Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Metaphor Watch

I guess they're off probation...and onto life support:

SUDBURY — Michael Ignatieff says the Harper government is on "life support" - and he sounds like he may be ready to pull the plug.

The Liberal leader kicked off a summer caucus retreat Monday on a hawkish note, suggesting he's keener to force a fall election than some of his strategists.

"We've kept this government on life support for 10 months," Ignatieff said, noting that Liberals supported last January's recession budget despite deep reservations.

"But in June I made it clear that in a whole number of areas, the government's performance was letting Canada down and it hasn't got better over the summer."

If anyone in the OLO are looking for fresh metaphor ideas, may I suggest some possible Michael Ignatieff sound bytes:

"I am the lone vote on Stephen Harper's death panel"

"I am the Simon Cowell of Canadian politics, and I am not impressed"

"This government has been governing impaired - in October, I will be the breathalyzer Stephen Harper blows"

"The Harper Conservatives are like a piece of corn on the cob stuck in your teeth...in this metaphor, I am the floss"

"This government has grown more stale than the communion wafer that has sat in Stephen Harper's pocket for the past month"

Labels:

posted by calgarygrit at 8:09 a.m.

8 Comments:

  • I think it is the right decision for Ignatieff. The economy is improving in the medium term, which is a problem for the Liberals.

    For all of the talk of "polls suggest an election would produce the same parliament as presently exists" err.... no, no it wouldn't. Harper trounced Stephane Dion by an 11.5% margin. Recent polls suggest Harper would still win but only by about a 1-2% margin. That is huge.

    Do Canadians "want" an election? Maybe not. However, you also have to ask how salient the "do you want an election" question is. The answer? Not very. Last year Harper broke one of his own laws to call an unwanted election. Nobody flinched.

    Does Ignatieff have an issue? Yes, and he has been clear over the past year about what his issue is. Rather than attacking the Tories on left/right questions of priorities, it seems obvious to me that he will attack their record. Its not the budget, its how the budget was implemented.
    -Do you feel better off than you were 1 year ago?
    -In the 2008 election, Harper said X, but Y happened. Why?
    etc. etc.

    There is also no way Ignatieff is stupid enough to make EI the main issue of the election.

    The best thing about pre-election brinkmanship is that you can always pull out at the last second. At the same time, threatening Harper with an election where he will suffer losses gives the Liberals much more clout in parliament, even if they do keep Harper alive.

    By Blogger french wedding cat, at 9:18 a.m.  

  • Good analysis, hosertohoosier.

    By Blogger ChrisInKW, at 11:31 a.m.  

  • hee hee. technically, there's one simile in there.

    By Blogger Gauntlet, at 12:12 p.m.  

  • Have the Liberals been cleared by Elections Canada over the questionable election expense refunds they applied for, or are Liberals trying to have an election before the ruling comes in? Have the ridings where Liberals had their 2008 election rebates frozen pending the investigation been cleared?

    By Blogger nuna d. above, at 12:33 p.m.  

  • Iggy . . . not quite ready for prime time politics.

    He'll be a hell of a campaigner :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:47 p.m.  

  • CG: Your metaphor ideas are, metaphorically speaking, priceless!

    By Blogger finnegan, at 12:56 p.m.  

  • Ms. above: Psst, your CPC affiliation is showing. What are you doing slumming on a Grit blog?

    As I recall, CPC practises in the last election also raised some eyebrows at EC.

    By Blogger finnegan, at 1:08 p.m.  

  • I think he would say---I don’t know what to tell you buddy, but stick with it….

    By Anonymous jeffkramerak, at 5:48 p.m.  

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