Monday, January 16, 2006

Vultures Circling

In recent days, I've heard from several people that high level Martinites in Alberta have been preparing for the Frank McKenna leadership campaign and quietly pressuring others to join. I also know of at least one Martinite in a Senior Cabinet Minister's office who has been making similar sales pitches. None of this should be surprising since the Globe & Mail confirmed as much last week, reporting that McKenna is making phone calls to Liberals and that his supporters have been "pushing him" and "promoting him". There's also this news story about the people running the current election campaign already starting on McKenna's bid. So much for waiting until the body is cold.

I know this should bring me some satisfaction but I really find it unsettling. Paul was "their guy" and I do believe there's something to be said for showing loyalty, especially during an election campaign. Say what you will about him (and I've said a lot), but I do think Paul will put the party's interests first and will gracefully step aside shortly after the election, leaving plenty of time of a leadership race to rejuvenate the party. There will be lots of time to organize at that point and it's just tasteless for McKenna and his supporters, many of whom have key roles in this campaign, to start organizing until after the election.

posted by calgarygrit at 1:28 p.m.

48 Comments:

  • Not to mention the fact that any candidate seen as the "Martin man" or the one the ex-Marnitites push into the race is going to have a helluva handicap.

    We need a candidate that can appeal to, and bring together, both camps. What I hear is a continuation of the Chretien/Martin fight by proxy, which was a continuation of the Turner/Chretien fight, which was a continuation...

    By Blogger Jeff, at 1:55 p.m.  

  • Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but does it seem like Liberals have a tendency to always fawn over the next 'big thing'? I've spoken to a few Liberals over the past week and they all preface any election talk with, "Ignatieff! HE's da man!" or "Wait till McKenna gets in!" type stuff. Um, maybe they shouldn't put all their hope into ONE individual? Isn't the party better when they 'star' quality is passed around a bit (e.g. Chretien circa 1997 avec Martin, McLelland, Manley, Axworthy, etc)?

    ~B

    By Blogger Unknown, at 1:55 p.m.  

  • Paul Martin should not be the only libaral taking the heat, there are many others who have been part of this liberal dissaster. It will take years to undo the damage done to our once democratic institutions and to our country.
    God Bless Canada!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:59 p.m.  

  • I agree. I posted something like this on Friday... title is strangely familiar, but those of us in the blogosphere have a penchant for the cliche, for certain!

    I didn't tackle the loyalty issue (lack thereof) which is certainly troubling if we are to hope for any meaningful healing within our party.

    Keep up the good work Bart.

    A.L.

    lastcanadianexit.blogspot.com

    By Blogger A.L., at 1:59 p.m.  

  • The question that keeps coming up for me is whether Martin's crew still has the lock on riding associations... and will they use it to lock up the leadership race the way they did last time, by restricting access to membership forms?

    By Blogger dru, at 1:59 p.m.  

  • It's no wonder those guys want McKenna in - he's just like Paul; full of vague generalities and no real substance.

    I agree with blogette about this obsesion with "the next big thing". The Liberals made a good choice with "yesterday's man" in 1990, whereas the "sexy" picks of Turner and Martin bombed. I think someone like a Manley, Cauchon, or even Goodale (pre-Income Trust anyways) would be a better pick than McKenna or Ignatieff.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:59 p.m.  

  • I've actually been hearing the opposite from people "in the know" of the McKenna team - that is, the Martin folks are trying to hop on board his train but they're resisting giving them anything more than nominal roles. The new leadership of his team is NOT going to look like the current one.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:04 p.m.  

  • CG,

    I'm glad that I'm getting first crack at this one. My very Liberal Italian barber asked me the very same question on the weekend. Here is pretty much what I asked him in response.

    Consider that you:

    Are 57 years old

    Have a very important, comfortable position with little danger of being removed for the next three years

    Have gone through one bout of cancer with your wife

    Finally have some grandchidren to start enjoying

    Speak French about as well as Jean Chretien speaks English


    Why would you want to:

    Take over a political party on the brink of civil war

    Rebuild a badly disillusioned party for the second time (the NB Liberals were at each other's throats after the 1982 provincial defeat too)

    Face a governing party that, no matter what, will not be credibly described as either "tired" or "old".

