Exodus
In addition to Stock, Chuck Strahl and John Cummins have also announced they won't run again. While the opposition will certainly try to paint this as a case of Tories jumping ship, that's a tough spin. Cummins is 69. Strahl's health problems are well document. Day's been in politics for a quarter century. Moreover, it's not like any of the three were in any remote danger of losing their seats.
One bit of spin that might have some truth to it is the claim the Tory front bench is looking weaker and weaker by the day. True or not, the perception out there is that Jim Prentice, Chuck Strahl, and Stockwell Day were three of the strongest Tory ministers. Once you take away Ministers currently or formerly embroiled in scandal, or the lesser known Keith Ashfields of this world, there aren't a lot of stalwarts left. Sure, there's the Harris gang, Peter McKay, and a few reasonably competent Ministers from Quebec. But they all lack the kind of cross-partisan respect Prentice and Strahl were given.
Politically, it won't make a huge difference - by both perception and decree, this is very much the Harper government. But if Harper is re-elected and can't inject some fresh blood into his government, he'll have a thin bench...which might very well lead to more Bev Oda-ish mishaps in the future.
One bit of spin that might have some truth to it is the claim the Tory front bench is looking weaker and weaker by the day. True or not, the perception out there is that Jim Prentice, Chuck Strahl, and Stockwell Day were three of the strongest Tory ministers. Once you take away Ministers currently or formerly embroiled in scandal, or the lesser known Keith Ashfields of this world, there aren't a lot of stalwarts left. Sure, there's the Harris gang, Peter McKay, and a few reasonably competent Ministers from Quebec. But they all lack the kind of cross-partisan respect Prentice and Strahl were given.
Politically, it won't make a huge difference - by both perception and decree, this is very much the Harper government. But if Harper is re-elected and can't inject some fresh blood into his government, he'll have a thin bench...which might very well lead to more Bev Oda-ish mishaps in the future.
Labels: Jay Hill, Jim Prentice, John Cummins, Stockwell Day
posted by calgarygrit at
1:46 p.m.
15 Comments:
Thin front bench....
Ignatieff has 5 years experience as an MP, in Opposition not Government,
lost the only leadership race he competed in,
and Liberals think he should be Prime Minister.
Talk about thin, eh.
Thanks for the concern tho,
but perhaps you didn't notice the CPC has almost as many MPs elected in Western Canada as the LPC has in all of Canada. The pool is deep.
And many many of our WC MPs were in politics long long before Ignatieff came back to Canada.
We'll be ok, thanks again for your concern.
By
wilson, at 3:07 p.m.
yeah, wilson, with nearly all of the more ethical Reform / CPC members gone, now, the transformation is almost complete: you can all serve your Dark Lord of the Sith as one, free from any scruples or lingering respect for democracy.
By
WhigWag, at 3:50 p.m.
All three are career politicians. Someone who's been on the government dole all their lives, don't just up and decide to leave unless there is a very good reason.
By
Paul Raposo, at 4:26 p.m.
Paul Raposo said...
All three are career politicians. Someone who's been on the government dole all their lives, don't just up and decide to leave unless there is a very good reason.
Reasons like the ones stated in the original post? Try to keep up, Gene...
By
Fred from BC, at 5:19 p.m.
Bev Oda was not the mishap... His Prime Mastermind himself made a mess of the file.
By
Anonymous, at 6:06 p.m.
Reasons like the ones stated in the original post? Try to keep up, Gene...
I'm not sure who Gene is, but since you quoted me, I'll respond.
When has age, health, or number of years as a politician stopped any politician from working?
Chuck Cadman worked until he died. People sit in the senate until they're 75.
Harper is pissing off a lot of people in his desperate attempt to retain power, get a majority, and keep his job as leader of the CPC.
By
Paul Raposo, at 7:54 p.m.
More interesting will be seeing which BC Liberals jump on board the Conservative gravy train, now that fed-liberal Christy Clark is in. Whose ego's are about to be hurt: Barry Penner in Chilliwack (current AG), any one of the Kelowna MLAs (Steve Thomson...uber natural resources minister or Norm Letnick, misundertood backbencher who has voted against Campbell), or John Yap in Richmond, Minister of State for Climate (In)action?
By
Piker, at 10:28 p.m.
Its always funny when Liberals talk about ethics. When you pay back the what? 100 million you stole in adscam you can start to talk about ethics.
By
Anonymous, at 11:28 p.m.
Yawn anonymous. Apparently you were out to lunch when reality came calling. The police and commission have done their work - sorry, but other than a couple of lowlevel grits and a couple of CON members, the jail time has been dished out. Of course if you can only talk about ancient history to cover up your own transgressions, i suggest you start with Cadman tape...
Strahl, another yesman whose integrity is all fake. While completely agree with Calgrit, it is an image hit that the party of 'the west (with the chubby kid from ontario at the helm)' may have to spin. Harper's party is back to the Ontario backrooms. They'll find some planted ferns to fill these ridings - maybe a candidate with a profile will pop up for nodding duty - and the scum will continue to boil over.
By
rockfish, at 12:45 a.m.
The WCC (Western Canada Concept - Western Separatists), come Reformers, come Alliancers, come CRAP, come Cons are losing their key "Western" players... Everyone knows about Stock Day's leadership bid. Same with Prentice. Better for them to step back and watch - what - another minority (for either Harper or Ignatieff) while they stand clear of the mud flying in all directions.
Fact is, this gov't has hit the "best before date" that most gov't find during their 4th or 5th year. Harper is done - and most Conbots don't even know it. Even if he swings another minority, the raving, foaming-at-the-mouth Reformers - who had to "shut it" for so long cannot stand it anymore. Another minority will keep even more of them home.
By
WesternGrit, at 3:01 a.m.
I'd say James Moore's stock just went through the roof.
By
Anonymous, at 9:46 a.m.
Anon - Yeah, Moore is pretty much assured a major portfolio if the Cons win the next election. And good for him - he's one of their stronger MPs.
It also opens up some spots for other BC MPs (especially if Gary Lunn loses to May).
By
calgarygrit, at 10:40 a.m.
Liberal Senator Raymond Lavigne guilty of fraud. Another example of a Liberal who can't be trusted any where near the public purse. Go ahead rockfish, tell us why its okay. Is it because Liberals stealing from the taxpayers is ancient history?
By
Anonymous, at 11:03 a.m.
Does James Rajotte finally make it into Cabinet? Or does Menzies get a full post?
You've also got Fantino to eventually be given a spot. I'm thinking he might not be a good fit in Aboriginal.
By
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