She’s off and running and from the looks of it, with an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and effort.
Alicia Vianga officially launched her campaign with the opening of her campaign office headquarters in central Pickering.
A lot of hula baloo as nearly a hundred people attended within minutes of her campaign office doors opening. These attendees may have been the die hard Conservative Party supporters, maybe just enthusiastic supporters of Pierre Poilievre or simply curious voters. No matter the explanation, it was a decent sized crowd for a rainy, cloudy Saturday morning.
The crowd was energetic and eager to shake Vianga’s hand or have a photo snapped with her. It was a campaign launch that cued up the old days, even bringing back veteran Conservative candidates from the past. Who remembers Tony Clement except the older voters, the Conservative candidate for Parry Sound Muskoka during the Stephen Harper era. A veteran of years of political campaigning, Clement welcomed the crowd with campaign rhetoric from the past.
Additionally, the Conservative candidate for Ajax-Whitby, Greg Brady, added more words of welcome and praise for Vianga as a hard-working, dedicated campaigner.
Vianga thanked the many people who are working as volunteers in her campaign. The list of appreciated people was extensive and Vianga’s words rang with sincerity and gratitude.
After her welcome speech, the crowd was treated to a special campaign cake made for the occasion along with light lunch fare.
Looking around Vianga’s campaign office strewn with her lawn signs everywhere and amidst a large supportive group, one could not help but get the feeling that this is a high-energy, strongly supported campaign. The adrenalin flowed, the passion rose, and the spirit soared making one feel this campaign is behind a winner.
Personally speaking, I got the feeling that this was a likely winning candidate’s campaign launch. The only niggling hitch is the gossip and rumours behind Vianga’s nomination. Other criticisms label her a parachuted candidate, although she claims to have a Pickering residence. When asked for how long, the response was vague without any time line. Despite these troubling issues, the feeling in the room was definitely and emphatically that she will win. It remains to be seen.
