NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/10/menzies-french060210.html

Yup. It's true. And I'm still alternating between laughing my ass off and shaking my head in utter disbelief.

I guess Harper really, really wants to lead the Opposition again - seeing as how this is the third time in less than a week he's shot himself in the foot, having been installed as PM less than seven days ago.

I'll go so far as to say he won't be able to avoid a vote of non-confidence before summer at the very latest.

Yeah, the governing thing isn't working as well as the campaigning thing at the moment.

Somebody should put the training wheels back on his bike.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/10/menzies-french060210.html

Yup. It's true. And I'm still alternating between laughing my ass off and shaking my head in utter disbelief.

I guess Harper really, really wants to lead the Opposition again - seeing as how this is the third time in less than a week he's shot himself in the foot, having been installed as PM less than seven days ago.

I'll go so far as to say he won't be able to avoid a vote of non-confidence before summer at the very latest.
Yeah, funny.

All the papers in Quebec mentionned it this week when Harper announced his cabinet. I guess we, francophones, aren't really important for the conservatives.

Imagine my surprise :rolleyes:

Yeah, the governing thing isn't working as well as the campaigning thing at the moment.

Somebody should put the training wheels back on his bike.

I can! I put them on my daughter's bike.:)

ugh. I am hanging my head in shame... what a dumbass. :(

He goes through all this trouble to form a 'national coalition' and has a non-french speaking member of La Francophonie... what the hell?

Damn, would it really have been that hard to find a suitable bilingual MP to fill the position?

This is why I voted NDP - Liberals and Conservatives both suck!

If you think that Canadian conservatives are imbeciles, then try dealing with AMERICAN conservatives. They will confuse you with repulsive English almost as fast as they will try to convert you to their xenophobic and bigot views.

Damn, would it really have been that hard to find a suitable bilingual MP to fill the position?
If you're looking no farther than the borders of Alberta, well... yeah.

If you're looking no farther than the borders of Alberta, well... yeah.
And see, children, that is what happens when you let the 'Reform' party take the reigns... everything starts to go to hell.

So what happened?

If you think that Canadian conservatives are imbeciles, then try dealing with AMERICAN conservatives. They will confuse you with repulsive English almost as fast as they will try to convert you to their xenophobic and bigot views.

Yeah, American conservatives are a completely different breed... a little inbred perhaps.

Yeah, American conservatives are a completely different breed... a little inbred perhaps.

Proof against evolution. :P

This is why I voted NDP - Liberals and Conservatives both suck!

I'll second that

Anybody want to take bets as to just how Stevie'll manage to make an ass of himself next?

Yup. It's true. And I'm still alternating between laughing my ass off and shaking my head in utter disbelief.

I guess Harper really, really wants to lead the Opposition again - seeing as how this is the third time in less than a week he's shot himself in the foot, having been installed as PM less than seven days ago.

I'll go so far as to say he won't be able to avoid a vote of non-confidence before summer at the very latest.
Maybe it's all part of a clever ploy?

Anybody want to take bets as to just how Stevie'll manage to make an ass of himself next?

Probably try to introduce legislation that in no way makes any sort of compromise to the other parties, and tries to push on as though he has a majority gov't, only to utterly fail.
Or maybe he'll publicly kiss Bush's rear end, showing whose side he's really on.

Probably try to introduce legislation that in no way makes any sort of compromise to the other parties, and tries to push on as though he has a majority gov't, only to utterly fail.
Or maybe he'll publicly kiss Bush's rear end, showing whose side he's really on.
Well GCS, either way you slice that proposition, he'll be out of the PMO (and probably out of the Party to boot) before the leaves turn.

If you're looking no farther than the borders of Alberta, well... yeah. To be fair, there are only 3 Albertan cabinet ministers. He did a reasonably good job of getting cabinet representation from all the regions... at least, if you leave out Emerson. And Fortier. And maybe O'Connor. Ooo, and probably Toews as well.

;)

Probably try to introduce legislation that in no way makes any sort of compromise to the other parties, and tries to push on as though he has a majority gov't, only to utterly fail.
Or maybe he'll publicly kiss Bush's rear end, showing whose side he's really on.


