CDN Politics - Liberal Leadership race

[CrONoS]

@Wezil

If you were able to vote, for who, you'll vote?

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Flubber
I believe that Rae as leader would be the greatest gift the Liberals could give to the Conservatives. His record in Ontario as an NDP premier should hurt him badly in Ontario and won't change a thing in the West

We may have crossposted (did you see above)?

Rae can win more seats in Ontario (now) than Harper.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by cronos_qc
@Wezil

If you were able to vote, for who, you'll vote?

It's not really a fair question since I am not a Liberal. I want to see Harper lose but as I think Rae is the only one capable of beating him I am divided (past history).

My vote in the next General Election will be for the Green Party.

[Flubber]

Re: CDN Politics - Liberal Leadership race

Originally posted by Wezil


.

In view of our current PM's record over the past six months I am no longer so sure we wouldn't vote Rae over Harper. I think this would be the best candidate to consolidate the left and defeat Harper but I doubt the Liberal party establishment will tolerate an outsider like Rae.

Just curious but what has Harper done that has upset you so. My view is that he has been remarkeable in keeping it simple and keeping his promises thus far.

The only surprises so far for me have been

1. his super-tight control of the Cabinet
2. his hate relationship with the media-- that just seems stupid to me
3. his taxing income trusts-- I would never have expected to take the principled approach on this issue even at the expense of breaking a campaign promise. However its something that needed to be done and it was actually handled well.

[Kontiki]

I disagree on Rae's chances against the Conservatives. Being a wildly unpopular NDP premier of Ontario just makes him such an easy punching bag in a federal election. I also don't think Harper has painted himself thus far as terribly right wing, so I don't think courting the left is a winning strategy at this point.

[Kontiki]

Wow, that was a flurry of cross-posting.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Wezil


We may have crossposted (did you see above)?

Rae can win more seats in Ontario (now) than Harper.

We did cross post-- Although I am not in Ontario so you might have a better feel for the politics there, I have difficulty thinking the people of Ontario would want a prime minister that was an "unmitigated disaster" as premier. So I ask again what has Harper done that is so bad.

My view is that the longer he is PM and is "not scary", the more likely he is to gain seats next time out.

OH and revelations of boondoggles for the Head of the Inmates Complaints doesn't help-- He was appointed in 1977 so a Liberal appointee I believe

[cinch]

I think Dion might be the best choice, but if I were a betting man, I'd go for Iggy. Convention upsets don't happen as often as one might think.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kontiki
I disagree on Rae's chances against the Conservatives. Being a wildly unpopular NDP premier of Ontario just makes him such an easy punching bag in a federal election. I also don't think Harper has painted himself thus far as terribly right wing, so I don't think courting the left is a winning strategy at this point.

Thats my take as well.

I see Harper is taking on the gay marriage thing now. I actually think this is smart. He keeps his promise and then next election if anyone brings it up he just says its a dead issue-- " the people have spoken and I will respect that"-- That should be enough to mollify his conservative base while the majority of Canadians will cease to care about the issue

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Wezil


It's not really a fair question since I am not a Liberal. I want to see Harper lose but as I think Rae is the only one capable of beating him I am divided (past history).

My vote in the next General Election will be for the Green Party.

So why do you hate Harper?

AS a Green is it because he acknowledged that it was impossible for us to meet Kyoto-- I respect that more than the Liberals talking the talk on Kyotowhile doing nothing about it.

You could though validly slam his new environmental legislation.

[Fake Boris]

Dion is probably the best choice but Ignatieff is going to win.

[Wezil]

Re: Re: CDN Politics - Liberal Leadership race

Originally posted by Flubber


Just curious but what has Harper done that has upset you so. My view is that he has been remarkeable in keeping it simple and keeping his promises thus far.

The only surprises so far for me have been

1. his super-tight control of the Cabinet
2. his hate relationship with the media-- that just seems stupid to me
3. his taxing income trusts-- I would never have expected to take the principled approach on this issue even at the expense of breaking a campaign promise. However its something that needed to be done and it was actually handled well.

1. Harper can't trust his own ministers - why should I?
2. Stupid, stupid fight. I am so tired of hearing "Minister X was unavailable for comment."
3. He shouldn't have made the promise.

I could give you my list of grievances (long and growing) but I will hold that until the next general election.

I really do despise his leadership style. He has a nonconsulting 'my way or the highway' approach that really grates. I supposedly live in a democracy but increasingly feel like I am in a banana republic. Harper condemned Martin for governing as if he had a majority then proceeded to do the same himself.

A good example would be the recent "nation" debate. Not only did Harper lose his Intergovernmental Affairs minister over the motion - he didn't even consult this minister BEFOREHAND. Strange since the motion would fall into this minister's purview.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Flubber


So why do you hate Harper?

AS a Green is it because he acknowledged that it was impossible for us to meet Kyoto-- I respect that more than the Liberals talking the talk on Kyotowhile doing nothing about it.

You could though validly slam his new environmental legislation.

Harper - Lack of integrity and ethics. Day 1 - Emerson and Fortier.

Green - I am not 'Green' either. I am philosophically a Libertarian so I tend to vote right wing (voted Con last time out). I didn't have a Libertarian candidate last time (and likely won't in the next election) so Green is where I will park my protest.

[Ninot]

Originally posted by Asher
Dion Phaneuf for PM.

BAM!

Dion.
Iggy!

QFT!

None of these candidates would get my vote in a general election. What happened to Dryden?

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Flubber


We did cross post-- Although I am not in Ontario so you might have a better feel for the politics there, I have difficulty thinking the people of Ontario would want a prime minister that was an "unmitigated disaster" as premier. So I ask again what has Harper done that is so bad.

My view is that the longer he is PM and is "not scary", the more likely he is to gain seats next time out.

OH and revelations of boondoggles for the Head of the Inmates Complaints doesn't help-- He was appointed in 1977 so a Liberal appointee I believe

You're right. We are both working on gut feelings here. I can point to the recent byelection in London however. The Conservatives ran a strong candidate (in an admittedly Liberal riding) and finished third behind the Liberals and Green Party(!). Conservative support in Ontario is incredibly 'soft' at the moment.