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Layton, Duceppe defend Dion over interview

STEVEN CHASE and GLORIA GALLOWAY AND JANE TABER

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:45 PM EST 10/10/08

NDP and Bloc Quebecois Leaders weigh in on Dion's TV stumble; Harper stands by criticism ...Read the full article

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  1. North Star from Canada writes: Harper's only skill is attacking others, puts him back in his comfort zone.
  2. Stan L from Canada writes: in his NCC days Mr. Harper said.....'First, facts about Canada. Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it. Canadians make no connection between the fact that they are a Northern European welfare state and the fact that we have very low economic growth, a standard of living substantially lower than yours, a massive brain drain of young professionals to your country, and double the unemployment rate of the United States.'........he understood the question and still came up with this, one can only hope he plagarized.
  3. Rick Santos from Canada writes: I'm sick of attacking politicians. The main reason I am voting ABC is because Harper is a bully and attacks everyone. That's not who I want as our PM.
  4. Rick C from Calgary, Canada writes: This isn't t-ball.

    Dion has spent considerable time trying to scare Canadians that Harper would try to bring back the death penalty of all things.

    Dion has taken several low blows at Harper.

    The question was not confusing. Especially given that Dion has spent the last few days saying Harper hasn't taken the proper action.

    Well then Dion what would you have done? That's the question.

    Of course the answer is there is nothing Dion or Harper could do about the TSX dropping.

    Dion's response though was to start in about his 30/50 plan.

    The Green Shaft of course being the revenue souce for that plan.

    Ooops wrong plan. Supposed to be talking about his 30 day 'plan'.

    All those meetings.

    If this was actually a crisis don't you think you could squeeze 3 meetings in during a week?

    Imagine how embarrassing this would have been if Dion was being interviewed by foreign press?
  5. arthur heale from Ottawa, Canada writes: I watched the interview. Dion was clearly confused about the time period that he was being asked about. 'If you were the PM today...?' implies that he must also have been the PM for the last 2.5 years. He ended up answering the question as if it was 'If you won the election today...?' The problem he had was not with English or hearing, it was with logic. It is illogical to ask someone who is trying to become the PM effective next Monday a hypothetical that assumes that he was the PM 'today'. Logically, this assumes that he either won the election 'today', which is the basis of Dion's eventual answer, or it assumes that he has also been the PM for 2.5 years, which is what he sought to clarify. It does not logically follow that Dion should know he is to pretend that he miraculously became PM absent an election, and five days before the vote, never having been the PM before. The question was 'not well thought out.' The resulting confusion is excusable. The more disturbing aspect is the fact that CTV clearly used this to create the news. There is no sign in the clip of exhaustion on the part of Dion - the allegation by CTV is an utter fabrication, not supported by anything other than the negative effects on Dion of the possibly limited intellectual capacity of the journalist in question. Dion also clearly assumed that there would be no issue with starting again - that the first part would not be aired as it does not contain an actual answer to the question. I would be interested to see the rest of the interview - does Dion confuse anything else, or was the only part of the interview where he was confused, and CTV is using this to aid the Conservatives? I have had the pleasure of dining with Mr Duffy. He used to be better than this.
  6. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    I am NO Dion fan, but what happened yesterday was completely and 100% unethical and uncalled for, and begs the question of what our media has become...and I hate to say it, but the recent swing to 'tabloid' reporting by several outlets, this paper VERY included, is extremely concerning.

    I don't blame the CTV Atlantic 'news-reader' and 'asker-of-questions.' It is impossible for him to have made the decisions to run with the Dion outakes.

    The question becomes, WHO exactly made the decision and WHY? Any news about that?

    On another thread, my own thoughts were the media has done an horrific job with this election. What happened to Health Care? What happened to a deep debate on Afghanistan? Besides the Dion debacle of a Carbon TAX that was a complete loser, where was the all important debate on the Environment and how to move forward?

    What we had was media parroting the leaders words (Dion slams Harper-Harper slams Dion...BS) Minimal analysis, minimal in-depth issue reporting. Juvenile questions to the leaders ( If you were a vegetable, what would you be?)

    That being said, and with respect, I still don't believe Dion is the right man for these times.
    .
  7. arthur heale from Ottawa, Canada writes: Oh...yes, I know the election is Tuesday!
  8. The Sentinel from Canada writes: “For Mr. Harper to do his first press conference not about, not about our pensions and our economic problems, but to try again to attack me in a low-blow way said a lot about him and nothing about me,&8221; Mr. Dion said.

    Mr. Pot (Dion), meet Mr. Kettle (Harper). Talk about being holier-than-thou, good grief!
  9. Fa Chili from SW ONTARIO, writes: It is a simple question. He has no problems hearing or understanding during the debates. The real problem is he did and does not know how he would deal with the economy or crisis. All he can repeat is the same 30 days plan if he is elected. At one point I heard he sid 30-50 plan.
    Again the opposition leaders are using this as a language issue. IT IS NOT. No answer..NO PLAN period.
  10. Mr X from Canada writes: North Star from Canada writes: Harper's only skill is attacking others, puts him back in his comfort zone.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Then how do explain the Liberals BUSHHARPER.COM website.

