Joan Crockatt faces debate fears

Posted by Drew Anderson in Politics

It probably has nothing to do with a recent poll by Forum Research showing her support plummeting, but Joan Crockatt, the Conservative contender in the Calgary Centre by-election, has finally agreed to make a debate appearance.

Hosted by the Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association, the debate scheduled for Thursday November 15 will be the first all-candidates debate to be just that. 

Crockatt confirmed her appearance this evening, one day after a poll pegged her support at 32 per cent compared to Liberal Harvey Locke's 30 per cent, Green Party candidate Chris Turner's 23 per cent and the NDPs Dan Meades at 12 per cent.

Although the recent provincial election, and the lead up to the most recent municipal election proved that polls can be less than reliable, the fact that Crockatt's numbers have plummeted from 48 per cent since the last tally must have her election machine worried. Support for Turner and the Green Party has surged by almost 110 per cent, while Locke is running in a statistical dead heat with Crockatt.

Regardless, the fact that she has agreed to actually participate in a debate makes this one worth attending. The debate takes place at the Cliff Bungalow-Mission community hall (A 2201 Cliff St. S.W.) from 8 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 15.

*Update*

Joan Crockatt has pulled out of tonight's debate. Seems that trying to get a Conservative candidate to discuss the issues was too good to be true.


more in City     |     posted Nov 14th, 2012 at 8:59pm     

Comments: 10

TrevErik wrote:

Ok so 32 percent (probably less. its a poll) of Calgary centre is conservative and 68% are not. Here's a real chance to vote in someone who actually represents Calgary Centre. I just hope the vote isn't split too much.

on Nov 15th, 2012 at 3:59am Report Abuse

officematt2002 wrote:

What was the sample size? I have read 300 to 400 which is far too small for a riding of this size.

Besides, I am not seeing a lot of substance from any side. I looked at Turner's webpage and he speaks of the issues, and talks around them, but I didn't read anything about action plans or fresh ideas. Need some substance Chris before I could send you to Ottawa.

3% are clearly undecided or going Libertarian or to the Independent, Trev.

on Nov 15th, 2012 at 6:07am Report Abuse

grantneufeld wrote:

@officematt2002:

For extensive substance from Chris Turner, please see his various published books or articles, such as The Leap, where he goes on at length about solutions.

@TrevErik:

To try to minimize the possibility of vote-splitting, please see the 1 Calgary Centre project: http://www.1calgarycentre.com/

on Nov 15th, 2012 at 11:57am Report Abuse

paulhughes wrote:

More on herding up to stop Conservatives/Crockatt

Paradox of Politics Creates the Ultimate Ballot Dilemma in Calgary
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/paul-hughes/paradox-of-politics-creates-the-ultimate-ballot-dilemma-in-calgary_b_2130425.html

on Nov 15th, 2012 at 12:15pm Report Abuse

baldranch wrote:

It's almost amusing to see some media outlets salivating over this non-story. Crockatt has been planning to attend two debates for some time, on Nov 17 and Nov 24. The Greens and a well-known PR-type are stirring the pot and the media takes the bait. As a former journalist, it's pretty embarrassing to see local media get sucked in on this story. Of course, it's the usual suspects looking for any excuse to bash conservatives. Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

And the poll numbers aren't bad. Even Liberal-apologist Warren Kinsella dismissed this recent poll as being pretty shoddy. Anyway, keep trying.

on Nov 15th, 2012 at 10:09pm Report Abuse

Drew Anderson wrote:

Didn't talk to any Greens or PR types on this. Heard from the community association that she was actually going to attend a debate. Wrote it up. She cancelled. And this isn't a non-story. As far as I'm concerned, if you can't be bothered to show up to present and defend your ideas, you shouldn't be elected.

I also pointed out that I don't really have a lot of faith in polls.

Anyway, keep trying.

on Nov 16th, 2012 at 10:05am Report Abuse

zigsa wrote:

Crockatt's refusal to attend forums is like asking for a blank cheque. Citizens are entitled to hear and see all candidates to determine how these people react under pressure and how they are able to think on their feet. Certainly that will be a skill that will be necessary when elected to public office. Excuses that she is door knocking are absurd. No candidates door knock after 8 pm at this time of year.

on Nov 16th, 2012 at 1:04pm Report Abuse

baldranch wrote:

Drew, you and others put too much stock in these community forums. Attending all of them isn't how you win an election. If I was a candidate, I'd pick a few debates/forums that I wanted to attend, but wouldn't do them all. Forums are usually stacked and salted with supporters from various parties with little participation from undecided voters. A candidate can gather far more support actually campaigning, that is, knocking on doors and speaking with real voters. Not answering some made-up story orchestrated by the Green Party and people who don't even live in the riding.

on Nov 16th, 2012 at 3:40pm Report Abuse

officematt2002 wrote:

@grantneufeld, sorry Grant, if he cannot articulate his views on his own campaign website, well, forget about it. Not going to serve his ego and income by buying his books (some of which are policy platforms for all of major federal parties, according to himself).

The fact that Crockatt isn't attending any forums says a lot. Although Turner isn't so innocent despite his excuses...

Doesn't Turner write occasionally for FFWD?

on Nov 16th, 2012 at 6:05pm Report Abuse

Drew Anderson wrote:

@baldranch I'm not sure where this whole orchestrated by the Green Party spin is coming from.

@officematt2002 No, Turner doesn't write for us, although he did write one music story in 2009 (which I just discovered through the magic that is Google).

on Nov 16th, 2012 at 7pm Report Abuse


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