Maybe Bush can elope to Canada with him. :fluffle:

I'll second that
Me, for three.

Me, for three.
Am I too late to get in on this enumeration? I call fourth.

Yeah well, if Canadian voting habits were reflective of NS General (at least according to the last poll I saw here before the election), the NDP would be the official opposition.

New Democrat MP Yvon Godin, an Acadian, says it's proof Prime Minister Harper didn't think these nominations through.

"It's like telling the anglophones, we're going to give someone to represent you. And he only speaks French and he doesn't speak English at all and that's your representative and you deal with it," said Godin.

What's next? A phrenologist as Minister of Health?

What's next? A phrenologist as Minister of Health?
That would so rock. :)

That would so rock. :)
Only if you make a living as a comedian.

For the rest of us... well, I guess it's better than a young earth creationist in charge of Education.

What's next? A phrenologist as Minister of Health?


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/1895-Dictionary-Phrenolog.png/250px-

Anybody want to take bets as to just how Stevie'll manage to make an ass of himself next?

I don't have to bet. He already has done it!

Remember his whining around the time of the gay marriage vote that turned into a campaign issue of going towards more free votes? i.e.) the whole discussioned premised around allowing MP's to speak their conscience and give more direct representation for their constituents as opposed to simply mouthing the party line as he accused the Liberals of?

Apparently that was a load of crap too! (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060210/emerson_turner_060210?hub=TopStories&s_name=&no_ads=)


Conservative Member of Parliament Garth Turner says he believes his career options within the party are "seriously limited" after he criticized Minister of International Trade David Emerson for defecting to the Conservatives from the Liberals for a cabinet post.

Turner made the comments on his blog after meeting with the Prime Minister on Thursday night.

"I'm expecting the Whip will be assigning me a renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement in Ottawa," Turner wrote. "That should go well with my seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses."

"I think it is now safe to say my career options within the Conservative caucus are seriously limited."

"I know the PMO has a song sheet it wants all caucus members to sing from, and I know what happens when an individual chooses to go his or her own way. I was just hoping this time I would not be asked to choose - between party and principle. I chose principle."



So, does anyone in Canada still believe that Stevie the Weasel believes ANYTHING he has talked about for the last year or two?

Hmmm... where's Novoga, Pacitalia and Canada City? I though they're going to have their say about "their beloved tory government". :D

Btw, Harper first promised a "clean" government. What do we got now? A joke Conservative (Reform) government.

Btw, Harper first promised a "clean" government. What do we got now? A joke Conservative (Reform) government.
See, Garth Turner is the sort of person who ought to be Party leader. Here's a man of principle who is being slapped down and made to sit in a corner because he's not half as stupid as Stephen harper seems to think his electorate is.

What's he going to pull out of his ass next?

See, Garth Turner is the sort of person who ought to be Party leader. Here's a man of principle who is being slapped down and made to sit in a corner because he's not half as stupid as Stephen harper seems to think his electorate is.
I agree, Garth Turner is a good guy and deserve some respect. Stephen Harper is the biggest ass yet.

What's he going to pull out of his ass next?
Hmm, probably kick him out of his party. Making Harper's Reform ass alot bigger.

See, Garth Turner is the sort of person who ought to be Party leader. Here's a man of principle who is being slapped down and made to sit in a corner because he's not half as stupid as Stephen harper seems to think his electorate is.

What's he going to pull out of his ass next?


Ummmm, let me guess....appointing a unilingual Albertan to be in charge of La Fracophonie and offical languages?

No wait... he did that.

Appoint Airbus Industries lobbyist to run defence and adjudicate the purchase of new heavylift military aircraft where Airbus is involved?

No wait - he did that too.

Let Fortier out speak about how he didn't run for office because he didn't WANT to run for office - largely because being an MP would be too much of a drop in income. And then not have any explanation on what made him take the job anyway when handed to him on a platter?

Ummmm, nope- that's already happened too!

Appoint Mike Harris proteges into things like finance and social services and try to tell the country that these things wouldn't get eviscerated?

Dang - he beat me to it AGAIN!

