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The man vs. the brand

BRIAN LAGHI

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 11:44 AM EST 06/09/08

When he triggers an election Sunday, the Prime Minister will be in the same position as Paul Martin in '04 – vastly more popular than his party. But to win big, he must raise the Tories up and defeat the Liberal brand ...Read the full article

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  1. jamie yavis from Canada writes: Harper with a majority would make Chretien look like a boy scout!

    This guy has some serious issues about what a democracy is vrs a dictatorship, which he seems to favor, but hides behind a veil of advertising saying exactly what he is not!
  2. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    A goodish article.
    Lots to slag.

    I liked, 'Polls confirm at least some of this. The Liberals continue to be seen by fairly large numbers, for example, as best placed to deal with Quebec and national unity, and are ahead on health care and the environment.'

    C'mon.
    Is this liberal bias or what?

    Somebody actually thinks the Liberals are best placed to deal with Quebec?
    They don't have candidates for half the seats.
    Some representation, huh?

    Dion is known as Le Rat there.

    In Quebec City the numbers are:
    CPC 50
    Bloc 20
    LPC 11
    Go, Liberals, go.

    Adscam.

    You can bet that Quebec is hanging on every move of the LPC to see how they are 'best dealt with'.

    Pompous.

    The LPC are going down.
    They're going down hard.

    Start reporting that, Globe.

    Start reporting the truth.
  3. ronin x from oz, Canada writes:
    Yeesh - the 'warm' Harper ads look like the Mayor Tommy Shanks ads from SCTV!

    Really, is that hideous smile the best take you got from that dude?

    Harper's an embarassment to conservatives.
  4. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Harper is the only Prime Minister since Mulroney who has been able to get Quebeckers to vote for a federalist party instead of for a separatist party. Dion was part of the Liberal party when they almost lost Quebec to the separatists. Harper is the only Prime Minister who has been willing to assert Canadian sovereignty over Canada's Arctic lands, since Diefenbaker. Dion will just give away any Canadian advantage in the Arctic to whomever who comes along with a big stick. Dion cannot unite his own party, how could he possibly unite Canada? Dion cannot outmanouver Harper, how could he possibly be a strong figure on the international scene? If Dion were Prime Minister, Canada would again be the laughing stock of the world, having to beg and borrow military equipment even for peace-keeping duties. A great nation such as Canada does not need a loser such as Dion as its leader.
  5. Paul Bowler from Canberra, Australia writes: So, Mr Harper is going to visit Her Excellency on Sunday 'to have the G-G dissolve Parliament'! By what 'right' does Mr Harper presume to act in this way? I hope sincerely that Her Excellency refuses, and reminds Mr Harper that Parliament is bigger, and more important, than he is!! Further, if Mr Harper offers up the lame excuse that 'the current Parliament does not work' (code for 'I cannot get my own way, all the time), I trust the G-G will withdraw his commission as Prime Minister, and invite another Member to form a government and prove him wrong!! If he gets his way then Canadian federal democracy, not the most rubust example of the genre, will be further weakened! Oh Canada indeed!!!
  6. JP M from Canada writes: Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: 'If Dion were Prime Minister, Canada would again be the laughing stock of the world'

    I don't know, Mr. Koning, how much time you've spent abroad, but I have lived half and worked of the last decade abroad (including right now), and have to say that Canada has only come to be seen as inconsequential in the past few years, particularly as policies exposed our current government to be no more than a lapdog for GWB policies. Historically, we have punched above our weight and been regarded as leaders on the international stage, representing a fair, intelligent and unbiased voice from the west, in particular from the Americas. The Harper government has tarnished this sheen, in particular in in China, but also in the Middle East and Europe, where we no longer have much influence or trust.

    It's funny, that with all this talk of 'leadership', no-one is talking about the criterion of great 'leadership'. It would appear to me that given the way its most often evaluated these days in Canada, a few the might qualify as 'GREAT LEADERS' would include Stalin, Mussolini, Mao, Putin... all intelligent, single minded, focussed ideologues, willing to stop at nothing to advance their own interests and agenda. None took kindly to criticism or interference, none suffered failure in their circle, and all went to great lengths to control those around them... Granted, Harper is not nearly at the same level (yet), but the similarities of character and behavioral traits are astonishing....
  7. JP M from Canada writes: Sharpie, just a suggestion, but before crying 'BIAS', you might consider a good long look in the mirror at your own bias beforehand.

    I don't know whether you are a Christian, purport to be one or otherwise, but your rabid defense of all things Conservative would indicate that there's a fair statistical chance that you are. With that in mind (and even if you are not it's a fine little bit of advice), you might consider a very well know and widely quoted biblical passage when reflecting on the above....

    7:3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
    Matthew 7:3-5 RSV
  8. muriel z from Canada writes: Do we really want 4 years of a one man government, thats dictatorship.

    A man who is controlling but blames the 'other guy' when things go wrong.

    Mr nice guy, what a laugh, a leopard doesn't change his spots.
  9. Vivaldo Latoche from Ottawa, Canada writes: Why is it that Mr. Laghi trys to bring back an issue that even Quebecers do not pay attention any more, 'separation'?

