Scotia and because he is a liberal - he is allowed to make as many negative remarks as he would like. If this was Mr. Harper’s candidate - the media would break wide open - calling this a pattern of the Tory candidates and asking our PM to have him removed. The only thing we can do - is push harder and have him run over by the Tory candidate… There are many many fisherman in his district that “hates” the Green Grab!
September 13th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
The can of worms is open now. Tom Clark and Craig Oliver can not stop it from going regional and local.
Look who’s running for us to replace Doyle:
http://www.damianpenny.com/archived/011883.html
September 13th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
There were stories in the papers, quoting williams as saying he had/would ask his caucus who they planned to support, and how they should not work for conservative candidates. That was just prior to the election call. I know I commented on what happened to the secret ballot in NFLD during that time. Others also commented. This is not new, just finally out in the public. I visited that blog Wilson linked to. From that it seems the ABC campaign is being toned down.
I am sure someone is going to find those quotes or articles and the truth will get out.
And, Williams only has one vote.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
[...] h/t Joanne [...]
September 13th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Unbelievable….Tom Clark from CTV reporting on the NFLD campagne news and NOT a WORD about the earlier report from Robert Fife. Looks like another story SQUASHED. They actually showed Millions calling Harper a FRAUD and showing the pooping puffin. Democracy at work again….just like the NDP Pat Martin and Lib Paul Szabo kangaroo Court Committee….no Conservative witnesses. How many more cover-ups do we have to witness?
September 13th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
William’s conduct is quite pathetic. However, Harper’s speech in Newfoundland today was terrific. Lots and lots of people, and a really vocal bunch. He’s in Newfoundland and I hope that his manner and confidence resonates with the good folks there. Better than the fear mongering coming from Williams.
I give Danny two poops of the puffin(hey, it’s an equal opportunity bird. Sometimes those who call themselves conservatives deserve a poop or two)
September 14th, 2008 at 12:00 am
This demonstrates why the secret ballot is so damn important because the tyrant has no control as to where you place your X.
It’s one of the basics of democracy, but strangely enough, labour unions want to do away with secret ballot votes.
But anyway; Now that Elections Canada is aware of an ‘issue’, are they not obliged to look into it, or does some type of official complaint need to be filed?
September 14th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Apology?? Did I miss something?
Sorry, AG. I meant to say ‘denial’. Yeah, an apology from Danny Williams would be an earth-shattering development, wouldn’t it?
I’ll go back & change my comment so it doesn’t confuse anyone else.
Danny Williams makes Dalton McGuinty look positively statesmanlike by comparison.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:47 am
give Danny two poops of the puffin(hey, it’s an equal opportunity bird. Sometimes those who call themselves conservatives deserve a poop or two)
Be careful, Sol. I understand that in Newfoundland it is a sign of good luck.
Are there any Nfld readers out there! I’d REALLY like to hear from you! Please.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Why has CTV muzzled this - I find it appalling that every network for two days reported on puffin-gate and on Sparrow-gate - and yet something like this is being hushed up.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:14 am
AG - Maybe Williams threatened them.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Who’s the control freak and the bully? Non other that the great Danny Williams.
Then they talk about PM Harper as the bully and control freak. Go figure!
All you Nfldlanders out there, don’t listen to Danny Mugabe Williams, think for yourselves and vote the way YOU wish.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Threatened them with what? Whatever could he hold over CTV’s head that would make them crush a story like this.
I think CTV knows that if this got out it would turn the ordinary Canadian against William’s ABC plan and embolden N.L. to vote Tory.
Time will tell whether it has been quashed - will Ollie and Giggles talk about it on Question Period. If not, we know something has happened.
If anyone knows what CTV could have been threatened with by Williams, please let me know.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Threatened them with what? Whatever could he hold over CTV’s head that would make them crush a story like this.
That was a tongue-in-check speculation, Alberta Girl.
I’ll be looking forward to QP though.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:28 am
This makes a very good case for the voters in Newfoundland voting Williams OFF the island, no?
re: puffinpoop being a sign of good luck. Why didn’t you say so earlier in the week Joanne, maybe the guy in Harper’s war room meant it as a complement to Dion?
Would have spun an entirely different way.
