Thursday, April 12, 2007

Griberal Deal

So Stephane Dion and Elizabeth May have now decided to prevent the constituents of Central Nova from being able to vote for one of the two main parties in Canada (H/T Dust My Broom).

Not all Liberals are happy about the move. Privately, some expressed fear that the pact reinforces a slew of negatives for Dion: that he’s weak and needs to be propped up by another party, that he’s a one-note leader fixated on climate change, that he’s abandoned the political centre and is allying himself with a left-wing, one-issue party.

As well, some Liberals are loathe to give up their historic boast that they’re a national party that always runs candidates in every single riding across the country. Dion himself was still making that boast as little as three months ago...


CBC suggests that the Griberal leaders will likely defend the decision as necessary because "they believe Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn't take climate change seriously and that he must be defeated."

I can think of a couple of politicians that I'm having trouble taking seriously...


* * * *

Update: Dion and May: aka The New Red Green Show.

Also, Woody notes how good Elizabeth looks in red!

But Joan wonders if it isn't resembling more of a French farce.


Here's some more humour, but I almost feel sorry for this poor Liblogger. He is delusional:

I sincerely believe this move is mutually beneficial for Dion and May. For Dion, it gives him badly needed green credibility, since his record as Environment Minister is open to criticism. For May, she has a more clear shot at a seat in the House of Commons, and clout with a leader who in theory has a shot at becoming Prime Minister some day.


So according to John, Dion is weak on his own and has poor credibility, but still has a shot at being PM??? And if May wanted a seat so badly, why not pick an easier riding? The poor liberal bloggers are desperately trying some kind of rationale here, when in fact there isn't any.

It's just plain insanity!


* * * *
Further Update: And this Mr. Dion, is an example of the kind of company you are keeping now.

And at Angry in the Great White North (which BTW, was one of the first 'blogs' I ever read) - Stephane Dion Sells Out Liberal Voters in return for an endorsement).


56 comments:

Rosie said...

Griberal, good one! I will say I heard it here first!

Dirk said...

"So Stephane Dion and Elizabeth May have now decided to prevent the constituents of Central Nova from being able to vote for one of the two main parties in Canada."

Are you seriously complaining about ppl in Central Nova not being able to vote Liberal? Incredible.

Anonymous said...

There are so many things I find disconcerting about Stephane Dion's decision not to run a Liberal in Central Nova, I'm having trouble finding where to start.

I'll leave the political fall-out to the pundits, because my real concern is for the Liberal voters in Central Nova. While I can't understand for a second where Dion thinks he's going with this ploy and how successful it will be, I'm interested in speaking with a few Liberal board members in Central Nova.

I'd like to know how their conversation with their leader went. "Hi guys, Liz will be taking your votes this time through, we don't really have a chance anyways. Plus, she's the only person out there who supports my leadership on the environment."

There is something troubling about a political party that turns its back on its very own grassroots supporters. Men and women who canvass, create pamphlets, attend nomination meetings, wear buttons, make phone calls, stay up late and get up early. Men and women who do what we're doing now. Getting involved. I can't help thinking how badly I'd want all of my time back, if I found out it was suddenly all for nothing.

Does the Liberal leadership in Ottawa really think every Central Nova Liberal will cast a Green Ballot in the next election? That they will simply discard their convictions in favour of Elizabeth May and her party's one-issue pipe dream?

Putting it mildly, the Green Party Platform has more questionable policies than Paul Martin's PMO. I think and I hope this recent Liberal bid to coerce voters, will fail miserably. I think it smacks of disrespect for their party workers in Central Nova and I think it wreaks of the same old Liberal tricks we've been sick of for far too long.

I'm a Conservative, true. But like those Liberals in Central Nova, I'm a Canadian who works on behalf of my democracy. My own party stripping me of a candidate is as good as taking away my vote.

If the Conservative Party of Canada told me I didn't have a candidate to vote for in the next election...I'd buy a condo in Country Hills.

