— Musings —04.07.2011 06:48 AM
KCCCC Day 13: Subtle shifts, seriously
- The pollsters, the pundits and the professors: All seem to agree that – mainly due to a better-than-expected Liberal campaign, and a piss-poor Reformatory campaign – some shifts are underway. Iggy’s personal numbers are up, and his party’s, a bit; Harper’s own, and that of his party, have stalled. As things stand now, the much-lusted-after majority is gone.
- So sayeth the Star’s Les: Writes he: “Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff appears to be winning hearts and minds on the election trail even though his party still lags the Conservatives by a wide margin, a new national poll shows. At the same time, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper’s performance has led to a slight erosion of his appeal since the election kicked off.” It surprises me, frankly: I didn’t think the stumbles by Harper and his army would start to be reflected in the polls until next week, when the debates are taking place. It suggests that voters know this campaign has been Harper’s worst since 2004, and have been reacting accordingly.
- Bernard Who? Bernard Lord is (almost literally) the Conservative Party’s Frank McKenna. He is (a) a male (b) a former Premier (c) from New Brunswick and (d) always talked about by journalists. In the case of both men, too, the parties they belong to don’t really see them as leadership material, or even particularly remember them. At all. So why do terrific columnists still write about them? Beats me.
- The Gunter canary in the coal mine: My personal litmus test for “Harper has gone too far” stories is Lorne Gunter. If the long-serving Alberta scribe, who is as conservative as conservative gets, says Harper and his team have stumbled, I immediately know that other conservatives feel likewise. Thus, the Awish Aslam disaster: while Lorne goes to some lengths to describe (accurately) how political parties work to prevent their events from being derailed, he also (accurately) expresses distaste about what happened to this young woman. Worth a read, Mr. Harper.
- A referendum on Iggy: I think that overstates things, a bit, but Mr. Hepburn is certainly right in suggesting that the debates are pivotal. And, given that Harper has traditionally done badly – even against not-so-hot debaters like Messrs. Martin and Dion – I think that, ten days from now, the Reformatories will be looking at a “burn the bridges” plan.
- He wasn’t the first: I was doing dress rehearsals, last night, for Sun TV with David Akin and Mercedes Stephenson. David suggested that the now-dumped “whites rights” Liberal candidate was a first for the Grits. I reminded him that he wasn’t – we actually had Ernst Zundel run for the leadership in 1968, before he became a notorious Holocaust denier!
- Pic of the day: To illustrate a piece on how politicians deal with confrontations, the Star ran this beaut. Ah, the good old days!
[Insert your favourite caption here.]
Thought this was a good & relevant read.
“It would send a bad message about Parliamentary democracy if a government brought down for contempt, very serious contempt, on the finding of a Speaker, is rewarded with a majority. I think it would encourage Mr. Harper and maybe those after him to be contemptuous of Parliament. And then I think we’re in real trouble.”
Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/going+reward+contempt+Parliament/4565800/story.html#ixzz1Iq3gov8J
I have to respond to the name calling from yesterday, the “J” stands for “Jewish or Jew” not what you suggested. However, you did not call me a Nazi so for that, thank you…now carry on
Godwin’s law.
You win. And it’s only 9 am.
For similar reasons, this is a worthwhile read: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1236315.html
Yup, that’s a good read indeed.
This is why, contrary to Warren’s jab at somebody for using a fake name, anyone writing anti Harper comments on websites should not use their real name or any identifier at all. For example we know the Harper government has a lot of control over RCMP. Ask Goodale!
Here’s a pic of young Steve-O
http://tinyurl.com/yc7pz8q
We should have known then.
I hate the use of LOLs, but dammit, I L’dOL.
Ah, yes the good old days. When a politician had the guts to go into crowds. That’s what gives you majorities. It’s hard to have confidence in a PM who does everything in his power to stay away from the very people who elected him.
Feeding time folks…with items from the Liberal Star this morning however, nothing from Mallick or Delacourt? Well, there is always tommorrow people…. I also can not wait for the Liberal endorsement from the Star, as per usual.
I’d be watching the Globe.
What does Lisa Frula see that you don’t?
“last night on the TVA network, the news reporting was very good for the Conservatives. They were comparing on how Harper was gathering big crowds in Quebec city compared to Ignatief who could only gather but a handful of people.
