Talk:Darrel Reid

Response to Response
My vote: leave the article as is.

I just did a quick check on Google using well-known SoCons and Harper, then mixed and matched with Darrel Reid. Most of them know each other well, travel in much the same circles, and belong to the same organizations. It's not out of reach to say that Reid has his ear. And anyone who's a Chief of Staff of a Cabinet Minister, not to mention the same for the last leader of the Party (Preston Manning) that Harper belongs to, will have his ear regardless.

As they are all essentially one grouping of SoCon interests, and belong to such groups as Work Research Foundation, (notable for getting SoCons into public office), I would say the statement is correct. Lots of politicos take high profile jobs, some without requiring much in the way of work, to further their political goals. Reid ran twice for federal office it should be noted. One does not do that unless they are motivated and supported by significant dollars.

I looked up the word "war" in the dictionary and it fits as used below. I see nothing extreme about the usage in this context and it certainly rings true. Any Google search of local newspapers dated for when SoCons run for office (London's last by-election, for example, where they ran another SoCon) will sniff out hundreds of very hot and heavy letters, both for and against, that certainly fit this description. Even the front page of Time and McLain’s magazine have had a go on the subject.

Probably doesn't need a separate article on this "political war" as it's being fought all over the world, notably in the U.S.

Someone asked about Reid's contributions while at FOTF below. Google it, plenty of material - a lot of it on federal government sites at various committees, etc.

I say leave the article as is. It certainly is a major story in Canadian politics, and Reid is most certainly a major political player despite not being elected. (and he came very close in Richmond)

RoxMorgan 07:12, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

Response
Do you have any proof that Reid has the "personal ear" of Prime Minister Harper ?? Reid is nothing more than a backroom environment officer right now. What personal connections does he have to the Prime Minister ??

Also, how do you know that his time at FOTF was only a springboard for becoming a politican. Lots of people who work for FOTF has never become politicians, so why assume that was his intention all along ?? If you have proof of what you are saying, please share it. Write it in the article and give up good sources.

Also, the word "war" is a bit of an extreme word to use. Are Canadians really at war with each other over politics ?? If you want to see real war, visit Iraq or Sudan. Its probably better to use the word "disagreement" than the word "war." War is the wrong word to use in this context.

= I Disagree =

I don't know who wrote this text above, but I couldn't agree less. Reid is one of the inside movers and shakers for the religious right in Canada, one who has the direct and personal ear of the Prime Minister. Reid, through FOTF, is also a direct offshoot of the same fundamentalist forces south of the border. There is a political war in this country for and against these individuals, as any review of the newspapers, letters and public Blogs will tell you, that Reid is a key player.

And have a look at the definition of the word "politician." You don't have to be 'elected' to be one. Many influential politicians have never been elected, take the Green Party leaders and candidates as prime examples. Reid, for all his failings. got a lot of votes in his last political outing and is not short of political supporters outside of the PMO's office. Even as the head of FOTF he was heavily involved in politics.

If anything, I would argue that's Reid's role in FOTF was minor in the greater scheme of things. It was just a job used to further enhance his image (if you can call it that), for shots at public office. A not unusual procedure to follow for many of those seeking public office. And it was controversial to many.

Leave the political stuff as is please. If I was to cut anything it would be the portions related to his campaign strategy, which (I'll agree) isn't relevant and, quite frankly, who cares.

RS

Reid's Notability
I agree with the person who said that Darrel Reid really is not a notable politician. His real contributions were with Focus on the Family Canada and his social activism through the organization. I would like to write more about his contributions through FOTF and cut some of his politics biography because it really isn't that relevant. However, I don't know much about his contributions while at FOTF. Does anyone else know more that they could write more about that ??

Opinion
I can't believe this guy is now head of our Environment ministry. He must be the least qualified person in the world for the job. I can't wait for the next elections.--74.56.159.45 18:48, 15 October 2006 (UTC)

Media Controversy
I don't want to add this myself just now but it is perhaps worth noting that his campaign manager blamed the Jewish media for his loss:

"The CanWest Global media empire is controlled by a Jewish family (the Aspers) and they have been the most aggressive family to attack Christians, especially Conservative Christians," Robertson said.

Reid didn't agree but perhaps there should be some sort of mention? The Richmond News had the story. --JGGardiner 06:05, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

Response to Opinion, and I Disagree
Actually, Reid was the Chief of Staff to the Environment Minister, not the head of the Environment Ministry. Having been Chief of Staff to Preston Manning, President of FOTF, Vice President of Current Corp., as well of having graduated from the Banff School of Advanced Management, he was well qualified for the job.

Also, in response to 'I Disgaree': I think that his job at FOTF hurt his run for public office rather than helped him. It gave the media fodder to portray him as a right wing bigot both during the 2006 election campaign and when he returned to Ottawa to work for the Environment Minister. It's very possible that he simply took the job at FOTF because it was an organization that he believed in. Moreover, he actually left his job in public office (as Preston Manning's Cheif of Staff) for his job at FOTF. It doesn't make sense, therefore, to say that he used that job to increase his chances at working in public office.

+Lmbain (talk) 23:10, 27 January 2009 (UTC)