In April, a commentor at the Shotgun published leaked Liberal party talking points. I republished them here. A lot of it is patently obvious, but in hindsight, they sound familiar, especially the Gomery spin – considering they didn’t have his findings at the time.
At Free Dominion – questions about “heating rebate” cheques that are popping into people’s mailboxes and bank accounts, courtesy the “government”.
Euthanasia is cost effective. (Considering a former Saskatchewan NDP politician’s assertion last year that Canadian citizens have a duty to live healthfully and die quickly, so as not to burden the health care system, take this caution seriously.)
Meeting John O’Sullivan was one of the high points on the Western Standard cruise. He has a new piece out on the Canadian election asking Is there still a lumberjack under all that mascara? (link fixed)
CPC Saskatchewan caucus;
The Conservative Party’s Saskatchewan caucus today welcomed NDP Premier Lorne Calvert’s stated support yesterday for the Conservative plan on the fiscal imbalance.
The Conservatives’ Saskatchewan caucus chair said this statement of support makes it clear Stephen Harper has the right approach to fix the fiscal imbalance and co-operate with the provinces.
“It is encouraging to hear an NDP premier say we are on the right track,” said Tom Lukiwski. “Only the Conservative Party has the ability to replace Paul Martin’s corrupt government and finally address the fiscal imbalance. On behalf of our Saskatchewan caucus, I encourage all Saskatchewan voters to help provide the Conservative Party with a strong mandate for change on election day.”
It’s in his DNA to fight separatism, says Paul Martin. Turns out he’s more a lover than a fighter.
Oh, and as we’ve had our heads buried in a Canadian election campaign, Iran and Europe are getting ready for nuclear war. Iran has launched the first strike.
Add your own in the comments.
An excellent article in the National Interest: ” Why Anglos Lead”, by Lawrence Mead
http://www.nationalinterest.org/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1ABA92EFCD8348688A4EBEB3D69D33EF&tier=4&id=F8A686FC861D4DE99CE3A08477BAF970
Which raises the question: are Canadians still Anglos?
Mark
Ottawa
“Harper’s moderation is a recognition that the Canadians have become accustomed to the easy chair of subsidies and regulation since then. He knows that massive change would be rejected. So he is inviting modern Canada to take the first small steps back to economic independence, self-reliance and national pride�perhaps with more to follow as the patient grows stronger.
But is there still a lumberjack under all that mascara?”
Thanks for posting the link to John O’Sullivan’s excellent piece. Looks like The Irish are going to have to save Western Civilization – again 😉
Good round-up article in USA Today (h/t self-promoting WK at “Comments Please”): “Canada’s Conservatives ready to close the deal”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-01-19-canada-conservatives_x.htm
Excerpts:
‘In a campaign marked by anti-American rhetoric and Liberal missteps, Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper has moved his party to the vote-rich middle. Political analysts say a Conservative win could improve recently strained relations between the United States and Canada…
n the week before the election, Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin spoke to desultory crowds in formerly safe districts and dodged questions about his dismal poll numbers. The normally stiff Harper looked relaxed and cheerful as he barnstormed in far eastern Canada and Quebec, usually strongholds for the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois…
In two years as prime minister, Martin has clashed with President Bush over defense, the lumber trade, border security, global warming and Iraq.
Harper says he’s open to reconsidering Martin’s decision not to participate in a U.S. missile-defense program. The Conservative leader agrees with Bush that the Kyoto treaty on reducing greenhouse gases is flawed. Harper initially supported the war in Iraq, although he now says he’s disappointed by intelligence failures and would not send Canadian troops there.
Observers say the biggest change they expect from a Conservative government is simply a friendlier tone toward the United States. “I don’t think you’ll have the prime minister’s communications director calling President Bush a ‘moron,’ ” as happened in 2002 under Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien, says Ezra Levant, publisher of Western Standard, a conservative magazine in Calgary. “The needless rhetorical irritations will evaporate immediately.”
Conservative momentum doesn’t mean Canada is moving to the right on social, military or fiscal matters. It’s Harper who has moved � to the middle. He has pledged to seek no changes to abortion laws. He has avoided debate on same-sex marriage, which is legal in Canada but which he opposes. He promises to protect social programs, especially universal health care.
“Harper has hugged the center,” says Warren Kinsella, a Liberal strategist who is critical of Martin. “What Americans should expect is a centrist Conservative who is quite different from the conservatives they see in Washington, D.C.”..
