In the past, we’ve written that it’s at least refreshing that Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger speaks his mind.
We in the media are used to politicians who answer questions with rehearsed talking points or a lot of words that add up to nothing. It can be hard to pin them down.
Not so with Mr. Krueger. He says what he thinks and lets the chips fall where they may.
At a certain point, though, it gets to be too much. It’s one thing to say what’s on your mind, but it’s another to use offensive and inappropriate language.
In defence of Jobs Minister Pat Bell — who faces allegations of wrongdoing — Krueger sent an email to the B.C. Conservative Party, which had called for an investigation.
Our MLA used language that we won’t repeat here, but suffice to say that if he had used it in our website’s comment section, he would have been banned.
Bell may indeed have a sterling reputation and the Conservatives many indeed be out of line, but there is a way of saying that without resorting to name-calling normally reserved for the schoolyard.
Krueger has defended himself by saying this sort of thing gets his “hackles up.”
It so happens that many of us are exposed to people and events that make us angry or frustrated on a daily basis. There’s certainly no law against being angry, and letting it out can be healthy. But a true measure of a person comes with how it is expressed.
When Premier Christy Clark visited The Daily News recently for an interview, she defended Krueger’s record as an MLA and skimmed over his more controversial side.
It’s reached the point, though, where Krueger has to be considered a liability to the B.C. Liberals. They are desperately trying to stay on track with a message that gives them a chance of winning the coming provincial election.
Krueger’s comments are a distraction and a gift to the Conservative candidate in this riding, Peter Sharp, whose name is now appearing more often in the media as reporters seek out his side of the story.
Suddenly, voters are more aware of who the Tory alternative is in Kamloops-South Thompson. This can’t be making Liberal candidate Todd Stone happy, and it can’t be making the premier happy.
For all these reasons, the best thing Krueger can do is apologize, keep quiet and hope this thing blows over.
We Say editorials represent the viewpoint of The Daily News and are written by publisher Tim Shoults, editor Robert Koopmans, city editor Tracy Gilchrist, or associate news editors Dan Spark and Mark Rogers.
