PNCR presidential candidate David Granger is struggling now and has an even more uphill task in the months ahead of him. Mr. Granger’s experience in the GDF may not serve him well in this regard. Granger must deal with some specific problems. Firstly, Mr. Granger’s time in the military is a huge deficit because during the years of PNC rule, the GDF had no legitimacy. Granger is now in the awful position of disassociating himself from the only institution he has known professionally, or apologise for the misdeeds of the GDF under the PNC.

Secondly, Mr. Granger has long been associated with the PNC. He has been a card carrying member for decades. No problem with that in the abstract, but like the GDF, the PNC has a huge legitimacy deficit.

We need not dwell on the past. The issue is, can anyone trust the PNC to ever run a free and fair election.

It is important to keep in mind that the PNC is one of the few parties in the world that carries out fraudulent elections against itself.

Thirdly, Granger is working hard to make it appear that he is calm. But this strategy can last only so long. How long will the candidate hide behind Mr. Corbin, or run to the OAS to make ridiculous complaints? Granger’s leadership is on vacation at the moment.

Fourthly, Mr. Granger is a historian but one must wonder about his qualifications in economics. The PNC had a poor record of economic accomplishments and Granger’s first attempt to explain that away based on oil prices is not reassuring.

President Jagdeo, by comparison, was the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and the IMF. No comparison there.

Fifth and finally, Mr. Granger has no experience with real electoral politics. His military career ran from 1965-1992, matching the years of PNC rule almost exactly. Was that a co-incidence? During those years the principal function of the GDF was to suppress free speech, intimidate voters, transport ballot boxes late at night, and help oversee National Service.

As a commander, Mr. Granger must have spent most of his time passing out orders. Electoral politics are quite different, and to date Mr. Granger has been struggling to make his mark. The PNCR candidate should get some practice because democracy works by consent, not command. I hope Commander Granger is listening.

PULL QUOTE:
Mr. Granger has no experience with real electoral politics. His military career ran from 1965-1992, matching the years of PNC rule almost exactly. Was that a co-incidence? During those years the principal function of the GDF was to suppress free speech, intimidate voters, transport ballot boxes late at night, and help oversee National Service.