tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post4893132189883751555..comments2023-10-22T09:18:16.885-04:00Comments on Far and Wide: ShrewdSteve Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-79060112758790069902011-03-08T18:47:57.808-05:002011-03-08T18:47:57.808-05:00On WK, when he was working for Mr. Ignatieff and a...On WK, when he was working for Mr. Ignatieff and a bad poll came out he either ignored it or pooh-poohed its significance.<br /><br />Now that he does not work for Mr. Ignatieff he makes a big deal of them.<br /><br />We are seeing the same thing with regard to the polling of Ontario voters regarding the McGuinty Liberals. He works for them so any bad news poll is not really a problem in his opinion.<br /><br />Why is this?<br /><br />It could be that when he is working for someone he is the loyal operative who will spin anything to the advantage of his employer. However, when he is not working for them he is more objective.<br /><br />Conversely, he could be someone who uses his formidable political skill against those who he believes have slighted him or his employers.<br /><br />Which is it? Only WK really knows.<br /><br />As for the non-confidence motion I agree with Steve. It is shrewd.<br /><br />At the very least it sends a clear signal to the political and chattering classes in this country that the Liberals are ready for an election.<br /><br />At most it causes an election to be called on an issue more advantageous to the Liberals.<br /><br />And somewhere in the middle it puts Jack Layton into a bind. He could finesse voting for a budget that throws him a bone but it would be much harder to vote against a motion that condemns the Conservatives as crooked.<br /><br />If the Liberals really want to make his life difficult they could borrow from the non-confidence motion he tabled in 2005 that lead to the 2006 election. Throwing his own words back to him would be poetic justice really.ottlibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12695135535019042279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-60435275972410973862011-03-08T11:13:57.600-05:002011-03-08T11:13:57.600-05:00Making an immature and unprofessional public comme...Making an immature and unprofessional public comment about crack addiction in regards to what the LPC might or might not do in regards to their political strategy is lowbrow and quite frankly embarrassing. I don't care what Kinsella's CV reflects, on the outside looking in is the best place for this legendary wings earner.Omarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12058734544373976550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-53663847925482750612011-03-07T22:11:27.881-05:002011-03-07T22:11:27.881-05:00In case anyone is interested.
http://www.liberal...In case anyone is interested. <br /><br />http://www.liberal.ca/open/CKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10762523064802036223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-30329834331662970302011-03-07T20:41:05.327-05:002011-03-07T20:41:05.327-05:00Wow - Kinsella haters.
How many winning election ...Wow - Kinsella haters.<br /><br />How many winning election campaigns have those who commented run?<br /><br />Oh, none. He's earned his wings guys. If he says it's nuts then in my view it is.Sean Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01550744638377851070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-63254432861143595832011-03-07T20:24:38.324-05:002011-03-07T20:24:38.324-05:00I must say that I'm on the fense with this one...I must say that I'm on the fense with this one. <br /><br />My initial reaction was "He crazy..."(Ignatieff), but then, after some thought, again, the Bloc and the NDP have to go along with this. I definitely see the Bloc joining the Liberals on this--they want an election ASAP, preferably as close to Pauline Marois's leadership review of the Parti-Quebecois come April 15. <br /><br />I'm not so sure of the NDP, given Layton's health these days. I don't care how his spin doctors spin this, it will be a long a painful recovery. I'm speaking from my mother's own experience with hip surgery not that long ago and she didn't have cancer or other health issues to deal with. It's a long and often painful recovery--good days and bad days. And she was only 58 at the time of her surgery. Only sayin' that Layton's health will play a large role in what happens in the near future. <br /><br />Also, other than Layton's sudden need for a referendum on banning the senate, have we really heard a lot of noise coming from that corner lately, regarding in and out, Jason Kenney and his letterhead and of course, Bev Oda ^Not??<br /><br />I'm wondering if Ignatieff had this in mind? Yanno, making himself look like he's taking Harper to task, knowing that the odds of Harper surviving this particular confidence vote would be pretty good? <br /><br />Just a theory.CKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10762523064802036223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-88960102834475188352011-03-07T18:22:56.540-05:002011-03-07T18:22:56.540-05:00We've already done the "whimper" rou...We've already done the "whimper" route, and that didn't exactly go well. Imagine us supporting another budget, how can Iggy differentiate himself when he's propping these guys up?Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-78956070539850615352011-03-07T17:59:21.431-05:002011-03-07T17:59:21.431-05:00I think you're right Steve and even if Dippers...I think you're right Steve and even if Dippers happen to be trapped in a traffic jam & can't make a vote that night. The drama of "do we have an election?" may get folks attention & question WTF is up & perhaps reconsider why they would support the present PM; Mr K notwithstanding. Some of the oily shine will come off the present PM just before a budget vote, making Dipper support less likely. Heck, I think PET said "better that Canada go out with a bang rather than a whimper".JimmEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03703715618040666970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-31971909093578509252011-03-07T17:06:41.188-05:002011-03-07T17:06:41.188-05:00Ummm, Warren does know a thing or two about a thin...Ummm, Warren does know a thing or two about a thing or two... I think you always have to consider the opinion of those who have actually "been there".