CanPol - Do we have our election issue?

[Wezil]

So embalmer.... How about the issue?

[embalmer42]

Senators should die a particularly slow and painful death and their suffering should be broadcast on TV for the enjoyment of the masses.

Or were you talking about a different issue?

[Wezil]

No doubt Harper would love the combo of recalcitrant Senate and Crime Bill to go to the polls with. It's a much better issue for them than Afghanistan. Quite frankly Afghanistan is probably the best issue out there for the Liberals. Would it be enough to win? Unlikely.

[Krill]

Poor Lib'rals they still haven't got back on their feet since Harper battered them

[Wezil]

They're in a tough spot. They know they are probably not going to win a general election any time soon, yet as opposition in a minority government situation they are obligated to either vote with, abstain, or be absent anytime the Tories hold any vote of confidence. It is embarrassingly weak and further erodes their support every time they do it.

[Krill]

I thought they could vote against the governemt anytime they chose to in a Vote of Confidence, just that it would be worthless without enough allies to get the vote.

[Wezil]

Yes but they go in knowing the other two opposition parties are probably going to vote against the government as well. Both the BQ and NDP think they will be in a better position after an election than they currently are and both hate the Tories anyway.

[embalmer42]

So what's worse for them at this point - causing (or helping to cause) an election they (and possibly a majority of Canadians?) don't want or appearing indecisive and not willing to stand on principal for their beliefs to Canadians because they know they are probably not in a good position to fight an election?

[Wezil]

The Tories are doing a good job of removing the "causing the election" label from the Liberals. It will be difficult for Harper to make the argument when he is seen as the ultimate cause. I bolded the section in the article about the crime bill. The Libs will support Afghanistan with some amendments - will the Tories budge? These sorts of things...

[embalmer42]

Who is responsible for an election call and who the spin control freaks (of either party) make people think is responsible can be two entirely different beasts; I think perhaps you have more faith in the understanding of the "common man" regarding politics than I do.

[Wezil]

Perhaps, but with the public image Harper already has it wouldn't be too hard to paint him as the culprit.

[notyoueither]

Harper is framing an issue that will play well with his base. After making traditional supporters comfortable that he is fighting the good fight in Ottawa (that damned Senate!) he will have more latitude to deliver on issues important to the middle of the road in Ontario and federalists in Quebec.

Nothing surprising here, other than a politician trying to win an election before it is called.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Wezil
The Tories are trying their best for an election.

OTTAWA - The Conservative government stepped up its browbeating campaign against the Senate and the Liberals on Thursday, introducing a motion that threatens to force an election over its anti-crime bill.

The motion calls on the House of Commons to direct the Liberal-dominated Senate to pass the omnibus bill by March 1 or face an election. A vote on the motion could be held as early as Monday.

Liberal senators have bristled at the deadline, saying they have a constitutional duty to study the proposed legislation for as long as it takes.

The move appears to be the latest Tory effort to step up election pressure while casting their main foes as soft on crime.

It comes amid speculation the Liberals might bring down the minority government over the coming federal budget or the Afghanistan combat mission - both of which are less attractive campaign issues for the Tories than a law-and-order focus.

The crime act deals with issues such as violent and gun crimes, dangerous offenders and raising the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14. MPs passed the legislation in the House of Commons on Nov. 28 before a lengthy Christmas break that ended Jan. 28.


"It has been studied to death," Conservative House Leader Peter Van Loan said of the content in five bills comprising the Tackling Violent Crime Act.

"Canadians will no longer accept Liberal Senate backdoor delay and obstruction of real action to tackle crime."

But Liberal Senate Leader Celine Hervieux-Payette pointed out that the Senate committee studying the bill has agreed to extend its hours and sit through a planned break in mid-February.

Opposition politicians also note that four of the five bills reintroduced last fall were on track to pass last spring - until the Conservatives opted to cut the parliamentary session short and begin a fresh one.

Van Loan dodged those questions and how forcing an early election, once again derailing legislation, would help the suddenly urgent bills pass any faster.

The Tories let months pass after the introduction of the crime bills in their original form, Liberal Senator Sharon Carstairs noted.

She referred to the latest Tory tactics as another example of strategic "bullying."

The backdrop to the apparent Conservative zest for an early vote is the prospect of worsening economic conditions in Canada as the U.S. flirts with recession.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2...832698-cp.html

I love how it is the SENATE that is holding up legislation-- Since a lot of people would like the abolish this country club for Liberal hacks (and a smaller number of Tory hacks) they should start interfering more and more with Parliament

AS for the Tories I can't blame them for wanting to govern. Either they can pass the key pieces of their agenda or they should call for an election. pretending to govern with an inability to move things along is probably the worst thing that could happen

[notyoueither]

Forget that. Wanting to actually govern is just a sign of how power mad Steve is according to the Wezil's of the country.

[Wezil]

Ah, the posters with the Torie shaded glasses have arrived.

Forget that. Wanting to actually govern is just a sign of how power mad Steve is according to the Wezil's of the country.

Do you remember the big complaint against Martin? Ah, yes. The guy wanted to govern like he had a majority even though he was in minority. The *****ing and moaning by the right b/c Martin wouldn't compromise...

Short memories out west apparently. Oil fumes?