Pleasure meeting you last night too Joanne. Plenty of choices to make now.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to respond to Dirk, just quickly, if I may.

I don't think the issue is so much that people in Central Nova can't vote Liberal, it's that they're being told one road is closed. And that isn't democracy.

The Liberal Party of Canada took the vote away from over ten thousand people, in one press release. They're handing out buttons that say Dion's inner circle understands the needs of Central Nova better than the people who live there.

Anyways, this doesn't just hurt voters in Central Nova. It hurts us all.

Dirk said...

"I don't think the issue is so much that people in Central Nova can't vote Liberal, it's that they're being told one road is closed. And that isn't democracy."

So you're saying that all voters have the right to vote for a candidate from a major party? Please. If a party chooses -- or is unable -- to run a candidate in a riding, so be it. Parties don't owe ridings candidates.

The bottom line is that voters elect people. These people might be affiliated with a political party, or run independently. Elected members may even switch party allegiances.

I recall voting on once occasion where the party affiliation was not listed on the ballot. I loved that. People who blindly cast a ballot, basin their vote only on party affiliation, are almost as harmful to our democracy as those who don't vote.

If we elect good people, we will have a better chance at being governed well. If we elect party hacks, we get partisan bickering and grandstanding.

Dirk said...

"There is something troubling about a political party that turns its back on its very own grassroots supporters."

Tell that to Peter MacKay.

Coming from supporters of the CPC, this is incredibly rich, given the PC party's fate.

Anonymous said...

Credible political parties are always preferable to the alternative, but since the Liberals were really lame ducks while in power for 13 years, except for the corruption, it's nice to see that they've decided they don't want the responsibility of governance.

Anonymous said...

What I really don't understand, is what Dion et al think the (presumed) defeat of one conservative candidate will do for them.

Let's pretend for a moment, if you will, that May blows MacKay out of the water and takes the seat. Whippee do.

I don't really understand how that helps the Libs, or how it hurts the Cons, IT'S ONE SEAT. Yes, that might matter if the dice roll dictates that there is a minority situation where one vote will make a difference (like we saw with the last Lib minority), but outside of that slim chance, one seat isn't going to change much.

So.. we circumvent process (not allowing Central Nova Lib's a candidate to vote for), he destroys the Lib proud claim to be the ONLY party to forever have run a full slate.. for what?

Either the tactical point is far beyond what my silly lil unsophisticated non-Quebec brain can imagine, or this man is a complete wing nut without a strategic thought in his arsenal.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Either the tactical point is far beyond what my silly lil unsophisticated non-Quebec brain can imagine, or this man is a complete wing nut without a strategic thought in his arsenal.

Anne, without a doubt it's the latter.


There is lots of grumbling within the party about this decision as well. It was so incredibly stupid I can't believe it.

However, the main problem is, as Luke pointed out, that it undermines democracy. Yes, it is true that not all parties run candidates in every riding, but I cannot remember a situation where this ever happened before that one of the two main parties didn't run a candidate in every riding.

If the CPC did that, I'd be hopping mad too.

I may be a Conservative, but above all, I'm a Canadian who values democracy.

Dion sold out the Liberal grassroots in Central Nova. Plain and simple.

And in doing that, he sold out the integrity of his entire party.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Rose, lol! Thanks. Maybe I should copyright that? ;)

Luke, great to hear from you! I hope you become a frequent visitor here.

Kai_Wolf said...

Many Liberals are spinning this into some sort of masterful chess move by Dion. However, this is a massive case of wishful thinnking.

Dion has just suceeded in pissing off the Central Nova Riding Association. Do you think telling those people who stumped for your Party, knocked on doors in miserable weather, countless hours on the phone, "thanks for nothing" is somehow going to HELP you? How can he not think that this will not piss off other Riding Associations, knowing that they too can be just as expendable if Dion deems it?

Now instead of a chance at that riding, they are guaranteed NO chance. And even that sacrifice might be in vain, because MacKay could still very well win again.

