Bush hits campaign trail
(
CNS): McKeeva Bush has announced his first election campaign meeting in West Bay with his only confirmed UDP running mate in the district, Captain Eugene Ebanks. Bush is holding the public gathering next Tuesday evening, when the former premier is expected to face his supporters with renewed confidence. Despite being at the centre of what is believed to be at least three police investigations but with no sign of any charges, the leader of the UDP and political veteran will be turning that to his advantage. In a statement following his release on bail Tuesday, his political supporters described the police probe as “an orchestrated witch hunt against Bush” to damage his reputation and an abuse of official power.
Bush, who was arrested on 11 December on suspicion of theft and anti-corruption offences, has always maintained that he has done nothing illegal, and although the former premier remains on police bail, he has not been charged with any offences.
“The UDP is of the opinion that over the last 24 months there has been an orchestrated witch hunt against the former premier in an effort to damage his reputation and remove him as the democratically elected premier together with the government which he led,” a spokesperson said Tuesday after Bush had answered bail only to be immediately placed on bail again by police until 19 March.
“The use of extraordinary resources of the RCIP in carrying out this objective is, in the opinion of the UDP, an abuse of official power,” the UDP added.
Despite these issues, after 30 years in the local political arena the former premier will continue to lead the party in the election campaign ahead of the 22 May poll and the UDP has offered its full support and confidence in Bush. The party general secretary, Ellio Solomon, recently indicated that the UDP will be fielding a full slate of candidates in the key districts of West Bay, Bodden Town and George Town.
It is understood that alongside himself and Ebanks, Bush already has two other candidates lined up to help him reclaim the four West Bay seats for the party. While speculation mounts about who those candidates might be, no names have yet been confirmed.
Rolston Anglin and Cline Glidden, who were ousted from the UDP following their support for the opposition’s no confidence motion in December that brought down Bush’s Cabinet and led to his departure from high office, are both expected to run in the district but they have not yet indicated how.
It is understood that Glidden’s return to the UDP is the most unlikely as sources close to the tourism minister say the rift between him and the former premier is now at its widest. However, this may not be the case with all of the Cabinet members, who have given nothing away regarding their plans for the forthcoming election. There is already mounting speculation that at least one of them is likely to return to the UDP fold by nomination day.
While the West Bay UDP full slate is still a matter for conjecture, it is understood that the party has already made a decision on the the candidates who will be fighting it out in the capital. With the Progressives likely to have the upper hand in Bodden Town, the battleground for control of the next government will be in George Town.
For the capital the UDP has confirmed that former Cabinet Member Mike Adam and back bencher Ellio Solomon, both of whom stuck by Bush during the no confidence debate, will be running again. The other candidates expected to appear on the UDP ticket include long term friend of Bush and well-known local businessman Renard Moxam, as well as former independent candidate and waste-management expert Walling Whittaker, who has been the man on the ground when it comes to promoting the relocation of the public landfill from George Town to land owned byDart in Bodden Town.
TV weatherman John Foster is also tipped to be on the UDP slate in George Town, as well as Jonathan Piercy, the current director of the Department of Commerce who came in fifth in the capital in the 2009 election but he has categorically denied his intentions to run in 2013, leaving the last UDP candidate for GT open to question.
With almost 7,500 voters and six seats up for grabs, the capital will be a critical district in the 2013 election. It is also expected to see the most candidates throwing their hats in the ring.
As well as the six UDP candidates, the PPM is also fielding a full slate: Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin; former leader of government business Kurt Tibbetts; long time PPM member and former MLA, Lucille Seymour; former TV reporter and voter campaign leader, Kenny Bryan; businessman and community activist, Joey Hew; and local lawyer and economics guru, Marco Archer.
Three independent candidates have also announced their intention to run on the Coalition for Cayman’s platform, including Roy McTaggart and Jude Scott, who were both involved in the formation of the new political group, which is campaigning against the party system, as well as local lawyer Winston Connolly, who has confirmed he will be seeking the endorsement. Stefan Baraud, the former UDP George Town party chairman, the most recent candidate to announce his intention to run, may also be seeking the C4C’s blessing.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet member, playwright and social commentator, Frank McField has also thrown his hat in the ring but he said he will not be looking for support from the coalition and intends to fight his own campaign.
With seven weeks to go before Nomination Day, many more names are expected to emerge as challengers in the key districts. So far, there have been no announcements of any new candidates in either the Sister Islands or North Side that will be challenging the incumbents.
