Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Layton/Harper Transcript

Much confusion about this meeting between Harper and Layton. I've secured a tape of the phone conversations that led up to this meeting today, which should clear things up:

Harper: Hi Jack.

Layton: Hi Stephen

Harper: I just checked my call history and saw this number but no message.

Layton: Hmmm, wasn't me. One of our staff was messing with the phones earlier, maybe he inadvertently dialed your number.

Harper: Oh okay, just checking.

Layton: Cheers, see you on the campaign trail, or maybe not.

Hang up. Five minutes later.

Harper: Hi Jack.

Layton: Stephen.

Harper: When I called earlier about that call you didn't make, you said "maybe not" about an election. What did you mean?

Layton: I don't recall saying that, we're ready to go and "turf you guys".

Harper: Oh okay, I must have misunderstood. We're ready too, but we don't want an election.

Layton: We're so ready, the coffers are full. You guys are a scourge that needs to be replaced.

Harper: Okay, if that's how you feel.

Hang up. Three minutes later.

Layton: Hi Stephen

Harper: Jack

Layton: Just curious, when you say you don't want an election, what do you mean?

Harper: Well we're ready, I can smell a majority to be frank.

Layton: Oh okay, because you know nobody wants an election, even though we're roaring to go anytime.

Harper: I keep saying that, nobody wants an election.

Layton: Well hey, since we agree on that, maybe we should meet.

Harper: Meet? Oh, is that why you called earlier?

Layton: I didn't call.

Harper: Yes, your staffer. And, I only called because I thought I missed your call. Anyways.

Layton: You know, we need to "make parliament work".

Harper: We do you know we do.

Layton: Okay, let's get together to see if we can find some common ground.

Harper: Okay, you call me later to set up a time.

Layton: Why don't you call me when it's convenient.

Harper: Okay, I'll wait to hear from you.

Layton: Looking forward to your call.

Hang up.

I couldn't get the final conversation, but they must have worked out the details.

17 comments:

Greg said...

Are you going to give us an update? Was there nefarious dealings afoot? Are Liberals still the only party to prop up the Conservatives? The suspense is killing me.

Steve V said...

"Are Liberals still the only party to prop up the Conservatives?"

Yes, Liberals are the only reason we haven't had 79 more elections the last three years, if that's what you mean. People kill me sometimes.

RuralSandi said...

Jack: Steve, I'll be waiting at my kitchen table for your call - let's see what we can work out as an NDP/Tory family.

Anonymous said...

"Yes, Liberals are the only reason we haven't had 79 more elections the last three years, if that's what you mean. People kill me sometimes."

Ignatieff could be prime minister--running the country right now--if he had been willing to share power with the NDP. It's as if you've completely forgotten that fact.

Anonymous said...

Anon - it was DION, not Ignatieff. Duh!

Steve V said...

"It's as if you've completely forgotten that fact."

No I remember. Thank god Ignatieff had some common sense.

DL said...

So now, It's "common sense" to let the Tories continue their misrule for another year? Harper must think that with "enemies" like Ignatieff - who needs friends!

Greg said...

Yes, Liberals are the only reason we haven't had 79 more elections the last three years, if that's what you mean. People kill me sometimes.

Steve, if I didn't know better, I would say you are trying to have it both ways.

Steve V said...

DL

I don't want to rehash. Suffice it to say, if we had more seats, I'd have felt differently.

Greg

As opposed to thinking they have it all??

Greg said...

Can you just answer me why voting to prevent an election 79 times is a national service, but an unsubstantiated rumor that the NDP will prevent an election once, is a national disgrace? Seems a bit odd to me.

Steve V said...

Greg

It's a response to this nonsensical scoring chart we hear from the NDP. Taken to it's logical conclusion, it means if the NDP actually had any say whatsoever, we would have had 79 elections. Then the question becomes, is that really want Canadians want? I'm fine with just dropping the whole argument, but PLEASE spare me this sanctimony coming from a party that's sole motive seems to be leaving the Libs as the only ones to weigh serious options. Saying you've voted 79 times is really a testament to your irrelevance. What happened all those times? Oh, that's right, nothing.

Steve V said...

"that the NDP will prevent an election once, is a national disgrace? Seems a bit odd to me."

Oh, and it would be nice if I actually said that, as opposed to you just throwing out your own suppositions.

Greg said...

Oh, and it would be nice if I actually said that, as opposed to you just throwing out your own suppositions.

But the point is, it is highly, highly unlikely to happen. I won't say it's impossible, because nothing is impossible. The moon might fall into the pacific ocean tomorrow, too. That is also possible, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. What you have to ask yourself, which party is more likely to vote with the government, the one that has done so for three years or the one that has never done so?

Now, the answer may be that neither will support the Tories(and believe me that is what I am hoping for), but the more likely answer is the Liberal Party will back down, because it has a history of doing so.

Steve V said...

Greg

You seem to be having a conversation with yourself.

As for whether the Libs would be more likely, well no shit man, their votes actually decide if we go or not. The NDP can just vote before they read, hardly a nobility.

DL said...

The NDP can decide whether we go to the polls or not as well. In every single vote over the last two years, the NDP had the option of voting confidence in Harper and don't kid yourself, if the Liberals thought for one second that the NDP's resolve to vote down the Harper government was weakening - they would instantly start voting non-confidence over and over and trying to do what opposition parties are supposed to do - OPPOSE!

Greg said...

As for whether the Libs would be more likely, well no shit man, their votes actually decide if we go or not.

Well, that is not quite true, and it contradicts all the fuss you Liberals have been making all day, I will let it go.

Steve V said...

"Well, that is not quite true, and it contradicts all the fuss you Liberals have been making all day, I will let it go."

If you say so.