Boomer Wealth Coach Ted Wernham offers his analysis of the London leadership debate

Boomer Wealth Coach Ted Wernham offers his analysis of the London leadership debate

Dear Conservative Friends:

Between 250 and 300 people were present, despite a very significant shortage of parking and a reluctance to come onto campus.

Two hopefuls (Elliot and Hudak) mentioned how proud they were to be graduates of Western, as did the moderator, and the MC. While I to am a graduate, be assured that the crowd was not enamored or influenced by the flag-waving. It does not seem to me to be a significant requirement to be considered when voting for our next Leader.

Reasonable attendance by the media, but we have to wait to see how they report.

Elliott supporters, mostly youth. Hon. Jim Flaherty was in attendance. Heavy presence on the Elliott team by long term Tory strategists, including Mark Spiro, Jamie Watt, and others. Her only mis statement was the comment "leave no person behind" which everyone immediately thought of Jack Layton and the NDP. Otherwise her presentation was a "developed from the top" overview of what she hoped to do, if chosen. Claims to have a day by day, week by week plan to lead the Conservatives to power. On a few of the points, I had to ask "where did that come from". If the plan is already in place and all we have to do to achieve it is to vote for her, then I would encourage everyone to make very certain that they know what the plan is

Randy Hillier had few supporters and will finish fourth.

Tim Hudak was a disappointment. His delivery, and stage mannerisms were way too American politician! (with apologies to american politicians... Ontario politics is not the place to parrot republican rhetoric.... at least make it Canadian, eh!) plastic promises and delivery. He made promises that will break down under scrutiny. For example, he suggested every newborn in the province should receive $1000 to be invested for their future education. There are so many legal and estate planning problems arising from that, not to mention the tax problems, that the proposal is a no go from the start. He made other pronouncements and predicaments solvers that sounded good but won't work. Again, it seems that he has all of the problems solved, and we will be the beneficiaries of that salvation if we just vote for him. Sorry Tim, there are too many boomers living with broken promises. and lay off the repetitive references to the middle class.....they are hard to find and hard to define, anymore.

Frank Klees was professional, courteous, specific and spontaneous. He made a minor mistake on a date early in his delivery, but corrected it later in the program. He speaks about grassroots involvement. That resonates with a voter base, who wonder how faith-based funding became a platform issue before it was even embraced by the membership. Frank is experienced. He sounds experienced. Conservatives in the province want to say in what a conservative is, who the conservative leader should be and how a conservative government should operate. Frank specifically mentioned the inclusion of new Canadians into the policymaking process, a platform that no doubt will appeal to/resonate with an electorate that is educated and emerging.

Franks support base was the most solid, in my opinion. The Hudak supporters must be disappointed with their candidate this evening.

As is often the case in politics, votes are not necessarily cast in support, they are withheld in protest. Here's an example.

As you are aware, I received a call from one of Hudaks front people last Thursday just before the board of control debate. The content was to set up a meeting this afternoon with Hudak, and some of the local party members. I was told that someone would be back to us before the meeting this evening. No call came in. Maybe too busy, but should never be too busy to call to say they're too busy. We had some issues to discuss with Tim, but he should be pursuing us, not us him.

Tonight, Frank Klees spoke well, appeared well, and pronounced well on the policies so as not to lose one supporter, and no doubt became a credible alternative that will draw votes from the other three campaigns. Allow me to suggest that many undecideds tonight had to be impressed with Frank.

It was encouraging to hear from a person humble enough, smart enough, and experienced enough to know how to lead, where to lead, and what issues to lead with, the reward for which will be enough to sustain the party to power in the next election.

All of which is humbly offered for your serious consideration



Retirement Solutions Centre

Ted Wernham BA CLU CFSB EPC

Boomer Wealth Coach

'providing advice that is right on the money'

Listen for our program "Boomer Wealth" radio, coming soon, to AM980.