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Kakfwi thinks he would've done better

Derek Neary and Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Kakisa (July 05/04) - Former premier Stephen Kakfwi said he probably would've fared better than MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew had he run for the Western Arctic Liberals instead of her.

Blondin-Andrew barely escaped defeat in last week's federal election, edging her nearest rival, NDP candidate Dennis Bevington, by only 52 votes.

Rumours were flying earlier this year that Kakfwi was planning to challenge Blondin-Andrew for the nomination to the Western Arctic Liberal candidacy in a run for parliament.

Kakfwi, who was in Kakisa last week attending the Deh Cho Assembly, said he doesn't have any regrets, but believes he would have had received wide support had he run.

"I like to think so," said Kakfwi.

He said Blondin-Andrew is a hard worker but spent too much time in Ottawa, and her stand in favour of the national gun registry did not play well to Northern and aboriginal voters.

"She paid for the consequences of that," said Kakfwi.

He added that she should work earnestly towards mending rifts between herself and those communities who didn't support her in the election.

Last week, Blondin-Andrew blasted several territorial MLAs -- mostly from Yellowknife -- whom she thought were working against her during the election campaign, including Speaker Paul Delorey, and minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Brendan Bell.

"It's time to build bridges and get back to working for everybody regardless of where her support lies," said Kakfwi.