    We should focus more on the economy and social security (health care, education and infrastructure, good jobs, etc.) rather than on an issue that belonged to the second part of the 20th century.

    So let's first remind the three political leaders: Harper, Dion and Layton that Canadians want to see what kind of agendas they want to develop in order to have 'peace, order and a good government.'

  10. D R from Canada writes: Michael Sharp, suggest you see your doctor to have that chip on your shoulder removed.
  11. w sykora from Canada writes: Michael Sharp demands that the Globe and Mail start reporting the truth and I say yessir, report the truth about Harper, keep the focus on Harper by all means, all the time.

    It will make it easier for the Liberals to attack Harper's biggest strength, his leadership.

  12. Ed Butts from Guelph, Canada writes: No prime minister of Canada should have the kind of absolute power Harper wants.
  13. muriel z from Canada writes: Harper popular, Where? He's a power hungry, my way or no way, who can't stand anyone who disagrees with him..
  14. muriel z from Canada writes: Michael Sharp; Too Funny every 'goodish article' about Harper is OK, anything positive about Dion is bias.

    Thank God you are not running for parliament. You sound just as power hungry and one track as Harper.
  15. Andrew Hunter from Toronto, Canada writes: The first thing I saw this morning in today's issue was the headline 'The Man vs The Brand.' I find it sadly laughable that you would phrase the Liberal Party in such a way as they are currently in an $8.7 million lawsuit filled against them for stealing, oh sorry, this is Canada and we can't say such a brash a thing... borrowing a company's brand to fit their jumbled Carbon Tax Plan... 'the Green Shift.' How can we even think of voting in a Party that has no idea of how to run itself, let alone the needs and demands of a County. I am not a fan of Prime Minister Harper but the Conservative Party at least seems to be doing a reasonably decent job of governing.
  16. NikolaTesla -the genius who lit the world from Calgary, Canada writes: Harper is not a strong 'leader'. i really wish the media would stop parroting Conservative propaganda.

    Listen we just went through this in the States. They voted for the guy who was the strong 'leader' look where that got them.

    This is nothing but a replay of the 2004 election in the States, wake up Canada.

    GEORGE BUSH WAS ELECTED ON THE IDEA THAT HE WAS THE BEST 'LEADER' - look where that got the US. Lets not fall for the same propaganda that fooled the Americans.
  17. Andrew Hunter from Toronto, Canada writes: Actually George Bush was elected because John Kerry proved that he was incapable of being a leader. In the last US election, the absence of true leadership in the Democratic Party forced the American people to listen to anyone who stepped up to the microphone... and that proved unfortunately to be Bush.
  18. William O'Brien from Wolfville, Canada writes: Stephen Harper has not proven that he deserves a majority government.

    His law breaking arrogance to gain an election victory will be met with every bit of energy I can muster, in this forum and wherever I can make my words heard and read.

    At present he only has 37% of the potential vote. - 63% unite!
  19. A B from Calgary Area, Canada writes: Hot: Don Martin. The political columnist for the National Post and the Calgary Herald has a copy of the so-called Conservative dirty tricks manual or 'Parliamentary Obstruction Document,' a 200-page tome on how to make Parliament dysfunctional.

    The Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors (CAITI), which is angry about the Harper/Flaherty broken promise on income trusts, is offering $10,000 to anyone who will supply them with a copy. A sneaky Liberal recently contacted Mr. Martin with what the Grit thought was a win-win situation. He asked Mr. Martin to give him the manual and he would turn it in to CAITI and collect the reward. He would give Mr. Martin the $10,000 and use the manual against the Tories in the coming campaign. The head of CAITI, Brent Fullard, would also have his copy.

    Yesterday, Mr. Fullard said the offer is good until Sept. 15. Meanwhile, Mr. Martin, an ethical journalist, could not accept the money - so tempting as he just bought a new car.