    Looks to me like all parties play this game.
  11. The Sentinel from Canada writes: Rick C from Calgary, Canada writes:

    'Imagine how embarrassing this would have been if Dion was being interviewed by foreign press?'

    Especially if it was a live interview. Canada would look like a three-ring circus & we would look like a bunch of clowns.
  12. The Sentinel from Canada writes: Mr X from Canada writes:

    'Then how do explain the Liberals BUSHHARPER.COM website.'

    They can't because they are hypocrites.
  13. Dennis sinneD from Calgary, Canada writes:

    Of course they're defending him... they don't want a Conservative majority. Simple really... they're not 'speaking from their hearts'.
  14. Mr X from Canada writes: arthur heale from Ottawa, Canada writes: ...I would be interested to see the rest of the interview - does Dion confuse anything else, or was the only part of the interview where he was confused, and CTV is using this to aid the Conservatives? I have had the pleasure of dining with Mr Duffy. He used to be better than this.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Perhaps the CTV was kind enough to show us the REAL unscripted Stephan Dion.
  15. Mr X from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: If you were a vegetable, what would you be?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Dion: Two and a half years ago or if I was elected? Can I answer that question again?
  16. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: Mega-spin from both sides on Dion's blunder. Bottom line...the clip makes him look scatterbrained. If you're a partisan Liberal, you'll vote Liberal despite this gaff. If you've already decided not to vote Liberal this will just reinforce your decision.

    I happened to be at a friend's house last night when this aired on Mike Duffy. The couple are very non-political and haven't followed the Canadian election at all up until this point. The guy's wife's comment when she saw the clip? 'What an idiot! What party is he with?'

    No doubt Dion's gaff has not gained him any votes (except for perhaps a few votes out of pity if you bought the laughable hearing impediment spin.) Most likely it has cost his party some support.
  17. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Poor little guy.
    Poor little fella.

    It's hard to imagine leading a country where 70% of the people speak a different language than you.

    Poor little guy.
  18. The Sentinel from Canada writes: Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes:

    'Mega-spin from both sides on Dion's blunder.'

    I agree. What really gets to me is the opposition parties act like Harper is the only one taking cheap shots. It is perfectly reasonable to expect the opposition to attack the governing party but they should not act like they are as pure as the driven snow.
  19. Derek Holtom from swan river (only cowards attack others using fake names), Canada writes: people will watch and decide for themselves
  20. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Ooooh.
    Harper is taking cheap shots.
    Ooooh.

    Those Harper-Bush banner ads that were running on the Globe on every page you opened?

    Those were the height of intellectualism?

    Oooooh.
    Harper is a bully.

    ...Dion choked.
    That's the story.
  21. Skeptical Realist from Canada writes: What a bunch of unmitigated hypocrites. Dion and Layton are like two spoiled children that think they can say and do anything they want without possibility of recrimination. Great article today in another paper. I would recommend it to all: ------------ http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=871656
  22. Joe Cool from Canada writes: Of course they defend Dion, they are in bed with him
    Both Layton and Duceppe have visions of forming a coalition with the Liberals and the last thing they want is a surge by the Conservatives.

    Whatever Harper's motives I would rather have an hardnosed, mean spirited but competent PM like Chretien and Harper than a bumbler like Joe Clarke and Dion.

    Dion has been calling Harper a liar at evrry one of his meetings and even at the Leader's debate and now he's crying foul. He likes to dish it out but can't take it
  23. Skeptical Realist from Canada writes: Joe Cool from Canada writes: I would rather have an hardnosed, mean spirited but competent PM like Chretien and Harper than a bumbler like Joe Clarke and Dion. ================= Wow, good observation. Hadn't thought of this association before.
  24. Colin Dwyer from Kingston, Canada writes: So, I'm assuming there's never been a 'restart' with Harper? He's never once had a problem with a question, especially one asked in a language other than his first? Again, why was this aired?
  25. NikolaTesla -the genius who lit the world from Calgary, Canada writes: As pointed out in previous posts the disturbing aspect of this is the actions of CTV and Mike Duffy. A slippery slope?

    An equally disturbing aspect is the continued assault on reason and logic by the Conservatives and the Media.

    When did logic and reason become so unpopular?
  26. Norman Ouston from Armstrong BC, Canada writes:
    Low blow? Cheap shots?

    Who is it calling Mr. Harper a LIAR every day of the campaign.

    Who is it says Mr. Harper is out of touch.

    Hey DeYawn, what goes around comes back to kick you in the part of yer person you don't want to talk about.

    Har Har. Dion. You be a dummy and thats that.
  27. active reader from canada, Canada writes: HUGE BREAKING NEWS!! The Cadman tape HAS NOT been doctored!

    The FBI have reported the tape has not been doctored and that Harper and his lawyers KNEW it....and FURTHERMORE that they tried to keep this out of the public domain until NEXT WEEK...AFTER the election!!

    so...he has no case...and it looks like he knew very well a deal was made and that he agreed to it all.....which is breakng the law.

    IF YOU NEEDED ANY MORE REASON TO NOT FOR FOR HARPER....YOU JUST GOT IT!

