Christie: I won't underestimate Minnis

Fri, Nov 28th 2014, 10:36 PM

Prime Minister Perry Christie said he has never underestimated Dr. Hubert Minnis despite public criticisms of the re-elected Free National Movement (FNM) leader.
Christie, who spoke to the media following a ceremony to mark his 40th anniversary in public life at Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) headquarters on Thursday night, said he "anticipated" Minnis would win the FNM leadership race.
"Remember now, y'all threw the book at Minnis," said Christie as he turned toward The Nassau Guardian.
"I mean people said he shouldn't win, he can't do this. But listen, a person cannot be an American board certified gynecologist and surgeon and be uneducated.
"You cannot be a successful young businessman in the country and be uneducated.
"Clearly he may not be as articulate, he may not be as colorful, he may not seize the moment, but he, in fact, got where he got because he succeeded at what he was doing.
"I would never underestimate him, not for one moment.
"Anyone who could stay in the backline of the Saxons [Junkanoo group] and shake cowbells as a part of the backline and not be tempted to go up front and be seen, you have to watch him. That takes some fortitude.
"And the one thing my political successes and political mistakes taught to me is that I must never underestimate anyone in this regard, and I must always be prepared, and I am always prepared, trust me when I say that, always prepared."
This week, National Review said it has been extremely difficult to convey Minnis' leadership abilities.
It said that "some party insiders believe that with the right coaching, and with the distraction of his former deputy leader now out of the way, it is still possible to mount a convincing campaign against the PLP".
However, NR said with Minnis as leader, this will be difficult.
Minnis was challenged and beat former FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner by three-to-one for the top leadership post at the FNM's one-day convention last Friday.
Turnquest beat former FNM Chairman Darron Cash and former FNM Deputy Chairman Dr. Duane Sands for the deputy leader position.
Asked to expound of his reasons for predicting Minnis would be elected as FNM leader, Christie said anyone who examined the candidates would observe that Minnis visited numerous constituencies while the "other people weren't in his party".
"He was obviously preparing, and knowing who his delegates would be, and knowing that he would bring them in, and knowing how they would vote, so I clearly anticipated that," the prime minister said.
"And I anticipated that even though only 48-hours notice was given that the young man from East Grand Bahama, Mr. Turnquest, who was elected deputy leader, would come in on the coattails of the winning side, because if Minnis was going to win he would have the delegates vote for the person he wanted. I expected that."
Christie was also asked whether the PLP is encouraged about the next general election with Minnis at the helm of the official opposition.
He noted that a significant portion of the population vote against, and not for an administration.
He said if a government does not do enough to cause the electorate to have confidence in it and see "positive outcomes" the electorate will vote against the government of the day.
"Unlike the people who make criticisms of Minnis, Minnis would be the beneficiary of that," Christie said.
"No matter what people think he deficiencies, his shortcomings to be, once he is able to put a credible team together - obviously the DNA poses a hazard to both parties really, as a third party, depending on whether or not people see it as a credible option for them - I think on an increasing basis that the FNM, as it becomes more obviously ready for general elections, will be looked at by people as the alternative to the PLP. That's the sense of the two party democracy."
However, Christie said he is confident his administration will have a strong term, notwithstanding the "scar" that is crime.
To that end, Christie said he is intent of mounting a major attack on crime, which he admitted is a real threat to the stability of The Bahamas' reputation.

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