    Jane Taber is the co-host of CTV's Question Period, broadcast Sunday on CTV across the country.
  20. w sykora from Canada writes: Andrew Hunter, actually this had nothing to do with leadership. John Kerry's sense of honour allowed him to be swift-boated by the Republican sleaze machine. Don't think Obama will allow this to happen this time.
  21. Art Luscombe from Canada writes: Arguably it could be said that it's 'The brand [Conservative] vs. the man [Dion]'. It all depends on how twisted your bias.
  22. David Gibson from Hamilton, Canada writes: Since the Liberals don't actually do what they promised once in government - GST, Free Trade Agreement, etc. - can they be said to have a Hidden Agenda? I mean, they might not know what it is themselves, but it's still hidden, isn't it?
  23. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: I think Don Martin should privy Canadians to the content of the Manual of Dirty tricks that has come into his possession.
    Harper has enough hubris to believe that he is above the (honourable) integrity of the office and his 'anything to win' play is not transparently partisan.
    Easier to pull off in the office of the PMO. Issuing negative announcements of Friday afternoon. Doug Finley, pitbull, to insulate Harper and divert embarrassing questions. Firing top bureaucrats at midnight. Scandals in the news. Couillard.
    Harper is a legend in his own mind.
  24. Skeptical Realist from Canada writes: muriel z from Canada writes: Do we really want 4 years of a one man government, thats dictatorship. A man who is controlling but blames the 'other guy' when things go wrong. Mr nice guy, what a laugh, a leopard doesn't change his spots. ---------------------------------- Sorry Muriel, I need some clarity. Who actually is it that you are talking about. It must be Chretien - right?
  25. Skeptical Realist from Canada writes: As a Canadian, and one capable of forming my own opinion, I am glad that the G&M is not the only national news rag in this country. Today I read the Saturday G&M and the Saturday National Post to ensure that I got a balanced assessment of the upcoming election and the issues that will be in play. It was really quite shocking to see how biased and liberal the G&M has become.
  26. Matthew McGarvey from Ottawa, Canada writes: The big issue is the money and effectiveness of the spin machine. Somehow, after 3 years, Harper can blame the Liberals for every woe still, and come off looking like he's 'leading'. His meeting with Mulroney viz a viz Schreiber stank to high heaven, but my oh my he has such integrity. He's explicitly violating his own law regarding election timing - there can be absolutely no question of it - yet he's for 'law and order'.

    The people who fund the Liberals meanwhile are tightening the purse strings to suffocate Dion, who everyone has to acknowledge does not have whatever it takes (whether he has the personal merits or not) to win at this unseemly game. His optics are terrible and that's what counts. Has anyone heard from the other prominent Liberals? Whither Ignatieff, whither Rae? Even Bob Ciarelli won't jump on this sinking ship. He's the John Turner of the day - intelligent, relatively trustworthy, honest, willing to acknowledge his own flaws, and thus unelectable in the face of a well funded, well oiled slickster. It's 1984 all over again.

    If the Liberals needed a seemingly bland compromise candidate of integrity from Quebec, they should have picked Ken Dryden, who would have become the Bill Davis of the Liberal party. I wish we had a Bill Davis of the Tory party; instead, we have a right wing zealot.

    Meanwhile, the NDP have a strong leader and a lack of issues of any meaning to Canadians; a perfect recipe for splitting the moderate left.

    My prediction, despite how badly I do not want it: hello Harper majority, goodbye Dion, goodbye constitution (both Charter and federalism), we'll have to wait and see how the Red Machine does regrouping over the next 4 years.
  27. Don Adams, the Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: I see they closed the other post after only 364 posts. Guess the Cons were winning the battle of the posters, and G&M editors don't like that :-)
  28. North Star from Canada writes: John MacCain is running on the same thing too: nothing. Harper's warm & fuzzy ads are so insulting to watch that I have to change the channel when they come on.

    Harper cannot be trusted
  29. Glen Garnett from Yarmouth, Canada writes: 'He also said the party remains on the right side of issues that Canadians care most about, such as the environment and health care.'
    _________________________________________________________

    The only way to explain this is that Canadians are purposely misinformed or under informed about these issues. Our health care system needs reforming to bring costs under control. Throwing more money into this black hole is not the solution, we all know that but can't do anything about it. If Harper tried to tackle this issue the MSM would castrate him claiming he's nothing but a Bush loving Republican who wants to remake Canada in Dick Cheney's image. As for the environment how could Dion be a leader in this? When he was the environment minister he did nothing about carbon emissions when people thought man might actually be causing AGW. Now that we've moved into a global cooling phase with research pointing out that carbon is not the cause of climate change, the media refused to report this. Dion, his MSM, and most Liberals in general are a a fairy tale.
  30. Lou Botos from Edmonton, Canada writes: I am surprised that the Globe does not mention that this election's legal status is questioned by some prominent people.
    It is law in this land that elections are held on a fixed date, and that date is NOT 14th of October, 2008.
  31. Trillian Rand from Canada writes: Ed Butts from Guelph, Canada writes: 'No prime minister of Canada should have the kind of absolute power Harper wants.'

    Canadian Prime Ministers already enjoy powers that would make many democratic leaders swoon in envy. While I entirely agree with your sentiment, I would rephrase it slightly to: No Canadian Prime Minister should have they powers now enjoy.

    Virtually every Canadian government has tweaked the system to take more and more powers out of the hands of the bureaucracy, away from independent commissioners and put it into Cabinet. The Cabinet is ruled by the Prime Minister. Every man and woman in Cabinet owes his/her job to the Prime Minister. Any resistance to the PM is token. Think courtiers rather than advisors.

    While we have been cheer leading one party or another, they have been taking as much decision-making power as they can into Cabinet. We are not steps away from a virtual dictatorship, but an actual dictatorship.

    If the Governor General approves Mr Harper's request for an election, despite our fixed-date laws, she will prove her office has become just another Cabinet rubber stamp. We will have lost one of the few remaining checks on government excess. Only the Senate and the Supreme Court will remain. But no federal politician would ever suggest tinkering with them, would he?
  32. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Don Adams: I disagree with you about reason why the closing of the other comment board was needed.
    Where is that Manual of Dirty tricks that Harper came up with? Conservative posters hyjack the name of folks with other views. Vandalism and property damage against LPC supporters in two byelections, now. Law and order party?
    Rein in the testosterone. Anger management classes may help.
  33. Liberals don't know their butt from a hole in the ground, Canada writes: Lou Botos , alright then.

