Premier, journalists joke on Twitter
As per usual, Premier Brad Wall was rather busy on the social networking website Twitter this week, with dozens of tweets and re-tweets about news, sports, politics, events — and even his personal contributions to population growth.
On Thursday afternoon, he engaged in some funny exchanges with several of the province’s journalists.
CBC reporter Stefani Langenegger tweeted a message saying she and Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk would discuss Wall’s vision for growth in the province on CBC Saskatchewan’s The Morning Edition with Sheila Coles.
That tweet quickly elicited a response from Wall, who is expected to release the details of his growth plan next month. @PremierBrad Wall tweeted: “@ SLangeneggerCBC @mmandryk @sheilacolescbc How can you discuss it when you don’t know what’s in it?”
Sheila Coles joined the conversation at that point, responding with, “U sir may have a vision, but I have Murray the Mentalist and Stef the Seer!”
Wall was quick with a one-liner back: “Maybe ask them what the score will be on Saturday #Riders.”
The fun continued when, in response to a citizen’s congratulations on the province’s population growth, Wall tweeted, “Thx but Saskatchewan people and businesses deserve the credit. We only have 3 kids.”
Coles took that opportunity to jump back in, tweeting: “Are you playing all week? Should we try the veal? Ba dum dum!! #wittywall.”
There was also some Twitter sparring this week between candidates vying for leadership of the provincial NDP and their camps.
Ryan Meili supporter Paige Kezima sparked one feisty exchange between politicians last week when she asked, “#skndpldr candidates — if u all agree with banning union/corp donations from party politics will you ban them from ur own campaign? #skpoli.”
Leadership candidate and Regina economist Erin Weir replied, remarking: “I’m not proposing unilateral disarmament.”
That prompted former federal NDP candidate and Meili supporter Noah Evanchuk to join in: “@Erin_ Weir so do as I say, not as I do?”
Weir replied: “@noahevanchuk Legislate a level field for all #skpoli parties. What’s your candidate doing? He opted not to answer this question.”
Evanchuk: “or lead by example. I’m not a candidate, you are!”
Weir: “So, have you convinced your candidate to ‘lead by example’ since Saturday?”
Evanchuk: “and by that I can surmise you have ruled leading by example out?”
Weir, with the final blow: “There’s no need to surmise. I’ve been clear . . . I await answers from other #skndpldr candidates.”
The economist later took a jab at Meili, a Saskatoon doctor, in response to a remark @ryanmeili made that included “pie-eating not an option? I’m way more trained up for that event.”
“Sounds like a prescription for a healthy society :)” @Erin_Weir — who later on Twitter would be credited with being able to “eat an entire bucket of KFC in under 5 minutes” — tweeted, referring to the title of Meili’s book.
Regina MLA and leadership candidate Trent Wotherspoon, @ WotherspoonT, entered the fray at that point:
“Or at least a happy society;) I’m in.”