Jean Lapierre, former Liberal and Bloc MP reports on the election every day on Radio 98.5 fm and on TVA, and without a doubt, I would consider him as a canadian journalist who reflects fairness. He often says that we won’t get anything if we vote Bloc. In yesterday’s report, on the news, he said that Quebecer should consider this election as a mini- referendum. The choise is simple. If you want something from the federal government, there is but one alternative: “Vote for the party who will win the election.”
Also, yesterday, Lisa Frula, representing the Liberal Party in a dicussion panel on Radio Canada said, talking about the fact that Harper annonced that he was going to abolish the Fire Arm Regisrty,”the problem with Harper is that he always does what he says he’s going to do” and this is when the NDP stepped in and said ” and the Liberals never do what they say there going to do!”.
Funny, I hear Lapierre daily on CJAD and he usually sounds like pumping the cons….that said, he did give Iggy full marks for his perofrmance in Brossard hier soir.
I think Lapierre wants a senate seat too.
Please. Please, could some journalist find that man held so fondly in M. Chretien’s grip and interview him about Harper’s team excluding people who were photographed with the liberal leader. Would he be excluded by the Harper Team?
Warren, how can you work with these bottom feeders?
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/04/06/17901301.html
Take a Valium. I don’t put this web site up to receive ethics sermons from people who use fake names.
slap
second one I’ve seen dished out this week
I doubt Harper and the Tories will be wanting anyone to attack Mr. Ignatieff’s wife considering his own situation. My guess this article is a rogue item from someone who will soon be getting a call from the PMO.
This is the second time I’ve seen a comment from you about Mr. Harper and his wife. You are doing the party you support no favours. Any one interested in politics and who has been around any length of time knows the marital and personal histories of many from all sides of the political spectrum are easily accesible on the net and in various books, biographies etc. I would suggest that no one should really want to go there. And this is nothing new. Back in the early Confederation years Sir John A. besides the booze problem also had Sir Charlse Tupper ‘the Ram of Cumberland’ to deal with and of course there was Laurier’s long-standing relationship with his law partner’s wife Emilie Lavergen. I’ll not even bother bringing it from there up to the present – but trust me, every political party has it’s sordid side.
Live by the sword die by the sword.
Obviously you don’t consider Tom Godfrey’s (linked to above) personal attack on Mr. Ignatieff’s wife worthy of your outrage.
When you take the time to take the Toronto Sun to task for their offensive article, and not just spout platitudes, you will garner some much needed credibility. Until then your just a concern troll.
BTW: I don’t even support Mr. Ignatieff party.
Actually I have supported the Liberals in the past and may in the future. Haven’t met my candidate this time around yet from any of the parties.
But I will admit I like to kind of balance out the general tenor of the postings on here.
I will also admit I don’t like the personal attacks from either side. Saw a couple about Justin’s mom in the Glib and Flail’s posts today. Didn’t like them either.
And I don’t believe any party nor it’s supporters want to get into the live by the sword, die by the sword mentality you espouse. None could afford it and even fewer people would be voting, than is the case now.
Good publicity for the new Hungarians for Iggy campaign led by Belinda Stronach. Just kidding.
Good Tweet
EnoughHarper
News: Conservatives announce they will release their 2011 election platform in 2015, but only if there’s no deficit
The drip drip drip of the Carson affair continues to ebb out, like an overflowing toilet, and reporters have only just started their work.
At some point will Bruce Carson say I’ve had enough of being treated badly by the PM and his and regime and give an interview that will blow the top off this cesspool.
“Stop spamming me wit’ da Farmville on da Facebook, ok?”
Who hasn’t felt this, no?
Best caption ever!!! I wish could react to lame FB invites in such a manner :^)
Caption: ” Mon Ami-permettez-moi de pop qui zit pour vous” ( allow me to pop that zit for you )
Democracy in ya face, yo!
What’s the signage look like in your riding?
I’m in Westmuont-Ville Marie.
The LPC & CPC signs carry the local candidate.
The BQ & NDP signs carry the party leader.
Same where any of you are?
I’m not sure what it says about me, but I’d love to vote for either McKenna or Lord. I think that they’d make excellent PM’s.
I have to admit, MI is definitely growing on me. I’m still undecided, but the LPC is most likely to get my vote (I voted CPC in 2008, but wasn’t enthusiastic about that choice).
Sounds like you vote party instead of candidate? What riding are you? are you volunteering for any of the candidates?