<br /><br />I think where the divide occurs, some think we aren't in shape to win, while others think we'll never be in shape, so what's the difference. Hard to argue with the "saner heads" crowd, but I firmly believe we are in a static situation, so timing is now irrelevant. Just my opinion, wiser and smarter people are free to disagree, but that's my calculus.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-14715896316710644422011-03-07T17:05:35.237-05:002011-03-07T17:05:35.237-05:00In Warren's defense, his blogged position on I...In Warren's defense, his blogged position on Ignatieff is that he wasn't happy with the way some of his friends were treated when they were dumped from communications.<br />From my perspective they were worth keeping. Whatever means might have been employed.Jerry Pragerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09054428435443042500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-473925775300063752011-03-07T17:03:00.214-05:002011-03-07T17:03:00.214-05:00But you have to beat Harper by going deep on the d...But you have to beat Harper by going deep on the democracy issue, and that includes joining the revolution that start in Madison Wisconsin against corporatism.Jerry Pragerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09054428435443042500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-6756127167611608332011-03-07T17:00:33.505-05:002011-03-07T17:00:33.505-05:00As for Warren Kinsella, he is a liberal corporatis...As for Warren Kinsella, he is a liberal corporatist, and supports a coalition only because Chretien does, his own municipal habits are to trash democrats and elevate conservatives like John Tory and right wing opportunists like Rocco Rossi, he loves QMI and other right wing mouth pieces, and his blog during the Dion election, when not sulking over Chretien and Martin, was entirely negative; he has been deadly silent on G20 because he works for McGuinty.<br />Basically he's a right wing anarchist, a Jesuit-trained punk, who seems to hold very few genuinely liberal philosophical points of view, his views on Israel are almost as shallow as Harper's; however entertaining he can sometimes be, I think of him as a corporatist court jester, pretending to bite the hand that feeds him.Jerry Pragerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09054428435443042500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-7173103560008822882011-03-07T16:49:57.773-05:002011-03-07T16:49:57.773-05:00"Further, it's no secret that Kinsella do..."Further, it's no secret that Kinsella doesn't like Ignatieff that much."<br /><br />If you look at Ignatieff's popularity ratings neither does anyone else. I'm not sure the point of a Liberal generated election. To easy to spin it into "power for the sake of power".<br />Besides, outside of Quebec the Conservatives are polling at like what 46 percent?<br />The Liberal Party needs to take a long look at policy before they go anywhere...Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00409532493819715587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-45822687050412892682011-03-07T16:28:02.972-05:002011-03-07T16:28:02.972-05:00Further, it's no secret that Kinsella doesn...Further, it's no secret that Kinsella doesn't like Ignatieff that much. So I don't think Iggy's team should take advice from him.Tof KWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756310841374198056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-19079628118483793242011-03-07T16:26:24.294-05:002011-03-07T16:26:24.294-05:00I'm with Omar, Kinsella's way over-rated. ...I'm with Omar, Kinsella's way over-rated. Now if he would have lead Dion's campaign to a minority victory in '08, then I'd consider him a master.Tof KWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756310841374198056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-64567357573793542722011-03-07T16:11:04.023-05:002011-03-07T16:11:04.023-05:00Who the fuck cares what Warren Kinsella thinks? I ...Who the fuck cares what Warren Kinsella thinks? I certainly don't. This self-professed grand electoral wizard whose only claim to bloody fame is the supposed quarterbacking of winning a couple of federal elections on the the back of a divided right. Wow. My grandmother could have been running those war rooms and had victory. I wish this guy would just shut the fuck up.Omarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12058734544373976550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-49771441811955166332011-03-07T15:05:36.063-05:002011-03-07T15:05:36.063-05:00Kinsella says they're on crack if they do, and...Kinsella says they're on crack if they do, and I agree.Sean Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01550744638377851070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-52673639348482728892011-03-07T13:25:15.623-05:002011-03-07T13:25:15.623-05:00We want an election now like a hole in our heads. ...We want an election now like a hole in our heads. What's an election cost, $100 million?<br />There won't be an election soon. Why? Too many MP's, especially from K-bec, are approaching their pension window.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16256226886616864106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-87383396595895208462011-03-07T13:15:21.028-05:002011-03-07T13:15:21.028-05:00W Grit
