Pity Jerome Kennedy, Newfoundland and Labrador’s newly minted minister of health and Premier Danny’s Williams’ most trusted — and, by many accounts, his most competent — political lieutenant.

The political battlefield, upon Kennedy’s ascension to his post in early October, was littered with bodies. Paul Oram had abruptly quit as health minister after only three months in the job, also leaving politics altogether. In a tempestuous news conference, he cited high blood pressure and unfair media coverage for his decision.

Oram’s departure came only days after the sudden resignation of another senior cabinet minister, Trevor Taylor, who said family reasons had persuaded him to leave politics. Coincidentally, Taylor’s departure came after Oram slashed medical services in Taylor’s district.

Oram also cut laboratory and X-ray services in Lewisporte, a seat held by Tory backbencher Wade Verge, who then claimed he had no prior knowledge of the move. Verge’s comments did not go unpunished; he was contradicted by Williams himself, thereby setting an example for any other potential malcontents in the Tory caucus.

As Kennedy took the oath of office, his priority was to stem the political blood loss and reduce the body count. With two by-elections in the offing for seats that had formerly been long-standing Liberal bastions, Kennedy’s first priority was to make these valuable pieces of real estate winnable for future Tory candidates.

Step 1 for Kennedy — whose previous ministerial posts included justice and finance — was to distance himself from his immediate predecessor. Suddenly, words such as “consultation” and “negotiation” came forth, and only minutes after being sworn in by the lieutenant governor, Kennedy (with Williams in tow) could be seen driving to the airport. His destination? The electoral district of The Straits White Bay North, recently vacated by Taylor.

Upon Kennedy’s arrival, he proved himself a quick study of the fine art of political seduction, Newfoundland-style. Like that other kind of seduction, the key is to present just enough of one’s delights to whet the appetite while also keeping the quarry hungry for more.

Some know this by its more common term — “political blackmail” — so a light touch is required by the practitioner. Voters are happy to play coy when politicians offer their charms, but those same voters take umbrage if brute force is applied.

Take the statement of the province’s first premier, who, in the 1949 federal election, warned the voters of St. John’s West: “I don’t need you; I’ve been elected. But you need me. I’m sitting on top of the public chest, and not one red cent will come out of it for Ferryland unless Greg Power is elected.” Voters responded by defeating Power.

If the Tories retain their hold on the two vacant seats, then Kennedy will enhance his position as the leading candidate to succeed Williams as premier, who many believe will retire following the 2011 general election.

But the health portfolio has so far proven politically fatal to those who have held it during the Williams administration; all five of Kennedy’s predecessors have left with their careers in tatters.

First was the province’s former auditor general, Elizabeth Marshall, who had resigned in 2004 to sit as a backbench member of the house of assembly after a policy dispute with Williams. Then came John Ottenheimer, who had lasted just 17 months before exhaustion forced him out. He was followed by Tom Osborne, who was soon dropped from cabinet altogether after only 10 months in the post and was replaced by Ross Wiseman.

Remarkably, Wiseman lasted two-and-a-half years, during which time he became a living target for several health scandals that came to light. In July, Wiseman was demoted in favour of Oram, who quickly proved to be ill equipped for the challenge.

Kennedy seems game, sporting a sunny disposition in the wake of starting his new job. But then, the first day of school is always fun. IE