After complaining about the Liberals being too combative with the Americans, get into a pissing match with the ambassador before even taking office, appoint the CEO of one of the companies named in the lumber dumping lawsuit that precipitated the softwood trade issue, a guy who was an obstructionist in the Liberal attempts to settle the issue, a guy who has signed a nitice of recusal on any issues relating to that lumber company and so is in conflict of interest - and tell him to deal with it?

Dang!

I dunno.

Maybe he'll just go strangle a protester. It always worked for King Jean!

Dude, look at this recall petition

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?RDE

Numbers are still going....

Anybody want to take bets as to just how Stevie'll manage to make an ass of himself next?

I'm sure the media will find a way...

Hmmm... where's Novoga, Pacitalia and Canada City? I though they're going to have their say about "their beloved tory government". :D

Btw, Harper first promised a "clean" government. What do we got now? A joke Conservative (Reform) government.

I'm waiting to pass judgement till Parliament begins...

I don't like some of the things he has managed to do in less than 2 weeks but they are sure as hell aren't scandals (Well Emerson maybe) such as the Liberals committed. Personally, I think he still is in shock at winning.

Dude, look at this recall petition

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?RDE

Numbers are still going....

Did Stronach have a site similar to this? I think not...

But why should she? Afterall, she left for the Liberals, who can do no wrong.

I wonder if CanadaCity is hiding in a bunker somewhere.

All those above posts are mine, forgot to log out of my Seaquest Region account.

Im probably a little bit more left wing then most of you, and a lot younger.
Once im 18, I'm starting my own political party, Its called NPP, a take of course on the ndp, it stands for new people's party. The original idea behind it was that as soon as you vote conservative, liberal, ndp, green or if you live in my province... (cant beleive im saying this) block, the decisions are no longer in your hands. Well my party would like to change things up, each party would put forth their position and through an online poll, or some other way the people would vote. So if your pro women's rights, pro gay but like conservative buget, then vote for their budget, not their social issues...
and the catch phrase is pretty good: Our platform is your platform

Im probably a little bit more left wing then most of you, and a lot younger.
Once im 18, I'm starting my own political party, Its called NPP, a take of course on the ndp, it stands for new people's party. The original idea behind it was that as soon as you vote conservative, liberal, ndp, green or if you live in my province... (cant beleive im saying this) block, the decisions are no longer in your hands. Well my party would like to change things up, each party would put forth their position and through an online poll, or some other way the people would vote. So if your pro women's rights, pro gay but like conservative buget, then vote for their budget, not their social issues...
and the catch phrase is pretty good: Our platform is your platform

I don't see how that is a political party, more of a system of government.

Did Stronach have a site similar to this? I think not...

But why should she? Afterall, she left for the Liberals, who can do no wrong.

Hmm. Are you suggesting that Conservatives are too stupid to set up such a site?

I mean, surely it is up to the people OPPPOSED to a given defection to do such a thing? Or did you want the Liberals to set up that site for her too on the Conservative's behalf?

Or that what they elected to do instead was to put forward a bill to make a by-election MANDATORY in such cases - a bill which suddenly no longer exists on the schedule?

Or that when Stronach defected she did so of her own volition and under her own initiative and was WELCOMED by the Liberals, wheras Emerson was approached and recruited by Harper and his caucus was left competely in the dark until the guy was getting sworn into the Cabinet?


Just not getting your point of blaming the Liberals for the Conservatives not starting a petition regarding Belinda. Are the conservatives really THAT inept and incapable of doing things should they feel that there is merit to it?

canada is a democracy and so since no other party will put that issue forward, I am forming a party to get the opinion heard.

Anybody want to take bets as to just how Stevie'll manage to make an ass of himself next?

Perhaps making Stockwell Day the Minister of Education? After all, if anybody will impliment mandatory prayers and continuous education to corrupt young minds, it's him.

If that's not it, it's some thing to do with abortion i'm betting on. Maybe he'll pull another "I'm not campaigning on that issue, so i don't have to comment on it."

I don't see how that is a political party, more of a system of government.or a "WTF" government.