In East End independent candidate Arden McLean is expected to be challenged by John McLean Jr, who ran at the last election as an independent candidate. However, the announcement by Bush endorsing the East Ender last year may see McLean take up the UDP ticket in his campaign against the current MLA.
Bush will be holding his public meeting on Tuesday, February 12 at 8pm at the Four Way Stop, West Bay.
Category: Politics
All You McKeeva haters just you wait and see he will win this election again and put you all to shame!!!!! I just love it.
I really have to wonder if Renard Moxam and Walling Whittaker and the world famous fairweatherman have any clue whatsoever that McCracker has been under triple police investigations for the past three years, that he was recently arrested twice in the same week on suspicion of criminal activities, that his house was ransacked by police, and that he is now running around on bail seeking their support to return him to a position in the governing of this country? Have they heard about the Cohen deal that cost this country half a million dollars completely unnecessarily and shamefully? Have they heard that this very same forever honerable gentleman gave GLF two million of this country's dollars to keep his own ass out of court because of his own gross ignorance. Surely they MUST have heard that this God fearing gentleman gave two million of our dollars to his church to buy wotes? Or that he somehow managed to make himself premier of our beloved country by buying wotes from the ignorant among us over the past several decades? Or that UK officials had to intervene to prevent the unbeatable CHEC 'deal' from ruining this country? Or that he has fired so many upright citizens of this country for their honesty and integrity and concern for the well being of this country and our people in order to have his own abominable way? Anyone on earth in Cayman who believes that either McKeeva Bush or Renard Moxam or Walling Whittaker or bad weather Foster has the interests of this country and/or it's people at heart as the very least of their concerns had very seriously better start thinking again. Wake up Cayman.
By all means please run. Do your little dance and lets see how many idiots join in. Time to separate the wheat from the chaf so to speak. We would all like to know just who got all the goods while most of us got the shaft.
My vote in May will by my middle finger salute to this man and his supporters. It's time to put the old boys to pasture and rebuild our nation brick by brick with responsible fair and equitable governence, with honesty, cooperation, equality and good old fashioned elbow grease. I see much brighter days ahead for my Cayman Islands!
To be honest the Dump should never been in the capital! all dumps are found on the on the out shirts of any country! If the dump will be a recycling dump in bt we should have had it 50 yrs ago! If we had it we wouldn’t end up with mount trash more in the first place!
120% braca
perhaps Boddentown was the capital when the current site was started. BTW they have stared a new dump just inside the park at barkers. I Know…nice.
Where exactly in Barkers?
renard moxam….we'd expect better from you…..
No we wouldn't.
Does anyone else remember six months ago when Big Mac was hinting he may not run in the May elections? what a joke.
My bet is he will campaign on independence. It would allow him revenge against the UK, and narcissists enjoy revenge.
everything he has siad for the past 4 years has been bs…….
Just because certain individuals assist the Government of the day in various functions that does not necessarily mean they are members of that political party. They are working for the betterment of our Country and, that goes for any poltical party that's in power at the time.
Mister Honourable Premier Bush,
You have lost fight. Take the millions dollars and go where no one know you. There you have nice life.
It wasn't supposed to be a fight in the first place. The clown was supposedly 'elected' to run the country. God help us.
Look how many times John Foster says its going to rain and we're dying of heat; and then he says its going to be a bright and sunny day in paradise, and children stuck in schools cause the pouring rain. Smh … I don't know, but … I prefer someone who is more accurate than him.
Actually I'd prefer someone who has a clue as to what they're telling the public. I might add that that definitely also excludes the one McKeeva Bush.
This is a much more appropriate theme song for the Bayas and indeed for all the followers of political parties : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MIVkJQBeYg
I will vote for Mac if he brings a motion to the L.A. before the election, to revoke all those illegal status grants he did a few years back…
Sorry, Mac might be thick but I seriously doubt he'll exchange two thousand wotes for your one.
CNS:
Can we have a "Best of Government in Review: The Mac Years: A Complete Compilation of Idiotic Quotes, Acts and Decisions" from the man who brought you such classics as:
Let's Give Them All Status To Talk About
Yes Baby, A Refinery is Just What You Need
Sweets To The Sweet, Crown Land to Dart Group
and the ever popular:
Once. Twice. Three Times An Investigation
I'm just afraid that these Oldies but Goodies will fade from memory and as the Bush formerly known as Premier continues to remain mum in these last days before elections, we will surely not salvage enough gems to help us recall what we endured for the past 4 yrs…in addition to the 20 before that!