    Why don't you spend the whole campaign yapping about that instead of fighting an election. That will work well, for Canada if not the CrimiLibz.
  34. bob london from Canada writes: Libbs miss their Komie Cretin
  35. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: Matthew McGarvey from Ottawa, Canada writes: 'The people who fund the Liberals meanwhile are tightening the purse strings to suffocate Dion,...' The traditional sources of Liberal funding, big corporate donations and skimming $$$ via kick-backs...are currently both unavailable to the Liberals because of campaign financing rules and losing control of the public purse. Very telling that while the Liberal 'brand' appears to be strong, individual Canadians are not contributing to their coffers very much.

    On your other point...'If the Liberals needed a seemingly bland compromise candidate of integrity from Quebec, they should have picked Ken Dryden, who would have become the Bill Davis of the Liberal party.' BINGO! An idea not often hear...but no doubt the Liberals would be in way better shape today with dry Dryden.
  36. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: ...in fact...it's hard to imagine the Liberals not being in a better position today with anybody but Dion at the helm...er...well OK, maybe not Joe Volpe...although they probably would have better fund raising through kids and the dead.
  37. Liberals are OK ............. If you cook em long enough from Canada writes:
    Old bitty Wilkie - Does your victim support group suggest you vent on these boards to build your self esteem?

    Poor, poor Liberal victims.

    No hope.
  38. David Ho from Markham, Canada writes: Why is it that a majority is seen as a dictatorship? I guess it's just because everyone is afraid of a majority Harper government. I would be satisfied with a Harper minority or a majority because either way, the PM gets things done and that's a lot more than we can ask for from the Liberals.
  39. neil b from edmonton, Canada writes: The lieberals will be attacking PM Harper with character assassination, innuendo and drive by smears because that's all the lieberals are good at.

    Without the lieberal green tax grab scheme the are even more hollow than they appear. The lieberals know how to tap into large sums of money when in power, but seem to be cash poor when their hands are kept away from public money.

    The LPC has held back this country long enough. Vote anybody but LIEBERAL.

    THE LIEBERALS CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH OUR MONEY.
  40. Durward Saar from Canada writes: Harper is bigger than the party but unlike Martin and the Libs we don't hate them for stealing our money or forcing twisted legislation on us.
    It's a whole different ball game.
  41. free thinker (aka penseur libre) from Canada writes: I wish they would stop talking about the left-vote being divided between the NDP, the Liberals and the Greens. The Greens and the Liberals are not left-wing parties. There's is only one left-wing party in this country and it polls at around 20%. If this was 1972, Standfield, Trudeau and Broadbent all stand to the left of Dion, Harper and May. Only Layton remains. I guess the idea of what's progressive has changed in this country. We also would have never elected a guy like Harper not so long ago.
  42. David Lorne from White Rock, Canada writes:

    It's simple: Harper's the Man.
  43. Brian Marto from Toronto, Canada writes: The Libreals will use all sort' of dirty tricks to win this but reality Harper is a good Prime Minister he has worked hard to establish the party but to the road of respectability.
    Dion is not Prime Minister material his party are not fit to be a effective opposition party. The best thing is to have Harper with the Majority and the NDP the leader of the opposition . That would provide a decent balance in Canadian politics.
  44. Glen Garnett from Yarmouth, Canada writes: Free thinker, are you trying to tell us that taxing a non-polluting trace gas like co2, funding drug injection sites, supporting gay 'marriage', just to name a few, are not left wing and would have been supported 30 years ago? Dion is a leftist, Liberal, environmentalist wacko.
  45. Hairy Wrangellian from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: Durward Saar: Oh yes we do, and we hate him for Afghanistan, Iraq, the environment, vote buying, in and out, Cadman, Mulroney-Schreiber, fixed election dates, the economy, accountability, and transparency.

    But you know, this election isn't going to be decided by contributors to this forum, or even Globe & Mail readers. Harper appeals to people that read other papers if they read at all - mostly they watch TV - and they respond to simple messages. Harper speaks first to his core base of support in rural and small urban centres and they want to hear different things than people in larger cities. This formula worked very well for Karl Rove in getting Bush into power, and it's working for Harper. For a good analysis of this, read 'Deer Hunting with Jesus' by Joe Bageant.
  46. Valerie Spentzos from Vancouver, Canada writes: I find it strange to read that the NDP are characterised as having ' a lack of issues of any meaning to Canadians; a perfect recipe for splitting the moderate left.' I had thought that opposing the sending of soldiers to die in Afghanistan, and attempting to save our shrinking environment were issues of paramount importance to Canadians. Silly me! I should have realized that the important things are the way a man speaks,the free government handouts (bribes?) and the effectiveness of appeals to a non-existent moral superiority. Sleazy mail-out attack ads, decimation of our cultural institutions and protection of big business interests at all costs---- are these the appealing characteristics of a ruling party? Not for voters with a shred of intelligence.
  47. Dakota K from Canada writes: This election will financially cripple the Liberal party. Dion hasn't even paid off his leadership debt yet and will most likely be removed from his position before he does. Without corporate kick backs and payoffs, the Liberals will soon be as financially bankrupt as they are morally. Sadly for them, a Conservative majority is probably the best thing that could happen. That way they will have a least four years to try and pay off their ever growing debt before having to go begging for more.

