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"I'm out" is the catchphrase on CBC's brilliant programme Dragon's Den. But right now, I can use it just as appropriately to describe my candidacy for the Next Great Prime Minister contest.
Unfortunately, I was not chosen as a semi-finalist. Actually, I was quite sure that I would not be, but I didn't want to say anything sooner, because I didn't want to sound unappreciative of all the very kind and thoughtful well-wishes that so many of you shared with me.
I must say that I am not disappointed in the least. I long ago decided that I would not be disappointed if I failed to get to the next round. The only other thing that might have disappointed me would have been if I felt that I had been passed over for an inferior candidate, but I do not think that has happened in this case. (Actually, one of the 10 semi-finalists is a really crazy guy, but he's obviously been chosen for his television appeal rather than his political acumen!)
Of course, I could be like many other now-defeated candidates who are populating the NGPM online forum with half-baked conspiracy theories about why they were not amongst the semi-finalists. "They didn't choose me because I'm a Conservative!" "They didn't choose me because I'm an NDP!" "They didn't choose me because I have an ugly face!"
Heck, my conspiracy theory even has evidence! My blog has been visited over 300 times in the past week - way more frequently than normal. Obviously they were looking through my blog because they were considering me as a semi-finalist, but then decided not to choose me when they saw my extreme and unpalatable political views on display in my blog archives!!!
Um . . . . I don't think so. The fact of the matter is, I entered this contest for fun, on a whim, right before the deadline. I decided that being a candidate for NGPM would be something that would help me grow personally, and it has. The thing I am most proud of after having been a candidate is the way that my candidacy improved over time. Comparing my first videos with my later ones, it is clear how severe that improvement was. I was able to use this contest to better myself as a communicator and as a leader, and I am thankful to the contest sponsors for giving me the opportunity and the motivation to pursue this.
I also have to thank you, my many friends and family who supported my candidacy. I was really comforted and humbled by your kind words and your support for me on the NGPM website. Knowing that you no longer have a candidate to root for is my only disappointment now that I am done as an NGPM candidate!
I will just finish off here by saying that while I do not think that any of the top 10 don't deserve to be there, I am absolutely shocked that certain candidates were not amongst the semi-finalists. Specifically, Tim Mak from Montréal: his audition video was well-produced, with new, audacious policy ideas which were communicated well. And his Community Action was ambitious, well-attended, and very professionally done. I am simply flabberghasted that he is not one of the finalists, and I certainly wish him good luck in the future despite this spectacular and inexplicable snub.
From Day 1, I never expected to be left standing at this point in the contest, so I am not in any way disappointed. I'm just glad I was able to do it!
Thank you again for following my candidacy! I hope you enjoyed the ride, and I hope you'll keep checking this blog to see if I am successful in my next ambition - to run the Ottawa Marathon on 24 May 2009!
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| | Posted 1/16/2009 6:59 PM - 8 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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