    Look forward to the prospect of finally becoming PM at the ripe old age of 65


    If you honestly answer these questions, I think you will arrive at the right conclusion. Right now folks in NB are saying that Bernard Lord waited too long to make his leap for the brass ring. He's only 41.

    Frank might be interested in the jump only if the Grits manage to keep a very strong Parliamentary position (definitely more that 100, more likely more than 110). If not, I guarantee that, after he's finished in Washington, your best chance of finding "Fast Frank" will be to look in the Shediac phone directory.

    Cheers

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:10 p.m.  

  • Oops, too long typing.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:11 p.m.  

  • This is accurate. I recieved a call lastnight asking me who I was going to support for leadership. I was astonished. Here the ship was sinking and the guys who ran the ship into ground where already shifting their support and hours to Frank.

    I love how for years we heard that none of us were loyal enough for Paul and the inner circle like Herle and Karl carried a black book of "supporters" who did absolutely nothing wrong-except that they hadn't joined the Paul campaign before Kindergarten-and now they are jumping ship! Hilarious. What class.

    In Ontario & Quebec & Altantic Canada there are paid supporters already and I understand that Steve Mc Kinnon is the point man for the new McKenna campaign.

    Personally, I don't think the party is going to let the Martinites have any power for a very long time and Chretien's people are just lying low in the shadows to reappear. Let's just pray that they aren't wearing "Manley 4 PM" shirts.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:22 p.m.  

  • Leaders aren't enough. The Liberal party has to spend most of its time reconstructing the organization that Paul Martin gutted for political vendettas. The next Liberal leader needs to be focused on that rather than the actual brass ring.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:24 p.m.  

  • While Frank is a great guy, it is sad that he is going to be surrounded by the same thugs who controled Martin. I ahve a lot of respect for Frank and would like to support him, but not if Karl littler, Michelle Cadario, Herle are going to be his organisers and if Frank is going to use them as his organizers, I will reconsider renewing my Liberal membership. It's a pity that even great guys like Mckenna need the support of the mafia to win elections.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:26 p.m.  

  • McKenna, with his strange high-pitched voice, is a girly-man. Should do well to attract the female Liberal, but won't stack up against rotweilers like Tobin. And won't stand a chance against Harper.

    Keep looking. You need a woman.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:50 p.m.  

  • As a New Brunswicker who is a big fan of McKenna, I certainly hope that this is a case of the Martinites independently jockying for a position in a McKenna leadership bid and not people starting to work with McKenna's nod.

    I love Frank McKenna and am active in politics because of the inspiration he was to all New Brunswickers. He is the best hope for our party if we are in as bad of shape as I think we'll be on Jan. 24. But this crowd around him would be the touch of death; the push back from grassroots Liberals would be extreme.

    I do think this is a simple case of jockeying. I know Frank and he is an honourable guy. He would not sanction active leadership activity during an election campaign. This is the guy that only entered the 1985 New Brunswick Liberal leadership race after first getting the nod from the frontrunner in that race, who's "turn" it was to be leader, which he would go on to beat.

    Please Frank, say it ain't so.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:59 p.m.  

  • How about a female PM? Like Sheila Copps or someone(Not BS).
    This would really show a fresh face for the LPC as well as Canadian Politics. Could do very well I think.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:11 p.m.  

  • Anon,

    See above. The resume? The cult of celebrity, especially in politics is lame. Ask Howard Dean.

    ~B

    By Blogger Unknown, at 3:15 p.m.  

  • A fresh face you suggest? Yes, that's the answer. Clearly anyone associated with a "martin" past or link is doomed.

    How about Belinda Stronach? The Liberals wanted her bad enough in May. Now get set for a made-in-Magna push for the Leadership.

    Failing Belinda, only Bob Rae or one of the Trudeau Jrs. can bring respectibility back to the Liberals.
    Bobby clearly is a Liberal, don't 'ya know.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:18 p.m.  

