The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Another Local Broadcaster Is In The Election Race, Likely Won't Win

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** April 8, 2025 11:20 am

I just discovered there's a woman named Liane Kotler running for the Liberals in the riding of Thornhill. Turns out she's a writer and producer for TVO's "The Agenda" with Steve Paikin.

I just hope she didn't quit her day job to run! She's up against PC candidate Melissa Lantsman in the riding, the incumbent deputy Conservative leader, who is almost certainly a lock to win there on April 28th.

That makes three broadcast related candidates in the GTA that I know of - Kotler, "on hiatus" morning man Greg Brady, and former CBC/CTV pundit Evan Solomon.

If Brady loses, will he really be replacing Kevin Frankish and be allowed to go back to his old job on 640? I will be very interested to see if that happens.

**Posted by 67GreenRambler** April 8, 2025 11:35 am

Yep

**Posted by Radiowiz** April 8, 2025 12:19 pm

The thing to consider is that this particular race has become a two party race.
One thing that may have changed is a strong number of former NDP supporters voting Liberal to keep the Conservatives out.
If the "split vote" is dead, the liberals just might pull it off, this one time... (for this particular riding)

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** April 8, 2025 12:45 pm

No, I'm very familiar with Thornhill. No one else has a chance against Lanstman. She's one of the few absolute locks. She is very popular, has been there a long time and many neighbourhood lawns are sporting her signs - whereas I haven't seen a single sign for anyone else. She's simply too high profile and well known to lose.

That said, I wish she would run for Toronto mayor next time there's a big snowstorm. After all, who better to call in the army that Mel Lanstman?

**Posted by Chrisphen** April 8, 2025 12:50 pm

RadioActive wrote:
No, I'm very familiar with Thornhill. No one else has a chance against Lanstman. She's one of the few absolute locks. She is very popular, has been there a long time and many neighbourhood lawns are sporting her signs - whereas I haven't seen a single sign for anyone else.

Rather surprising for a Convoy-coddling goose-stepper (and former CFRB asset).

**Posted by Jody Thornton** April 8, 2025 1:04 pm

Chrisphen wrote:
Rather surprising for a Convoy-coddling goose-stepper (and former CFRB asset).

I'd like to agree, but Thornhill has been pretty blue and pro-Lanstman for a LONG time. Bringing this back to radio, I've been streaming the 1010 roundtables from the podcast section, and it seems she hasn't been there for a long time. 1010 needs a better set of guests, as the pundits are all the same ones on the same days of the weel.

**Posted by g121** April 8, 2025 2:16 pm

Jody Thornton wrote:
Chrisphen wrote:
Rather surprising for a Convoy-coddling goose-stepper (and former CFRB asset).
.. Bringing this back to radio, I've been streaming the 1010 roundtables from the podcast section, and it seems she hasn't been there for a long time ..

I recall her time on the 1010 Round Tables w/ John Moore. Moore said many times he considered Lantsman a friend. But on the roundtables, Lantsman went full stereotypical deflecting politician & wouldn't answer the questions asked; instead responded with her desired talking points of the day.

Some friend .. if you're not going to respect your friend, don't go on his show.

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** April 8, 2025 2:22 pm

g121 wrote:
Jody Thornton wrote:
Chrisphen wrote:
Rather surprising for a Convoy-coddling goose-stepper (and former CFRB asset).
.. Bringing this back to radio, I've been streaming the 1010 roundtables from the podcast section, and it seems she hasn't been there for a long time ..

I recall her time on the 1010 Round Tables w/ John Moore. Moore said many times he considered Lantsman a friend. But on the roundtables, Lantsman went full stereotypical deflecting politician & wouldn't answer the questions asked; instead responded with her desired talking points of the day.

Some friend .. if you're not going to respect your friend, don't go on his show.

To be fair - and I'm not defending Lanstman per se - all politicians of all parties do this. They're taught very early on: "Answer the question you wish you'd been asked."

That's why it's so frustrating to talk to any of them. Sometimes I wonder why reporters even bother.

**Posted by Jody Thornton** April 8, 2025 3:55 pm

RadioActive wrote:
To be fair - and I'm not defending Lanstman per se - all politicians of all parties do this. They're taught very early on: "Answer the question you wish you'd been asked."

That's why it's so frustrating to talk to any of them. Sometimes I wonder why reporters even bother.