(DISCLAIMER: The above suggested title could also easily be switched out for a shorter and sweeter one: "Stupid Sh!! the Premier Has Said and Done")
There really should be a law against running more than two consecutive terms and running again having been the subject of an investigation.
Or three investigations.
Me and my family voting for Charles Clifford and God only knows who else at this point. Mr. Clifford is fighting for the people of BT while the Government and the PPM ignore our concerns about the dump issue.
We have to stop these political parties now before they ruin us forever !
And Mac you're done…finished…..no longer for the people………just shut up please !!!
Keke & foolio was begging $5 from each Caymanian to HELP keke with his legal fees and now he found $$$ to join the campaign! He really take us for fools! Let’s show him who will laugh last in May CAYMAN!!!!
120% Braca
West Bayers have the say in whom we send to the LA; and we sending back the People's Premier, William McKeeva Bush. He is the only one who has the balls to deal with the bullies.
With all his troubles, he is still the smartest politician Cayman has ever seen.
He's cunning like a fox and afraid on no one – that's why the UK ochestrated his ousting, using Yes Men like Rollie, CG, JuJu, Mark and Dwayne to do the dirty work.
No votes for cut throats this year though.
I must ask what he has done for you personally, why so strong an allegiance? I am a young 100% Caymanian and I do not see much of a future for our upcoming generations if things continue as are. Yes I agree the economy has to be boosted etc. but there are right and wrong ways to do everything, he likes choosing the wrong apparently. Mr. Bush seems to think he is the answer for this country but he is certainly mistaken.
McKeeva is not the premier and was never the "People's Premier" as he was never elected to that position by the people. Yes, he is cunning as a politician but that is not a recommendation for his to hold the office of premier for which he has shown himself totally unfit.
No votes for cut throats, I guess that means William McKeeva Bush won't be getting back in, Praise be to God Almighty. Enjoy the kool aid while you can, stooge.
If Caymanians returns this guy to power they deserve everything they get.
I don't understand some of those who are declaring their candidancy for May's election. You guys are unbelievable! You guys have it backwards! You don't go to a party or group like C4C and ask for their endorsement – you go to your district first!!! You canvass, you take walks, meet people at their homes, and see if you can harness their support! You don't go to a group of businessmen and ask them for your suppot and then declare… Dammit… you declare AFTER you met your district to represent them and them only!!! I am getting sick and tired of hearing about C$C endorsement! If you are truly love your people, you wouldnt need a groups endorsement or support because you would have the confidence, the CONFIDENCE IN YOU already that the people of your district will support you!
Where are the women on hte UDP ticket? Do they believe that only men can do a better job in politics? Does Mac NOT want to hear what women may have to say anymore?
Aside from be-littling them, calling them darling and such, and being stabbed in the back by Juju, does he believe all women are like that therefore he doesnt want any on his UDP ticket in GT?
As a man I have no hesitation in saying that women in general are smarter than men. A case in point would be the fact that none of them are willing to align themselves with the UDP.
HEARD RUMORS THAT BUSH IS GOING TO TAKE WEST BAY.
No way!!!
You heard that right. The way that Mack is loved if he stand up a broom stick dressed up by him they will win. Man of the times, and loved just like Jim.
Jim Jones? Jim Reeves? Jimmy Carter (of BT)? or Jim Bodden?
Definitely Jim Jones.
If he gives them a stick of ganja they will win too.
I just went out and bought me some new pots!
just hope foolio does not get re-elected……..
Voters in GT:
You can do a hell of a lot better than Ellio this go around. Joey Hew, Winston, and Roy alone are three tremendously better choices, and they're all first timers to politics.
They are also first timers to the poor people. We did not know them before.
I beg to differ with the statement that these men are "first timers to the poor people". I can ceertainly vouch for Joey and Winston, as Caymanians who came from homes with great family values and pushed them to succeed. Neither of them were ever given the Silver Spoon. If you know Winston as well as some of us do, Winston is a man of Character and has worked his a@# off to get where he is! AND to now take the chance to jump in the most shark-infested occupation, Politician, and leave what he has worked so hard to achieve as a prominent Caymanian lawyer and all that it offers, to become a leader for the future is nothing less than admirable and noble. Please, stop the typical short-term Cayman-mindset and look at the complete picture before making assumptions like this!!! "FIRST TIMERS TO THE POOR PEOPLE"….. get yuh facts right!!!!
Yeah, and your so called people for the poor people will keep you poor too. Keep electing them and take what you get. Why don't you people understand? A poor person will take not help the country why? because they wouldn't be poor if they knew how to handle money in the first place.
