Saskatchewan Party leader Scott Moe’s quiet first week on the election campaign trail may be to NDP leader Carla Beck’s advantage.
If the Saskatchewan Party election strategy was to have a short, low-key and dull campaign to prevent the NDP from seizing upon any mood for a change among voters, mark Scott Moe’s short, low-key and dull first week of campaigning as a success.
There hasn’t been much election buzz in the stores and streets. There don’t seem to be that many lawn signs yet … or perhaps they’re getting lost amidst signs already out there for city council and school board candidates.
About the only TV ad you see is the Sask. Party one with the tired talking point on the economy from the assembly that NDP economy critic Aleana Young is talking down.
But in a provincial election partially about the cost of living and the need for tax cuts, how many are really bothered by opposition politicians running down Saskatchewan’s economy?
And aren’t Moe and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre telling us the economy is broken … albeit, largely because of the federal Liberal government’s carbon tax?
Undoubtedly, it’s the strategy of Moe and the Sask. Party to quietly suggest there are few issues in Saskatchewan, while occasionally reminding voters that their only real problem lies in Ottawa and/or with the threat of the NDP retaking control of the legislature in Regina.
Moe’s first week was about safe and familiar announcements, all punctuated with the word “further” — further income tax exemptions, further graduate retention program grants and further grants to families with children active in sports and cultural activities.
Instead, it’s been the cautious conscience of key Moe strategist and departing finance minister Donna Harpauer whispering in Moe’s ear that it’s simply a matter of the governing party “running on its record.”
It’s largely been a “safety first” campaign so far. Neither leader’s campaign tour this week veered far from the Regina-Moose Jaw and Saskatoon-Prince Albert corridors that will again host the fiercest battles for seats.
This may not be great news for Beck. Capitalizing on any mood for change will require her campaign tour to venture off that beaten path and onto the bumpy backroads of Sask. Party rural territory.
To concede rural Saskatchewan might be a concession that Moe’s message has already solidified the Sask. Party’s bedrock.
But lest one assume that suggests things are going perfectly smoothly for Moe, consider that he didn’t travel further south of Prince Albert and Saskatoon (an event was scheduled for Regina Friday morning), suggesting his attention was needed to preserve seats there.
Instead, the Sask. Party has mostly targeted Beck’s lieutenants, arguing voters shouldn’t entrust the province to the NDP’s radical and irresponsible elements in caucus. But can Moe successfully paint NDP MLAs — some young moms with small kids — as subversive?
Moreover, while Moe was a one-person show this week, with little sign of his own lieutenants like Paul Merriman, Jeremy Harrison, Jeremy Cockill and Bronwyn Eyre helping carry the message, Beck handed off campaign announcements and responses to Nicole Sarauer, Vicki Mowat and Trent Wotherspoon.
Perhaps they weren’t excessively noisy, but the steady drone of opposition criticism of the Sask. Party record may already be sinking in.
As the old saying goes: “It’s been quiet … maybe a little too quiet.”
Mandryk is the political columnist for the Regina Leader-Post and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
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