outer@utcsrgv.UUCP (Richard Outerbridge) (06/17/84)
Overture Trudeau made a magnificent speech Thursday night, counselling the heart not be forgotten need the mind prevail. On Friday the candidates spoke, Johnston, Turner and Chretien last, Trudeau witholding applause until the last had finished speaking. Prelude Before voting starts, Alan Macheachern enters Turner's box. After voting ends, MacGuigan is deserted. Fugue First Ballot Results -------------------- Chretien: 1067 Johnston: 278 IN MacGuigan: 135 (to turner) Munro: 93 (to chretien) Roberts: 185 (to chretien) Turner: 1593 Whelan: 84 (to chretien) Needed: 1718 Johnston, by staying in, assures Turner's win - but is only following Turner's example at Trudeau's convention. Johnston says he is trying to force a third ballot; Chretien pleads to be allowed to go one-on-one against Turner. "... you know me, I love tough situations" says Jean. Turner wins on the second ballot, with 54.5% of the vote. Chretien gets 40%, and Johnston takes 5.5%. The defeated candidates are martialled onstage to meet Trudeau, who like Johnston is wearing a white suit. Martialled, that is, except for MacGuigan, who is hiding behind Turner hoping to make an entry on his coatails. Only when Turner stops for a press conference on the steps of the stage is Mark flushed out to face the music (and a broadly grinning Trudeau) by himself. Turner is asked if Chretien has a place in his cabinet: "Of course" he replies - his first commitment about cabinet positions. It's possible Trudeau stayed neutral to the end - there were two spoiled ballots on the first vote, and one on the second. After Trudeau had congratulated Turner, he apparently asked for an introduction to the Turner family: they were trotted up, presented to Pierre, and then introduced to the crowd while John made laughing noises in his throat at the podium. A nice parting touch. Chretien's last words were "Good luck bon chance!" Turner's victory speech was good, if only because I heard him come alive for a few moments near the end of it. To me Turner can sound as though he's dictating a memorandum to file when he talks. He only looked at the CBC's camera once, to promise we would feel secure and confident. I was hoping for trusting and hopeful, but Turner's a realist. -- Richard Outerbridge <outer@utcsrgv.UUCP> 416 978 2742 Payload Deliveries: N 41 39'36", W 79 23'42", Elev. 106.68m.
mnh@utcsrgv.UUCP (Mark Hume) (06/18/84)
I was an observer at the convention and I would like to offer some differing impressions to those in the previous article. Unfortunately, Chretien didn't have a chance even if Johnston did support him on the second ballot. Turner was only 125 votes from a win, and with MacGuigan's (sp) support and that of the defectors from Whelan, Munro and Roberts he was sure to win on the second ballot. And we all new it, But didn't want to admit it! Turner's victory speech was definitely aimed at the telivision audience, those of us who had been at the Civic Center all day were in no shape (very tired, not bored though) to listen to a long speech that touched all bases. We wanted to hear a passionate, rousing one (something like the ones Jean Chretien usually makes), but Turner must think of the election now, and who could resist that free, live telivision coverage? Trudeau embraced Chretien but only shook hands (or arms as is Turner's style) with John Turner. Hmmmmmmm. I would like to speak against the speculation that Trudeau might have spoiled his ballot to remain neutral. Trudeau... Are you kidding? He's never been wishy-washy in his life. Besides, its a secret ballot, why would he have to spoil it? I agree about the assesment of Trudeau's speech! Thursday was a Trudeau love-in, as it should have been. On Saturday Chretien had a brunch at his tent on the Civic Center site. He arrived to a crowd of supporters cheering and walked to the tent, on the way passing Whelan's tent (Whelan was there). Chretien walked into the tent and shook Whelan's hand to sounds of Chretien supporters cheering Whelan .. Whelan .. Whelan A nice gesture for Chretien, much appreciated by Whelan. Speeches* Whelan was off ... not as good as he had been during the campaign. Munro ..... Roberts ... some good lines, not too exciting MacGuigan ... the usual Johnston ... Great musical entrance ... quite a good speech Turner ... not a good choice of music, very muffled .. nice flags Probably the best speech he's made in the campaign... possibly ever Certainly the most moving and passionate (if you can call it that) that he's made in recent memory. Certainly a left-leaning speech, finally praising Trudeau (when he knew it couldn't do him any harm). Chretien ... Perfect music for the Underdog. ... Quite a good speech, amazing since he read it from a prepared text, and he's usually not good when he does that. Not the best he's made in the campaign. No change in positions, pure Chretien. I would like to plead for the use of electronic (or mechanical or whatever) voting machines. Two hours plus to count a single ballot is agony for those at the convention. For those watching on TV, I think that Saturday was probably a little boring. In all, a great event for those who were there.