lou_uk
10-11-2007, 01:57 PM
Speaking of different stories check this one out....
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,65761.html
Point gives PM lukewarm welcome
By Richardson Dhalai Thursday, October 11 2007
The PNM’s battle to retain the Point Fortin seat got off to a low key start last night as a modest crowd gathered to hear the woman who has replaced incumbent MP Larry Achong as the candidate for the November 5 General Election.
Unlike the excitement generated at the ruling party’s rousing opening meeting in St Augustine last week and the kick-off of its campaign with the launch of candidates at Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain last Saturday, the Point Fortin meeting lacked the enthusiasm of a massive crowd. The meeting began almost 20 minutes after its scheduled 7.30 pm start.Subdued supporters greeted Prime Minister Patrick Manning who arrived as Paula Gopee-Scoon was making her debut on the political platform.
[quote:2ed2e]The MC had to prompt the crowd to welcome Manning, who, a few months ago, had to cancel walkabouts in the constituency which unanimously voted for Achong to be the candidate.
Manning, who heads the PNM screening committee, opposed Achong’s nomination after he faced obscenity charges arising out of a meeting on the Chatham smelter plant last year.
Achong’s case was thrown out by a Point Fortin magistrate but the decision was appealed.
Activists made a last ditch effort to have him appointed as the candidate by lobbying Balisier House but their calls fell on deaf ears as the committee approved Gopee-Scoon.
Achong, whose wife Marlene Coudray won a constitutional motion against the Prime Minister and will contest the San Fernando West seat on a Congress of the People (COP) ticket, did not attend last night’s meeting.
Before Manning arrived, Point Fortin Mayor Victor Mitchell called on the constituency executive to close ranks and ensure a resounding victory for Gopee-Scoon.
In an impassioned address Mitchell said, “The Point Fortin election machinery was the best in the land.” He called on members to demonstrate “teamwork and ensure a resounding victory by the widest possible margin.”
A soft-spoken Gopee-Scoon hit back at detractors who claimed she was not well known in Point Fortin.
She said, “I am a born and bred resident of Point Fortin.”
She recalled that she had spent her early primary and secondary education in south Trinidad.
“I am a product of the PNM education system,” she said.
Gopee-Scoon revealed that all of the nominees who had been screened for the candidacy had pledged to work with her to bring home the seat and make her the first female Point Fortin MP.
Although she did not call his name, Gopee-Scoon thanked Achong for the work he had done in the constituency for the past five years.[/quote:2ed2e]
This was my first ever political meeting and this story is so bogus I cannot believe. Will have to monitor that report from here on.
First time I have seen Manning in real life and I now understand why people follow him. He has a command over his audience. Though I was not happy with some of his speech, the meeting was a good one for the PNM. Camille Robinson Regis was the best speaker on the night (my opinion) and she reminded the crowd (among other things) that it has been PNM since 1956 vs all other sorts of names (parties too numerous to type) to the present 2007.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,65761.html
Point gives PM lukewarm welcome
By Richardson Dhalai Thursday, October 11 2007
The PNM’s battle to retain the Point Fortin seat got off to a low key start last night as a modest crowd gathered to hear the woman who has replaced incumbent MP Larry Achong as the candidate for the November 5 General Election.
Unlike the excitement generated at the ruling party’s rousing opening meeting in St Augustine last week and the kick-off of its campaign with the launch of candidates at Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain last Saturday, the Point Fortin meeting lacked the enthusiasm of a massive crowd. The meeting began almost 20 minutes after its scheduled 7.30 pm start.Subdued supporters greeted Prime Minister Patrick Manning who arrived as Paula Gopee-Scoon was making her debut on the political platform.
[quote:2ed2e]The MC had to prompt the crowd to welcome Manning, who, a few months ago, had to cancel walkabouts in the constituency which unanimously voted for Achong to be the candidate.
Manning, who heads the PNM screening committee, opposed Achong’s nomination after he faced obscenity charges arising out of a meeting on the Chatham smelter plant last year.
Achong’s case was thrown out by a Point Fortin magistrate but the decision was appealed.
Activists made a last ditch effort to have him appointed as the candidate by lobbying Balisier House but their calls fell on deaf ears as the committee approved Gopee-Scoon.
Achong, whose wife Marlene Coudray won a constitutional motion against the Prime Minister and will contest the San Fernando West seat on a Congress of the People (COP) ticket, did not attend last night’s meeting.
Before Manning arrived, Point Fortin Mayor Victor Mitchell called on the constituency executive to close ranks and ensure a resounding victory for Gopee-Scoon.
In an impassioned address Mitchell said, “The Point Fortin election machinery was the best in the land.” He called on members to demonstrate “teamwork and ensure a resounding victory by the widest possible margin.”
A soft-spoken Gopee-Scoon hit back at detractors who claimed she was not well known in Point Fortin.
She said, “I am a born and bred resident of Point Fortin.”
She recalled that she had spent her early primary and secondary education in south Trinidad.
“I am a product of the PNM education system,” she said.
Gopee-Scoon revealed that all of the nominees who had been screened for the candidacy had pledged to work with her to bring home the seat and make her the first female Point Fortin MP.
Although she did not call his name, Gopee-Scoon thanked Achong for the work he had done in the constituency for the past five years.[/quote:2ed2e]
This was my first ever political meeting and this story is so bogus I cannot believe. Will have to monitor that report from here on.
First time I have seen Manning in real life and I now understand why people follow him. He has a command over his audience. Though I was not happy with some of his speech, the meeting was a good one for the PNM. Camille Robinson Regis was the best speaker on the night (my opinion) and she reminded the crowd (among other things) that it has been PNM since 1956 vs all other sorts of names (parties too numerous to type) to the present 2007.