  • I don't mean to hijack the thread for a minute, but is is REALLY true that Belinda is in danger of losing her seat? I saw that feature on QP where they say she is polling close to the Tory candidate. Really?

    Oh, and Trudeauboyz as PM: EW. What have they done besides live off their family name? If Trudeauboyz got a real job and paid taxes and went away for awhile, I might have a second look but they seem perfectly content doing nothing.

    ~B

    By Blogger Unknown, at 3:28 p.m.  

  • I think I can speak for all your Conservative readers CG when I say we all sincerely hope that the various expert strategists whom have been so faithfully employed by Paul Martin rally to the flag to "help" any future Liberal leader. I mean they're doing such a bang up job, how could you all part with the likes of Scott Reid and John Duffy?

    And those advertizing fellows like David Herle, thoses guys are keepers. I haven't seen such professionalism in politics since the Reform campaign in 1993. In short, I hope Herle and Reid keep up the good work driving you all into the ground.

    By Blogger Chris, at 3:29 p.m.  

  • I've been hearing much of the same sort of stuff here in Toronto. In fact, a very important Martini in the Ontario campaign team has already been making a lot of calls for McKenna. And this is someone who should be having a full time job helping us stem the tide in Ontario.


    PS: As an aside, despite your jokes about him, Volpe has a good team here in Toronto. Myself, I'm really hoping Scott Brison or Brian Tobin decide to run - they have far more charisma than McKenna or Manley.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:48 p.m.  

  • It could be a matter of this:

    The election is going badly.

    In unofficial polls, Frank McKenna's leading. People are jumping on the wave. Let's face it if some of these people knew anything about loyalty, they wouldn't have knifed Jean in the back.

    Frank McKenna's an interesting choice. It's not every ambassador who manages to get an American Senator to apologise for claiming the 9/11 terrorists came from Canada.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:54 p.m.  

  • Speaking as a Liberal voter, why would you ever want Paul Martin's team behind you?

    I like Martin, but nobody knows how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like his brain trust.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:17 p.m.  

  • "How about a female PM? Like Sheila Copps"

    "only Bob Rae or one of the Trudeau Jrs. can bring respectibility back to the Liberals."

    CG, where do you get your readers. Thanks for those comments though. After a campaign like this, it's very healing to have a good hearty, spill your gut laugh.

    TB
    Cerberus

    By Blogger Ted Betts, at 4:35 p.m.  

  • "It's no wonder those guys want McKenna in - he's just like Paul; full of vague generalities and no real substance."

    Except that (a) I'm not sure I've really heard all that much from McKenna about what he'd do with the country so there is no real basis for that criticism, and (b) he's been in charge before as Premier of NB so he has a proven track record about his ability to be decisive, to balance book balancing and spending, in short to be a leader.

    So regardless of whether he'd win or take the party (or the country) in the direction Liberals want, he's going to be a great asset to any leadership campaign because I think he really would candidates to focus on substantive issues and policy, instead of power politics and vague platitudes.

    TB
    Cerberus

    By Blogger Ted Betts, at 4:40 p.m.  

  • This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger Roberto Iza, at 5:01 p.m.  

  • Oh these guys are pieces of work, aren't they? First, they knife their own leader and prime minister in the back. Then they install their guy in the top job and live off the spoils for a while. Then they absolutely mangle an destroy their guy's election campaign with their incompetence. And then, before the election that THEY lost is even over, they're already brown-nosing the new golden boy. I'll tell you now, Frank - keep Scott Reid and David Herle and Terry O'Leary AWAY from your campaign, far away. You can win it without them - you can't possibly win it with them, and given that they've already stabbed two prime ministers in the back, do you honestly think they'd not do it a third time?

    By Blogger Ryan Ringer, at 5:09 p.m.  

  • Keep on truckin Libs, you're obviously all too stupid to see the writing on the wall. If I was a Martinite I'd be trying to find someone's coat-tails to ride on too. Those people need to be unemployed, jailed, etc. and if you like keeping them on more power to ya suckers!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:22 p.m.  

  • If I wasn't so cynical, I'd presume that Martin is trying to kill a potential rival but leaking this stuff. 'My guys love him, so you know he's good.' Ka-boom.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:36 p.m.  