September 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Good Sunday Morn all…I note that the blog Hypocritical Oath has good post on the Blowhard Williams farce..titled ‘Official:Danny Williams put on notice’…link at Blogging Tories site. Nice to hear the ‘non-partisan’ Craig Oliver just introduce John Baird,then go into his intro of David McGuinty as ‘a serious environmentalist,long before it was an issue’
Wondering if Craig’s Magical Mystery Tour with the Lib.campaign,is going to be in the role of a ’strategist’ to help out this fiasco???
Nice double-speak by May on QP re: the ’stupid’ Canadians comment.Tape was played..you CLEARLY hear her say it,she denies it,so Lizzie,I guess besides being stupid,we are all deaf..media as well!
September 14th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Thanks, Sammy. I’ll be watching for that. We have old-fashioned cable so I’ll have to wait til noon.
This memo is to Karol whose comment is awaiting moderation: Interesting stuff. Again, I’m reluctant to get sued. (I know, I’m such a wimp.)
Please try posting that information at one other blogs I’ve linked to in the update, and let’s see what they do with it. Thanks.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Too bad John Crosbie can’t comment on this because of his position. Bet it would be a good one if he could.
September 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I’m wondering why the video footage of this interview was of Mr. Harper? It is misleading in the fact that it appears they are talking about him and not D williams.
September 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Sammy at September 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am:
You’re absolutely right about Craig Oliver’s obvious bias pro David McGuinty in that segment.
I also found Ms. May putting her foot more firmly in her mouth, saying Steve Paikin AGREED with her interpretation/explanation of her “Canadians / stupid” comment. I wonder if Steve Paikin agrees that he agreed …?
September 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I also found Ms. May putting her foot more firmly in her mouth, saying Steve Paikin AGREED with her interpretation/explanation of her “Canadians / stupid” comment. I wonder if Steve Paikin agrees that he agreed …?
Gabby, someone should send him an email and ask.
BTW, Elizabeth May must REALLY think Canadians are stupid after that song and dance on QP today.
September 14th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Paikin will be interviewed on Roy Green show,following his conv.with May yesterday.Seems the msm is way out of touch…Green said he knew nothing about the ’stupid’ comment,and it was brought to his attention by the bloggers! He just said he had been inundated by e-mails…most likely setting him straight.Read comments at SDA,post by a participant on Roy’s ‘political panel’ of yesterday.These are just regular joes,and I find far more in-the-know than some of the msm.
BTW,I see the anti-Cons/pro-Lib. campaign work by ctv host J.Milczarek continues today.
See the difference in how she announces the new campaign ads released in Que:
‘ the Liberals released an ad TARGETING the Cons.in Que.
‘the Cons.released ad SLAMMING the BLOC’
Just some not so subtle framing????
September 14th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Why do we just hear about Stephen Harpers warm and fuzzy blue sweater….wasn’t DION wearing a warm & fuzzy RED sweater the NEXT DAY and a few days in a row? What about the sweater on a pig but it’s still a pig comment…didn’t hear that one on QP. Didn’t hear the Hitler comment and the stepping down of the Liberal…AND Sparrow WASN’t FIRED…he was just let go for the balance of the campaign, NOT FIRED. They also seem to like to cut off the quotes harper makes…like the fruit comment..where’s the part where harper said he couldn’t WIN on the vegetable comment? Also where’s the part in the Danny Millions comment when Harper said ,he said he” expected to win WITH THE HELP OF NFLD & LABRADOR?” Conveniently leaving a lot of things out to give a different spin on things.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Question Period as usual, free campaigning for the Liberals. Jane Taber acts like she needs adult supervision.
I am impressed Stephen harper is doing as well as he is with all the negative press from the National Press Gallery.
Hunter seems to have changed the format for leaving a comment and I can’t figure it out.
September 14th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Joanne, I think your question, “Is Danny Williams having some kind of breakdown?”, is the right one.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Fay, if Stephen Harper can continue with his dignified, statesmanlike tone, and not descend to the level of the likes of Danny Williams, I think he will do very well in this election.
He needs to stay calm and cool when the barbs come out. Yet stay warm and fuzzy to the population.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Joanne,
It is very instructive to know who Danny Williams represents.
http://www.assembly.nl.ca/members/cms/memberdetail.asp?MemberID=45
Danny Williams
Humber West
Progressive Conservative
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Email: DannyWilliams@gov.nl.ca
Phone: (709) 729-3570
Fax: (709) 729-5875
Toll Free: n/a
House of Assembly Office
Confederation Building
8th fl, East Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_West
Humber West is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Includes western part of Corner Brook, as well as the communities of Gallants, George’s Lake, Pinchgut Lake and Spruce Brook.