Bang on RA! I wish that it would be illegal for politicians to hire strategists and the like, or to stick to talking points as a means of deflecting questions. If you're serving the public, answer the darned question you're asked.

Of course, for this to be more effective for creating mutually beneficial discourse, the general public would also need to hear beyond headlines and sound bites.

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** April 8, 2025 4:01 pm

Jody Thornton wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
To be fair - and I'm not defending Lanstman per se - all politicians of all parties do this. They're taught very early on: "Answer the question you wish you'd been asked."

That's why it's so frustrating to talk to any of them. Sometimes I wonder why reporters even bother.
Bang on RA! I wish that it would be illegal for politicians to hire strategists and the like, or to stick to talking points as a means of deflecting questions. If you're serving the public, answer the darned question you're asked.

Of course, for this to be more effective for creating mutually beneficial discourse, the general public would also need to hear beyond headlines and sound bites.

Yep. Knowing you're being spun is as important as the spin itself. (My favourite tell is when they say "Thank you for that question," which generally means they've been prepped for it - but still won't answer it - or they're really pissed off that you asked it but will find a way not to answer it at all.)

**Posted by Walter** April 8, 2025 4:15 pm

RadioActive wrote:
Jody Thornton wrote:
RadioActive wrote:
To be fair - and I'm not defending Lanstman per se - all politicians of all parties do this. They're taught very early on: "Answer the question you wish you'd been asked."

That's why it's so frustrating to talk to any of them. Sometimes I wonder why reporters even bother.
Bang on RA! I wish that it would be illegal for politicians to hire strategists and the like, or to stick to talking points as a means of deflecting questions. If you're serving the public, answer the darned question you're asked.

Of course, for this to be more effective for creating mutually beneficial discourse, the general public would also need to hear beyond headlines and sound bites.

Yep. Knowing you're being spun is as important as the spin itself. (My favourite tell is when they say "Thank you for that question," which generally means they've been prepped for it - but still won't answer it - or they're really pissed off that you asked it but will find a way not to answer it at all.)

We are not well-served by our politicians, but our politicians are very well-served by themselves.

**Posted by Hansa** April 8, 2025 4:20 pm

Shame, Lantsman really is an awful person.

**Posted by Chrisphen** April 8, 2025 6:33 pm

g121 wrote:
I recall her time on the 1010 Round Tables w/ John Moore. Moore said many times he considered Lantsman a friend.

I've always wondered about the phrase "a friend of the show/podcast/whatever". They were personally agreeable? They were punctual? They weren't drunk or high? Any or all? Very strange phrasing.

**Posted by 67GreenRambler** April 8, 2025 7:50 pm

In Moore's case it is coded language for 'part of the tribe'. So that is why we would have Kathleen Wynne on his show this morning when no one else has any interest in hearing from her .. aside perhaps The Radical Reverend of 89.5 CIUT.

**Posted by Dial Twister** April 8, 2025 7:56 pm

67GreenRambler wrote:
In Moore's case it is coded language for 'part of the tribe'. So that is why we would have Kathleen Wynne on his show this morning when no one else has any interest in hearing from her .. aside perhaps The Radical Reverend of 89.5 CIUT.

Just which "tribe" is that, pray tell?

**Posted by g121** April 8, 2025 9:44 pm

67GreenRambler wrote:
In Moore's case it is coded language for 'part of the tribe'. So that is why we would have Kathleen Wynne on his show this morning when no one else has any interest in hearing from her .. aside perhaps The Radical Reverend of 89.5 CIUT.

re: "In Moore's case it is coded language for 'part of the tribe'. So that is why we would have Kathleen Wynne .."
a rather boorish comment ..

re: "why we would have Kathleen Wynne on his show this morning when no one else has any interest in hearing from her.. "
Who? .. people who appreciate those who can speak above a Grade9 level & have more insightful analysis & commentary than a Convoy trucker ..

Last edited by g121 (April 8, 2025 9:45 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** April 9, 2025 7:41 am

Interesting to hear newly elected MPP Stephanie Smyth back on AM640's panel segment Wednesday morning. She was a regular before she left to run for office and won, and was obliged not to appear on air during that time in order not to give her any extra unfair publicity.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with her returning. And it made me realize that if Greg Brady wins in Ajax, he could theoretically appear on the station as a panelist soon after the election. So one way or the other, he could be back.