    Is this the kind of group of people that Canadians want running the county? They can't even keep their own house in order let alone manage Canada's economy.

    We need strong leadership. We need Harper!
  48. David Lorne from White Rock, Canada writes:

    Not only is 'Harper the Man'.

    The Liberals don't expect to win.

    I think that indicates that they know 'He's the Man'.
  49. Kyoto........ Here Boy from Calgary, Canada writes: Funny, from the time he was plotting to throw out 'Marbles' Cretien, he was found to be an empty suit who had little to show for other than his ability to hide the actual massive bankrupcy between what he said and what had gotten done.
    He was a total loser before the election, and the public told him so at the voting booths.
    Dion is going to have his jewels handed to him this time around and the Liberal brand will finally be gone from the public scene due to bankrupcy.
    Thank god this disease is finally banished.
  50. Hairy Wrangellian from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: Dakota K: Uh, for all their faults, the Liberals managed to get us out of deficit budgets after the huge deficits of the Mulroney years. Harper's been spending like a drunken sailor in an attempt to buy votes, so in pitching the Conservatives, it might be better to focus on something other than fiscal responsibility.
  51. Glen Garnett from Yarmouth, Canada writes: I have to laugh when I hear that Liberals got us out of federal deficits. Chretien just happened to be governing during the tech stock market boom fueled by Reagan's tax cuts. All Martin did was spend the money flowing in from the GST and the UI surplus.
  52. Dave Little from Southwestern Ont, Canada writes: Why does it take someone from the outside to see what is wrong? Stevie is a snake oil salesman, and fools are falling for it. It seems Paul Bowler knows whats going on, wake up Canada. Do you want a Prime Minister or a Tin Pot Dictator? Your Choice, if you give Stevie another chance, because in the last sitting of the House there were no less than 43 confidence motions, on things that never should have been votes of confidence. Yes he is changing things , but it is not to better our system of democracy. See below ......

    Paul Bowler from Canberra, Australia writes: So, Mr Harper is going to visit Her Excellency on Sunday 'to have the G-G dissolve Parliament'! By what 'right' does Mr Harper presume to act in this way? I hope sincerely that Her Excellency refuses, and reminds Mr Harper that Parliament is bigger, and more important, than he is!! Further, if Mr Harper offers up the lame excuse that 'the current Parliament does not work' (code for 'I cannot get my own way, all the time), I trust the G-G will withdraw his commission as Prime Minister, and invite another Member to form a government and prove him wrong!! If he gets his way then Canadian federal democracy, not the most rubust example of the genre, will be further weakened! Oh Canada indeed!!!

    The important things are the way a man speaks, free government handouts (bribes?) and the effectiveness of appeals to a non-existent moral superiority. Sleazy mail-out attack ads, TV election ads that come out before an election is called, decimation of our cultural institutions and protection of big business interests at all costs---- are these the appealing characteristics of a ruling party?
    Way to go you ship of fools.
  53. Montreal Guy from Montreal, Canada writes: Why do the likes of Hairy Wrangellian omit the fact the Liberal governments ran yearly deficits for years prior to the Mulroney Conservatives being elected? Martin cleaned up a yearly fiscal mess that had long been ignored by both major parties and not the Conservatives alone.

    Given the amount of time Liberals have ruled since the 60s I'd think the bulk of our accumulated deficits is the result of Liberal budgets.
  54. M. Owens from calgary, Canada writes: The Liberal strength lies in the fact that they have bought and paid for votes in the most populous region of Canada (Greater Toronto Area), at the expense of the rest of Canada (ROC).

    The Liberals still suffer from adscam, and in my oppinion, are completely devoid of morals. That said, I supsect the strength they think they have in the Liberal brand, will probably be a detriment outside of the GTA. Their failure to realize this demonstrates their arrogance.
  55. G Chan from Canada writes: >>>

    If change of mind is a sign of leadership weakness,
    then both Mr. Dion and Mr. Harper are guilty.
    i.e. LPC sitting on their hands vs Mr. Harper's calling of election.
    If change of heart is a measure of leadership weakness,
    Mr. Dion is a passionate patriotic Canadian who has not
    waivered in pursuit of better greener Canada.
    Mr. Harper may be a passionate Albertan, but reflecting back to
    his address in Montreal in 1997, even his interest in the far north,
    one questions whether his interest is for Canada or whether
    he is staking claim for oil interests.

