Stephane Dion wins!

[#juan]

Dion doesn't have to look "cool".

All he has to do is keep his promises and do what he says he's going to do. Harper made a lot of promises but they seem to have been shoved to a back burner, a waaay back burner. Have we ordered the heavy lift aircraft yet? It cost a million dollars each to get the tanks to Afghanistan. How did we ship them? Canada Post? Are the icebreakers on hold?

 

[RedGreen]

I know he doesn't have to look cool. He IS cool. He's calm, honest, and seems 'real'. For a politician that's pretty damn COOL to me.

Somewhere in these forums someone wrote about a guy you'd like to sit down and have a beer with. I don't know about that for M. Dion. I think dinner and a couple glasses of wine however would be a good time with Stéphane.

 

[MMMike]

I'm happy with the selection of Dion. The single overwhelming issue that will dominate the next decade is the environment, where Dion has great credentials and a great policy. I think he can be successful against Harper as long as he is able to make the campaign about ideas, not personalities. Certainly Ignatieff and Kennedy were more attractive candidates in the personality department. Both should feature high profile critic positions under Dion.

Kennedy I think will be the future of the party. Give Dion 6 to 8 years, by then Kennedy will have solid experience on the federal level to take over.

 

[MMMike]

Wasn't Rae naked with Rick Mercer?

Yup, he was in a sketch where the two of them jumped naked from the end of a dock.

 

[gc]

Somewhere in these forums someone wrote about a guy you'd like to sit down and have a beer with. I don't know about that for M. Dion. I think dinner and a couple glasses of wine however would be a good time with Stéphane.

I'd have a beer with Stephane anytime! :cheers:

As for Rae or Ignatieff....I'd rather drink alone :beer:

 

[RedGreen]

*Funny about Rae. I didn't see the clip*

"Kennedy I think will be the future of the party. Give Dion 6 to 8 years, by then Kennedy will have solid experience on the federal level to take over." -MMMike

I couldn't agree MMMore. That is one of the reasons I'm so excited about all of this. Canada needs a government that will not only represent us properly and make the right political decisions, but will have the people's full support and admiration. If this group of Liberals can acheive this, which I think they can, They will gain a majority government that will last for a long time.

M. Dion...then Mr. Kennedy...then young Trudeau?

 

[gc]

M. Dion...then Mr. Kennedy...then young Trudeau?

Please not young Trudeau. People should not have their success based on who their father is...just look at George Bush :laughing7: (sorry couldn't resist!)

 

[RedGreen]

Yeah... Good point gc. I was getting a little ahead of myself on that Trudeau comment anyways. Just thought I'd throw it out there and see what kind of response it would get.

And yes, I would have whatever type of drink Stéphane likes best with him.

 

[MMMike]

M. Dion...then Mr. Kennedy...then young Trudeau?

If he wants it it's probably his for the taking. I don't really know if the guy has any substance but I'll even admit he's charismatic. He has groupies just praying he'll jump into politics.

 

[Sassylassie]

No thanks one Trudeau in my life time was more than enough. Perhaps Brian Tobin or Frank Mackinna these men have proven track records but some snot nosed elitest getting the job because of who his daddy was isn't acceptable to most Canadians.

 

[RedGreen]

Yeah, who knows about Trudeau, but I hope Mr. Kennedy can keep his nose clean, learn a lot from M. Dion and like MMMike says take over whenever M. Dion decides he's had enough.

I know its probably obvious by now, but I have a lot of faith in this edition of the federal Liberals. We'll see how things play out.

 

[tamarin]

Well, it will be an interesting election campaign. Neither Dion or Harper is a show stopper and both have about as much ignition power as wet wood. Yet, they're both thinkers and they're both dogmatic about their views. Which should put policy up front and centre where it belongs.
We need the real thing here in Canada. I think we're getting it now. I just hope Canadians are up to the challenge of actually thinking about the choices they'll soon be asked to make.

 

[ottawabill]

Well, it will be an interesting election campaign. Neither Dion or Harper is a show stopper and both have about as much ignition power as wet wood. Yet, they're both thinkers and they're both dogmatic about their views. Which should put policy up front and centre where it belongs.
We need the real thing here in Canada. I think we're getting it now. I just hope Canadians are up to the challenge of actually thinking about the choices they'll soon be asked to make.

I agree with a few exceptions...Dion has to get his wingnut party in control..they are very scattered in agenda and thought whereas Harper has a machine going... The Chess game maybe dull but I think Harper has his Checkmate planned before he has even setup the board.

 

[Colpy]

Well, it will be an interesting election campaign. Neither Dion or Harper is a show stopper and both have about as much ignition power as wet wood. Yet, they're both thinkers and they're both dogmatic about their views. Which should put policy up front and centre where it belongs.
We need the real thing here in Canada. I think we're getting it now. I just hope Canadians are up to the challenge of actually thinking about the choices they'll soon be asked to make.

