For In-Depth Review: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2012/apr/23/dna-hammers-opponents-at-mass-rally-an-in-depth/?opinion
A Brief Review of the DNA Mass Rally
Talkin Sense says: I must hand it to Branville McCartney BambooTown, he gave a rousing and impressive political speech tonight at the first DNA mass rally. As far as political speeches goes (which means, empty, even outlandish, promises aside, because there were lots of those) it was a damn good political speech. As far as political strategy goes, getting the political theatre right, is as much, if not entirely more, important than even substance, because it is the political theatre that appeals to perception, which in politics is more important than ‘the best man’ or even the truth.
The FNM I believe has proved itself superior in this respect, in both instances. They appear to have a more organised campaign, and a more structured message. Even though RM Baily park was half full last night, you would never know or care from the television broadcast, not just because of camera angles. Between the politicians, the production team and the people, there seems to be more cohesion and better acting.
For the DNA’s part, Branville told the people tonight that this election would show them that the power of the people is more important than the people in power. There was nothing novel about this message, and yet I believe he actually got his people to believe him. That is important, because his success as an orator has enabled the DNA to build, bit by bit, a base, no matter how small it may be. The Bahamian people have not dismissed Branville, and by and large he has convinced the mainstream media that the DNA is not just some fringe party, but a serious contender, worth of equal consideration for placement next to the FNM and PLP.
No other third party has been granted such consideration. No other party has been able to rob the FNM or PLP of airtime and newspaper real estate. The only people who have not acknowledged the DNA are the leaders of his competing parties. But with or without their approval, the DNA is making their voice be heard.
Love him or hate him, but Mr McCartney is no political lightweight. He convinced me of that with his performance in the theatre at tonight’s mass rally. In my books, he’s still “blacklisted” on spousal rape (an a host of other important issues), but for what it’s worth, Talkin Sense deems the DNA not just a third party, but a political party. And that’s on the record.
This is precisely why I can say with confidence and authority that in a DNA government the people will be disillusioned all the same. The party means well, but it exists inside a system. The Rastafari tell us all the time that such a thing exists. “The system, the system, the system is a fraud,” says Mutabaruka in his dub poetry. Look at Barak Obama. I am not calling him a fraud, but I am saying that everyone who drank his change koolaid was a bit naive. He exists in a system, a powerful one at that. And not even he has the power to bring the change he desires.
No man, no government, especially not in five years, has the power to do some of things Mr McCartney is claiming to do. He promised the people tonight that crime would be no more. For the past 39 years of the independent Bahamas, every year crime has been on the rise. Not because of the government. We live in an increasingly materialistic, capitalistic society that breeds indiscipline, discontent and violence. The Bahamas is in need of fundamental change, but the important changes are systematic, and the DNA does not have the power to live up to may of its promises.
On the most basic level, still, I will give it to the DNA for putting on a good show at the theatre. I think the crowd was large enough, and the production quality good enough to legitimately qualify as a mass rally, which in itself is impressive for a party that was expected to be dead on arrival. People laughed when Mr McCartney said he would field 38 candidates, and yet he has, regardless of how laughable some of them may be.
This in itself advances my argument, because the same can be said for the FNM and PLP. Frank Smith, to me, is a laughable candidate, and he has already sat in the House of Assembly.The FNM and PLP have many laughable, even objectionable candidates. The DNA has its share, and added to that are a lot of unknowns. On the other hand, they also have a handful of credible candidates: Randy Butler, Mark Humes, Chris Mortimer, Charlene Paul, even Roscoe Thompson, to name a few.
These candidates, although some of them are polarising, were respected men and women in the community before their foray into politics. And I think it is disingenuous to rob them of their respect now that they are in politics, no matter how unfortunate you think it is that they joined the DNA.
Some of these candidates were respected inside the political parties that held their former allegiance. No political party in the Bahamas has a clean slate. And for at least a handful of DNA candidates, though they may be green in politics, they were/are respected and credible leaders in their respective spheres of influence. At some level you have to appreciate their courage.
Unfortunately for the DNA, this does not prove they represent any real change, only that they present another option. But I suppose that is worth their credit because for the first time, by all appearances, Bahamians accept that another party exists, in sufficient numbers to match the political theatre of the FNM and PLP. I can’t wait to see how this translates at the polls. I still don’t believe Mr McCartney’s seat is secure, but I am starting believe one or two DNA candidates will at least get their money back.
On nomination day, Branville noted how much the DNA has been able to accomplish in 11 months, claiming that as an indication of what would be possible with 5 years. I actually think there is a reasonable argument in there.
That being said, I believe Bran’s strongest arguments are not about his own strengths, but the weakness of the field. Much of his commentary on Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham reflected sentiments held by many Bahamians, even inside the FNM and PLP. More importantly though, much of his commentary reflects truth. No matter who you like more, Perry or Hubert, they both represent the past, and there is a lot about that past I have no desire to carry into the future.
They are capable of chugging the country along, no doubt, but really, after some 3 decades of leadership, collectively, with the problems we now face, what future do they have to offer the Bahamas? Both of them recognise that they are transitional leaders, on their way out. And if there were a credible party with enough of a base to challenge them, there would be legitimate grounds to send them into early retirement.
I am not commenting on whether or not the DNA is that hope for the future, because I think the point is moot. They do not have enough of a base to seriously challenge the PLP or FNM in this election. But if they survive another five years, and are as productive as they have been in the past 11 months, they will have a stronger base in the next general election and a more credible chance.
So for all of the things I do not like about the Democratic National Alliance, I am still willing to say, they are doing a good thing for Bahamian democracy. They have given some Bahamians new hope, no matter how false it may turn out to be.