As I've said at the top of my post, many Liberals think this is a great move. However, clearly, Dion is playing checkers when he should be playing chess. Way to piss of the grassroots you're supposed to be courting Dion. Can you hear the sound of Liberal membership cards being ripped in Central Nova as we speak?

Joanne (True Blue) said...

nd even that sacrifice might be in vain, because MacKay could still very well win again.

Exactly. And here's the irony: If Peter did in fact lose his seat, Harper would likely not be crying an ocean of tears in private.

Anonymous said...

Dirk:

Again, I think we're getting off the point here.

The discussion is not whether a major political party is running a candidate in a particular riding. The point is how awfully the Liberal Party of Canada sold out the members of its party in Central Nova.

The point is that by now, that riding association has already raised money for an election, and candidates wishing to run for the Liberal party (because why wouldn't they assume this country's most successful party would run a candidate in every riding)have made arrangments to do so.

My point had nothing to do with what major parties owe the riding associations. That's straw man on your part. I'm saying this Liberal Party, with this decision, took away everything Liberals in Central Nova have worked for in the past. And they sold out their hard work to a candidate who still doesn't stand a chance in that riding.

Dirk said...

"I may be a Conservative, but above all, I'm a Canadian who values democracy."

Ok, then. Could you put your money where your mouth is and send Sen. Fortier an email asking him to change his web-site so it doesn't appear that he's an MP for a riding where he was not elected? (www.michaelfortier.com)
(H/T Red Tory)

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Dirk, can you give an exact reference, please?

Dirk said...

"The discussion is not whether a major political party is running a candidate in a particular riding.
...
My point had nothing to do with what major parties owe the riding associations. That's straw man on your part."

No, it's not straw man. Joanne's original post said "Stephane Dion and Elizabeth May have now decided to prevent the constituents of Central Nova from being able to vote for one of the two main parties in Canada". And l_r said "they're being told one road is closed..."
Both comments (and many others that followed) directly suggested that the LPC was violating voters' democratic rights by not running a candidate. That's what I was addressing.

This may not have been your point, but other people did make it.

Kai_Wolf said...

Check out what it says on the Liberal webpage for Central Nova:

http://www.liberal.ca/riding_e.aspx?riding=12002

Your riding is currently not held by a Liberal Member of Parliament. Please Donate now to help us win back this riding.

I wonder, when this is updated, what Dion will have it say.

h/t - Angry In The Great White North

Dirk said...

"Dirk, can you give an exact reference, please?"

Sure. Throughout Sen. Fortier's site, you see references to the riding where he'll run in the next fed election: Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Most prominently, you can see the riding name on the right half of the site's header -- opposite his name. This associates him to the riding in an official-looking way, which has no basis in reality.

Also, check out his "Welcome to www.MichaelFortier.com" article, here: http://www.michaelfortier.com/EN/4913/52740

It does not mention that he's not the elected MP here, but does tie him to the riding in a way that's not real.

Anonymous said...

Dirk,

Is a LIBERAL really lecturing the rest of us on unfairly apppointing Senators?

You took that quote way out of context.

And again, let's stick to the point. The party workers in Central Nova were given the shaft by their own party. Bottom line. This move showed no respect for their hard work, and no appreciation for their support of the party. I can't help but think we'd all feel the same way if it happened to us.

Even you Dirk.

Dirk said...

luke:

"The point is that by now, that riding association has already raised money for an election, and candidates wishing to run for the Liberal party (because why wouldn't they assume this country's most successful party would run a candidate in every riding)have made arrangments to do so."

Who knows? I'd be really surprised if a lot of time has already been logged by volunteers in a "no chance" riding like Central Nova. And if moneys were raised for a campaign, they can be saved for a future election. It's not like the LPC will never run a Central Nova candidate again.

Every decision has costs and benefits. Some grass roots supporters may be upset. But if you're a party supporter, you care about what's best for the party. And in this case, it gets the LPC lots of positive headlines.