Excellent post, Tamarin.

Everybody consistently seems to underestimate Harper.

Seems people have underestimated Dion as well.

Things could get REAL interesting.

 

[John Muff]

Dion's may be the solution...

Things could get REAL interesting.

Your right Colpy...

Dion got insulted alot younger... He just never had style... But let's be clear now that for the first time of my life I may vote Liberal... Dion has great values, I believe, and is an honest person that has just sooooo.... much to show us... Just give him a chance, + we may have revolute times of stupid interviews not answering questions... He has way too much to lose now...

Have a good one...

John Muff

 

[tamarin]

Yes, it will be interesting. It remains surprising that the Libs have chosen substance over fluff. Iggy Stardust is merely motes now. I wish Dion luck. He has a very challenging agenda ahead. Most columnists have written him off already. Ah, the glory of being an underdog!

 

[Colpy]

No bloody chance I'm voting Liberal, I'll tell you that!

As his first question in the House, Dion choose to rant about the cutting of funds to SOW, probably among the most popular moves Harper has made. I'm only sorry he didn't completely shut them down.

In his follow-up, he attacked the coming vote on a new SSM debate...........insinuating that the Conservatives plan on using the "notwithstanding" clause to overrule the Supreme Court.

This is BS, and he knows it. The Court expressly refused to rule on whether a law recognizing only the traditional marriage would be constitutional. AND, the gov't intends to settle the issue in the House with one vote that will support the status quo.

Dion may not be an outright liar yet, but he is well on the way.

 

[gc]

No bloody chance I'm voting Liberal, I'll tell you that!

As his first question in the House, Dion choose to rant about the cutting of funds to SOW, probably among the most popular moves Harper has made. I'm only sorry he didn't completely shut them down.

In his follow-up, he attacked the coming vote on a new SSM debate...........insinuating that the Conservatives plan on using the "notwithstanding" clause to overrule the Supreme Court.

This is BS, and he knows it. The Court expressly refused to rule on whether a law recognizing only the traditional marriage would be constitutional. AND, the gov't intends to settle the issue in the House with one vote that will support the status quo.

Dion may not be an outright liar yet, but he is well on the way.

Apparently he's not the only one. A lot of experts believe that Harper will not be able to get rid of SSM without using the notwithstanding clause:

Notwithstanding Clause Required to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Law, says Dean Patrick Monahan

That's a longshot, said Patrick Monahan, dean of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.
"Although technically it's still open ... it's highly unlikely you're going to be able to re-institute the opposite-sex definition of marriage without using the notwithstanding clause," said Monahan.
"The reasoning has been seen as pretty compelling, such that the government of Canada did not even appeal those (lower-court) rulings."
University of Toronto law professor Brenda Cossman said trying to bypass a new law without the notwithstanding clause would require years of court battles and ultimately prove to be "an exercise in futility."

Link (I'm sure there's a lot more)

I don't know why anyone would want to take away equal rights for a minority....notwithstanding clause or no notwithstanding clause.

 

[RedGreen]

Sorry to say Colpy but I don't think the rest of Canadain voters (politically educated or not) will keep the conservatives in power. No one other than hardcore right wingers can relate to the conservatives.

I sure thought the Liberals looked like the 'good guys' in question period today... Much more in line with the majority of Canadians. Harper and his party's arrogance will be their downfall.

On another issue: What was that all about when Layton said "big ass" in question period? I 'm not sure if it was a slip up or an 'accidental' shot at someone.

 

[Colpy]

Sorry to say Colpy but I don't think the rest of Canadain voters (politically educated or not) will keep the conservatives in power. No one other than hardcore right wingers can relate to the conservatives.

I sure thought the Liberals looked like the 'good guys' in question period today... Much more in line with the majority of Canadians. Harper and his party's arrogance will be their downfall.

On another issue: What was that all about when Layton said "big ass" in question period? I 'm not sure if it was a slip up or an 'accidental' shot at someone.

Yeah

The Conservatives are no where near "hard right". Not even close. All three major national political parties in this country are jammed together in the middle...........the NDP on the left of middle, the Liberals in the centre (when they campaign, further right when they rule), and the CPC on the right of middle....

Good Lord, man, you are talking about a Party that endorses socialized medicine, ended corporate tax invasion through income trusts (which the Libs didn't dare do), have set up the anti-SSM people to fail, none of which are exactly garaunteed to win the hearts of true right-wingers. Harper has dragged the CPC right into the mainstream middle...........

As for the Big Ass comment, it was funny, and a mistake, and Harper handled it well insisting he would get to the bottom of it. He later jokingly wondered if it was aimed at him........a little comic relief.