Category: Other

The latest polling numbers from Quebec indicate to Mr. Martin that a spring election would be an unwise decision. In the latest CROP poll, the Liberals are 10 points behind the Bloq as they split the province 35-45 respectively.

So, what is Paul Martin’s Quebec strategy? Run some separatists as Liberals in the next election!

The Liberal party used to tout themselves as the party of national unity and federalism and now Paul Martin is opening the gates and letting the separatists in. Indeed, Warren Kinsella, former Chrétien staffer and fellow blogger replied “Even if you’re not offended by the ethics of it, politically, it’s just a crazy move”. Mr. Kinsella also remarked,

“A few weeks ago, one of the current leader’s campaign co-chairs was reported to have told the Liberal caucus that elements of the party’s record were “ripe for slaughter,” quote unquote, and that “some of the Chrétien legacy items will be taken out to the village square and shot.” Little did I know, then, that the party’s commitment to a strong, united Canada was also slated for execution.” — Warren Kinsella

Warren also concluded, “I’ll not be voting Liberal”.

In Mr. Martin’s bid to form a majority government instead of a minority government, he is the one who is forming an alliance with the separatist bloq at the expense of the (now former) Liberal party faithful.

Last week I had a discussion with a fellow Kingstonian and asked him why he doesn’t now support the Conservatives. He replied that he identifies more with the philosophy of the Liberal party.

Respectable, of course.

But, it seems the the Liberal philosophy is becoming muddier and muddier each day. People who are liberal know what they believe, however, it’s becoming clear that the Liberal Party is sacrificing its own philosophy in its bid to retain power.

We need a competitive political environment in this country where parties stick to their principles so that when they don’t, the electore removes them. Cheering for a political party as if it were the hometown team is rather childish. At the end of the day it’s policy and principles which matter. Therefore, I applaud Mr. Kinsella for standing up for the philosophy and not for the party.

This joke came to me today by email. Pass it on!

The steps at the Parliament Hill building needed some repairs so bids are taken from contractors from across the country.

First a contractor from Toronto looks it over. After a session of measuring and figuring he presents his bid. I can do it for $19,000, he says. I’d need $9,000 for materials, $9,000 for my crew, and $1,000 profit for me.

Next a contractor from Calgary does his measuring and calculating then says, I’ll do it for $17,000. $8,000 for materials, $8,000 for my crew, and $1,000 profit for me.

Last a Liberal-friendly advertising firm from Montreal steps up. Without even looking at the job site he says, I’ll do it for $57,000. Surprised at how high it is, the man taking the bids asks him to explain it. It’s simple, he says. $20,000 for me, $20,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Calgary.

Here’s what the new Liberal lawn signs are going to look like

(Thanks Warren!)

Now, of course, an election is only a “rumour”. However, Richard Mahoney, the Liberal candidate featured on the lawn sign above, is set to run in the Ottawa-Centre by-election on November 29th. The election date for Ottawa-Centre has been declared, so this allows us a sneak peek at the Liberal lawn signs.

First Impressions? The Liberal strategists, as I’ve said before, are pushing “Team Martin”.

Liberal? No! It’s Team Martin!

Has “Liberal” become such a bad word in the mouths of Canadians that even the Liberals are ashamed to identify themselves as such? Will the Liberal/Team Martin candidates be running on the Liberal record or the Paul Martin record or aren’t the two one and the same?

Sadly, I feel that this election is going be about the ‘cult of the leader’; It’s Paul Martin vs. the Harper-MacKay ticket vs. Jack “the shin bruiser” Layton. Personalities over policies… how sad.

Paul Martin will be saying “Look at me, I’m cleaning up Ottawa”. Stephen Harper will, at least, be attacking the Liberal team for making the mess and Jack Layton will be figuring out clever and catchy ways of articulating his classic rhetoric.

The Conservatives will do well to campaign as a team instead of solely as Stephen Harper. The leadership bids of Tony Clement and Belinda Stronach were able to cast a larger net over the minds of Canadians. If we push our team as the unified party, we will capture the interest of more Canadians. This strategy will stand in stark comparison to “Team Martin”, which is an ironic term in itself; if the Liberals were a team, they would be referred to as the Liberal party.