Think about it:
- this paints Dion and May as willing to work beyond their own party lines on dealing with climate change
- this gives more air-time to Elizabeth May, which may lead to her being included in a leader's debate. A Dion/May alliance in the leader's debate would be huge for the LPC.
- this further marginalizes the NDP, who stand to be the biggest losers if the Greens do well.

This isn't about winning an extra seat. This is all about optics. And if May does win, the rewards will be even greater for the LPC, since the Dion/May partnership would continue to generate positive headlines.

Dirk said...

Luke:

"Is a LIBERAL really lecturing the rest of us on unfairly apppointing Senators?

You took that quote way out of context."

I'm not a Liberal. There has been many an election where I haven't voted Liberal. I vote for the person, who I feel, is the best person to represent my riding. At different times, that's been a conservative, a liberal, and a new democrat. Party affiliation is a very small factor in my voting decision.

Speaking of taking quotes out of context...
I'm not talking about unfairly appointing senators. I'm talking about Sen. Fortier's blatant misrepresentation of his role on his web site.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Kai_Wolf - I just checked out Steve's post. OMG!

What if that's what Dion is really planning - i.e. get people so pissed off they vote NDP which would be an easier victory than either the Liberals or Greens. McKay would be gone!

But what would he have accomplished other than to humiliate Peter?

Kai_Wolf said...

But what would he have accomplished other than to humiliate Peter?

Joanne, I'm still not anywhere close to being convinced that is going to happen.

There is no guarantee that ALL those Liberal votes will ALL go NDP or Green. It is just as plausible that much of that vote will go Conservative to keep their current long sitting MP who happens to be a Cabinet Minister in a prominent post.

Then take into account many of those Liberal Riding Association workers. They will want a place to go, and they won't be in a mood to be charitable to the Liberals. They will do whatever they can to work against the Liberals for what Dion has done, and they will do so to maximum affect. Not all of them are left leaning.

I seriously doubt that people in that riding are going to put up with that kind of cynical manipulation and will punish the Liberals and the Greens for their game playing. This is going to backfire in their faces - big time.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

They will do whatever they can to work against the Liberals for what Dion has done, and they will do so to maximum affect.

Which could possibly mean a landslide victory for Peter McKay...

molarmauler said...

I think this pretty much ends any credible argument for including May in the leadership debate.
Why should Dion be allowed to bring a cheerleader because that is all she is now.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Dirk - From Fortier's site at the exact reference you gave me:

"I wish to properly represent the citizens of Vaudreuil-Soulanges in the House of Commons and to do so I made a commitment to be a thorough deputy. This website is conceived to respond to their needs and help them to better know my work and me. That is why we created this new site and I hope you enjoy it", concludes the Minister.


I wish to properly represent the citizens of Vaudreuil-Soulanges...

Is that what you have a problem with? Are you assuming that the constituents there are dummies that have no idea what is going on? That they will be led down the garden path? What part of 'properly' don't you understand?

This is a red herring argument anyway. All the constituents in Fortier's riding have the freedom to vote for any major party they choose.

You may not be a Liberal but you sure seem to have the liberal Nanny State attitude.

Kai_Wolf said...

And as an aside, it is obvious that for Stephane Dion and the Liberals, it is more important to see Peter McKay gone than it is to win a seat for the Liberals as a party of choice for voters and as a viable alternative Government.
It is going to be easy for Peter McKcay and the Tories to ride the wave of cynicism that this is going to generate.

This isn't leadership on Dion's part, no matter how much the Liberals try to spin it. How can the Liberals ever claim to be "The Natural Governing Party" when they are not even serious about every Riding?

It is not compromise what he is doing; it is crass manipulation for base political gain. Nothing Dion is doing is inspiring me to vote Liberal, and this is just the lastest example of his lack of ability as a leader.

Anonymous said...

Dirk wrote:

"This isn't about winning an extra seat. This is all about optics. And if May does win, the rewards will be even greater for the LPC, since the Dion/May partnership would continue to generate positive headlines."

