Facebook Vancouver mayoral campaign takes off
Even though Vancouver’s civic election is more than eight months away, the Facebook forces are gathering. It’s the first time that the social-networking site—which gained critical mass in 2007—will be a major tool in this city’s campaigning, so fogey candidates are at a disadvantage. But, with all the parties chasing a more youthful demographic, the medium could be significant.
Let’s check in with some announced and one potential (David Cadman) candidates so far.
Gregor Robertson
At Gregor for Mayor there are already 254 members. Former COPE member and VSB trustee Andrea Reimer, UBC political-science grad Kanako Motohashi, and Bob Penner, president and CEO of Vancouver’s Strategic Communications launched the page. Oddly, one picture has Robertson looking like Superman star Christopher Reeve.
The list of members purports to include Charles Menzies (UBC associate professor of social anthropology), Mira Oreck (former director of the Pacific region of the Canadian Jewish Congress), and Judi Tyabji (child-custody rights activist).
As of 2:40 p.m. on February 27, 565 Facebook members who had been invited to join had not yet done so.
Peter Ladner
Ladner for Mayor has 141 members (another page called “Peter Ladner” has 45). The page was created by BCIT student Kemp Edmonds and is administered in part by UBC alumni relations manager Gavin Dew.
Sex-trade advocate Jamie Lee Hamilton seems to support Ladner, according to a note in one of the discussion boards: “Councillor Ladner voted for affordable housing by supporting Woodwards and Sam Sullivan didn’t. Councillor Ladner also recognizes that treatment and prevention are key areas which need addressing and without these pillars, the drug problems in this City will continue to worsen.”
The list of members purports to include business reporter Tony Wanless, 2005 mayoral candidate Gölök Zoltán Buday, and UBC landscape architecture professor Patrick Condon.
As of 2:40 p.m. on February 27, 216 invitees had not replied to be members.
David Cadman
At ‘Mayor David Cadman’? I like the sound of that, there are four photos of Cadman looking extremely earnest. His site has 121 members, and is administered by Charles Demers, the founder of Seven Oaks Magazine. There sole question in the discussion board, “What is David’s stance on the Olympics?” has so far elicited no response.
The members’ list claims to include People’s Voice (Community Party of Canada) newspaper editor Kimball Cariou, TV producer Sid Chow Tan, and former school trustee Jane Bouey.
As of 2:40 p.m. on February 27, 347 invitees had not replied for membership.
Betty Krawczyk
Betty K for Mayor of Vancouver was created by Ian Gregson, former Paralympic athlete, and so far has attracted 55 members. (Friends of Betty K has 101 members)
The list of members purports to include the Conrad Schmidt (Work Less Party founder), Joe Foy (national campaign director for the Wilderness Committee), and Rita Wong (assistant professor in Critical and Cultural Studies at Emily Carr).
As of 2:40 p.m. on February 27, 18 invited members have not yet replied.
No word from Sam Sullivan’s campaign yet, but Trevor Linden for Mayor! has 167 members.