I wonder if CanadaCity is hiding in a bunker somewhere.lol

All those above posts are mine, forgot to log out of my Seaquest Region account.Libertas Veritas?

canada is a democracy
and we all know that.
and so since no other party will put that issue forward, I am forming a party to get the opinion heard.
Im probably a little bit more left wing then most of you, and a lot younger.
Once im 18, I'm starting my own political party, Its called NPP, a take of course on the ndp, it stands for new people's party. The original idea behind it was that as soon as you vote conservative, liberal, ndp, green or if you live in my province... (cant beleive im saying this) block, the decisions are no longer in your hands. Well my party would like to change things up, each party would put forth their position and through an online poll, or some other way the people would vote. So if your pro women's rights, pro gay but like conservative buget, then vote for their budget, not their social issues...
and the catch phrase is pretty good: Our platform is your platform

1. Your party doesn't make sense
2. Doesn't sound like a political party
3. It's not a left-wing party
4. No need to split the progressive vote
5. Good luck with that.

and we all know that.



1. Your party doesn't make sense
2. Doesn't sound like a political party
3. It's not a left-wing party
4. No need to split the progressive vote
5. Good luck with that.

so you like liberal policies but they are corrupt, you like conservative budget but are pro women/gay rights or pro abortion or your an NDP fan and know they will never get voted in, which do you chose? No matter what you lose.
It sounds as much like a political party as the one in 3rd place, the political party that doesnt want to be part of the country. No need to split progressive votes, voting NDP will get you nowhere in my region, (look up results for the west island in montreal, its 98% liberal). Well saying im left wing was due to lack of preperation while i was typing i lost track of what i was going to say.

so you like liberal policies but they are corrupt, you like conservative budget but are pro women/gay rights or pro abortion or your an NDP fan and know they will never get voted in, which do you chose? No matter what you lose.
It sounds as much like a political party as the one in 3rd place, the political party that doesnt want to be part of the country. No need to split progressive votes, voting NDP will get you nowhere in my region, (look up results for the west island in montreal, its 98% liberal).

TWACK TWACK TWACK :headbang:

Seriously, re-read your post: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10401849&postcount=39

1. Why the hell I want Liberal policies, Conservative budget, and NDP mixed together? I'm an NDP'er, why do I want Liberal and Conservative policies you tell me?

2. Doesn't sound like a political party, more like a gov't system. Want proof?
Well my party would like to change things up, each party would put forth their position and through an online poll, or some other way the people would voteEh?

3. Voting for your "party" is a waste of ballot.

4. Remember the NDP got their budget passed in the Liberal minority gov't?

5.
the political party that doesnt want to be part of the countryok....

Another in a fine series of Ministerial and Secretarial appointments. Right up there with the Minister of Democratic Renewal who doesn't think we need any democratic renewal at all.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/11/david_emerson060311.html

What a bastard!

And poor Garth Turner. Get this:

Turner wrote in his blog that his new Ottawa office will be a "renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement."

"That should go well with my seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses."

1. Your party doesn't make sense
2. Doesn't sound like a political party
3. It's not a left-wing party
*snip*
Teehee!

He's assigning members, this is last thing I am worried about. I don't care who runs the house, as long as the house isn't a money sinkhole.

They can elect a monkey who throws feces at the opposing parties as Minister of Health, I wouldn't care.

Tell me when he starts fucking up policies. This is a little concern to me as a young canadian adult.

Canada City']He's assigning members, this is last thing I am worried about. I don't care who runs the house, as long as the house isn't a money sinkhole.

They can elect a monkey who throws feces at the opposing parties as Minister of Health, I wouldn't care.

Tell me when he starts fucking up policies. This is a little concern to me as a young canadian adult.
Aye; sensible. We should judge these people on how well they perform their duties (and surprisingly few people have any idea what a Minister does), not on looks.

Canada City']He's assigning members, this is last thing I am worried about. I don't care who runs the house, as long as the house isn't a money sinkhole.

They can elect a monkey who throws feces at the opposing parties as Minister of Health, I wouldn't care.

Tell me when he starts fucking up policies. This is a little concern to me as a young canadian adult.

