For a party that's been written off by many political pundits, it's doing a pretty darn good job of attracting candidates around here.
Floundering in the polls and facing stiff challenges from the left and right, it would appear the governing Liberals are poised to relinquish their decade-long grip on the halls of power in B.C. following May's provincial election. At least that's what the obituary writers have to say.
Parties in that kind of a predicament generally have a tough time attracting, or keeping, strong candidates, which clearly hasn't been the case for the Liberals in Delta's two provincial ridings.
Scott Hamilton, who has spent more than a decade on Delta council, was acclaimed in Delta North earlier this month while Bruce McDonald, a seven-term civic councillor, won the Delta South nomination on Tuesday night. They are about as far from the neophytes, wannabes and resume builders that struggling and/or marginal parties often present to the voting public as you can get. Instead, these are experienced, well qualified candidates that are longtime community leaders.
I'm not suggesting Hamilton will best Sylvia Bishop, his council colleague and the NDP candidate in North Delta, or that McDonald will knock off incumbent Vicki Huntington here in South Delta.
All I'm saying is that for a party that's been given up for dead by many in this province, it has attracted a couple of flag bearers that pack a significant punch.
It's clear McDonald and Hamilton believe in the leadership and direction of Premier Christy Clark, and are part of what's being termed as a Liberal renewal, but it remains to be seen whether the public is willing to buy in.
As the election draws nearer and the specter of a New Democrat government comes squarely into focus, it's understandable that some voters would gravitate to the right-of-centre party they believe has the best chance to prevent such an occurrence. There are certainly many others beyond that point, so angered by the actions of this government they're unwilling to accept another term.
McDonald and Hamilton have their work cut out trying to convince voters they should stay the course and give the Liberals another four years. All governments, regardless of political stripe, have an expiry date and you've got to think that time is getting dangerously close for this one.
On the bright side, the Liberals have found a pretty good pair to make that sales pitch.