  • Bart, you're right: it's classless to do this mid-campaign. If anything, Grits waiting to oust Martin should just shut up and sit this one out.

    On the other hand, I am not as generous to Dithers: if its a Tory minority that doesn't look stable, I don't think he'll gracefully step aside. Check that: I don't think the Board will let him.

    With a majority or strong Tory minority however, I believe he will admit that maybe he should quit.

    By Blogger ALW, at 5:36 p.m.  

  • Copps = Lady mcBeth
    Rae = I like Bobby but most Liberals are not as leftwing as I am... And how would he help in Ontario? Why not Buzz?
    Stronach = needs to continue polishing
    Tobin = his bailing on Ottawa the last time looked suspicious
    Brison = doesn't have deep Grit roots yet
    Ignatieff = a sexxy JK Galbraith? Running the country? Would he promise a thesaurus in every pot?
    Emerson = very solid west-coast candidate, not a lot of charisma until you see him work... dark horse.
    Justin Trudeau = has had a real job teaching and such.
    McKenna = top pick due to his experience and character; questions about business background and french abilities. His resume blows Harpers out of the water (but so do all but one of the above)
    Pettigrew =

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:47 p.m.  

  • IS THERE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?

    The sentiment behind your post is good, however, I think we should consider and examine one element of the thought behind it in more depth.

    It assumes Paul Martin is a decent man who wants what's best for the Liberal Party and for Canada.

    I would put out there the possibility that Paul Martin has not shown himself to be such a man.

    Witness while our soldiers are in Afghanistan working with U.S. Forces:

    1. Canadian Forces attack ad
    2. Attack ads against U.S. in general while Martin claims "a key priority" is to improve Canada/U.S. relations for the financial wellbeing and security of all Canadians
    3. Attack ad on the U.S. president in particular while our soldiers are being flown today on American air transport to an American military hospital for surgery

    This in addition to a litany of other Democratic transgressions within our country.

    I think there is a strong counterargument to be made that Paul Martin's interests are not exactly Canada's interests.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:30 p.m.  

  • MORE THAN RENEWAL

    It's sad to believe, but we must face it.

    In increasingly ordinary circles, it is now contemplated that the Liberal Party's privileged elites have become over the years a party of apparatchiks with no real sense or feeling for Canadian history nor moderation or balance, and that is precisely why they are becoming dangerous.

    Not just to our Democratic Deficit, which there is reason to believe they are a serious threat to given their actions in:

    - Adscam (ad agencies funnelling millions of dollars of taxpayer money into the Quebec wing of the Federal Liberal Party)
    - alleged (BC Liberal candidate David Oliver) bribery
    - allegedly intimidating a journalist (Liberal Strategist John Duffy vs. CTV's Mike Duffy)
    - insulting a seniors group spokesperson (Finance Department Spokesman, John Embury, telling CTV reporter Robert Fife that CARP: Canadian Association of Retired Persons' spokesperson Bill Gleberzon is "old and confused") in a possible attempt to suppress discussion about the Income Trust scandal, which resulted in an ongoing RCMP criminal investigation, OSC (Ontario Securities Commission), and SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) investigations
    - their culture of entitlement

    ... but in a more profound and disturbing sense

    Shame on the Liberal Party for scare-mongering the peaceful Canadian people with the outrageous thought of the Canadian Forces taking to the street with weapons in a U.S. funded military dictatorship.

    A dictatorship, which has somehow eluded the United States (despite numerous internal and external challenges for 230 years) since they are the longest running Democracy in the world and, despite their faults, have brought freedom to more people, often fighting alongside Canadians who were doing likewise, than any other country in history.

    You probably realize that our forces in the field are STILL fighting alongside American soldiers - at the order of Paul Martin - in pursuit of our mutual goals toward the aim of personal freedom (and dare I say women's rights) to this day. I mean that literally counting the three Canadian soldiers who were wounded (along with a Canadian diplomat who was killed) in Afghanistan on January 15th, 2006 and are being treated in the hospital at U.S. Kandahar base who will then be airlifted to a U.S. military hospital.