As much as I supported the Conservatives, and the push in general for a change in our 1 1/2 party system we seem to have in Canada, the issue of democratic responsibility is paramount. Emerson's defection is a huge breach of trust for his constituents, even more so than Stronachs move. As for Fortier, Paul Martin surrounded himself with unelected cronies too. I'm just a little worried that the Conservatives 'secret agenda' is that they are actually Liberals.

In general though, I think we can agree on one thing; let's see what these guys can accomplish in parliament. If Emerson's defection results in resolution of the softwood issue, fantastic. The Federal Accountability act can be nothing but good news, and if any of the opposition parties try to block his child care plan or GST cut, they'll suffer in the next election.

And this latest revelation regarding the Anglophone representing Francophones is plain stupid. Partisanship can't explain that one away.

And this latest revelation regarding the Anglophone representing Francophones is plain stupid. Partisanship can't explain that one away.
But an inability to comprehend what it takes to lead this nation does. Handily.

In general though, I think we can agree on one thing; let's see what these guys can accomplish in parliament. If Emerson's defection results in resolution of the softwood issue, fantastic. The Federal Accountability act can be nothing but good news, and if any of the opposition parties try to block his child care plan or GST cut, they'll suffer in the next election.



Why would any party suffer for opposing HArper's childcare plan? The vast majority of voters voted for parties that opposed it.

Aye; sensible. We should judge these people on how well they perform their duties (and surprisingly few people have any idea what a Minister does), not on looks.

Most candidates for positions in or out of politics should be judged on their qualifications and their track record. What you are suggesting is we should just "give them a try" in spite of the fact that they are clearly unqualified for the post. Further, you are suggesting that people who have no democratic accountability (i.e. people that weren't elected by the Canadian people, or were elected undere false pretences) should hold the position of Minister. Kind of undermines the whole concept of democratic accountability.

Most candidates for positions in or out of politics should be judged on their qualifications and their track record. What you are suggesting is we should just "give them a try" in spite of the fact that they are clearly unqualified for the post. Further, you are suggesting that people who have no democratic accountability (i.e. people that weren't elected by the Canadian people, or were elected undere false pretences) should hold the position of Minister. Kind of undermines the whole concept of democratic accountability.
Well-stated, EC. And considering the near-constant bombardment of the electorate with the oft-repeated Tory phrase, "governmental accountability", these appointments and their attendant cute side-stepping of our democratic protocols are far more than merely irksome quirks.

They stand as proof positive that the federal Conservatives are completely untrustworthy, and are proven to be as yet unfit to govern on a national level. Steven Harper said during the campaign that he has 'evolved' politically. Might I suggest that while his personal evolution may carry weight in some quarters, what's truly needed is another Ice Age, say another ten or twelve years, for the Tory caucus and its' leader to fully evolve into warm-blooded mammals.

Why would any party suffer for opposing HArper's childcare plan? The vast majority of voters voted for parties that opposed it.

Because they were highly popular, and the only thing that kept the conservative from a majority was 'the Barbarians at the Gates' factor which kept Ontario primarily liberal. Do you think that Canadians would support another election so soon because the oppostion parties opposed a policy that would put money into the hands of parents? When was the last time any government has had over 50% of the popular vote? A very long time... therefore, you could say that all platforms were opposed by the majority of Canadians during this period. People didn't vote against Harper because of his version of childcare. I think that if the opposition parties hamstringed this particular pledge, Canadians would be see it as irrisponsible and partisan. The conservatives have a duty, obviously, to fulfill their mandate.

I think that if the opposition parties hamstringed this particular pledge, Canadians would be see it as irrisponsible and partisan.

I don't think so. They would see it as the opposition doing it's job.

Because they were highly popular, and the only thing that kept the conservative from a majority was 'the Barbarians at the Gates' factor which kept Ontario primarily liberal. Do you think that Canadians would support another election so soon because the oppostion parties opposed a policy that would put money into the hands of parents? When was the last time any government has had over 50% of the popular vote? A very long time... therefore, you could say that all platforms were opposed by the majority of Canadians during this period. People didn't vote against Harper because of his version of childcare. I think that if the opposition parties hamstringed this particular pledge, Canadians would be see it as irrisponsible and partisan. The conservatives have a duty, obviously, to fulfill their mandate.