    Therefore I ask myself,
    which leader is kinder, more considerate, more thoughtful,
    more sacrificing, more dedicated, more committed patriotic Canadian

    <<<
  56. M. Owens from calgary, Canada writes: G Chan from Canada writes: >>>

    Therefore I ask myself,
    which leader is kinder, more considerate, more thoughtful,
    more sacrificing, more dedicated, more committed patriotic Canadian

    Firstly, Mr. Dion is also a citizen of France, so I wouldn't consider him to be more patriotic. When comparing the two leaders, I don't consider him (Dion) to be more thoughtful or considerate either. Protecting Canada's sovereighty, and resources does NO translate into being an 'evil' person, and their are many more resourses in play in the North other than oil.

    I respect your opinion, but mine is completely the opposite.
  57. Hairy Wrangellian from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: Liberals don't know: From Wikipedia on Mulroney's economic record:

    'The worldwide recession of the early 1990s further exacerbated the government's financial situation. His inability to improve the government's finances, as well as his use of tax increases to deal with it was a major factor in alienating the western conservative portion of his power base. Canada also suffered from the 'Made in Canada Recession', in which the Bank of Canada experimented with a zero inflation policy. With Mulroney's permission, the Bank of Canada raised interest rates, exacerbating the hardship experienced by Canadians. The Bank of Canada was the only central bank in the industrialized world to attempt to reach zero inflation and the experiment was an abject failure, which saw many ordinary people lose their jobs. Annual budget deficits ballooned to record levels, reaching $42 billion in his last year of office; this sent the national debt towards dangerous standards, further weakening the Canadian dollar and damaging Canada's international credit ratings.'
  58. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Two reasons why Dion will be demolished at the polls. As leader of the opposition he spoke out against each Government bill in the house, and then turned around to sit on his hands when it was time to vote, following which he manipulated the Liberal appointed Senate to delay the legislation and frustrate the will of the elected representatives, all so he, Dion, could have more time to pay off his leadership campaign debts. Dion cloaked this self-serving dealing by saying: 'Canadians are not ready for an election' when in fact it was he, Dion who was protecting his own financial interests. A second reason is that Dion was all set to transfer billions of Canadian dollars to China, India and Russia under the Kyoto scheme, and when Chretien and Martin finally figured that out, they delayed Canada's implementation of Kyoto so it could not happen. Now Dion wants to implement the same 'Tax the haves' Marxist philosophy by transferring energy generated dollars from oil and gas rich provinces to the other provinces, without having any goals for reducing pollution and Green House Gas. Just as Canadians rejected the Kyoto international welfare scheme, they will reject the national Green Shaft welfare scheme. Dion's hidden agenda is to apply his Marxist nanny-state philosophy to Canada, it's a dog that won't hunt.
  59. muriel z from Canada writes: Why is it, that the comments from the people who spout repetitive rhetoric, taken from the conservative party literature, but with no facts to back up their statements, have those weird and vulgar names?.
    Are they afraid their neighbours and co workers will recognize them.
  60. Randy McClure from Canada writes: Day one of election: Michael Ignatief holds up a copy of Stepehn Harper's 200 page manual on how to deliberately disrupt parliamentary committees and asks why Harper hates parliament enough to break his own election law. He holds up the statement of claim from Elections Canada alledging the Conservatives cheated in the last election by overspending their advertising limits and trying to hide this by shuffling money in and out of local ridings, illegally. He holds up a document from the government urging the US to lower their meat packing standards -- the ones that failed us on Listeriosis The agenda isn't even hidden -- it's right out in the open. Then Bob Rae e holds up a picture of Judy W. and Jack Layton and asks why they destroyed universal daycare by helping the conservatives in the last election and supporting the republican party's approach to global warming (autosector and oil sector unions, anyone?) and how their deluded sense of grandeur will help elect another Conservative government. Then Ralph Goodale reminds us that Harper is a control freak because the conservative party is full of incompetent Mike Harris henchmen who have insulted doctors, ontarians, trading partners, the $41 billion arts industry, fired nuclear safety watchdogs, embarassed us on the world stage and wiped out surpluses to take us back into deficit by cutting taxes and increasing spending, just like George Bush. Just think about who makes up the conservative party base. Do you really have anything in common with a grouchy old guy from Red Deer who wants to bring back the noose, throw homosexuals in jail, and scrap the charter of rights and freedoms? Because that's your typical Reform party voter and they are in control of the conservative party, right now.
  61. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    What people reject is the neo-conservative brand.

    That's what Harper, Kenney, Van Loan, Day, and the majority of the new CPC represent.

    If the Jim Prentices of Canada's conservative party held the sway, they'd have a lot more support.

    Including mine.

    As long as the reactionary, right-wing, evangelical branch of the party is in charge - the part that stresses division, hatred, and elitism, they will continue to struggle.
  62. Glen Garnett from Yarmouth, Canada writes: Ricky the Centrist just what are these 'reactionary, right-wing, evangelical' policies that are being shoved down your throat? Seems to me that tax cuts, defense spending, and law and order bills are typical conservative principles.
  63. Dakota K from Canada writes: The Liberal desperation to get their hands back into the public cookie jar is reaching a fanatical level. The lies and fear mongering is rampant.

