FNM Faces Backlash

Jones Communications Network (JCN) announced several weeks ago that it would hold a nationally televised debate at 7:30 p.m. at the Epiphany Anglican Church Hall on Prince Charles Drive.

The company extended invitations to all five candidates. However, only four agreed to take part in the debate: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate, Ryan Pinder, Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM) candidate, Cassius Stuart, National Development Party (NDP) candidate, Dr. André Rollins and Workers Party candidate, Rodney Moncur.

On Monday JCN CEO Wendall Jones, who is hosting tonight’s debate, told callers, as well as his listening audience on his daily Issues of the Day talk show, that he personally extended two invitations to Dr. Sands and "impressed upon him why he ought to participate and he has not responded officially to our invitation."

During a press conference on Sunday the FNM declined the debate invitation on behalf of its candidate.

FNM Leader and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said "It is not Dr. Sands; it is the FNM, which made the determination. The FNM is not debating in Jones’ debate. Our debate is with the people of Elizabeth and we are conducting our own campaign."

"I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can speak for my candidate and we are not participating. We are doing our job in Elizabeth," Mr. Ingraham said.

But, Dr. Sands’ political opponents are not buying the FNM’s rationale.

In fact, in an interview with the Bahama Journal yesterday, all of the men interviewed – Mr. Stuart, Dr. Rollins and Mr. Moncur all had harsh criticisms for the FNM and its candidate.

"I think it’s indicative of the Ingraham administration. Mr. Ingraham controls everyone in his party and he tries to keep them quiet. He tells when they can speak and when they can’t speak. I know Dr. Sands claims to be an individual thinker, but he needs to be able to voice his concerns," said Mr. Stuart.

"The people of Elizabeth want to be able to hear from the candidate and to have the party leader muffling his candidate like he’s been muffling them for many, many years is disgraceful and it’s indicative of politics of yesteryear."

Dr. Rollins, who publicly called for a national debate weeks ago, agrees.

"I have very deep regrets that Dr. Duane Sands has not seen fit to participate. I think it’s an insult to the good people of Elizabeth. I think the decision not to participate is once again a reminder that the politics of yesteryear is that political parties expect voters to vote for party and not the candidate," he said.

"And if Dr. Sands were truly a free thinker and a transformative politician, regardless of what the hierarchy of the FNM may have urged him to do I think he would have resisted the temptation by bowing out in a bid to demonstrate his true passion for being a public servant. You don’t become a public servant if you allow posters strewn on lamp poles and trees to speak for you because posters cannot speak. We will find that this is a major political blunder on the part of the FNM and Dr. Sands to deprive the candidate the opportunity to show the voters of Elizabeth whether he has the medal to earn their votes. I applaud the other candidates who have been bold enough to say they too want to be a part of history."

Meantime, Mr. Moncur said he is glad that Dr. Sands is not participating.

"I believe he is right not to participate because under Article 48.1 J of the Constitution he is disqualified and under the Election Act of The Bahamas he is disqualified by virtue of not having published a notice," he said.

"I think this is a sign that he is finally withdrawing from the election. In fact, that is my hope; so I’m not disappointed. I think he should stay away. I’m happy that he’s not coming because he is not constitutionally qualified to be on the ballots."

During yesterday’s Issues of the Day show, a first time caller said she believes The Bahamas should move away from "rowdy" rallies in favour of debates, which would allow constituents to get a better idea of who a candidate truly is.

"I was truly disappointed to hear that Dr. Sands would not be participating. I was disappointed that he would not come forward and give his views of what his plans are for the people as opposed to [thinking] that because [he’s] an FNM candidate he’ll be voted in," she said.

A male caller also expressed his disappointment that Dr. Sands did not stand up to Mr. Ingraham and tell him that he wanted to take part in the debate.

"This man claims he is a free thinker, Dr. Duane Sands. He cannot even make a decision as to whether he can come in on a radio or television debate as far as Elizabeth is concerned," he said.

"I have a problem when I see that kind of behaviour because obviously the candidate himself, who claims to be a free thinker, is not a free thinker. It is very confusing that he cannot decide himself whether he can participate in the debate or not."

Another caller reminded Bahamians of what happened in the United States the last time a political candidate refused to take part in a debate.

"Remember when [US Arizona Senator] John McCain, during the last debate between him and [then Illinois Senator] Barack Obama when he (Mr. McCain) said he wasn’t going to show up because he had a matter in [Washington] D.C. The press over there was all over him," he said.

"This is the first time that we in the country are getting a chance to have something like this. And it should be something that everybody should jump at and get a chance to speak their mind. And for Dr. Sands not to be a part of it is really surprising. It seems as if the same government that says it loves freedom of speech [believes it] is only freedom of speech when you’re not saying anything about them."

Another female caller noted that the debate would be a "groundbreaking" moment in history and expressed her disappointment that Dr. Sands would not be a part of it.

"This is history in the making and I’m just so thankful that I’m alive to witness it. I think the FNM party is doing the Bahamian people a huge disservice in not allowing Dr. Sands to participate in this debate," she said.

"In my personal opinion they (the party) don’t have enough confidence in Dr. Sands and he doesn’t have enough confidence to stand up and deal with those questions at that debate."

But, in an interview with the Bahama Journal last night, Dr. Sands denied that he was afraid to debate.

"I hardly believe that I have any concern at all or that I am afraid to debate anybody at anytime. I would prefer to spend my time talking to the people of Elizabeth. So, it certainly has nothing to do with fear," he said.

"[Regarding] every single decision that we make, nothing that we do is by happenstance. Nothing is the result of whim or fancy. It’s a considered decision and we’re prepared to believe that our decision to debate the constituents of Elizabeth will be well-spent."

He also said "We made a strategic decision not to participate in the debate. We wish the participants the best of luck. I’m sure it’s going to be an interesting event. I imagine that the people that participate and the people who will be watching it would benefit from it. But, we prefer to debate the constituents of Elizabeth directly. We believe that our time would be better spent reaching out to them directly. The time is short and we would rather talk to people in their homes and in their faces."