The childcare money would not be a confidence issue unless the government treated it as one, so it would be the Conservatives own fault if we went back to the polls because the other parties opposed it.

I didn't say an entire platform had the support of a majority of Canadians. I suggested that since childcare was a central campaign issue, and since about 65% of voters voted for parties that opposed Harper's pledge, that would suggest that a majority of voters opposed the idea.

In any event, the fact that no government has had the support of 50% of the voters in a long time is a problem that should be rectified through electoral reform.

Because they were highly popular, and the only thing that kept the conservative from a majority was 'the Barbarians at the Gates' factor which kept Ontario primarily liberal.

And the only thing that kept the Conservatives from a majority is Harper's lack of leadership. With the scandals the Liberals have had, almost any other Conservative leader would have had the party miles ahead in the polls.

And the only thing that kept the Conservatives from a majority is Harper's lack of leadership. With the scandals the Liberals have had, almost any other Conservative leader would have had the party miles ahead in the polls.
Not so fast. A quick scan through the roster of star Tories is just that - quick. Right now, who stands to be taken seriously as Conservative leader? MacKay, except he let himself be talked into dishonesty by Stevie when he let himself be persuaded to pull the plug on the old Progressive Conservative Party - immediately after promising his Party that was something he'd never even consider.

Given the scarcity of credible candidates for Tory Supremo (Myron Thompson anyone? Vic Toews?), let's instead leaf through leaders past then shall we? Stockboy Day... nope, Mr. two-stroke engine enthusiast couldn't have done it. Parson Manning? Hell, he'd have handed the Grits a majority.

Face facts; the best man for the job is expecting, in his words, to be assigned a renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement in Ottawa, that should go well with his seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses. For having stood for principle and not backpedalling once he was in the halls of governmental power.

And the only thing that kept the Conservatives from a majority is Harper's lack of leadership. With the scandals the Liberals have had, almost any other Conservative leader would have had the party miles ahead in the polls.

You really don't know how dense the population of Ontario is.

That's insulting and condescending.

In any event, the fact that no government has had the support of 50% of the voters in a long time is a problem that should be rectified through electoral reform.

100% agree. There's another thread in General about killing the 3rd party option in the US. I don't know if that's such a bad idea. What's the point of continuous back to back minority governments? Why should a minority party hold the balance of power? That's kind of anti-democratic in it's own right.

My support of the conservative party had more to do with hating the idea that 'the natural governing party' of the Liberals could more or less get away with whatever they wanted because there was no viable alternative. The conservative backbenchers should have rallied around Garth Turner. It's sickening.

And the only thing that kept the Conservatives from a majority is Harper's lack of leadership. With the scandals the Liberals have had, almost any other Conservative leader would have had the party miles ahead in the polls.
I don't think Harper's leadership is in question (at least prior to his latest appointments). He did finally 'unite the right' after all, and led them back to power regardless of his party's social conservative stance. After all, if the election was only about leadership, Jack Layton would be our prime minister. He's a fantastic leader, but unfortunately, after Bob Rae's reign in Ontario, I can't see them ever forming a national government.

Not so fast. A quick scan through the roster of star Tories is just that - quick. Right now, who stands to be taken seriously as Conservative leader? MacKay, except he let himself be talked into dishonesty by Stevie when he let himself be persuaded to pull the plug on the old Progressive Conservative Party - immediately after promising his Party that was something he'd never even consider.

Given the scarcity of credible candidates for Tory Supremo (Myron Thompson anyone? Vic Toews?), let's instead leaf through leaders past then shall we? Stockboy Day... nope, Mr. two-stroke engine enthusiast couldn't have done it. Parson Manning? Hell, he'd have handed the Grits a majority.

Face facts; the best man for the job is expecting, in his words, to be assigned a renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement in Ottawa, that should go well with his seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses. For having stood for principle and not backpedalling once he was in the halls of governmental power.

One wonders where we might be if Belinda Stronach had won that Conservative Party leadership race.

One wonders where we might be if Belinda Stronach had won that Conservative Party leadership race.
That wouldn't've sat well with the folks in Red Deer.