With Dion now endorsing May, they are now unofficially allied on their platform. Will we see May making outrageous statements and the news media asking Dion for comments/endorsements?

Will we see news stories from Central Nova where the spurned Liberal grassroots are actively campaigning for the Conservatives or the NDP? (the "Anyone But May" movement?)

If May gets elected (doubtful), will she be compelled to vote with the Liberals so as to not be labelled a fair weather friend?

Will Dion be asked to comment on Green Party nutbars like the Kevin Potvin who cheered the events of 9/11? (refer to Joanne's link to the National Post article above)

Will Dion need to take time out of his campaign supporting his own party to stop by Central Nova for Green Party pep rallies and hug-fests?

This is another disaster Dion brought upon himself. I hope the Conservative Party will draw attention to his blunder in a fair and direct way, since the people need to know what a twit Dion is for abandoning his own party in Central Nova.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Molar - I quite agree. They've both lost credibility.


Kai_Wolf - It is going to be easy for Peter McKcay and the Tories to ride the wave of cynicism that this is going to generate.

Exactly. In fact, this could have such a backlash that Peter McKay may very well have trouble keeping a smile off his face.

Actually, I'm going to do a 180 degree turn here and say, Go Griberals Go!!!

Anonymous said...

Dion had no choice. The "Griberal Deal" ensures that he will not have to face a Green challenger in his own riding.

Dirk said...

There's been a lot of emphasis here on disgruntled local Liberals. There may be some, but many others may be supportive. Who knows? One thing is sure, and that is that party culture in the CPC is far different. What's being described here may be reflective of how some CPC riding assn. members would conduct themselves, but until we see actual election results, no-one posting here is really in any position to make conclusions about a Central Nova Liberal backlash.

As a non-partisan observer, I think this is an interesting move. If the Reform/CCRAP and the PC parties had followed the same riding sharing strategy, Chretien would likely not have posted three consecutive majority victories.

Kai_Wolf said...

If the Reform/CCRAP and the PC parties had followed the same riding sharing strategy, Chretien would likely not have posted three consecutive majority victories.

And that is why the saying "principles befor politics" is so appropriate.

Not every Party (the Tories or the Dippers anyway)is going to completley sell out their local people that worked hard for their Party in the first place, all now in the name of ensuring that a competing Party gets a seat for its leader when its clear that the sacrifice that is being imposed on them is far, far from being a sure thing for any potential return.

And what possible return is that? A small chance to knock off McKay and implant a leading member of a competing Party. Is it really worth taking that kind of risk in a situation where a minority Government is a very distinct possibility? MP seats are more of a premium than ever. Dion is foolish for gambling with that and the potential harm far outweighs any potential gain he might make. And that is exactly why Dion is not a capable leader.

And what of the Green Party supporters? Do you think that they appreciate that the supposed LEADER of their own Party saying that the leader of another Party battling with them and the NDP for the environmental vote is going to make a great Prime Minister? May is selling out her Party as well.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Stephanie and Elizabeth can share a podium in the debate. she could field all the unfair comments.

Anonymous said...

I guess all it takes to procure Elizabeth May's endorsement is to get a dog and name it Kyoto, because that's about all Dion did on the environmental file.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

John - That's it! You win the prize for figuring out the strategy. Elizabeth will help Dion in the leadership debates all right.

She'll take the English questions!!!

Kai_Wolf said...

Joanne, take a look at the vote count in Central Nova from the last election and the one in 2004 -

Tories - 2004: 16,376
- 2006: 17,134

Liberals - 2004: 10,470
- 2006: 10,349

NDP - 2004: 10,470
- 2006: 13,861

Green - 2004: 1,015
- 2006: 671

With the local Liberals out of the picture, and splitting their vote between the Tories, the Greens and the Dippers, how can the Greens realistically expect to overcome any gains the other Parties will also make because of this and take the riding?