    I guess the bill collectors must be hounding them already. I pity the bank that lends these crooks money for their campaign.

    How much longer will Dion take to repay his debts? Is he hoping to receive a few stuffed envelopes soon?
  64. G Chan from Canada writes: >>>

    M. Owens from calgary, Canada writes:
    'Firstly, Mr. Dion is also a citizen of France, so I wouldn't consider him to be more patriotic.'
    With due respect sir, I am born, bred, passionate Canadian.
    My wife is a land immigrant but no less dedicated.
    My daughter carries dual citizenship, but no less Canadian.
    Dual citizenship is a reality of CanadianMosaic and a PRIVILEGE.

    I did not say Mr. Dion was more patriotic than Mr. Harper.
    What I do appreciate is his role in the Clarity Act which probably
    is a contributing factor in loss of support from his home province.

    Of Mr. Harper regarding his address of 1997,
    I wish to comment that there are things we should hold in sacred trust.
    One is respect for our parents, we should not be disrespectful even in jest.
    Another is our country and its citizens.

    <<<
  65. David Griffith from NS, Canada writes: Polls confirm at least some of this. The Liberals continue to be seen by fairly large numbers, for example, as best placed to deal with Quebec and national unity, and are ahead on health care and the environment.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    What a load of Liberal bias! Not to mention completely dishonest ( but this IS the G&M, so...). Consider:
    1. Dion is known as a rat in Quebec. He is reviled in his home province.
    2. Liberals are in disarray in Quebec.
    3. The stink of Sponsorship still wafts on the winds in Quebec.
    4. Quebecers have always voted strong, decisive leaders, and not wimpy, hapless geeks like Dion.

    The Liberals will be decimated in Quebec. That alone will give the Tories, and Canada, the majority that is so badly needed to raise Canada to its fullest potential in the world. Despite what the G&M, CBC and company do, Canadians know what needs to be done. Evict the Liberals from any position of authority. They will do this in October. Already bought a nice bottle of bubbly to celebrate. The Liberal fear in these threads is becoming palpable. Great sport. :-)
  66. ray helmowitz from New Jersey, United States writes: Live in NJ, born and breed American but with a beautiful canadian wife and family all over Canada I have a keen interest in the politics and soical dynamic there as well as here--From reading the posts today I can confidently say that a liberal is a liberal is a liberal no matter their area code or postal code-liberals everywhere live n the world of theory, never in the world of practice, never in reality--whatever imagined social and political injustices you internationally invent; and it's the same tired old nonsense, the standard cries of the imending doom, the trampling of the down-trodden, the manufactured fears for individual rights, the GASP, possible association with, DOUBLE GASP---George W. Bush and the evil neo-con, right wing, evangelical maniacs--It makes us laught here and I'm sure it makes right thinking people there laugh, hard, as well-Why do you think Bush won twice, why do you think McCain is going to win easily, you listen to the Hollywood, quich eating, latte sippers here and you'd think the wonder boy community organizer from Hawaii is a lock to win, the reality is, news flash, he HAS NO CHANCE of winning, NONE--mark it down libs, and try not to let your tears run on the ink, Mc Cain is a GUARNTEE to be the next president just as Harper is a GUARANTEE there as well as a Conservative majority; drink that down with your tofu and tea--oh, and if you want a good, solid, full-fledged totally useles and dangerous socialist to lead your country, take Obama, he's all yours, he's going to need something to do, perhaps he and Hillary and your libs can have a nice tea party, how wonderful!!!
  67. ray helmowitz from New Jersey, United States writes: --To in parrticular JP M, Nikola Tesla and W Sykora who in triplicate display an alarming lack of undersatanding of American politics, a few points that, brace yourselves, may not coincide with the liberal old, tired talking points on President Bush and why Kerry lost a) initially, let me be the first to break the horrible news to you but Obama had absolutely no chance whatsoever to win this election, forget any polls, forget Hollywood, forget the NY Slimes, and MBC, CNN and any other comdey outlet you favor; just as with GWB, the silent majority would not vote for a community organizing, 1 1/2 term state senator from the most corrupt political machine state in this country, jsut as you heard Clooney, Madonna, Springsteen louder than the voters the last 8 years,this time you wil hear them ever louder, you'l be able to go to slep early on Nov 4th, Obama has no chance, none b) In case you have missed while making the planet greener and protesting against your own troops, we are winning the war, and, oh, by the way, have not been attacked in those 8 years, not even byt that 'small country Iran who are not a threat', thanks Barack, we'll all rest easy now! c)John Kerry HAD NO HONOR to lose-he should be prosecuted for war crimes basedupon his own testimony, which he ivented, before he did not invent it, or was that the war he voted for before he voted against it, or was it the botox injections he had before he never had them, or, ah, forget it--he was and is a seditionist who is despised by every veteran to ever a millitary uniform, that same uniform that has and will keep North America safe, despite itself Were you and your ilk to stick to oh, say pottery, perhaps lanyard making, growing organic veggies--come on, put on a black mask, lay down in a busy road with a sign protesting something or other, get arrested, peacefully of course, smear blood on a conservative, take in a caribou, use recycled toilet tissue, and leave the world to those who live in it
  68. Glen Garnett from Yarmouth, Canada writes: Cheers ray helmowitz. Good to hear some common sense from our friends down south. I'm a Canadian living in Nova Scotia that went to University in Ames, Iowa during Reagan's presedency. I consider him to be the best President of my lifetime and a true conservative icon. Here's hoping that Palin can rejuvenate conservatives across North America.
  69. John Lemay from Burns Lake, Canada writes: Why does the GG have to call an election. If the PM cannot work with the opposition and have his Ministers consult and find consensus with them, then the GG should not consent to an election. Rather the GG should invite the Liberals to form a majority coalition with other members of the opposition first. If that cannot be done or fails, then an election should be called.
    I personally feel that there should be no other election than every 4 years. The political games of minority governments would be diminished and they would be forced to work with the opposition.

