Friday, June 15, 2007

At Issue

The National did their end-of-term political run-down last night. Here's what the pannel had to say:

Best Political Play
Coyne: Bill Casey jumping ship.
Gregg: Dion’s deal with Elizabeth May
Hebert: Justin Trudeau running in a tough riding and winning the nomination himself.
Russo: Harper not calling an election

Worst Political Play
Coyne: Opposition parties passing the Kyoto Bill
Gregg: Conservatives handling of the environmental file
Hebert: Charest going ahead with the tax cuts after winning the election
Russo: Gilles Duceppe’s in-and-out of PQ leadership

Significant Political Event
Coyne: Flaherty’s budget
Gregg: Ascent of the ADQ
Hebert: The G8 Summit
Russo: Afghan detainee issue

Under Reported Political Event
Coyne: Alberta-BC trade deal
Gregg: Deterioration of federal-provincial relations
Hebert: Quebec moving down the road to a challenge to the Canada Health Act
Russo: Stagnant polls
[ed note: I think Russo and Gregg need to have the meaning of “under-reported” explained to them]

Most Overrated Politician
Coyne: John Baird
Gregg: John Baird
Hebert: Jim Flaherty
Russo: Michael Fortier

Big Idea out there for Harper
Coyne: Tax points in exchange for federal power (“I’m tempted to say Conservatism”)
Gregg: Pacific Gateway
Hebert: Environment
Russo: Income splitting

Who we’ll be talking about in one year…
Coyne: Maxime Bernier
Gregg: Jim Prentice and aboriginal file
Hebert: Alberta Liberal leader Kevin Taft (“and I did look up his name”)
Russo: Philip Couillard


Stump the Panel - Which of these people is an MP?

Hugh Guthrie
Chris Charlton
Daniel McKenzie
Elijah McCoy
Honora McKendrick

[On the plus side, I got this one right…however I wasn’t aware that Chris was a female, so I’m not sure I can get full credit]

8 Comments:

  • People are always thinking I'm an MP.

    By Blogger Dan McKenzie, at 1:31 p.m.  

  • For someone who usually dismisses non-Quebecers as not really understanding Quebec politics, it's pretty brazen for Hebert to choose Taft (especially since she had to "look up his name")

    By Blogger Glen, at 1:44 p.m.  

  • glen; especially given Hebert didn't know her facts (said something about Liberals not having election a Calgary MLA in 36 years...)

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 2:04 p.m.  

  • CG and Glen.

    I don’t know that Hébert call is really as brazen as that. Taft doesn’t need to win the premiership to become talked about. (I.e. Think Mario Dumont he didn’t win, but…)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:21 p.m.  

  • oops...forgot to add. And if Taft tanks...we will talk about him too (for his missed oppertunity)...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:22 p.m.  

  • Gregg feels Dion's deal with May was the best political play? Ooookay...

    Russo thinks Michael Fortier is overrated? No, I'm pretty sure we all think he's not that great, so how can he be overrated??

    And who is Philip Couillard?

    By Blogger Eric, at 9:24 p.m.  

  • Philippe Couillard is the Minister of Health in Quebec. Some speculate that he could be the next Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party.

    By Blogger Bailey, at 9:34 p.m.  

  • I thought it was too funny when Mansbridge said that Dion's play with May was not so great for Greens and Gregg (quite sheepishly I thought) agreed. Mansbridge was dead on. Great for Liberals, not so hot for Greens.

    By Blogger Greg, at 11:16 a.m.  

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