It is obvious which two Parties stand to gain from this latest Dion brainfart; its either a NDP win or McKay retains his seat. Is it REALLY that important for the Liberals to give up the chance at a seat for MAYBE getting rid of McKay? What is the supposed net gain here supposed to be?

How will loyal Liberal voters REALLY appreciate being forced to give up their choice for what will amount to nothing anyway? Do the Greens really want their LEADER to be a sacrificial pawn in some Liberal game; where pissed off and spurned local Liberal supporters will undoubtedly engage in an "Anybody But Elizabeth May" movement?

I can't believe Dion would be this stupid.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Kai_wolf, I still think there must be some deal for May to field the English questions for Dion and vice versa.

Kai_Wolf said...

Joanne, Dion still has to engage in an English election debate eventually; he ain't getting off that easy!

He was nailed by the other candiates during the Liberal Leadership race and kindly gave Tories all kinds of material for ads. What do you think is going to happen when Dion has to get in there with Harper? And Duceppe is obviously no slouch in the French department and is a very savvy and experienced election debating opponent. So no respite there either.

Elizabeth May is going to be no help to Dion, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that she is no help to the Green Party either. Look for more than one Opposition Party leader to lose their jobs after the next election.......if they even last that long.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Joanne, Dion still has to engage in an English election debate eventually; he ain't getting off that easy!

lol! I know. Just being facetious.


BTW, sorry but I had enable comment moderation. I'll be away for a few days, so this is the only way to keep out the spam, etc.

Please continue to leave comments if you like though. I'll be checking in once in a while. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

English, unfair ... let's not split hairs, eh?

Ardvark said...

I guess the grass roots 308 riding strategy the Liberals were talking about at their convention is now out. Maybe Dion missed that part while he was making another backroom deal with Kennedy. Dion again looks confused, but what is even worse is how May is handling this.

May is supporting Dion for PM? Kind of strange for a leader of a political party to endorse another party leader isn't it? The Green Party was formed during the decade of darkness of Liberal rule in this country, and now their new leader thinks the Liberals are the solution. Why have a Green Party at all then Liz? The grass roots greens are sure not going to like this.



Al

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Well, it's official now.

Tony said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Tango Juliette sez:

Steffi DeYawnne: Putative leader of the Liberal Party of SOME of Canada. Oficcically on itès way to becoming a Rump party.

What patently flaky hacks.

The Libs first did something like this in the forties. I{n Alberta. To unseat an MD, Coservative. The First Ukrainian elected the parliament.

The Libs ran a Liberal, AND a communist. The commie helped split the Ukie vote. The Lib flake, also a Ukie, got in. We should get thousands of volunteers into the riding, have May buried. Do the same in DeYawnneès riding. Back someone whoèll kick his ass. Maybe to only Bloc to get sent to Ottawa, next time round. I could livbe with that.

Tony said...

That agreement is going to hurt the Liberals, as many of its supporters are miffed and appalled at the Dion/May deal.

Dion 'off his rocker' to consider Central Nova abstention


Looking at the numbers from the 2006 elections:

Tories - 2006: 17,134
Liberals - 2006: 10,349
NDP - 2006: 13,861
Green - 2006: 671

So if all the Liberal support goes to the Greens, which is impossible, they will still be approximately 7000 votes behind. The NDPs are outraged at the deal, so it is hardly likely that they will support May, so no matter which way you slice it, the progressive vote will still be split.

There is no way Stephane Dion or Elizabeth May will come out looking good from this deal. It would have been far better for Elizabeth May to resign from the Green Party, join the Liberals and run for that party. Now if she loses, she will be finished.

Dirk said...

The days of a two or three party system in Canada are over, at least for the moment. Coalition building efforts like this are the norm in democracies where multiple parties are capable of capturing significant portions of the vote.

Again, I like this. I see this as a ballsy move. Some party hacks may bristle and say stuff like "this is not the way we do politics in Canada", or cry "unfair!", but I'm willing to bet this will go over well with voters.

Kai_Wolf said...

I'm willing to bet this will go over well with voters.