We need successful businessmen why? because they can run a business, they can run government.
Not to mention Jude or Marco, and even Kenny has more integrity and respect than Ellio,
Marco is an excellent choice.
unfortunatly the idiotic cayman electorate will still vote these muppets back in……..zzzzzzzz
talk about scraping the bottom of the barrell………..
Let us see if the wb voters have grown s brain this time around or will they continue to vote for keke and continue to get screwed over again! Let that wb beach be an example to you all in wb!!!
Braca
Here is his new campaign song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3LERNZlQjc
What is in the speech? "Well, I am not a crook"?
I like Bush and Bush likes himself. That's what I like about him. When Bush looks in the mirror he sees a beautiful person. I like beautiful people. We need more beautiful people in this world and in government. Beautiful people are smart. The beautiful Mariah Carrey once said, “Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff.” I think Bush is like Mariah, smart and beautiful. I know he's skinny like her too. That's why he had what city folk call an Operation. Some people think that instead of his bulging tummy, the doctors ought to have sewn his mouth instead. I still don't understand what they meant by that.
My hedge needs a trim
He also does real estate consulting. At $750,000.00 a shot.
You can pay half now and half later.
I think that rate only applies if he is participating in political processes at the time which affect the value of the real estate in question. But remember he also takes cash.
Do not underestimate this man, especially in WB. I’d be prepared to put a big bet on the UDP winning four seats there. Not only do you have an almost immovable, rabid, partisan support group – he will milk the “sympathy” vote until the udders squeak as the perceived victim of a Witch Hunt by the FCO, the Governor, the RCIPS, and anybody else his paranoid mentality can dream up. Add JuJu in the Brac as a shoe-in – and before you say it, don’t be silly.Of course she is going to go back – it just suits her to be premier for the time being, but she is a dyed in the wool ” busher “. The only thing that would make her turn on him again would be a Coalition government where she might sell her soul to the devil for a Cabinet post. Whatever, that is potentially Five of the Ten seats bush needs for an LA majority.
Explain how UDP could win 4 seats with only 2 declared candidates (Bush, Capt Eugene)? PPM only has 2 declared at present as well (Dacosta + Farrington) and has 2 more TBA (probably hoping Anglin and Glidden will cross the aisle). That's the sad field of candidates for the District of West Bay, voters from which get 4 votes each. No C4C/independents declared at all, currently.
Trust me when I tell you that PPM DON’T want any of them. Not only will the politicians reject them but the members won’t stand for UDP corruptness contaminating the PPM.
Because if you are able to read the Article you will see that bush has already stated that he has two more candidates lined up to join him and Capt Eugene “The Invisible Man” Ebanks.
You got that right. Ju Ju will go on whatever ship that will give her a seat in Cabinet. After all she is so lucky as there might not even have to be an election on the Brac as there is only she and Capt Moses running. How lucky can we get? We all know that Jude can definately get a seat in the Brac but in Cayman is going to be a tight race. Any how we understand, he is a kind person and dont like to hurt mamas feelings. Sis julie I think is friendly there.
It's not like Brac has a choice. Two people running for two seats.
He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool-shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple-teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep-wake him.
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise-follow him.
God help us all if this bunch of selfish, ill educated, wasteful, boobs get elected.
Let’s hope there are at least a few people on this Island with a brain who will vote country first.
Cayman is afflicted with a deadly disease. It's going to take much more that chemotherapy to help us.
and we can begin with deportation…..Lol! the joke is on you idiot. Aren't you afraid of getting this deadly disease?
You very obviously already have it, lunatic.
God help us. If Cayman voters are foolish enough to vote UDP back in power there will never be any hope for this Country. It is always said that a country gets the government it deserves. Let's see if we are right this time. Vote PPM
How on earth does he plan to run the country from Northward?
As always, Mac has already secured his extension cords.
Former independent ” Walling – these people change allegiances like they change socks.
Stefan, Theresa, Bernie, Burns – all claim to be independent at some point but are known UDP associates, but run to help spoil the ballot.
I don’t know about rest but Burns was sure independent. I am sorry to hear he is not running this time-A very capable man.
Right. That's why McKeeva put him on Board and Committees. Because he was independent.
Don’t make me laugh – remember the old cliche’ in films about financial crime – ” Follow the Money “.
This is interesting! I thought he didn’t have funds for legalities, yet there is funding sufficient for political campaigning! O My!
john foster????
Hopefully he won't tell us tomorrow is going to be bright and sunny with clear skies and cool breezes.