    The perverbial sh*t is about to hit the fan for Harper!!

    NICE ENDORSEMENT GLOBE AND MAIL!
  28. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Dion, don't be a cry baby - politics is a dirty game. And don't cry when you have been taking cheap shots yourself.
  29. Robert Wood from Toronto, writes: This shows the mental acuity and decency of the Globe's choice for P.M. I was undecided prior to this. I have decided now and what I have decided is my own business. You may like a classless bully who uselessly frittered away our financial defense fund for photo-ops dropping the GST in an auto show-room. We didn't even need it then you goofs. Boy could we use that money now. It got me thinking Cadman? Income Trusts? Fixed elections? Puffin poop? Culture cuts? A control-freak with zero talent in his muzzled cabinet. I don't share these values. I also have a subscription to the Globe but I was fortunate that the financial part of your paper is equally clueless. I sold all my stock prior to the crash. You know when your paper says it is not the time to panic - I can be 100% certain that it is time to do so. Is there any part of your paper other than the weekend 'Books' section that has a non-fiction portion? When I was a boy I used to deliver the Globe. I should have fired them all down the sewer. But then I was just a boy I am saving my Globes now so that I will have toilet paper later when I can't afford to buy it. Freedom 95!
  30. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: NikolaTesla -the genius who lit the world from Calgary, Canada writes:

    'An equally disturbing aspect is the continued assault on reason and logic by the Conservatives and the Media.'

    And Dion & Layton saying the economy is going to hell in a handbasket for political purposes is not an assault on reason & logic?
  31. Chris Sigurdson from Canada writes: The most cogent point is Layton's statement that Harper should be focusing these extra press conferences on the current Bank crisis- not on Dion.
    Mike Duffy shame on you and this despicable example of Yellow journalism.
    Shame on Harper, too. This will hurt him in his achilles heel...Quebec.
    Maybe even Ontario.
  32. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Chris Sigurdson from Canada writes:

    'The most cogent point is Layton's statement that Harper should be focusing these extra press conferences on the current Bank crisis- not on Dion.'

    Two points:
    1. Layton is focusing on the 'Bank crisis' for his own political gain & not for the good of Canada. Politically, it may be a smart move but lets not pretend Jack is doing it for any other reason.
    2. Harper should be focusing on Dion - he is the closest in the polls. Lets not pretend Harper should take the high road when he is being attacked at every turn.
  33. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: What, really, does one expect of Mike Duffy after his tasteless comment to Margaret Trudeau on Parliament Hill? No wonder Don Newman just won the journalism award that Mr. Duffy didn't - Mr. Newman has class and dignity; Mr. Duffy is, well....
  34. J. Hangdog from Canada writes: I'm with Arthur Heal (post at 5:48 pm) on this one. Sure, Dion could have handled the question more ably but his initial confusion about time-frame was understandable because the question was poorly worded: the verb tense was off. Duffy asks him 'If you were Prime Minister 'now* what would you *have done* about the economy...?' (Did Duffy mean to ask: 'If you were PM now what would you *do* about the economy...?') Because 'would have done' is in the past tense, it's reasonable enough for Dion to ask for clarification: What would I have done since when? 'If I had been Prime Minster two and half years ago?' To which Duffy (not answering Dion's question and making things no clearer) says: 'If you were the Prime Minister right now...' So yeah Dion then gets thrown off... And after the first false start: 'If you were Prime Minster now what would you have *already* done...? Already? 'Since when?' Dion asks. 'Two days? Two weeks?' and so on... getting tripped up in mutual misunderstanding. Ultimately Dion answers the question well. For CTV to 'make news' of this lapse of communication --in which Duffy's unclear questioning played a role, and for Harper to pounce on it-- is sensationalist and petty. (And what's the journalistic protocol for false starts in taped interviews? anyway, bigger issues afoot....
  35. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: J. Hangdog from Canada,

    Mike Duffy was not doing the interview - it was a local reporter on CTV Atlantic. Also, the question was repeated a number of times & it was explained to Dion by another person.

    Bottom line - he dropped the ball.
  36. Leon Wood from Otsu, Japan writes: Analysis from a language professional (myself, who teaches non-native speakers to communicate in English):

    Second Conditional, for present or future unreal hypothesizing:
    'If I were American, I would vote for Obama.'

    Third Conditional, for past hypothesizing:
    'If I had been born rich, I would have gone to Harvard.'

    Mr. Duffy's question mixes present and past in the question. It's not clear what he means. Mr Dion employed a checking and confirming strategy: he repeated the part that wasn't clear. Furthermore, MR. DION'S grammar was correct!

    Mr. Duffy botched the clarification so Mr. Dion was still confused as to whether the question was past or present.

    It could be said that Mr. Dion needs to improve his ability to detect contextual cues. It is certainly true that Mr. Duffy should pay me to help him work on his English!
  37. Peter Wojnar from Hamilton, Canada writes:

    >>Layton, Duceppe defend Dion over interview

    Well of course.