    Unfortunately, it’s a fact that our soldiers are reliant on the Americans because as CASR, the Canadian American Strategic Review, a Canadian think tank, asked in October, 2005:

    “Canada is a rich country. Why are we the only nation that is sending its infantry into this combat zone with no transport helicopters to supply them? No helicopter to evacuate the wounded, or those who become trapped in a lethal situation?

    Ponder the “soldiers in the street with guns in Canada” ad (a shortened version of which is still running in French)… can it be true that when our Forces are deployed in what he has described as a combat area, Paul Martin insults them all, and damages our relationship with our neighbour whom we are fighting alongside?

    Fortunately, when the chips are down, the U.S. Blackhawk MEDEVAC helicopters still fly to the rescue of their ally - Canada.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:31 p.m.  

  • AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY IMPORTANT

    Re: Extreme heroism, compassion, and devotion to duty

    On January 15th, 2006, near Kandahar, Afghanistan, a suicide car bomber struck a returning convoy of Canadian soldiers, which included Cpl. Jeffrey Bailey, Pte. William Salikin, who were seriously injured, and Foreign Affairs diplomat, Glyn Berry, who was killed.

    Master Corporal Paul Franklin of 1 Field Ambulance had his leg half blown off in the blast... then tied a tourniquet around his thigh and proceeded to provide medical aid and comfort to his fellow wounded soldiers as a trained medic.

    This is a degree of military heroism in the face of hostile enemy action, which is truly beyond normal and is commendable in the extreme. It is almost superhuman, but it wasn't, he is a Canadian citizen who happens to be a dedicated medic and who loves his fellow soldiers.

    The shock must have been incredible... yet keeping his head, he provided lifesaving first aid to himself, then began helping his comrades in arms.

    This man is heroic in every sense of the word. Should he not be a candidate for the Victoria Cross (Canada) or another award?

    I am not an expert, so I was reading up on it and it's interesting to note that the qualifications for the Canadian Victoria Cross, which since its creation in 1993 has never been awarded, include:

    "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy"

    and continuing...

    "The Canadian Government has defined the term enemy as a force hostile towards the Canadian Government; which includes the following: armed mutineers, armed rebels, armed rioters and armed pirates. Canada does not officially have to declare war to give acknowledgement of the existence of a hostile force that fits the above description. This means that a Canadian serving as part of a peacekeeping operation is eligible to be awarded the VC if the servicemember fulfills the above criteria."

    Source: wikepedia.org (enter Canada Victoria Cross in search field)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:32 p.m.  

  • So are the Martinites going to stage another coup this time against themselves using McKenna?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:50 p.m.  

  • Chris from Victoria is a retard

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:20 p.m.  

  • Interesting post. Personally I would think McKenna would be smart enough not to be courting the Board. Besides, everyone knows that Brison is going to be the next leader.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:43 p.m.  

  • Generally I like McKenna, but this naked ambition on display is a real turnoff. Where are peoples priorities? There will be plenty of time for posturing after the election.

    By Blogger Steve V, at 8:11 p.m.  

  • um - what about Alan Rock?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:22 p.m.  

  • McKenna was too chicken to run federally in 1997...and 2000...and 2004...

    Being Premier of New Brunswick is a lot different than being Prime Minister of Canada.

    Appart from Volpe, McKenna is the WORST candidate who will run for the Liberals.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:30 p.m.  

  • "This is a degree of military heroism in the face of hostile enemy action, which is truly beyond normal and is commendable in the extreme."

    Chris, normally I'd be the first one to agree with you but I think that you are overreaching just a bit (and only a very little). MCpl Franklin's actions are indeed heroic and above and beyond the call. As I said to my wife when we heard about it on the news, "Break out the medals."

    Unfortunately I think the good medic will fall short of your VC, although not through any fault of his own. His acts of bravery occurred after an attack by the enemy (the bomber was dead). The rules for issuing a VC are:

    Awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy.