Like the weather forecast, never right!
What’s he looking to be – Minister of Weather Affairs ?
Renard Moxam????????????
[groans]… like a bad rash…. keeps coming back… smh.
More like a rabied dog.
He hangs around like a bad smell……….
Whogene?
Collectdacheckgene.
You gotta admit, he has had the easiest job in the world for the last 16 years. If we were paying him by the word, we would have got a better deal.
I can picture this already, Whogene mumbling and bumbling quoting scripture, fumbling papers!
Whatever is wrong with you Bush is no little thing!
Majority of folks beleive that the man was taken down by the UK with their trumped up investigations and cleverly orchestrated farce of an arrest.
Then they manipulated the Fab 5 to oust him. UK wanted yes men, and they got their wish in the Fab 5, or as I like to call them, the 'YES MASSA PARTY'. Going back to slave days when the black people bowed down to the white man, in this case, the UK
That a bunch of crap.
Come on Mac, you're cheating again. You're spiking the kool aid now. What on earth will you come up with next? Hopefully you'll be able to convince this poor unfortunate guy it was those white folks that landed you in Northward too.
I can't believe that there are people this stupid. I just cringe everytime I hear stuff like this.
CNS you are way behind time…….A week ago Ezzard was mentioned on Cayman 27 news declaring his candidacy and launching his campaign.Where were you CNS?
I feel that by the time election comes around in May many of the UDP Party will regroup. So watch out what y6ou say Cayman, because McKeeva Bush is not going down without a fight, even if he does not be premier, he will have a 75% group marching with him calling the shots.
Its not funny any more to think that McKeeva Bush is still not strong among his people. Secretly people are wispering that if they do not get him back, they are voting for his team.
All of those politicians who are running and saying that they dont have anything to give anyone for a vote, need to go to the bank and get a loan, because it will take money and plenty of it this election to get a seat. Dont run if you are not prepared to pass out some dollars.
You mean all that money Foolio was collecting went to buy fridges?
Shameful comment: "Dont run if you are not prepared to pass out some dollars". I guess corruption is OK to you.
Shameful, yes. But all too true.
There is a lot of common sense in this viewpoint – one of the most dangerous animals you might ever encounter is a cornered rat.
The silly season has begun and its going to be a real circus with a lot of old and new clowns on show
We can only hope and pray that admission won't cost us what it did in 2009. And ever since.
NO please: say it ain't so Joe , Man, just when iwe could wake up without seing his dicatating face and a Big load of mnaure wyth it. . MR. BUSH IT's over norw and the conspiracy of us thre bloggers are still here. Foolio stop tellling him that him alllrighttt.! NO,no.no. .
UDP is back with Big Mac and new fries.
And they're both bad for your health.
Hahahahaha hahahahaha!
Ha!
That is all.
More tired lambs being led to the slaughter house
Foolio as Deputy Premier if Big Mac wins majority is a scary thought!!!!!!!!
Just when we thought it couldn't possibly get any worse…
Damage control – charge him before election time!
Really???? Please tell me the wonderful residents of Cayman are not going to get suckered in to this morons aspirations to lead again.
Hard man fi Dead! Teflon Don pulling all the strings with a new crew of puppets!
It says a lot about politics in this country when McKeeva Bush and all his legal troubles still has a better chance to return as Premier than Juliana Connolly and Alden McLoughlin simply shocking!
I suppose there's still a lot of drug heads and lazy asses in West Bay. Pray for us all Cayman. With God's help and with any luck at all Mac will be in Northward come May.
It is what it it is – Premier Bush is a genius and can run circles around all of the Yes Massah Party. I prefer that name for the cut throats . Hear Ye, Hear Ye – No Vote for Cut Throats!
What are real differences between UDP, UDP lite and PPM?
UDP causes Mac to gain weight, UDP lite causes him to lose weight, and PPM gives him diarrea.
Chip 'N' Dale?
UDP = Mac!
His opinion is the only opinion that matters in the UDP.
There are no differences between all of these parties including the pretend I am not a party C4C!! People are not fool and will vote however they feel, its their right to do so!!
Going to jam up traffic and talk non sense…. Blaming everyone for the problems of cayman but not willing to admit he has anything to do with it.
The government credit card speaks for itself. I didn't use it, you did.
Voters! Don't give him a penny or even bother listening to him unless heis not charged by the prosecutor or police before registration date. It will just be throwing good money and time after bad.
For those that dont get it, the man did more harm to Cayman locally and internationally than anyone here has done for years…he should not represent Cayman in any way shape or form