    They would only be critical if it were Harper in the interview.
  38. Michael Crowell from Halifax, Canada writes: Just watch Cretien talking. The guy is an idiot! Where is our money Jean?
  39. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Leon Wood from Otsu, Japan,

    Mike Duffy was not doing the interview - it was a local reporter on CTV Atlantic. Watch the video again:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xbs7wXvh2Q
  40. active reader from canada, Canada writes: This HUGE Cadman tape news is going to be PLASTERED all over the weekend paper and media...a lot of people are going to sit down and read this and at the thanksgiving evening dinner table they are not just going to eat roasted turkey....they are going to be talking about one too.

    harper is going down!

    vote liberal.

    NICE ENDORSEMENT GLOBE AND MAIL!
  41. Rabidsenses > from Good gawd, a latte-swilling Westerner, Canada writes:

    None of this defence matters from the other parties save for one thing:

    ---> Duceppe's comment on Harper's inconsideration of how those in French speak in English, and the reinforcement of a double standard, WILL speak to Quebecers.

    Duceppe knows how to play the game well.
    Pequistes invented it for him.

    Duceppe has scored another goal against the CPC in Quebec.
    So this is not a defence but only self-fulfilling.
    What did you expect?

    And he will utilize it ad nauseam.
  42. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Rabidsenses > from Good gawd, a latte-swilling Westerner, Canada,

    I agree - Duceppe will milk it for all it is worth. What this article failed to report is what Duceppe added afterward. He said something like:

    'The question was not the problem, he (Dion) understood the question. The problem was the substance'.
  43. 1 2 from Canada writes: Let's see if he delays his plane tonight to speak to the Cadman affair . . .
  44. J. Hangdog from Canada writes: Sy Borg:

    Thanks for the clarification re Duffy.

    And yeah, I agree there were moments, sooner, when Dion could have picked up the ball and run with it --and wonder whether he would have had the interview been 'live'.

    But his requests for clarification were logical given the wording of the question. (And after his aide explained/translated the question, he did find his groove...)

    Still the questioning was flawed and confusing --and given, especially, that the interviewer was partially responsible for the 'false starts', the stuff should have never made air.

    cheap journalism
  45. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    active reader from canada, Canada writes: This HUGE Cadman tape news is going to be PLASTERED all over the weekend paper and media...
    ----
    Do you know when the ADSCAM trials are starting for the recovery of $ 49,000,000,000? They were supposed to start last month! Do you also know why the ADSCAM RCMP investigation is ongoing?

    Absolutely sure that 'Cadman' will be the topic of conversation during Thanksgiving dinner.... 'It's the economy stupid!' Ever heard that statement before? Reference Bill Clinton..

    Perhaps the 24% who will vote Liberal will make this a major chatting topic, but the 76% of other Canadians couldn't care less...
    .
  46. 1 2 from Canada writes: Perhaps the 24% who will vote Liberal will make this a major chatting topic, but the 76% of other Canadians couldn't care less...

    --------------

    Au contraire . . .
  47. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: J. Hangdog from Canada,

    If it was repeated once or twice - ok. But 3 ? Its also hard to think of how many ways you can rephrase: 'If you were the PM, what would you have done over the past 2 & a half years'.

    New Bottom line - (it looks like) he dropped the ball (even if he really did not understand the question).
  48. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: J. Hangdog from Canada,

    Sorry, that should say 'But 3 plus?'
  49. don medideth from Canada writes: I am a Paul Martin lib and no fan of Harper but for the love of god is it so unreasonable to expect that Mr. Dionne could understand a basic question in English if he is our Prime Minister?

    'What would you do if you were Prime Minister'? Good Lord.

    Layton and Duceppe are just trolling for votes in Quebec. When you actually watch the video it is astounding how unprepared Dionne is to be Prime Minister.

    Astounding.
  50. Rick Smith from Canada writes: I was going to vote Liberal but Dion mumbles and stumbles about something as serious as the economy and at the end of the botched interview he acts like a snot nosed juvenile. Now I feel so embarrassed that I stood by the Liberals because after all of Dion's attacks against his opponents I find out he is way worse than what he's trying to paint others as! By acting like he has he has exposed himself as a liar and a fool! I'm voting for mister Harper now that I found what a good job he has done by creating the economical atmosphere that allowed our banking system to become number one in the world!
  51. J. Hangdog from Canada writes:
    The third 'false start' wasn't the result of confusion. It was because Dion started laughing after he said 'Thanks you, Steve.' Watch the vid!

    (And for the interviewer to suggest in the preamble that this third false start was also a result of lack of comprehension --for him to even call it a false start-- was a bit disingenuous.)

    Again, once Dion got going he was articulate
  52. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: IMHO, if the same thing happened to Harper speaking French, the opposition parties would be on him like a rash.
  53. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Watching Primetime Politics on CPAC I was surprised by the number of callers that were NOT upset that he had no answer, they were upset because he does not have a good command of the English language.
  54. neil b from edmonton, Canada writes: Hockey players must know how to skate. Mechanics must know how an engine works. Politicians must know how to communicate, it's necessary to express their thoughts and opinions.

    Poor Dion.....doesn't communicate effectively.