    It's that "presence of the enemy" that's the fly in the ointment. Had Taliban snipers opened up on the convoy after the bombing, MCpl Franklin's actions might have made him eligible for the VC. It looks as though he might have to settle for the Cross of Valour:

    Awarded only for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.

    Nevertheless, the good MCpl's actions are in the highest traditions of the service and reflect well on him and all of 1FdAmb (I recall crushing them at volleyball once). They should read the citation of the award in the House of Commons every day before Question Period, if only to shame the pantywaist politicians into some semblance of acceptable behaviour.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:26 p.m.  

  • Online at http://www.theinfozone.net

    January 16, 2005
    IZ Commentary by James Murray

    The Real Turning Point in the Canadian Election

    Harper remains the most underestimated leader in this campaign.

    While Paul Martin and his entire team look increasingly tired and sad, Harper continues marching on toward his goal. The New York Times, hardly a bastion of conservatism is writing of a Conservative landslide. The Toronto Star is openly laughing at the Liberals, and most major media is looking at Paul Martin as finished.

    From the time Harper declared he was seeking the leadership of his party, he has remained the most underestimated party leader. First he couldn't win, then he could never unite the Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives. Then he could never match Paul Martin's charisma.

    Harper has for the most part, ignored the critics.

    He spent last summer, largely under the radar screens of the main-stream media. As he flipped hamburgers on the barbecues he listened to Canadians.

    Today, Stephen Harper is looking calm, confident and prime ministerial. He has turned his personal strength of not being full of bluster and ineffectual passion into a major asset. He is providing a calm, rational strong leadership option to Canadians.

    During this election campaign, most people have missed the real turning point of the campaign.

    It wasn't the Liberal scandals. It wasn't the foolish Liberal blog. And it wasn't even the RCMP investigations.

    It was Paul Martin.

    Actually it was when Paul Martin turned tail and ran.

    It happened during the first leader's debate. When Paul Martin blustered with phoney passion that fighting separatists is embedded in his DNA.

    Martin said he would fight Ducceppe anywhere, anytime.

    Then to his dismay, Ducceppe took him up on the challenge. Paul Martin ran with his tail tucked up between his legs.

    Martin's campaign fell off the track at that moment.

    Stephen Harper said to Ducceppe bring it, and then Ducceppe ran.

    That was that key moment when Quebecers saw, in Stephen Harper, a man worth looking at again. It was when they stopped listening to the Liberal spin, and started studying Stephen Harper.

    That was the turning point of this election.

    Paul Martin and his constant bluster talked tough one too many times. His phoney passion and patriotism were seen by all Canadians, and especially Quebecers as all bluster with no luster.

    It cost him the election.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:02 a.m.  

  • I managed to read about halfway through the posts here and I've got to say I have never seen a group of people who have their heads so collectively stuck up their asses.

    Justin Trudeau. Are you kidding me. The government is an organization with a budget of almost 200 billion dollars. Some 350,000 + employees.
    Just because Daddy ran it for awhile and has a famous name dosn't a competent leader make.

    Just what do you think running a government is all about.

    Further more just why do you think the silent majority is removing you folks for. They are hiring an economist to bring in accountants and auditors to get to the bottom of exactly what has been going on in this government for the last 13 years because on the surface it has been very corrupt.

    Harpers first order of business will be to find out just how corrupt and report back to the people. Second have you not been paying attention the Conservatives mean business. They have the talent and the will to run a very very good governmetn. They mean to operate the government in the best interests of the people who have hired them and not from the point of view of Divine right.

    This is not a two week vacation that is about to be visited on the Liberal party. This has originated because of a major breach of trust.

    The idea that Justin Trudeau is going to spirit you all to Utopia is almost laughable if it wasn't so pathetic.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:46 a.m.  

  • herringchoker, I'm inclined to agree with you after having studied the issue more deeply. It may not meet the actual historical criteria (or it may for all I know - I am far from an expert) for a VC, but it was damn brave on a military and human level just the same.

    In any case, I wish all 3-surviving wounded soldiers well in every sense and we should all pray or send our good wishes to them and their families ... including those of Glyn Berry, the first Foreign Affairs diplomat to die overseas in the service of Canada.

