I’ll give credit where it’s due – hats off to Mansbridge for this.
Don’t be surprised to see Dion hit the ground in Kandahar as early as Tuesday – just to put as much distance between himself and Outremont as humanly possible.
More… Debacle… disaster.
STOP THE PRESSES: It’s sabotage!
Star Power: Dion, Dryden, Trudeau rally before 50 chanting party supporters!
h/t
Steffi will not go to Afghanistan because it is too dangerous a place for a coward. Same for Taliban Jack and I the danger may not necessarily be from the enemy.
Re the interview … Watching a puff like Mansbridge destroy a wimp like Dion is like watching a fist fight at a gay wedding. Completely laughable.
pwnd!
Interesting. Dion has labeled poverty as one of his top 4 non-negotiable priorities for the throne speech. Did poverty in Canada all of a sudden jump in the short period the Conservatives have been in office? Why wasn’t it a priority in the decade of Liberal rule before that? If poverty in Canada could be fixed by a bit of government resolve, surely the Liberals would have done so. And if it can’t be fixed by a bit of government resolve, why is Dion making such a bit deal about it?
Props to Mansbridge from here as well,
“Alright, we’ll leave it at that.”
Only Prep H can make that swelling go down.
Perhaps Stephane Dion can ask the Taliban if they are indeed interested in a ‘handgun ban’.
That should go over swimmingly.
Might I suggest a flak jacket and helmet.
Q? Has Steffi given up his Fwaaannnccce citizenship yet?
John West…how dare you. I’ve seen some really good cat-fights at gay weddings. Steffi would be trampled underfoot so fast, his a** would become his nose! 🙂
Steffy is a bufoon beyond comparison to any other. Even Cretin could occassionaly make sense but not often. Steffy is simply a train wreck and nothing will ever save him. Even given months of tutoring and lessons he still comes off as an ingormaus on nearly every subject. You’d think he was a someone who rarely saw the world as it is, was educated in a university, and then considered himself brilliant….wait a second….hmmmmm
Justthinkin, right, then he could apply the Prep H to his nose.
Well, maybe kudos to Petey Mansbridge, but let’s face it, he’s gotta be getting flak from a lot of Canadians who rely on CBC for news, so once in a while he has to get real.
I can’t see the Forces being too excited to see Dion, they have to be well aware of where he stands.
Ditto Layton. Maybe they should go together and take Duceppe along, they could sing Kumbaya and have a chat with the Taliban in a tent somewhere.
It’s staggering to think that an intellect as vacant as Dion once had a spot as a cabinet minister. I get lefty trolls through here who are more coherent.
Cowards don’t go to Afghanistan without prodding or being intimidated to do so.
Taliban Jack should go though, in accordance with his personal convictions, and run around the country asking which one of the head lobbers he could negotiate peace with.
I would give my life savings to watch a video of Dion eating a hotdog in front of our troops!
hmmm..my housemate in college was a strapping 6′ 4″ steel worker, all round good guy, intellect in the higher percentile, a mixed martial artist and published author.oh yeah..he was also gay, and was anything but effeminate..
He also hates Dion..! and anything that smells of liberal rot..!..
I think the analogy would be more along the lines of Mr. Burns trying to take his old bear from Maggie, and failing! heh heh..
the troops in Afghanistan wouldn’t give him the time of day.
Layton they would either shoot or give him a giant wedgy by stringing him up the flagpole.
Either way, each of them would have a PR disaster on their hands.
When the CBC (or Star or Globe) actually start asking some semi-tough questions like Mansbridge did at the end of the interview, its a sign that the decision has already been made to dump Dion.
We saw the media take the same kind of action with Paul Martin when there was no longer any possibilty of spin or denial of the ongoing train wreck that defined his leadership.
Dion is in a death spiral and theres no coming out of it. The media will now take the opportunity to rough him up a bit on his ride into oblivion so they can pat themselves on the back while they pretend that this is evidence of their lack of extreme anti conservative bias.
I was serious about Layton. Appoint him special envoy for peace to Afghanistan, to meet with the Taleban and tell him as soon as he has reached a peace deal, with the grand poobah over there, the troops come home. Lets see how committed he is to his public utterings and worldly wisdom. Surely his spoken convictions mean exactly what he believes and vice versa. Or am I wrong? he he.
I agree – I think Dion hasn’t been to Afghanistan because the troops wouldn’t welcome him – and he and his backroom guys know this. It would be a PR disaster.
How about his petulant informing Mansbridge how much he has accomplished since he’s been The Leader?