    Dion would be a risk on the world stage. Not to mention somewhat of an embarrassment. The default world language is English. Dion does not articulate the English language well at all. I am not poking fun at Dion, I am stating fact.

    Dion and Layton will form a coalition in order to implement the GREEN SHIFT TAX GRAB SCHEME and the CANCELLATION OF TAX INCENTIVES for the job producers in Canada. Many people will suffer under this far left coalition and this country will go into a recession under the REGIME OF DION AND LAYTON.

    People, don't get taken in by the innuendo, smears and lies of the left wing activists. These coalition zealots have put the WELL BEING OF CANADA at risk just for seizing POWER alone. These people don't have a plan. Unless you consider 30 days of meetings Dion is proposing while the world economic crisis deepens.

    This country is at the cross roads of it's very existence. It's best to stay with the people who have kept this world crisis to a mere ripple here in Canada while other counties are on the brink of bankruptcy. Harper is doing a good job in a calm, coherent fashion. I'll vote for him.
  55. Gregory Alan Elliott from Toronto, Canada writes: It is just more silly election games being played. But since I still care how Canada is going to fare in the near and distant future, I'm still voting for Harper's Conservatives. The world as we all know it is changing drastically, and unfortunately it is during an election; it is not a good time to be running about like idiots. Vote for Harper and his team.
  56. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: neil b from edmonton, Canada writes:

    'Hockey players must know how to skate. Mechanics must know how an engine works. Politicians must know how to communicate, it's necessary to express their thoughts and opinions.'

    Good point. Love him or hate him, Chretien has a heavy accent speaking English but he can communicate clearly.
  57. J. Hangdog from Canada writes: Neil B

    'These coalition zealots have put the WELL BEING OF CANADA at risk just for seizing POWER alone.'

    --

    a bit of projection, there, Neil?

    If Dion were interesting in 'seizing power alone' he would have never foregrounded --against the advise of his own inner circle-- the Green Shift. Give him credit, at least, for believing in it.

    Now for crude opportunism, you can't get anymore conniving than Harper. This entire election is occurring now because his back room smelled a possible majority, and so Harper violated (the spirit of) his own election law before in an attempt to run before

    the in and out hearing
    'the economic downturn
    the cuillard book
    the cadman affair revelations (which his lawyers attempted to block)

    to say nothing of
    millions in pre-election (taxpayer funded) election advertising...
  58. neil b from edmonton, Canada writes: The godfather of ADSCAM spoke tonight on Dion's behalf. Did Chretien say where the $40,000,000.00 that went missing under his watch go to?

    Dion has strange views of what could help or hinder him at this late stage of the election. The good old boys together again, led by the leader of the crew. All those bad memories of the liberal party resurfacing again.
  59. M. MacDonald from Halifax, Canada writes: Mr. Harper has no class. He has run the most mean-spirited campaign and does not deserve to be prime minister. 'Professor Dion?' Give me a break! Furthermore, all of this detracts from the real issues. Mr. Dion is likely the most intelligent, thoughtful person running for prime minister this time around, and this is coming from someone who intends to support the NDP.
  60. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: IMHO, pulling out Chretien is a very risky move. Good to shore up the party faithful but will the general public associate him with a sound economy or AdScam?
    - In Quebec: AdScam
    - Elsewhere: ???
  61. Wilma Guywin from Allover Canada, Canada writes: Mike........ Just Mike from Canada writes: Scum bag harper is sure a class act. Nice that the globe is backing this creep. Good showing.

    Look middle management in the government must speak and understand english most of the business of the world is done in English. Why should we lower the standard for Dion. It had nothing to do with his understanding or his hearing. He had no answer. Period.
  62. J. Hangdog from Canada writes: Wima:

    Did you see the entire interview? (or only the bloopers?)

    Once the confusion over the confusing qustion was cleared up, he had a solid answer.
  63. Compos Mentis from Toronto, Canada writes: One can only chuckle and smile at those who portray Mr. Harper as mean spirited and nasty for picking on poor Mr. Dion who just can't seem to get it right. One of the biggest detractors, pointed out by every media type I've read, has been Mr. Dion's lacklustre communications ability with the English language. The fact that he was unable to answer a simple question, and it was a simple question, speaks volumes about this problem. For Mr. Harper to turn around and point this out is hardly unfair, we are after all engaged in an election. Besides anyone who watched the debates saw all of the other party leaders gang up collectively to roundly criticise Mr. Harper because of his perceived personality issues!
  64. Brian C from Canada writes: The interviewer asked the same question in different ways trying to get an answer to his question, and Dion still refuses to answer it.

    Canadians are dying to know what Dion would be doing today that Harper hasn't.

    We're waiting.....
  65. neil b from edmonton, Canada writes: M Mac....I didn't realize this election is about who can generate the most fuzzy warm feelings. Aw shucks, Dion is a really, really, really good guy. Won't you all give him a free pass? Just because he doesn't know how to run a country means nothing. Dion is a really, really, really good guy....Aw shucks....and the other really,really nice guy Layton will tell Dion what to do if he gets stuck after they form their coalition....Aw shucks...

