Questions: Who’s the “front group” now?

 

As y’all know, Big Oil – and their Reformatory fart-catchers in Ottawa – have been braying and screeching about “foreigners” and “front groups” in respect of the big and dirty Oil Sands pipeline.  The Harper regime, in particular, has been apoplectic about these shadowy “front groups” who oppose the pipeline.  Lots and lots of money is being spent to demonize opponents to the plan.

Here’s an example.  Take a listen to the voice on the “Our Decision” ad, and the crap about “front groups,” here.

Hear that voice?  Now, listen to this Conservative Party attack ad, the infamous one about how Michael Ignatieff “didn’t come back for you,” found here.

Question one: It’s the same guy, ain’t it?

Seems the aptly-named Wurstlin Group did both, and used the same actor.  So, as the irrepressible BCL discovered, the fact is that the Conservative Party is the cabal using “front groups,” quote unquote.  (And see BCL’s report on last night’s section 13 debate, which I couldn’t attend because I was at Son Two’s hockey game.)

Anyway, question two:  Are the Cons bald-faced, lying hypocrites who are full of horseshit?

Well, you know the answer to that one already.

 


In today’s Sun: Grit good news and bad

But for beleaguered Grits, there’s good news, too — and it’s big, big news. On Tuesday morning, the best-known Liberal in Quebec, Denis Coderre, pulled off a massive coup: He helped lure a Quebec NDP MP to cross to the Liberals. St. Maurice MP Lise St. Denis abandoned Team Orange to join Team Rouge — and it is a huge blow to the NDP, whose popularity has been slipping in Quebec.
For years, St. Denis’ riding belonged to Jean Chretien.

The 71-year-old parliamentarian said she left the Dippers because she was unhappy with their approaches to defence policy, public-private partnerships and the Senate.

For Bob Rae, the news couldn’t have come at a better time. And for Coderre, it solidifies his position as the federalist King of Quebec. “In Quebec, Coderre’s an organizational master,” former MP Paul Zed marveled.
“And he never gives up. He’s again shown why Conservatives fear him in Quebec.”

So, as Grits gather, the good news outweighs the bad for the once-mighty Liberal Party. For them, 2012 is already looking better than 2011.


Suggested political party floor-crossing talking points

The NDP’s epically-dumb response presser now done, here’s what they should’ve said instead:

  • We very much regret that [BLANK] chose to cross the floor.
  • We’re sorry to see him/her go.  But we wish them the very best.
  • [If pressed on the need for a by-election]  It is true that [BLANK] was elected under the banner of our party.  We believe he/she should ratify his/her decision with the voters of [BLANK].  Under our system of government, however, there is no legal requirement that he/she do so.
  • So, those of us elected as [BLANK] Members of Parliament will continue to work hard for the people who elected us.  And, again, we wish [BLANK] well in his/her future endeavours.
  • Thank you.