His Four Requirements for the Throne Speech – now wait a minute. He can’t dictate what’s in the Throne Speech; he’s not the PM. Remember – when the last budget was coming up, he declared that he would vote against it – and this was before he’d even read it!
Now – he’s dictating the content of Harper’s government agenda. Or else.
He wants his Kyotoist disaster.
The economy? He is saying that Harper has ignored the economy for the last 18 months? Harper has signed trade agreements, ended the softwood lumber dispute (kept alive by the Liberals as an anti-American propaganda tactic)..etc etc.
Poverty? What’s this – a socialist feel-good emotional ploy?
Afghanistan?
These are all vapid ‘cloud-dweller’ agendas, appealing to the emotions of safety and fear (clean air, economy…and poverty, war). But apart from this agenda of emotional harassment, Dion has nothing to offer.
ward (7:45) nails it.
Which passport will he use?
When asked why he hadn’t gone to Afghanistan yet he said that he was really busy this summer. I guess hanging out with Garth Turner and having BBQs is pretty important. He was in Cabinet when the troops were sent there by the Liberals. WHAT A GUTLESS PUKE. If he did go, the only welcome he would get would be by the troops that were forced to be on parade on his arrival based on his position as Leader of the Official Opposition. I doubt very much that the VAN DOOs would be happy to see him.
“The media will now take the opportunity to rough him up a bit”
Good point. Plus, now that it’s painfully obvious that he’s a failure, it’s up the media to encourage a change of leader for the good of the party, and their future job opportunities.
I also agree with Ward.
Agreed that Mansbridge should be given credit for actually asking a tough question.
But, since we all know that CBC folks aren’t allowed to ask tough questions of those who are (or are expected to become) their Liberal overlords, I’m not sure that this signifies any real change in ethics.
Instead, might this just be an indication that Mansbridge’s bosses want Dion to look bad so that they can turf him ASAP? It’s already clear to everyone that, indeed, “Stephane Dion is not a leader.” So, maybe they just want to assist in the assasination in order to give another leadership candidate a chance.
Maybe I’m just too cynical when it comes to the CBC and the Liberals.
“It’s not fair”
Mansbridge forces him to answer question, Travers calls his byelection performance a debacle – the tipping point is approaching. If he loses Outremont and Tories take seat on Monday night, he will be in serious trouble. Yet he is dictating the terms of his support of Tory government. What a laugh.
More evidence his head is in the clouds – apparently NDP doing well against his handpicked candidate because, believe it or not, voters are mad at Conservatives (yeah, he said that).
He’s not Chretien, who had the moxie to get away with silly statements. I actually feel sorry for the guy. His english seems to be getting worse; or was is that he was flustered by Mansbridge’s Afghan question. He can surely expect a tougher time on the hustings and in debates.
No wonder the moonbats are howling.
Ward and sounder are both bang-on. In both cases the leftist is/would be left staring blankly back at the audience their bluff having been called.
The LP thinks the solution is now to dump Dion. They are wrong. The ills – near-Stalinist policies and an unrepentantly corrupt attitude – and moral bankruptcy – ‘spooning’ with the islamo-fascists, for example – have left the party deeply flawed and divided within itself.
(Remember when they were seen as the party of women’s rights? Now they are sympathetically support the nutjobs who if they win will cutting out your four-year-old granddaughter’s clitoris some 20 years from now. They support Sharia law for chrissakes. (This is a golden opportunity for the right to take over that moral high-ground, BTW.)I digress…)
It will be a decade at least before the LP becomes a coherent and sane option for voter – or it disappears as the LP in GB did early in the last century.
Thanks for letting me watch that again Kate. It’s fun to watch Ratatooie twist in the wind. ” It’s not fair Peter, I was busy in that other foreign hotspot Saskatchewan”
I think ward is completely right.
The MSM are primarily Liberal and they – and the backroom guys – have decided against Dion.
Notice also how the MSM and the political ‘pundits’ are constantly eager for an election.
When Harper was elected, the rhetoric was all about ‘how long can it last’ and each week, they predicted Harper would fall. They wanted him to fall – before Canadians began to get the ‘feel of Harper – and to like what he was doing.
Then – with Dion – the rhetoric was about Harper’s agenda of an election. It was all about a Spring Election. Day after day after day. They were very disappointed. This time, I think it was to get rid of Harper before people liked him, and also, a concern about Dion.
Now, again – it’s talk about The Fall Election. They are desperate for it now. This time, it’s to get rid of Dion…and…to prevent people from realizing how good Harper is.
