<p>Parties proudly present their slate of candidates in every election shortly before dumping some of them. It’s an inevitable part of every campaign — rejecting candidates who don’t meet a party’s vetting standards and ejecting candidates when rival parties have dug up the dirt on them.</p><p>So, what’s the process behind candidate vetting? And how do parties go about compiling, and then using, opposition research?</p><p>Plus, Pierre Poilievre has been putting on some massive rallies. How are these organized — and are they worth the effort?</p><p>Throughout this election, three veteran party organizers are joining me on <em>The Writ Podcast </em>to explain the ins and outs of campaigning.</p><p>Laura D'Angelo has worked Tour Central for the Liberals in elections both federally and provincially, and was director of campaign operations for the Liberals in 2019. She is the vice-president, national strategy and public affairs at <a target="_blank" href="https://enterprisecanada.com/team_members/laura-dangelo/">Enterprise Canada</a>.</p><p>Melanie Paradis was director of communications for past Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole and is president of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourtexture.com/about-us/melanie-paradis">Texture Communications</a>.</p><p>Cheryl Oates was the executive director of communications and planning for former Alberta premier Rachel Notley. She’s principal at GT Executive Advisors and is the co-host of <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-discourse/id1713385479"><em>The Discourse</em></a> podcast.</p><p>In addition to listening to this episode of <em>The Writ Podcast</em> in your inbox, at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thewrit.ca/s/the-writ">TheWrit.ca</a> or on podcast apps like <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-writ-podcast/id1573459476">Apple Podcasts</a>, you can also watch this episode on <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/MGkoJfvwakI">YouTube</a>.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.thewrit.ca/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.thewrit.ca/subscribe</a>