    I can remember back in the late 50s early 60s the news commentators saying that the only way to have a vote of non-confidence was on matters of finance.
  70. D. MacKay from Atlantic, Canada writes:

    Anyone remember the last election?

    Everyday a new Harper announcement. Not only the Liberals couldn't keep up but the media didn't know how to react. I suspect more of the same.

    October 15th

    Conservatives --- 168 seats
    NDP ---- 64 seats
    Liberals ---- 51 seats
    Bloc --- 25 seats
    Greenies --- not this time
  71. M Warren from Ottawa, Canada writes: There has been no 'no confidence' vote to attest to the will of Parliament.

    Nothing in C-16 indicates that it only was intended to work only in a 'majority' government situation. The law is the law.

    The GG is not above the law. Thus, she may have no choice but to refer the impact of this law to the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the byelections would occur...and...as Parliament stands... that could create a workable coalition, should the Bloc agree to refrain from confidence motions.

    Check the numbers:

    CPC 127, Liberal 95, Bloc 50, NDP 30, Ind 4, VACANT 3...

    That Means, Lib NDP 3 independent or newly elected IS GREATER THAN the CPC Total, assuming BQ abstain.

    The GG may allow Dion to try to form a government. In fact, it is one of her first duties to ensure, as far as possible, the stability of Parliament presently constituted.

    There is precedence. Google GG Viscount Byng, 1925.
  72. Hairy Wrangellian from Saltspring Island, Canada writes: ray helmowitz from New Jersey: Thanks for taking time out of the game or Nascar or whatever you were watching to write; it's good to hear the point of view of an average right-wing American, particularly one that can read and write.

    I must say, it is a big disappointment to hear that Obama is going to lose. I really did think that he'd be good for America, but what does this latte-drinking, tofu-eating liberal Canadian know, eh? Hey, I was amazed when the Chimp got in for another four years.

    But I do have just a couple of questions:

    1. You guys are bankrupt - how are you going to afford another four years of fiscal Conservatism?

    2. Supposing McCain drops dead of a heart attack during one of his temper tantrums, or god forbid, some disgruntled Iraq War vet knocks him off, does this actually mean that Palin is going to be the leader of the free world?! Like, are you okay with that? Should I be worried?

    Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this. My latte's done and the tofu for dinner is almost ready, so I'll let you get back to your Budweiser and fried pork rinds, or whatever you're having for dinner.

    And oh yeah, we'd be happy to take Obama - our notoriously lax immigration policy has no problems with a black guy with a Muslim name. And if by some weird fluke Harper doesn't win in our election, do you think that George might have a bed for him down in Crawford? Steve has a cool cowboy outfit and I'm sure he'll fit right in.

    And one more thing, if the wife gets tired of the trailer park, we'd be happy to take her and all of the kids back anytime.
  73. David Lorne from White Rock, Canada writes:
    Harper's my guy.
  74. Andre Poirier from Canada writes: The juxtaposition of Ray from NJ and HArry from Salt Spring really underscores the reduction in respect for fellow humans that has come to characterize the political process.

    This morning I heard a commercial of one party basically twisting around another party's platform and ridiculing it.

    How mature is that? I encourage all of you posters voters and politicians, to grow up. As a society, it is time to move to an age where truth is more important than spin, where solutions are more important than colour of ideology, or who is in power, and where the diverse angles of diverse humans are respected. Respect means for all people. None of these people being ridiculed are deserving of it, they are not criminals, they have not committed acts that are deserving of ridicule. They are simply having the courage to voice their proposals and offering them for discussion.

    If ridicule of the other party is the essence of your campaign, and the people elect you, then we have a childish society. Perhaps this is our current condition in history, shall we prolong it by encouraging it? ... or shall we cut it out ... and grow up ... and together address the pressing needs of humankind.
  75. Diane Tilley from Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada writes: I agree with David Smith that trust is an issue with Mr. Harper. He has been handing money out like lolipops recently as a bribe and I find his warm and fuzzy ads to be offensive. He has created a dictatorship within the government. Permission should not be granted by the GG to go to the polls now. He should be made to wait till next year - for the fixed election date. diane tilley

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