    I want Harper and Flaherty to continue to keep my butt out of the fire during this world economic meltdown...So far they are succeeding.
  66. Brian C from Canada writes:
    To J. Hangdog who writes: 'Wima:

    Did you see the entire interview? (or only the bloopers?)

    Once the confusion over the confusing qustion was cleared up, he had a solid answer. '

    You mean his standard 'I plan to get someone to give me a plan' line? Are you for real?
  67. Wilma Guywin from Allover Canada, Canada writes: M. MacDonald from Halifax, Canada writes: Mr. Harper has no class. He has run the most mean-spirited campaign and does not deserve to be prime minister. 'Professor Dion?' Give me a break!

    This is an election campaign for the most important job in the country during a global crisis. Dion showed how he reacts under pressure. Compare that one on one interview in a quiet studio to the debate with dion, duceppe, may & layton all yelling and Harper never lost his cool. Dion does not function well with out a script or teleprompter. That does not mean he is not intelligent or a nice guy it just means he should not be prime minister of Canada.
  68. Brian C from Canada writes:
    Dion's such a great leader, that all the former Liberals are coming out of the woodwork to help him win this election.

    And yet never has the LPC had so little support from the electorate.

    Go figure.

    The LPC is so broke, they won't be able to afford the convention to get rid of him after this election.

    B-bye LPC.
  69. Mike . from Toronto, Canada writes: I have been losing my hearing for the last 5 years. Often I struggle to hear what is being said. I sometimes look confused.
    I am offended by Mr. Harper. When he makes fun of people who have a challenge then he is making fun of all who are not perfect.
  70. Tim Carter from Toronto, Canada writes: Listen to the hypocrites!

    'I'm not voting for Harper because he only attacks everyone!'

    Compared to Dion!?! Compared to Layton!?! 'Mr Harper is lying again... Mr Harper has no vision for the future...' Et cetera.

    Hypocrites.

    Meanwhile, Canada is the only G8 Nation not reeling from this subprime lending fiasco. But NO, Harper doesn't know what he's doing...
  71. A W from Canada writes: Who cares!!! All politicians make so-called 'low' blows at some point in a election campaign...It's part of the job. (or game if you prefer)

    It's our job to sort through all the crap that is fed us and make some sort of decision based on it all. Personally I don't take any 'personal attacks' into acct. I try to look at the party as whole and their track record and which election promise they might keep out of the 100's they say they will do...

    Take it all with a grain of salt.
  72. Wilma Guywin from Allover Canada, Canada writes: Mike . from Toronto, Canada writes: I have been losing my hearing for the last 5 years. Often I struggle to hear what is being said. I sometimes look confused.
    I am offended by Mr. Harper. When he makes fun of people who have a challenge then he is making fun of all who are not perfect

    The problem is with that excuse Dion has already stated he could not hear in a noisy room like at a cocktail party. He explained this to the press early on in the campaign. He was in a totally quiet studio with a one on one conversation. So don't be offended.
  73. Stephen Harper's Ignorant Tories from Canada writes: Harper attacks, hoping we won't notice his lies like the one exposed by his own expert who says the tape was unaltered. He doesn't appear confused on that tape because he's quite skilled at lying. Unlike Dion, he doesn't even bother trying to answer questions truthfully.
  74. Elaine T from Canada writes: Most of our world's leaders converse and understand English. Observing Mr. Dion's real struggle with a simple concept should give all Canadians pause before making their decision on voting day.
  75. Jessie Legaree from Canada writes: What absolute crap.

    Did anyone watch the leaders debates? Harper has accept A LOT of attacking.

    Dion just makes it too easy. Harper wasn't attacking his comprehension. He was doing the exact same thing as Layton and Duceppe, recognizing that his fumbling was a reflection of his lack of substance. Dion had the question explained and still couldn't answer?! COME ON.
  76. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: I watched the second part of the interview,

    Brand New Update - He does not have a clue & ducks the question. He never answers what he WOULD have done in Harper's shoes - same old Green Shift shtick! And remeber, he did f-all for 13 years on the environment. Do you really want Dion looking after the economy & representing Canada on the world stage? Dion is terrible!

    Watch it for yourself:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslkxaWbiLo&feature=related
  77. Jessie Legaree from Canada writes: oh and what is Dion's plan?? That's right... to make a plan AFTER becoming Prime Minister. He wants to consult the sources that the Conservatives have, so gee do you think that perhaps after consulting those sources he will be calling for the same plan?
  78. Stephen Harper's Ignorant Tories from Canada writes: Harper did a do-over in the infamous tape where he basically admits bribing Cadman. There was a portion of the tape that was recorded over, most likely because his feeble attempts to explain it away were so pathetic that Zytaruk took pity on him and recorded over it.

    Interviewees always are given chances to go over things again. It was not a live interview but pre-taped. He was told he could start again and the flase starts wouldn't be shown. That would be normal. But the pro-Conservative CTVglobemedia (which did that interview and endorsed Harper in this paper) showed no honour in releasing material.