    According to his widow, he felt very passionate about his work and the people of Afghanistan he was there to help.

    I believe the 3-wounded Canadian Forces members and their comrades who are soldiering on probably feel the same way about their work.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:43 a.m.  

  • It's pretty simple.

    If McKenna or anybody else becomes the identifiable Martin candidate, I won't vote for that candidate.

    Period. End of debate.

    Team Martin has never won a fair fight.

    They lost in 1990.

    They lost in 2004, but think they saved the minority because they are smarter than everybody else in the country. They think they won that election.

    And they are losing in 2006. And not losing with grace, class or demonstration of particular skill.

    How many elections do you have to lose before you are no longer considered to be a competent organizer?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:48 a.m.  

  • Last minute sanity .....

    It ain’t over until it’s over, folks.

    Despite what Allan Gregg and other pollsters would have people believe, there is movement and it isn’t all in favour of the Tories. Hidden in the bowels of several polls are results which show a drop in Harper’s popularity, and a tightening of the race between the Liberals and Tories.

    This morning, January 17, Ekos overnight poll showed the national gap had closed to 6%, with both Liberals and NDP rising and Harper’s Tories falling.

    In many polls, Atlantic Canada has moved away from the Tories back towards the Liberals. Ontario is divided.

    Why the movement? Because the Liberal ads are working – they do show voters have a choice. And because the Tory platform does show in stark terms the nature of the choice – tax cuts for the very wealthy versus hidden cuts of social services. And, of course, a $20 billion gap caused by Harper’s attempt to buy votes in Quebec by funneling federal taxes to that province.

    It will only be over on the night of January 23rd, five long days away. Watch that gap closely – it is going to close a lot more.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:24 a.m.  

  • If you play the sound track from the liberals latest ads backwards, it says " Paul is toast, Paul is toast"

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:40 p.m.  

  • So the rats are jumping off the sinking (or should I say stinking) ship.

    Last one off gets a 4 day golf weekend at a fine Quebec resort with a well known caddy (But you won't be flying there on a government jet this time).

    It is time for well meaning rank & file Liberals to take some time off. Rest, relax, enjoy life - come back in a few months. You'll have a different prospective on what this country really needs.
    For as some may have noticed: No candidate from any party addressed the issue fundamental to Canada's future economic health - WHY the productivity gap with our global competitors continues to widen.

    We can longer hide behind a severely undervalued currency to hide our core non competitiveness. New ideas and policies will be required - in a shorter timeframe than most can imagine.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:28 p.m.  

  • I've been waiting since 1993 for this day, The Liberal Party is spinning on its own spin and falling in its own vomit. Martin's campaign looks like a Taliban suicide Bomber, driving "explosive"
    rhetoric into a stellar Tory campaign trying to knock it off course. Terrorism never works of course because its too narrow minded, too shocking, too extreme and its definitely the methods of the desperate and everyone can see that they are.
    As for McKenna...its just like the desperate...looking for their new messiah who can hoodwink the masses with elaborate lies to grab power once again for their own ends. Use the Star to grab power and use power to grab the wealth and use the wealth to live well while most Canadians live from week to week trying to make enough money to just survive.
    I hope you pick McKenna, he' a Maritimer, no one votes for Maritimers nationally...right Bob Stanfield? We are just nobodies down here...Quebecois, Ontario, and Westerners scoff at all of us down here, regardless of which Party you care to mention. You all look down your noses at us....the poor bums of the country....go ahead and pick him...PLEASE!

    My greatest wish is that the Liberal Party goes the way of Reform and has to merge with the NDP so people can make a real clear choice at election time. I'm so tired of Liberal lies, broken promises, scandal, powervacuming,
    and fraudulent claims that I can barely handle listening to any Liberal speaking. I have more respect for Jack Layton's NPD, they, at least, have real principles on which they will not compromise, even though I do not agree with many of them I can respect them. The Liberal Party of Canada cannot command any respect in this regard. This is why your failing in time of economic prosperity...you can't even buy our votes anymore.

    Rest in peace big red...your getting your due.

    Canada rises!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:44 p.m.  

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