Regina South Nomination Meeting
7:10 For lack of wireless I've written this at the meeting for later posting. Turnout looks to be strong, with a lineup out the door to register starting shortly before 7. And now more chairs are being set up - which would seem to suggest more attendees than expected.
7:13 On a rough look Heather looks to have an edge in the sign department to go with a strong display - but we'll find out soon whether that will translate into votes.
7:27 Still a couple of dozen people in line to register, even as the room is rapidly filling up. If Heather's signs aren't yet being peddled for use as fans, they will be soon.
7:45 And we're underway as Donna Shire takes the podium and highlights the work both candidates have done in building the riding.
7:50 Jeff Grubb, the balloting chair, goes over the rules - noting in particular the constitutional amendment preventing nominations from the floor. But wouldn't this be far more fun if a new candidate could get tossed into the mix?
7:54 On to speeches, with Kent Peterson introducing Heather first and emphasizing the Andrew Thomson endorsement. Jennifer Tupper follows as the official nominator, discussing the need to challenge Bill Hutchinson and presenting Heather as a stronger contrast.
7:59 Heather's speech follows along the "clear contrast" message, then turns to a line that she communicates for a living, seeing that as the best way to make a difference. (That's contrasted against seeing election as a "stepping stone" to other goals.)
8:02 Heather turns to a discussion of an appetite for change from the spin of a Sask Party government which doesn't listen - using "if he'd bothered to ask" as a repeated line criticizing the Wall government's actions.
8:06 "Sask Party Kittens" is officially the joke of the night.
8:07 Heather finishes strong, going back to the contrast message but seeming much more comfortable as the speech went on.
8:10 Velma Wessel introduces Yens, noting his having stepped in on short notice after Thomson left suddenly shortly before the 2007 election - which definitely saps some of the power from Thomson's endorsement.
8:13 "He isn't a woman, but he is a feminist" among other lines about Yens.
8:14 Yens begins his speech saying "tonight, there can be only one loser - Bill Hutchinson".
8:16 Yens recounts his efforts in 2007, saying the lesson to take is that time on the doorstep matters both for winning elections and for learning about constituents.
8:17 On to a reminder of Yens' work as party president and leadership candidate, noting that he stayed involved in Regina South all along.
8:20 Yens talks up his membership sales, particularly highlighting a number of new young members before pledging to knock on every Regina South door twice before the election if he's nominated.
8:21 "The reason I'm running" leads into personal appeals to deal with climate change and child poverty - noting the importance of change even when it's difficult.
8:25 Yens jokes about how often he ends up asking for support, closing by tying that into a message about his experience and commitment.
8:26 And the turnout is...21 guests signed in (plus many not signed in), and 195 delegates. And now voting begins.
8:56 Dwain Lingenfelter finishes his stump speech, with the results to follow Trent Wotherspoon's financial appeal.
9:03 And the winner is...Yens, with the announcement followed shortly by Heather's motion to make the result unanimous.
Congratulations to both candidates for a hard-fought campaign - and the work that went into tonight will make for a great start on 2011.
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