Ward is right – the MSM are now after him – and their self-praise will be not only as a show of non-bias vs the CPC, but, ‘wisdom’ that they saw through Dion.
Monday – an interesting day.
when stuffi makes it to afghanistan: “da real earho arrife! Dat tulliban I know dey get da money for airwin and I get vironment ding.”
ET you are correct. Harper has lasted far longer than they thought now the are standing around looking as if they just wet themselves, and now they realize who the imbeciles really are and gosh! Harper is real.
Knowing what was coming when I watched the video, I kept my eye on Dion as Mansbridge was asking the kind of questions he’d usually only lob at
C(c)onservatives.
Dion’s expression? No change at all: not a muscle. His vacant expression remained completely unchanged, including when he gave his asinine response. (This man has no shame. Of course not: that word doesn’t exist in the Liberal lexicon.)
Is this man for real? (Rhetorical question.)
At least we didn’t have to watch him squirm trying to answer that last question. That type of thing makes me uncomfortable. It doesn’t feel right to feel sorry for someone supposedly accomplished enough to become the Leader of the Opposition. Yeesh.
I was a little impressed that he was copying the “priorities” approach of PMSH, until the “poverty” promise. Couldn’t we have a policy proposal and not just another aspirational statement? Thats the kind of thing you hear from a 19 year old South Carolina beauty contestant….
“Dion said he does not follow the polls, ”
Next question for Mansbridge to ask:
Mr. Dion you’re in the business of politics but you’ve stated that you do not follow the polls.
So my question to you is: Are you an idiot, a liar or both?
I’ve Been Everywhere, or, On The Road Again
“We have made tremendous efforts,” he said. “I have walked around the street everywhere, and everywhere in Outremont, Liberal values are coming out on top.”
(lib.caca) …-
I’ve Been Everywhere
I’ve been everywhere, man, I’ve been everywhere, man […]
Of travel, I’ve had my share, man, I’ve been everywhere.
I been to Paris, Chicoutimi, Jonquiere, Halberta, Ford MacMuder, Toronto, Regine,
Acadie,
Ottawa, (next stop?) …-
(H/T Hank Snow-Willy Nelson)
I will give Mansbridge credit for asking the question but being somewhat suspicious in nature I have to wonder if he doesn’t have a dog in this fight.
A CPC majority would be disastrous for the CBC and especially the news division. Were that to happen, Peter would undoubtedly find himself on a much shorter leash.
With Harper passing legislation on fixed election dates and stating he intends to serve his term, the Lib backroom boys have an ever decreasing timeline to throw Dion overboard and replace him with the likes of Iggy puff, who incidentally has a more credible position on Afstan.
The cries from the Dion camp that Iggy is sabotaging the Quebec by elections would indicate the same.
If the LPC are going to ditch Dion it will happen sooner rather than later. They need the time to re-group and move further to the right under Iggy. If not and Dion maintains control the power players realize the future is not bright.
Now I ask you. Does Peter have a dog in this fight?
Syncro
Funny, he had time to come out west and defend the wheat board against the 62% of farmers who want marketing choice. It’s not one of the top 4, but that he found time for.
According to the general feedback on this thread, when the MSM beat up on Harper, they’re sticking up for their Liberal masters. When the MSM beat up on Dion, they’ve turned against their Liberal master because they’re…in search of a new Liberal master.
I’m not sure this is what’s actually happening in the real world, but whatever makes you happy…
Early in the interview it looked like the typical CBC/Librano interview, then came ‘The Question’.
It certainly looked like the CBC has decided to dump Dion as Ward has said, but could it be just a case of friendly fire at the CBC?
Perhaps we need an inquiry.
maz2, you’re an inspiration
He’s a real everywhere Man,
Sitting in his Everywhere Land,
Making all his everywhere plans
for nobody.
Elucidating his crazy points of view,
Knows not where he’s going to,
He’s not a bit like me and you.
Everywhere Man, please listen,
You haven’t a clue what you’re missing,
Everywhere Man, the world’s not at your command.
He’s as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Everywhere Man can you see me at all?
Everywhere Man, don’t worry,
Take your time, don’t hurry,
Leave it all till somebody else
lends you a hand.
Elucidating his crazy points of view,
Knows not where he’s going to,
He’s not a bit like me and you.
Everywhere Man, please listen,
You haven’t a clue what you’re missing,
Everywhere Man, the world’s not at your command.
He’s a real Everywhere Man,
Sitting in his Everywhere Land,
Making all his everywhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his everywhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his everywhere plans
for nobody.
