Edward Hutcheson
Admittedly, I was depressed about the FNM's loss, and, more so over Ingraham's exit from active politics. However, those feelings were immediately pushed aside as I thought about the Prime Minister Elect. Mr.Christie is getting a chance that few men get so late in life, and his effective use of this opportunity will require that he takes a few pages out of the political playbook of his outgoing nemesis. Hidden from view by all the celebration is the Holy Grail of political involvement in the Bahamas; the opportunity of accomplishment that allows you to be counted among the names of those who have passed the test of “leading” when the challenge came.
He will not need 100 days to get the ball rolling, he has a day one problem. Reigning in MP's who have a tendency to go rogue. Appointing Cabinet ministers that will do what his party has promised, but his most pressing problem will be the appointment of his DPM, with his former DPM having a case in court tomorrow morning. He has had a lot of prayers leading up to the Election, he will need the prayers of all Bahamians if he is to get through his first month.
This opportune testing comes at a time and situation that can only be described as enigmatic. The brand of politics required to effectively navigate what is before him has many doubting if he is even able to get out of the door. The promises made, the grandiose “belief driven campaign”, the pastoral crew who have gone on record as wanting to get even with those who have done them wrong, the MP’s who think they have an ordained right to be Cabinet ministers, these and many other demands will require a Percival Gladstone Christie that we may have envisioned but never seen. He can play it safe and let it be business as usual, but to the miss the opportunity of being counted among the number that only Bahamians can number? To be mentioned in the same breath as Pindling and Ingraham will take putting “believing” and “putting Bahamians first” into a context where there is no separation between what a leader is saying and what he is prepared to do for all Bahamians.
May 8, 2012