The current member in this seat is Premier Danny Williams. It was represented by a second former Premier, Frank Moores (1971-79).
Population (2006) 10201
=======================
There are around 6000 votes cast in every provincial riding. It take 3000 votes to get elected
Danny Wiliams’ Riding is on East side of the Island, as far away from St. John’s as you can get and he does not even keep Constituency office there.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
The big question of course is who will play Danny Williams in the CBC Movie of the Week?
September 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Sol, how about Jack Nicholson?
September 14th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
“Gabby, someone should send him an email and ask. …”
I viewed the QP segment of Ms. May interviewed by Jane Taber once again and I must correct what I wrote above: I said Ms. May had stated Steve Paikin AGREED with her interpretation/explanation. What she actually said was that Steve Paikin “*remembers* that I [E.May] didn’t say anything like that …”
It’s not exactly as I first commented, but close to it. And I decided to take your advice. I wrote up a comment over at The Agenda blog.
“… stay warm and fuzzy …”
Sweaters, we have sweaters
we have loads and loads of sweaters!
Blue ones
Red ones
Orange and Green
Which one’ll be on the winning team?
I have a *vested* interest in this …
September 14th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for the clarification, Gabby.
“Vested” interest - Very clever!
September 14th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Off topic … from 660 News in Calgary
Lavar Payne Gets The Conservative Nomination in Medicine Hat
September 14, 2008 - 11:00 am
Kelly Turner and Audrey Whalen
An aide to retiring Federal Cabinet Minister Monte Solberg hopes to win his seat in parliament.
62 year old ‘Lavar Payne’ beat out two other contenders last night to get the Conservative nomination in the riding of Medicine Hat.
Payne tells the Herald his campaign is running a bit behind the eight ball because the election has already been called.
Solberg, who was an MP for nearly 15 years, served as Minister of Immigration, then Human Resources under the Harper government.
Monte’s replacement has been chosen.
WCT Reports (an ex Albertan)
September 14th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Yeah, I saw that too, Teddi. What are your thoughts on the nomination?
September 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
…I note that the blog Hypocritical Oath has good post on the Blowhard Williams farce..titled ‘Official:Danny Williams put on notice’…link at Blogging Tories site.
Do you have the URL, Sammy? I can’t seem to locate it. Thanks.
September 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Don’t know Payne so can’t say much. Monte was an icon for the Conservatives and Reform - he had a great blog before becoming a cabinet minister - lots of humor.
The Medicine Hat riding association actually had a vote rather than “appoint” a candidate. Not much time to campaign and now to battle for the riding. Monte (I believe) won the riding last time by the largest margin in Canada so this should be a safe seat (hehehe).
There is a report on National Newswatch that the CPC are going to change attack this week and take on Dippers and Greenies. Lots of “family” type announcements. Should be interesting.
WCT Reports (not much happening in Saanich today - weather is TOOOOOOO nice)
September 14th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Teddi, please don’t rub it in. We’re getting the remnants of Ike.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Hey Jo,the post I mentioned prev,has been pushed to pg 2 of Blogging Tories..’Official” is the 1st word in heading.I see the BT site has been loaded up pretty good just in past few hrs..must jump back over and see what I find.
BTW,anyone watching Goldhawk on cpac tonite? Another anti PMSH show..with Goldhawk cutting off anyone pro-Cons.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Sammy, I’ve never heard anything but Liberal bias from Goldhawk. If anyone can prove otherwise, I’m all ears.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Sammy! Thanks. I found it. This is a great post.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Congratulations! You made the CBC’s Ormiston Online’s Top 5 Blog Buzz:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/campaign2/ormiston/2008/09/blog_buzz_sept16_2008.html
September 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Hey, cool. Thanks, Suzanne.
I’m liking Ormiston more and more since she stood up to Garth Turner.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:34 am
[...] vindictiveness has its limits As much as Danny Williams seems to hate Stephen Harper, he can’t stomach including the Green Party in his vicious AB C [...]