That wouldn't've sat well with the folks in Red Deer.
Yeah, I guess the social conservatives of the party wouldn't want to be Liberals in designer blue outfits. Still, it's hard to imagine what kind of villifying the Liberals would've conjured up to haunt Stronach. Oh well, 'what if's' are a waste of time anyway...

I don't think Harper's leadership is in question (at least prior to his latest appointments). He did finally 'unite the right' after all, and led them back to power regardless of his party's social conservative stance. After all, if the election was only about leadership, Jack Layton would be our prime minister. He's a fantastic leader, but unfortunately, after Bob Rae's reign in Ontario, I can't see them ever forming a national government.
How about Duceppe?

The polls showed that he was seen as the best leader.

Canada City']You really don't know how dense the population of Ontario is.

I've lived there. I don't think they like the Liberals, but many of them consider them to be the lesser of two evils.

How about Duceppe?

The polls showed that he was seen as the best leader.

I thought he was seen as most effective in the debates. The only polls I ever saw with him as best leader were in Quebec only.

Not so fast. A quick scan through the roster of star Tories is just that - quick. Right now, who stands to be taken seriously as Conservative leader? MacKay, except he let himself be talked into dishonesty by Stevie when he let himself be persuaded to pull the plug on the old Progressive Conservative Party - immediately after promising his Party that was something he'd never even consider.

Given the scarcity of credible candidates for Tory Supremo (Myron Thompson anyone? Vic Toews?), let's instead leaf through leaders past then shall we? Stockboy Day... nope, Mr. two-stroke engine enthusiast couldn't have done it. Parson Manning? Hell, he'd have handed the Grits a majority.

Face facts; the best man for the job is expecting, in his words, to be assigned a renovated washroom somewhere in a forgotten corner of a vermin-infested dank basement in Ottawa, that should go well with his seat in the House of Commons that will be visible only during lunar eclipses. For having stood for principle and not backpedalling once he was in the halls of governmental power.

Preston never got the credit he deserved. He is principled and intelligent, even if I vehemently disagree with many of his views. But that being said, he won't be making a comeback anytime soon.

I don't think Harper's leadership is in question (at least prior to his latest appointments). He did finally 'unite the right' after all, and led them back to power regardless of his party's social conservative stance.

Harper didn't unite the right on his own. It was a result of alot of hard work by alot of people. Including (behind the scenes), Belinda Stronach. It also took some serious promise-breaking and betrayal by Peter McKay.

Harper didn't unite the right on his own. It was a result of alot of hard work by alot of people. Including (behind the scenes), Belinda Stronach. It also took some serious promise-breaking and betrayal by Peter McKay.
Harper seems to corrupt those he comes into contact with.

I don't think Harper's leadership is in question (at least prior to his latest appointments). He did finally 'unite the right' after all, and led them back to power regardless of his party's social conservative stance. After all, if the election was only about leadership, Jack Layton would be our prime minister. He's a fantastic leader, but unfortunately, after Bob Rae's reign in Ontario, I can't see them ever forming a national government.


Oh yes JAck is teh bomb! :p

Sorry, but he was one of the worst offenders in the debates to often ignore the actual question asked and just seque into his party line in something totally unrelated.

Oh yes, and did you catch the NDP brain trust's smart move of the day today?

Because he reccommended strategic voting to the union members - and he was VERY clear that he only asked people to strategically vote Liberal in ridings where the NDP had no chance in order to try and thwart as many Conservative seats as possible - the NDP revoked Buzz Hargroves membership today.

Oh yeah, pissing off the head of the face of union workers in Canada is the way to solidify your future.... :rolleyes:

What? Is the NDP trying to outdo Harper for alienating their base this week?

That's it! It's a conspiracy to drive voters back to the Liberals. That way we return to Liberal rule, and the Conservatives and NDP can spend another decade being able to snipe at the government without actually having to make the tough decisions themselves! Why? Because being in opposition is EASIER than being in power....


Not that either of them really know that yet. But Stevie is sure getting a crash course isn't he?

