Since first being elected in 1997, Anders has attracted a lot of media attention, the vast majority of which has been overwhelmingly negative. Just in case you thought we were making this stuff up, here are some lowlights...
"Are the voters happy with the performance of their MP? Maybe. Maybe they don't notice what he does between elections. Maybe as long as he expresses views of the extreme right -- anti-tax, anti- abortion, and so on -- they're prepared to forgive his manifold failings as a member of Parliament.
Once, we might attribute to some terrible mistake. But to be elected twice, and so massively, says something pretty awful about the nature of safe political seats, about what the lack of real competition does to the quality of MP that represents such seats...
It would be interesting to know whether Anders consulted his caucus colleagues about his decision to denounce Mandela. If he did, he clearly ignored their advice. And that's his right; there's really nothing to stop an MP from doing exactly what he wants, except the voters at election time. That's why voters really should do more than pick a party; they should also consider whether the candidate has some minimal level of qualifications...
You picked him, Calgary. You picked him twice, over better candidates. Now you get to live with him."
"Rob Anders a National (and local) embarrassment." Susan
Ruttan, Victoria Times-Colonist June 19, 2001. p. A10
"Rob Anders could do the nation a favour by staying away from the House of Commons, tomorrow... He has aired his misguided view that the former South African president is a "Communist and a terrorist," mortifying fellow parliamentarians and offending millions of Canadians. The best thing he can do now is spare the nation further embarrassment...
But his parliamentary colleagues might want to lend him a few history books; point out that opinions carry more weight when they are backed up with facts; and suggest that he come down with an overnight case of the diplomatic flu."
The Toronto Star, June 11, 2001.
"The fiery Reform /Alliance/Conservative party MP, famous as the only MP to oppose granting Mandela honorary Canadian citizenship in June 2001, may yet get to keep his seat in Parliament. While Anders and his proponents are surely thrilled, the Conservative party has just lost another morsel of credibility....Anders' name on the Conservative ticket does not help. To many, Anders and his parliamentary record perfectly represent the Reform/ Alliance movement in both its successes and failures. Equally reactionary and libertarian, Anders' career can be described as fearless and turbulent, honest and misguided... That a fringe character such as Anders is still active in the new party should be a red flag for those who want the Conservatives to move toward the centre...There is a place for Anders in the Conservatives, but it is nowhere near the front bench of the House, either in government or opposition... The Conservative Party can become a national alternative to the Liberals, but Harper will need the courage to tell old friends who have stood by him their time in the spotlight is over."
"Centrists just got Rob-bed." Matt Stambaugh and Kris Kotarski.
The Calgary Herald. Apr 2, 2004.
"MP Rob Anders picked the wrong target for his petty attempt at political tit-for-tat...
Anders has simply achieved new status as a chump.... Anders felt it appropriate to lampoon one of the world's most renowned leaders out of political pique.
By trying to take on the likes of Nelson Mandela, simply to score a few political points at home, Anders has raised far more doubt about his suitability to be an MP than Mandela's to be an honorary Canadian.
Indeed, Anders could learn a lot from Mandela about statesmanship."
"MP picked wrong fight: Anders has a beef but he's fighting
the wrong guy." Calgary Herald, June 10, 2001. p. A12
"Rob Anders is a callow 29-year-old Canadian Alliance MP for Calgary West, an Opposition cipher of high dudgeon and low intellect, a sadly misguided voice who knows little of history and shamefully less of global politics....
If Anders had limited himself to attacking the Liberals for pushing the citizenship honour through Parliament without a proper debate in the House, he would have been on sturdier procedural ground. Instead, the redneck disgraced himself and his party by describing Mandela, 82, as "a Communist and a terrorist." Despite getting slapped about the head by colleagues and opponents, Anders was defiantly unapologetic, albeit pathetically ill-informed on Mandela's background....
I feel honoured that Nelson Mandela would accept Canadian citizenship.
I feel ashamed that Rob Anders is a Canadian citizen."
"Citizen Mandela triumphs over a callow MP." Rosie DiManno,
The Toronto Star, June 13, 2001.
"Rob Anders: Incredibly, Anders went one wackier after he trashed honorary Canadian citizen Nelson Mandela as a terrorist and a communist last spring. When the former South African president phoned for a peacekeeping chat in November, Anders refused to take the call because he wasn't granted enough time to outline his many concerns. In a Commons loaded with lightweights, Calgary West's MP almost defies gravity."
"Never a dull moment with magnificent seven." Don Martin.
The Calgary Herald. Jan 13, 2002.
"Rob Anders
Calgary West
Rating: F
The new leader has wisely put a tight muzzle on second-term Anders, 30, keeping him far removed from the limelight as backup defence critic. Anders is considered an oddity even among his own MPs, prone to taking hard-right social stands in caucus which his party strives to keep from surfacing in the Commons. His conduct as the lone objector in denying unanimous parliamentary consent to give Nelson Mandela an honorary Canadian citizenship was runner-up in political buffoonery only to his refusal to take the phone when the former South African president called to discuss Anders' concerns.
His upscale west-end constituents call me periodically to lament their embarrassingly unique representation in the capital. With good reason."
"How do our MPs rate?" Don Martin. The Calgary Herald. Jul 14, 2002.