Good stuff.W Grit<br /><br />Good stuff.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-67806270036883488742011-03-07T13:11:55.965-05:002011-03-07T13:11:55.965-05:00It was a comment on the wisdom of forcing an elect...It was a comment on the wisdom of forcing an election TWK, thats it. Adscam was serious, it was a blow to the Liberals, its hurting them still, but, it was Jean Chretien and many senior libs who advised Martin to ride it out, and, let the RCMP handle it...why?...because it would die out, that good governance and a good economy could withstand the Adscam scandal. I am a firm believer that had Paul Martin listened to that advice he'd still be PM and he would have grown into the job. If it was sound advice in 2005 why is it not sound advice now? Ironic, the strategy that killed the Martin govt is the same strategy being used to force an election that will probably give Harper a majority...now you know why Tobin, Manley, Rock and Kinsella all bailed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-8426977059848441922011-03-07T12:59:40.258-05:002011-03-07T12:59:40.258-05:00Even the media lines are so biased: "could p...Even the media lines are so biased: "could plunge the country into an election". They use the word "plunge" as if an election is such a bad thing. Discredit it before it occurs.<br /><br />We need an election - NOW. <br /><br />I agree with other posters - we want some VERY CLEAR policy ideas announced just prior. And they CANNOT be varying shades of grey from "standard gov't policy". Take this shot at changing our democracy - to make it more democratic. <br /><br />Open forums with Cabinet Ministers are great - but lets see fundamental changes:<br /><br />1) Properly regulate campaign spending - with tight caps that ALL parties can attain - FORCE MPs and hopefuls out on the hustings to actually debate and engage the public. Taking away advertising to a large extent will help us do that. We can win intelligent debates - ad wars are anyone's game (or rather, he with the most money's). Even the general public will agree with LESS ADVERTISING interfering with their hockey game.<br /><br />2) Fix media influence by stopping media cross-ownership. There is no reason a company like Shaw should own TV stations, radio stations, production companies, Movie Central/Superchannel, AND the means to distribute it in a monopoly-like atmosphere (see Michael Moore's recent Madison speech for more insight on this point).<br /><br />3) Give the average voters something: I like the plan for paid post-secondary education. BUT - we need a framework to ensure it is a promise kept.<br /><br />As far as a bumper sticker??? A Canadian flag background, with "Democracy NOW!!!" emblazoned across it. When people see thousands of these, they'll ask what it's about - and our team will tell everyone what. You create the buzz, THEN explain... not ramble out an explanation. Slogans first.WesternGrithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658358114507615351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-40563232433513805422011-03-07T12:46:19.985-05:002011-03-07T12:46:19.985-05:00You brought it up not me.
No, I said this will be...<i>You brought it up not me.</i><br /><br />No, I said this will be a replay of the 2006 election in terms of the situation, with Harper now playing the part of Paul Martin.<br /><br />Ignatieff, Rae, Brison, Kennedy, Trudeau, etc had as much to do with Adscam; as Harper, MacKay, Day, Cannon, etc had to do with Airbus. <br /><br />Simply put, the CPC yelling Adscam in 2011 does not have the same resonance it did in 2006.<br /><br />Also there are people in jail from the sponsorship scandal. You're just pissed no one from the LPC was ever involved in the wrong doing.<br /><br />However fake 'nvoices', very real CPC officials now being charged in breaking election laws, Oda forging and lying about it to Parliament, Clement lying about StasCan, Harper bribing dying MPs for their vote, etc is all a pattern and Harper wears it.<br /><br />Yelling 'Adscam' is just an admission you have nothing to defend the Reformatard's corrupt actions.Tof KWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756310841374198056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-70750186939725794842011-03-07T12:31:44.544-05:002011-03-07T12:31:44.544-05:00Westerners are allowed to be blindly loyal, as is ...Westerners are allowed to be blindly loyal, as is Fortress Toronto and Montreal, as are NDP and Green voters. The trick for the other partys is to convince them not to be so blindly loyal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-68573380611092890372011-03-07T12:07:59.761-05:002011-03-07T12:07:59.761-05:00I agree with gwilliamjr. The 2006 election wasn...I agree with gwilliamjr. The 2006 election wasn't about democratic values, it was a combination of a very specific transgression and a load of bad, but popular, policy. And blindly loyal westerners of course.Shinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016613530584645357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-46744072528800950002011-03-07T12:04:54.239-05:002011-03-07T12:04:54.239-05:00"But by all means, please try to re-fight the..."But by all means, please try to re-fight the election of 2006..."<br />You brought it up not me. Paul Martin went on the airwaves to announce how seriously he took Adscam, he said his party made serious mistakes and people from his party would pay. I'm not revisiting 2006, but, what I am saying is if your going to go after a govt for cheating and lying you really need a confession and a few people in jail first, otherwise, its the same old garbage that goes on in every govt.<br />How can you honestly expect to win an election on "yes you did" "no we didnt" and at the same time the Canadian economy is the envy of the world? And yes I know how much credit should go to Martin/Chretien, but, thats not the way politics works...govts in power get credit and blame for current situations, its just the way it is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20358187.post-5098870136584688682011-03-07T11:44:52.360-05:002011-03-07T11:44:52.360-05:00Odds are long regardless, but this is more fertile...Odds are long regardless, but this is more fertile ground than "they brought us into deficit". I would argue most people, outside of the borg, have some issues with the way this gov't conducts itself. The bullying Harper is his most obvious achilles heel, so why not start a campaign attacking them on this file, particularly when there are so many concrete examples available. Even the press, on this score, is onside, so you might find a receptive conduit and/or attack ads using media past headlines readily available.Steve Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871113039374739208noreply@blogger.com