Oh yes JAck is teh bomb! :p

Sorry, but he was one of the worst offenders in the debates to often ignore the actual question asked and just seque into his party line in something totally unrelated.

Oh yes, and did you catch the NDP brain trust's smart move of the day today?

Because he reccommended strategic voting to the union members - and he was VERY clear that he only asked people to strategically vote Liberal in ridings where the NDP had no chance in order to try and thwart as many Conservative seats as possible - the NDP revoked Buzz Hargroves membership today.

Oh yeah, pissing off the head of the face of union workers in Canada is the way to solidify your future.... :rolleyes:

What? Is the NDP trying to outdo Harper for alienating their base this week?

That's it! It's a conspiracy to drive voters back to the Liberals. That way we return to Liberal rule, and the Conservatives and NDP can spend another decade being able to snipe at the government without actually having to make the tough decisions themselves! Why? Because being in opposition is EASIER than being in power....


Not that either of them really know that yet. But Stevie is sure getting a crash course isn't he?

All of this asumes that Buzz is in touch with the common worker. Which he isn't.

I thought he was seen as most effective in the debates. The only polls I ever saw with him as best leader were in Quebec only.

More importantly, he can't form a national governing party while only running in Quebec. So his leadership really isn't an issue in this case.

All of this asumes that Buzz is in touch with the common worker. Which he isn't.

No, he isn't.

But he IS in touch with the nearly 300,000 members of his union - the largest private sector union in the country - and historically the CAW has pushed members towards the NDP, and raised a lot of money for NDP campaigns.

Last time I checked, the NDP weren't in a position to want to jeopardize either votes OR cashflow - but it seems that they are doing just that.

Oh yes JAck is teh bomb! :p

Sorry, but he was one of the worst offenders in the debates to often ignore the actual question asked and just seque into his party line in something totally unrelated.

Oh yes, and did you catch the NDP brain trust's smart move of the day today?

Because he reccommended strategic voting to the union members - and he was VERY clear that he only asked people to strategically vote Liberal in ridings where the NDP had no chance in order to try and thwart as many Conservative seats as possible - the NDP revoked Buzz Hargroves membership today.

Oh yeah, pissing off the head of the face of union workers in Canada is the way to solidify your future.... :rolleyes:

What? Is the NDP trying to outdo Harper for alienating their base this week?

That's it! It's a conspiracy to drive voters back to the Liberals. That way we return to Liberal rule, and the Conservatives and NDP can spend another decade being able to snipe at the government without actually having to make the tough decisions themselves! Why? Because being in opposition is EASIER than being in power....


Not that either of them really know that yet. But Stevie is sure getting a crash course isn't he?

Buzz Hargrove is a moron. He supported the Liberals, after all, during the election (rather than the NDP I mean). He also told Quebec voters to vote for the Bloc to keep the 'separatist' Conservative party out power. That's right, vote for the separatists, or else the separatists might get in power. Hargrove deserved a quick boot out the door. He was an embarrasment to both the labour movement, as well as the Liberal party.

As for Jack Layton, election results would show that he's the best NDP leader since Broadbent. He's clearly a likeable leader, and if he's evasive during debates, well that's typical of socialists when confronted with reality.

As for a return to Liberal rule - if you want a return to unfulfilled promises, legal scandals, leaders who go to the courts to answer tough moral debates rather than parliament, leaders who make decisions based on opinion polls rather than 'liberal' convictions, a party that would sooner overtax you to end up with large surplusses which it uses to bribe you for your vote, rather than not take it from you in the first place or a party that continually bashes our largest trading partner and natural ally, well yeah, vote Liberal next time.

No, he isn't.

But he IS in touch with the nearly 300,000 members of his union - the largest private sector union in the country - and historically the CAW has pushed members towards the NDP, and raised a lot of money for NDP campaigns.

Last time I checked, the NDP weren't in a position to want to jeopardize either votes OR cashflow - but it seems that they are doing just that.

Funny how the area where the CAW is strongest, Durham region/'greater Oshawa area', voted Conservative. Yeah, the Hargrove did wonders for the Labour movement.:rolleyes:

All of this asumes that Buzz is in touch with the common worker. Which he isn't.
Maybe he is buzzed out? :D