No – the local candidate can definitely impact my decision. Our Conservative MP has worked hard in the riding but is very partisan. I’m not familiar with the Liberal candidate beyond his name but I’m hoping to learn more about him this weekend.
I’ve volunteered in the past, primarily for the Liberal Party. I was actually President of our riding’s Young Liberal group many, many years ago. I’ve not volunteered for any party in recent years.
what riding?
I’d prefer not to say. I rely on a lot of Tories for my business! 🙂
@ The Other Jim
haha what would your TORY friends say about your self -disclosed tidbit about once volunteering for the Liberals?
Your BUSTED…. dude– most readers can see right through you and anyone can see that you have no credibility spewing your Conservative rhetoric on this site. Why don’t you spend your energies on Conservative sites?
Also– I think I’ve already mentioned this to you– why do you keep referring to them as Tories? I thought there were no more tories left in this country. Were they not all reformed?
ahh c’mon I’m sure there aren’t any good tories or shall I say new conservatives lurking on this site to even notice– besides just by knowing your riding does not co-relate to someone knowing you or recognizing you- I’m sure your secret alias as”The Other Jim” is safe here in WK land.
Besides- why would the good ol tories stop doing business with you– I’m sure they don’t operate on that premise. They should be doing business with you for who you are and what you promote or sell or offer not where you ONCE volunteered? I’m sure you’ve changed your ways by now and have seen the light. You have conformed have’nt you? PLEASE TELL ME AT LEAST THIS MUCH :O)
I think most people vote for the party and not the candidate; unless they personally know a particular candidate. They just don’t want to admit it as you tend to look smarter and more politically engaged if you say you vote for the local candidate based on his record and your experience dealing with him.
In fact most voters couldn’t name their local candidates if their lives depended on it.
Most MP’s do a pretty good job; no matter which party they belong to; so voting, for for me at least, is based on how my vote can best advance the overall political agenda I want for the country.
If McKenna and Lord were the respective leaders of the LPC and CPC, I would have a very difficult time knowing who to vote for, and I doubt I’d be alone. Both would be great leaders. Lord would transform the CPC more to the PC side, and would be able to win a majority because of it. McKenna has Chretien’s likability factor, and Martin’s fiscal creds. Together they two would heighten the political discourse by light-years from the cesspool we currently have (all thanks to Harper).
When asked about the pepper spray incident, Chretien replied: “Pepper? I put it on my plate.”
Or something like that. Gone are the good ol’ days…
Yeah, the gool old days when Canada was cool, JC openly mused about having a joint, he kept us out of Iraq, and we had some international respect.
Is’t Mckenna like way past his prime- he’s also really disconnected from the grassroots of the party- besides he gave a pass at the leadership opportunity twice– which is enough to discount him for good. He also has too deep of ties to Bay street- I think he would have a hard time harbouring the centre and projecting a balance and brokering the great left/right divide in the big red tent.
As for Lord– isn’t he a failed Premier. Wasn’t he booted out by his people prematurely? I would think when Harper’s days are done– the best prospect waiting in the wings should or ought to be Prentice.
Just my thoughts!
I think that the right-wing of the party is pretty anti-Prentice. Even though he’s from Alberta, I’m sure that Gord views him as damn near a Commie!
Yes but don’t you feel that once the NEW CONSERVATIVES realize that Harper was not able to ever reach his STABLE MAJORITY GOV’t since most Canadians don’t really trust his Nixonian ways— that the party will dump him and they will then opt for someone in the tory old mold and choose a Prentice who is more moderate and sensible and who can appeal to more moderate Canadians?
Houston – I think we have another problem.
Caption:
How dare you disrespect me! I’m Jean Corleone, head of the Librano family.
Lame, even for you Reid
Probably the lowest point in his tenure.
I know his numbers went up after this photo…still thought it was in poor taste and the lack of security was terrible.
Really…where was his security detail?
Really? Mercedes?
Caption: “Kiss me you fool!’
Caption for Chretien photo:
“Alas, poor Yorick—Oh Sh!T!! Wrong Prop!!! Dino!! DIIIIIINNNNNOOOOOO!!!!!”
Here’s one things that really grinds my gears … and don’t get me wrong I am not condoning one side or the other here …
Can you imagine how the blogosphere and the MSM would EXPLODE if Harper man-handled a protester or mocked alleged RCMP violence? Not to mention the increase in the concentration of power in the PMO from 93 through 03 The double standard really annoys me. JC is folksy but SH is a control freak?