    CTVglobemedia has lost all credibility.
  79. janfromthe bruce from Canada writes: I like the fact that both Layton and duceppe took the high road - that's called diplomacy which shows good character. It's ok to be critical of policies but not personal attributes. Thus the New Democratic Leader - Layton and Bloc leader - Duceppe - SHOWED CLASS. That's what I want to see in a leader.
  80. Dave S from Victoria, Canada writes: It's hard to believe that a paid interviewer could have such a poor command of English. What he meant to say was 'if you had been PM of Canada, what would you have done....' What he asked was: 'if you were PM of Canada...' in other words suppose you've just been made PM right now - given this, the remainder of his question simply didn't make sense. And then the interviewer shows off his incompetence by not correcting the question - just repeating the error, and then goes back on his word -dishonest - by broadcasting the thing, perhaps not realizing how bad he's making himself look - add on his tiresome pomposity and I think it'd be best if he worked in some other job that requires a good voice.
  81. max stelmacker from Canada writes: 'If I were in the Liberal shoes today ...'

    Size 9 David Emerson shoes any day of the week Mr. Harper and as much as don't you just know it, you just won't say it.
  82. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Stephen Harper's Ignorant Tories from Canada,

    I'm sorry but if you want Dion leading our country you are nuts! He is making it up as he's going along 'I have the plan, they have no plan, but I have the plan!' blah blah blah. Its a simple question & he ducked it because he has no idea.
  83. Libearno Gang started with Suicide Bombing advices in TorStar - just compare CCC s.59 Sedition from Toronto, Canada writes:
    Was Mr. Angelo Persichilli, writing for Toronto Star,
    http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/491830

    inciting Liberals to assassinate PM
    or
    was he reflecting on their desperation???

    Considering how desperate Liberals are these days ...

    quote:

    'If you are weaker than the opponent and are forced to go to war, you resort to the weapons you have. You don't attack the bridge with Stealth bombers you don't own;

    you resort to suicide bombers against the strongest link in the enemy's 'chain' hoping for the best.

    .... Conservatives don't have 'Roman guards,' as the Liberals called those around former prime minister Jean Chrétien, to protect Harper.
    If Conservatives don't devise a mechanism to protect him from the Liberal suicide bombers, the next election will be the most unpredictable we have had in the last few decades.'

    Taken literally it sounds like an inticement to assassination of Prime Minister of Canada
    and that in turn
    sounds like Sedition punishable Under Criminal Code of Canada.

    URL: http://www.canlii.org/ca/sta/c-46/sec59.html

    Criminal Code
    PART II: OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER
    Sedition
    Seditious words
    59. (1) Seditious words are words that express a seditious intention.

    Seditious libel
    (2) A seditious libel is a libel that expresses a seditious intention.

    Seditious conspiracy
    (3) A seditious conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to carry out a seditious intention.

    Seditious intention
    (4) Without limiting the generality of the meaning of the expression “seditious intention”, every one shall be presumed to have a seditious intention who
    (a) teaches or advocates, or
    (b) publishes or circulates any writing that advocates,

    the use, without the authority of law, of force as a means of accomplishing a governmental change within Canada.
    R.S., c. C-34, s. 60.
  84. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Dave S from Victoria, Canada,

    The interviewer is not running to be PM, Dion is!
  85. Connect the dots: Dion's 'hearing' problems requires psychiatric intervention from Toronto, Canada writes:
    What is both most ironic and indicative of the totally blinded masses, being brainwashed with Neo Fascist PET, Charter, post-Charter SocEng for 25 yrs of Liberano Gang,
    there are REAL disabilities/unfitness here:

    1)

    http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/495304

    Hearing disability cause of Dion's bad English
    Les Whittington, Sep 08, 2008, OTTAWA BUREAU

    SAINT-LAMBERT, Que.- Liberal leader Stéphane Dion disclosed today that his fractured English is the result of a hearing problem.
    'I have a difficulty to isolate sounds,' he told ...
    'If I am at a cocktail party and everybody speaks at the same time, I will have difficulty. And it may affect my ability, then, to catch the music of the beautiful language of English [sic! ].'

    He said he didn't know the name of the problem [?!?!?]...
    'It's the case that I hear everything when the sound is isolated but when it's confused with other sound, then it's completely confused. My mother had the same problem.'
    Dion told reporters he didn't like to talk about it. ... '

    -----------
    However, while Dion 'didn't know the name of the problem', an expert analysis on the net DID:
    '... This hearing 'impairment' is quite common among people suffering from ... '

    ... see next post ...
  86. Mrs. T from Chilliwack, Canada writes: It may be that CTV is letting Dion do to Dion what CBC is doing to Harper.

    The bad part is, that our taxes are paying for one of those networks.
  87. If you're voting Liberal, you must be drunk from Canada writes:
    Have a good laugh before you hit the hay tonight.

    Watch the buffoon one more time.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xbs7wXvh2Q
  88. Connect the dots: Dion's 'hearing' problems requires psychiatric intervention from Toronto, Canada writes:
    ... continued from 10/10/08 at 11:40 PM ...
    However, while Dion 'didn't know the name of the problem', an expert analysis on the net DID:
    '... Dion's hearing problem cannot be cured by the use of a hearing aid. His hearing problem lies much deeper in his brain structures. Dion's hearing problem is not so much that he cannot hear what is being said as it is that his brain filters what he hears.