One thing is certain – as much as I’m gloating over the self-destruction going on, I want an election with Dion as leader. I suspect that the Conservatives do too, and wouldn’t be surprised to see them orchestrate their defeat before the knives are finished doing their job on Dion.
Perry
I assume you were referring to me, it’s not so much about being happy as being observant.
This from a recent Town Hall meeting of devoted Libs in Calgary. The Garthacle was presiding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lXAXjr_veE
I’m of the same mind as Kate, Dijon is a done deal and Harper will make the um..er..Throne Speech egregious enough that one of the other three will precipitate the fall of this government.
Syncro
It’s the cover up that’ll get you, Dion’s supporters getting desperate
Prominent Liberal Blogger “Red Tory”,
suggests the Chronicle Herald fabricated the story, in an effort to protect Dion. A damning charge, with no apparant evidence to back it up.
In the comments thread of his post he wrote the following:
“That article in the Chronicle is unsubstantiated rubbish, imho. Baseless, unsourced allegations of supposed wrong-doing that amounted to nothing.”
Here:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9132732&postID=6402070399892010488
was “I’ll do my best” the answer? wasn’t the question, “Why have you personally, not gone to Afghanistan”?
it’s not like Peter Mansbridge didn’t lead slowly into the question here, perhaps giving Dion a full minute to conjure up some sort of real response. It’s funny to see that some people were seriously thinking he’s the new intellect of the Liberals. Does intelligence in one language not translate into another? It isn’t his lack of english expertise I’m questioning…
I agree with some others here, (ward @ 7.45…) the msm starts asking real questions, only when they decide you’re not this years model.
as for Dion’s location on the tuesday after monday’s byelections,
it’s funny to note how far the liberals have fallen in Outremont.
Wasn’t this Marc Lalonde’s old riding? the same person that said regarding the National Energy Program… “We know what we’re doing… we really do”.
?
Perry, the MSM has turned on Liberals before, just ask Paul Martin. While they have been busy going after Harper lately, it’s no big deal – it is what it is. It’s easier to report negative news – if it bleeds it leads. They have the same ignorance of economic or foreign policy issues whether Liberals or Conservatives are in power.
You must admit the CBC, across the board in their programming, is decidely anti-Harper right now. Peter Mansbridge, while a little too artsy for me, seems a fairly professional journalist as do others at CBC. They’re in the minority though.
Anyway, when the MSM smells blood, they go for it, like a school of hammerheads. Dion is bleeding badly right now, and many have tried to encourage him, most know he isn’t likely to ever become PM.
Should the polls be wrong and the Libs retain Outremont, Dion will get lots of credit and likely, after revelling in a near miss, force a general election. It will be a rookie mistake, but after all he is a rookie leader.
Conservatives get asked tough questions; so should Liberals. Do you think Mansbridge’s question was unfair, Perry?
Anyway, I don’t personally stress what the MSM says, they don’t have that much influence anymore. In the horseraces that are elections, they still like to back the winner. The CBC presumes itself bulletproof, but should they suspect they are on the chopping block, you can be sure of real time coverage of their plight, as they did when the Libs cut their funding, with great gnashing of teeth.
Perhaps Mansbridge’s interview may mark a new tone for CBC, with an attempt to present more than the personal views of the staff. I doubt it though.
Did Dion say “Twaining?” hehe
I have my suspicions that the Iggy sabotage story is a plant by Dion and his folks. They are looking for an excuse in case they lose Outrement. They also are hoping that some slime sticks to Iggy in order to cool some Libs on him. I think it’s safe to say, that Steffy senses the wolf at his heels.
Ward@7:45
Let me also agree with you. I watched the video and was thinking something isn’t right…..
Good call
Of course when Outremont,a Liberal bastion, votes NDP and tosses the Liberals, it is not Stephanes’ or the Librals fault. It is because Outremont is rebelling agains Harper and the Tories.
What a bunch of stupidity, is this the best French Quebec could come up with for a supposed intellectual. No wonder the ordinary Quebecer doesn’t like him.
Of course when Outremont,a Liberal bastion, votes NDP and tosses the Liberals, it is not Stephanes’ or the Librals fault. It is because Outremont is rebelling agains Harper and the Tories.
What a bunch of stupidity, is this the best French Quebec could come up with for a supposed intellectual. No wonder the ordinary Quebecer doesn’t like him.
Sorry about the double post, but when I hit send the first I got a weird error message starting with Rebuild Files failed followed by about 6 other lines
his english has gotten better i see….too bad his ideas have’t