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ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Even in parts of the province where Danny Williams might have expected a rough ride during Newfoundland and Labrador's election campaign, he got a reception befitting someone known for his political celebrity.

In the small town of Cow Head during the campaign for Tuesday's election, Williams caused a stir as people flocked to meet the province's popular premier.

One man had to be taken to hospital after he injured his leg in a rush to meet the Progressive Conservative leader.

Since he was acclaimed party leader in January 2001, the political pugilist, former criminal lawyer and ex-cable TV mogul has taken great care to portray himself as Newfoundland and Labrador's Everyman.

But he whips around town in a Dodge Viper, one of several high-priced vehicles he drives. He earned the nickname "Danny Millions" after selling Cable Atlantic for $232 million in 2000. Williams donates his $165,000 legislative salary to a local charitable foundation.

He is a Rhodes Scholar, but the 58-year-old can't resist the political brawls that help define his political career, like the ongoing feud he maintains with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Although the rhetoric against Harper was toned down during the campaign, Williams did push the federal government to reinstate a program that allowed minority groups to mount constitutional challenges, calling it a fundamental principle of justice.

"That's something that, whether he likes or dislikes Danny Williams, he should be doing," Williams said after a campaign stop at the headquarters of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

"Just because people don't have the cash to challenge something that's wrong in a court, Stephen Harper is going to say, 'Well, we're not going to give you the money to find out whether the government is right or wrong.' ... Of all the things that he's done, I think that's one of the most significant things."

The campaign has been a mostly smooth one for Williams.

He was on the defensive over health care, however, particularly in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Grand Falls-Windsor, Williams said he was surprised by the cramped and outdated spaces that medical professionals work in at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, an admission that his political opponents used to describe him as being out of touch.

Although he is known for the battles he wages against his political opponents, Williams insists he dislikes the scraps, describing them as a distraction.

"If I was able to devote 100 per cent of my time to doing what I should be doing in the Office of Premier, I think the people of the province would be much better off," he said in an interview before the campaign began.

"But you spend at least 50 per cent of your time dealing with the negativity that comes from all sources, whether it's from the media, whether it's from the opposition."

His competitive spirit and love for law came from his father, a criminal lawyer and tennis player in Newfoundland's sports hall of fame. His mother, a long-time Tory, had him handing out brochures for former prime minister John Diefenbaker's campaign when he was a child.

"I think it whetted my appetite," Williams once said.


Some facts about Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams.

Born: Aug. 4, 1949, in St. John's, eldest of four children.

Family: Married to Maureen with four children.

Education: Studied political science and economics at Memorial University in St. John's, N.L. A Rhodes Scholar, he studied law at Oxford University; earned a law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Work history: Criminal lawyer for 30 years; one of the founders of Cable Atlantic, which he sold to Rogers Communications Inc.; president of OIS Fisher, an offshore oil and gas services company; partner in three golf courses and one hotel resort; founder and president of St. John's Junior Hockey League, and vice-chairman of the now-defunct St. John's Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League.

Political history: April 2001, sworn in as leader of provincial Tories. Elected to the provincial legislature in August 2001 byelection. Leads Conservative party to majority win in October 2003 provincial election. Fixed election date set for Oct. 9, 2007.

Quote: "We can't be a dying race." - Premier Danny Williams, referring to a campaign pledge to pay $1,000 for every child born or adopted in Newfoundland.