Certainly not if you're a voter in that riding that only votes Liberal, those that intended to vote Liberal this time, or vote for them again. Now they don't even have that choice.

Ballsy doesn't always mean smart.

RGM said...

Folks, when Bob Fife is lambasting Dion and calling it a bad move, clearly the Liberals have done something really dumb.

I like Dirk's idea that it's about "optics." The optics of Dion endorsing the leader of the Green Party the day after a candidate for her party proclaimed his joy for what happened on 9/11 are surely wonderful optics that will do a world of good for Liberal fortunes. /sarcasm

Anonymous said...

"Again, I like this. I see this as a ballsy move. Some party hacks may bristle and say stuff like "this is not the way we do politics in Canada", or cry "unfair!", but I'm willing to bet this will go over well with voters.
"

I think you are confused. Its Dion who likes to say that is unfair:)

RepoCreepo said...

Liz is just like Garth... both pigs at the trough doing what they can to make sure they get the best scraps.

People who have been working all their lives to be a candidate are being stepped on by the likes of this ilk.

Its getting pathetic beyond belief now.

So here they go...run to the trough Garth and Betty Greenpants.......

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-WWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Anonymous said...

I think the main aspect of this deal has been overlooked. May has agreed not to run a candidate against Dion. He was just looking to protect himself.

If I were in Central Nova, or if any party tried to do this in my riding, I would work my a$$ off to try and get their opponent elected. NOBODY takes my vote for granted and NOBODY tells me how to vote. Mess with my democracy and you're messing with my freedom.

Maybe Dion should make that kind of a deal in all the ridings and then he wouldn't have to worry about being a loser after the next election. He could truthfully say that none of the Liberal candidates who ran, lost. He would have a 100% success rate as a leader.

paulsstuff said...

Dion, and then Scott Reid on Duffy yesterday denied that this was a "backroom deal".

Well apparently Garth Turner has just admitted it was, and also that Dion lied to Canadians.This is from his blog today.

"On the way there, of course, I listened to reaction to the day’s big political announcement of the marriage of convenience between Stephane Dion and Elizabeth May. As you might imagine, I’d known about this for a while, and had mixed feelings about Dion’s decision not to run a candidate against May in her ballsy move to unhorse Peter Mackay"

It was not that long ago Dion stated on Duffy and Newman that they were not talking about any type of deal such as the one announced Thursday. Soooo?

And if Garth Turner knew about it for awhile it is in fact a backroom deal, no?

Tony said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tony said...

What is really amazing is that Dion, who is always accusing Prime Minister, of being an "control-freak" went ahead and overruled 6 of his Liberal MPs from Nova Scotia and 5 Nova Scotia Liberal senators, who opposed the deal.

Liberals mixed on pact

Insiders said all six Liberal MPs and five senators from Nova Scotia initially opposed signing a non-aggression pact with May. But they were over-ruled by Dion who informed them Thursday evening of his decision.


If this is true, it is another instance that demonstrates Stephane Dion's poor leadership and adds another nail in Stephane Dion's cofin. When you have former communications director, Ray Heard, publically saying that he would support Stephane Dion's removal as leader of the Liberal Party, you know that there is a lot of turmoil and division in that party.

Liberals angry at Dion's deal to help Greens

"Ray Heard, former communications director to Liberal prime minister John Turner, was one of the few to publicly express his anger with Dion, saying he would support party members who believe Dion should be forced out."
...
Both (Liberal MPs) Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae are eminently qualified to succeed him before the next election and I cannot fault their supporters for plotting to dump him before it's too late.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Sorry, Tony. I'm moderating this from a remote location, and ironically just allowed your first comment when the second one popped up right after. What a coincidence.

I feel very much out of the loop right now. It's amazing how a day or two away from the news gets you so far behind. I only had a chance to read the Post yesterday, which BTW, had some awesome letters to the editor on this subject. ;)

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Tony, thanks for those links, BTW. Very interesting to witness the Liberal party's so-called unity begin to disintegrate once again.