Dear Editor,

The smear campaign against the Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness has backfired. It just hasn’t got any traction. In desperation, Paul Burke is ready to call it quits, but Delano Franklyn has found it impossible to change course in mid-stream. The innuendos, speculations and suspicious utterings, bordering on slander, cannot be substantiated. It is now seen for the desperate and embarrassing attempt it was.

Dr Peter Phillips, who had successfully exposed the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips scandal, has failed this time around. It could cost his party the election, as public support is quickly evaporating without clear evidence it wasn’t a vindictive campaign.

The question is, why? Dr Phillips has been crowned Man of the Year, his pursuit of the International Monetary Fund strategy has received high marks, yet he turns to gutter politics to score points.

The only reason can be that it is a diversionary tactic. The need not to debate issues has forced the governing party into a corner. The prime minister, after having been missing in action for four long years, is debate- rusty. Why are they hiding her?

Portia Simpson Miller doesn’t have lockjaw; she is dancing, running and prancing all over the place. She is evidently physically fit, but how about mental gymnastics? Can she promise gays to review the buggery law again?

Of course not. In four years, and in spite of her party successfully passing 10 tests — which is remarkable — something is missing. The only explanation for me is the campaign deciding to hide from the press as Sarah Palin, in the US, did. At first she was the flavour of the month — as Simpson Miller was when she was touched and announced the date. But it soon turned sour, as the media began exposing more and more of her poor or lack of knowledge on critical issues.

Palin wilted and faded away… Portia? If the PNP has been so successful why not flaunt it? Boast and show off; don’t depend on a negative campaign. It has turned sour and is upsetting even diehard Comrades. General Secretary Paul Burke must be caught between a rock and a hard place.

He wants to stop; Delano Frankly wants to continue; and Dr Peter Phillips wants to be the next prime minister ahead of Peter Bunting. If only he can wipe all that mud off his hands and repair those broken windows in his glass house.

Mark Clarke

Siloah PO,

St Elizabeth

mark_clarke9@yahoo.com