Liberals found some success when Martin portrayed the United States as a bullying neighbor. His popularity rose in mid-December after he criticized the United States for its refusal to participate in the Kyoto agreement and verbally sparred with U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins.
“America is our neighbor, it’s not our nation,” Martin chided at the Jan. 9 debate.
Martin repeatedly accused Harper of being too close to Republicans in the USA. Liberal ads tried to tie Harper to the American right wing and Bush. However, instead of inspiring anxiety, the ads brought mockery: Parodies circulated on the Internet, and polls showed no dent in Harper’s popularity.
“Painting (Harper) as a Canadian version of the extreme American Republicans has just not had any traction,” Tupper says. “It’s a misstep in the degree of emphasis. You can only go so far with it.”..’
Mark
Ottawa
Check out the Liberal.ca homepage. The entire page is devoted to attack stories against Harper/Tories. There is not a single section devoted to Liberal policies, it’s all anti-Tory stuff. But when you have no policies, I guess you are left with nothing else for your web page.
John O’Sullivan’s article brough back fond memories of sitting by the campfire, by the mighty rivers of british Columbia, with logs floating by, wearing mascara…. oooops.
(Always loved Monty Python) Bang on article.
Re: Iran, this is truly scary. Their growing bravado seems to increase with every left generated anti-war smear. That and France waving the nuclear option around, has me wondering (and worried).
Just finished listening to Harper fend off CBC’s Mansbridge at the National. You could tell the script writer was not the same one that danced with Paulie or the ‘stache. Give Stephen Harper credit though, he didn’t bite at all and gave clear thoughful answers. BZ Steve.
Solvent Green in Saskatchewan. Here’s hoping it doesn’t catch on.
Kate, your link to the Sullivan piece now points to an essay by Margaret Thatcher. The Sullivan piece is now located at:
http://www.canadianvalues.ca/commentary.aspx?aid=118
I could be mistaken, but the heating post was from 2003 … I am not sure how that is relevant to today’s election – or am I missing something?
“Energy Cost Benefit payments will be made to low-income families with children and to seniors.”
http://www.fin.gc.ca/news05/data/05-066_1e.html
This is not new. The date of the news release is October 6, 2005
http://www.fin.gc.ca/news05/05-066e.html
The only problem I see is that these cheques will also go to people living in suites where the cost of heating is included in the rent. The timing of the cheque is interesting too.
I remember all to well the first time a Canadian doctor lectured me about cost effectiveness.
That was 25 years ago.
Now that doctor is the head of a regional health district.
Over those years focus has changed from treating the sick to wellness clinics and alternate therapies.
Colby Cosh on his Macleans election blog:
Hey Torontonians!
After the Boxing Day shootings, 76% of you told a pollster that you thought “lenient judges” were partly to blame for allowing gun crime to prosper in Canadian cities. So when Paul Martin warns you that Stephen Harper will appoint conservatives to the bench, you’re being tested on your memory. Does it go back as far as December 26?
hmmm interesting article by Mr. O’Sullivan.
Hmmm, wonder where the Lumberjack Song reference come from?
😉
Attention. Attention, please. Maurice Strong and Moi, Paul, are now in control. Give up or you wull be assimulated. Merci & thank you, Paul Martin…
An internationally representative Board of Directors is being established for the ManyOne Foundation, and will include 30 to 40 members from around the world. Leaders who have agreed to serve on the Foundation Board include:
Joseph Firmage
is Chairman of the ManyOne Foundation.
Foundation board includes:
Maurice Strong
Former Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to the President of the World Bank.
http://www.manyone.net/about/foundation/
The Legacy of J.Chretien; the legatee is Paul Martin. Ashes to ashes for the Librano$????? Cauchon untainted by AdScam??? Not. …
I think it’ll be Cauchon. They need someone who can restore credibility in quebec.
Cauchon untainted by Adscam. They need someone who will be in for the longhaul. The Libs are at least two elections away from power. Cauchon is young enough to get the job, stick it out, and learn the ropes. >>> http://www.voy.com/178771/123092.html
More Librano Sign Fun (In fact, it looks like Kate will be able to shut down that script pretty soon
(Not much) More Librano Sign Fun�
MSM vs Wretchard & Michelle Malkin >>
fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GITMO AND THE LONDON TERROR BOMBINGS
By Michelle Malkin � January 19, 2006 12:24 AM
Here’s a very interesting story from Reuters: “Guantanamo prisoners tied to London bomb probe.” Excerpt: >>>
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004315.htm