Week In Review
This was the first week of new Liberal leader Stephane Dion and on the whole a very good one. I felt he has provided a strong opposition, but I am also pleased he is now willing to propose solutions not just attack the problem. In all fairness I realize Bill Graham couldn't really do that since until the party had a new leader, taking a firm plan of action might undermine one of the candidates, but now that we have a leader we can propose actual solutions that will not only drive people away from the Tories, but actually make people want to vote Liberal. I liked his Marshall Plan for Afghanistan and I think this a constructive solution that seeks a strong balance between the hawks like Harper who think combat is the only solution and the Doves like Layton who simply wanting pull out regardless of the consequences. On the Canadian Wheat Board, I also agree with him even though I do support a dual marketing system. I believe that farmers in the prairie provinces should have the option of selling outside the Wheat Board, but the decision whether to allow it or not should be made by the farmers not the government. Dion simply stated he would maintain the status quo until either the farmers through a plebiscite or through the board of directors they elect choose to change its mandate. In both Ontario and Australia, the move to a dual marketing system was decided by the farmers not the government. The only thing I would add is I would go a step further and ensure all 15 board of directors are elected by the farmers since under the current system when the Liberals are in power, 8 of the 10 elected directors would be needed for a change to a dual marketing system, while under the Tories only 3 out of 10 would have to be since the other five are appointed by the government. This was part of the Liberal platform in the last election and I hope it is again.
A lot has been made out of Stephane Dion's dual citizenship. Quite frankly this is a trivial issue and considering that France prohibits its citizens from serving in foreign governments, he will have to surrender it anyways should he win the next election, so lets drop the issue and move onto other more important manners. Some other good news is the rising Liberal fortunes in several polls. They have a clear lead in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and British Columbia, and practically tied with the Tories in Saskatchewan and Manitoba while in second in Quebec ahead of the Conservatives and behind the Bloc Quebecois. This is definitely bad news for Harper, but also for Layton. The only question now is will Layton then vote in favour of the next budget to avoid an embarassing election or will he stick to his principles and defeat this government and live without whatever outcome occurs. Besides if the Tories want a strong split on the left, maybe choose a less polarizing leader. When they choose a moderate leader, the NDP tends to be better as NDP voters are less fearful of a Tory win than when they choose a more ideological one. The great news about these polls holding is not only will Stephane Dion become Prime-minister of Canada, but hopefully the Tories can finally choose a half decent leader. Ever since March 20, 2004, which was my 23rd birthday, I have from that day onwards been anxious to see Harper turfed as leader and it looks like that day is fast approaching.
A lot has been made out of Stephane Dion's dual citizenship. Quite frankly this is a trivial issue and considering that France prohibits its citizens from serving in foreign governments, he will have to surrender it anyways should he win the next election, so lets drop the issue and move onto other more important manners. Some other good news is the rising Liberal fortunes in several polls. They have a clear lead in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and British Columbia, and practically tied with the Tories in Saskatchewan and Manitoba while in second in Quebec ahead of the Conservatives and behind the Bloc Quebecois. This is definitely bad news for Harper, but also for Layton. The only question now is will Layton then vote in favour of the next budget to avoid an embarassing election or will he stick to his principles and defeat this government and live without whatever outcome occurs. Besides if the Tories want a strong split on the left, maybe choose a less polarizing leader. When they choose a moderate leader, the NDP tends to be better as NDP voters are less fearful of a Tory win than when they choose a more ideological one. The great news about these polls holding is not only will Stephane Dion become Prime-minister of Canada, but hopefully the Tories can finally choose a half decent leader. Ever since March 20, 2004, which was my 23rd birthday, I have from that day onwards been anxious to see Harper turfed as leader and it looks like that day is fast approaching.
posted by Monkey Loves to Fight at 2:41 PM
2 Comments:
Miles,
The Prime Minister and his team are indeed really making a hash of it. They were given a golden opportunity by providence.
And what did they do? -- they unnecessarily pandered to their right wing and blew it. They have shown themselves to be amateurs in this political game.
In my view, when they took six months to come up with what amounts to squat on the environment, that really turned the tide with voters.
Unless Dion makes a monumental mistake, the prime ministership appears to be within his grasp as soon as we go to the polls.
Harper had better not sink his own ship in January or February. If he is foolish enough to do so, he's done as dinner IMHO.
PST - I think Harper's biggest mistake was he assumed that despite winning a narrow minority he got a clear mandate from Canadians to make dramatic changes. He did not, people voted to throw the Liberals out, not to elect the Conservatives and I don't think Harper really understands this that he didn't win the election, the Liberals lost it.
Had he been more cautious and centrist, he would probably be approaching majority territory, but instead he choose to be exactly like his critics said he would be.
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