Stronach under fire from leadership foes (won't join debate) Globe/Mail

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040205.wuconservatives05/BNStory/Front/

Ottawa — Conservative Party leadership candidate Belinda Stronach faced questions yesterday about her campaign team's tactics after declining to take part in network television debates.''We have a forum that will go to all English Canadians in an efficient way,'' said Gord Haugh, a spokesman for for candidate Tony Clement. ''It seems reasonable as registered candidates that we take advantage of that.''

Ms. Stronach's campaign also ran into controversy over party memberships yesterday, and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein rejected her request for an endorsement.

Her campaign team decided early this week that she would not take part in any network debates, one of which will be broadcast on CBC Newsworld next week with only Mr. Clement and Stephen Harper.

Mr. Haugh said Ms. Stronach's campaign manager, John Laschinger, had no difficulty in the past with scheduling candidates for appearances on nationally televised news programs, referring to former Progressive Conservative leader Peter MacKay, whose leadership campaign he managed last year.


-hmm, won't take part in the debates? Who does that remind you of?