    Dion never had a hearing problem when he was a part of Liberano Gang in charge of Canadian government as nobody dared to offer him negative feedback.

    This hearing 'impairment' is quite common among people suffering from personality disorders (especially Narcissistic Personality Disorder). Dion's fragile ego cannot tolerate information that could potentially make him feel bad about himself. That being the case his self defence mechanism kicks in and all negative input that he hears gets filtered out before it reaches parts of the brains determining emotional meaning of the message.

    There is very simple test to determine if that is the case; try to ...

    Ever since Liberanos were driven into opposition he is bombarded with negative messages. Since his ego cannot cope with negativity his selective inattention (selective hearing) kicks in so often these days that he is almost deaf for all practical purposes.

    http://britta.ca/

    Retraining the Manipulative Child
    November 6th, 2007

    MANIPULATIVE COMMUNICATION PATTERNS & RETRAINING KEYWORDS for CHILDREN

    ... Selective In-attention: KEYWORDS: “Playing Deaf & Dumb” ...
    . . .
  89. steve mcdee from Canada writes: arthur heale from Ottawa, Canada writes: 'I watched the interview. Dion was clearly confused about the time period that he was being asked about. 'If you were the PM today...?' implies that he must also have been the PM for the last 2.5 years. He ended up answering the question as if it was 'If you won the election today...?' The problem he had was not with English or hearing, it was with logic. It is illogical to ask someone who is trying to become the PM effective next Monday a hypothetical that assumes that he was the PM 'today'. Logically, this assumes that he either won the election 'today', which is the basis of Dion's eventual answer, or it assumes that he has also been the PM for 2.5 years, which is what he sought to clarify. It does not logically follow that Dion should know he is to pretend that he miraculously became PM absent an election, and five days before the vote, never having been the PM before. The question was 'not well thought out.' The resulting confusion is excusable. The more disturbing aspect is the fact that CTV clearly used this to create the news. There is no sign in the clip of exhaustion on the part of Dion - the allegation by CTV is an utter fabrication, not supported by anything other than the negative effects on Dion of the possibly limited intellectual capacity of the journalist in question. Dion also clearly assumed that there would be no issue with starting again - that the first part would not be aired as it does not contain an actual answer to the question. I would be interested to see the rest of the interview - does Dion confuse anything else, or was the only part of the interview where he was confused, and CTV is using this to aid the Conservatives?' I had to sign up to offer my congratulations on a very well-written comment. Shame on CTV for showing this clip, and Harper for trying to mislead the public, as usual. Who says we have a 'Liberal media' in this country? Red Herring anyone?
  90. Connect the dots: Dion's 'hearing' problems requires psychiatric intervention from Toronto, Canada writes:
    ... continued from 10/10/08 at 11:40, 11:42 PM ...

    2) http://en.chatelaine.com/english/life/article.jsp?content=20070416_160841_4712&page=5

    The Krieber factor, By Sally Armstrong

    ... But there was a missing element in their carefully planned life – children.
    When they discovered that they couldn't have a child of their own, they went to Peru and adopted ...
    While Dion did the legwork – staying in Peru for months at a time to fulfill adoption requirements – Krieber stayed in Montreal and ultimately organized their marriage [?!?!], which had never been part of their plan but became a necessary convenience [?!?!] for . . .
    . . . She could have kept the job she loves and already misses but says,
    'If you knew Stéphane, you'd know that couldn't happen.
    It's impossible.
    He's colour-blind. You don't leave him in a house alone    .'

    It's comments like this that have backroom Liberals shaking their heads.
    Says one,
    'Many suspect she controls him.
    She reads his briefing notes.
    He takes her advice and brings it back to staffers.
    She's the one people need to go to in order to get to him.
    Who are people reporting to?    '
    ...
  91. max stelmacker from Canada writes: What I would have countered if I were Dion is to ask right back: since when? When did Martin, Chretien,Mulroney,Trudeau ever grab a podium to invade our living rooms to fill us in on all the brown rub marks of our economy? Doesn't the media do that job well enough already?

    Hit them back Dion. Tell them straight up if the media presents a problem of public perception related to speech that you will promise to work on it but I for one, do not expect to vote for a PM to be front and center day in and day out piped into my tv news like a media spectacle similar to GWB and his Bushisms. I just don't see it happening. There are far more important issues to focus on and I hope the rest of Canada agrees wholeheartdly. During election time, they all get a lot of face time but once elected, we all go back to work and forget about them and I am confident Dion can do the job and excel if elected as PM.

    Obviously Mr Dion has great intellectual prowess, maybe this is why he gets hung up on trying to relate to man on the street type questions. Hes not easy to dumb down.

    And who started this business of saying : 'well, LOOK...'? Barack Obama did and there is Mr. Harper stealing it and using it all the time.

    Harper, did you want to be Prime Minister Mr Harper or rule Australia and Ontario, too? Like a modern day Lex Luthor the man is.
  92. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Liberals,

    You made the mistake of picking Dion as YOUR leader. Don't take it out on us!

    Choose anybody but Dion! I don't care who.