Bourque exclusive IGGY RETHINKS COALITION
Senior Ignatieff insiders are tantalizingly whispering to Bourque that the Toronto MP is having grave doubts about supporting the shocking Dion coalition bid, now labelled by many as the “Separatist Coalition”, given the defining support it has from both the BQ’s Gilles Duceppe and former PQ Premier Jacques Parizeau.One longtime senior Ignatieff backer, under condition of anonymity, confided that “Michael is in a tenuous situation and he is feeling a lot of heat from caucus colleagues and constituents alike. Frankly, we think we got snookered by Bob Rae on this one”. It nets out to this, according to this longtime Liberal and echoed by many other key backroom players: ordinary Liberals across the country, the card-carrying bbq-ing door-knocking envelope-stuffing phone-banking kind who make up the backbone of the party and who would need to be counted on to support his leadership aspirations, are vehemently rejecting the Dion argument that a deal with the separatist Bloc Quebecois is in the best interests of Canada. “Bullshit”, said one Liberal power-broker, who was quick to point out Dion is tilting at Liberal history for the sake of a short stint at 24 Sussex. “Dion is nuts”, he told Bourque, “I am ashamed he is leading the party of Laurier, Pearson, Trudeau, and Chretien – my God, Chretien, the guy who poured out his federalist heart against Rene Levesque’s country-killing forces so long ago – I am ashamed Dion is selling us out.”.
(copy/paste error fixed, sorry)
To the editor: You must have recieved one of those special ballots. The one I received only had parties that were running in the election. Though the guy in the next booth was chuckling about his ballot,his had a box that you could check if you thought the editor was an idiot.
As much as I would like to I don’t believe the Iggy story, like to see another report confirming
Dismissing Jean, that would be a mistake. Not because I like her, just the optics are wrong….there is a thing called moral high ground…sometimes I wonder if the current Tory War room knows what that is
So what do you think of the defectors Bourque is talking about? I am a skeptic of Lee Richardson defecting. I doubt anyone is that stupid to support the opposition in Calgary. Chong would shock me too since he voted against the nationhood thing. He might have an axe to grind with PMSH, but that would be a stretch.
Hey Editor
I saw that ballot too – other options were Keystone Koup, Occupation Government and oh yeah Coalition.
But since they were written in crayon and sitting beside the stack of three dollar bills I decided to ignore it and use a real ballot.
Yeah, Iggy mentioning Chretien’s name as a fighter against Quebec Separatists is rich. The old fool was called in with Broadbent to aid and abet the the three idiots’ plot the overthrow of the government with veto power given to the Separatiste Duceppe. Gotta wonder about Iggy’s judgment.
I personally like Harper, but if his governing style brings about this type of chaos, he really does have to tone it down. If he is so lucky to escape having his government brought down, I hope he has learned a lesson in being brought to the brink and will attempt to mend fences — at least with those who do not support the “coup”. We are not out of the woods. No one knows how this fiasco will end.
? dismissing Jean!
No way. That would would be self-immolation of the first order. Ridiculous. I think that was put out there by some anti-Harper people to try to discredit him.
And Editurd, the majority of voters in this country did not vote for a block-NDP-Lib alliance.
I dare say that if there was an election today, with only two options: CPC vs the Block Torontois, the CPC would win. How many lifelong liberals would knowingly join a separatist party that every one of their previous leaders has made a top priority of fighting tooth and nail?
I don’t know a single national poll in the media today which shows a majority in favour of this alliance. Most show quite a strong majority against it.
Phlegm..ptui.
What is happening now is normal parlaimentary [sic] procedure, and one that will produce a result that most Canadians desire.
Posted by: the editor at December 2, 2008 9:51 PM
Cite a source please. Otherwise you’re talking out of your a##. I have yet to see a definitive poll on the matter. However, unscientific online polls to date, even those on left-wing sites, suggest respondents are cool to the idea of this coalition (to put it politely).
Furthermore, to opine that this is “normal parlaimentary [sic] procedure” would suggest there is ample precedent in Canada for what we’re seeing. There is not. Just because something may be legal, doesn’t make it moral. Of course, making a moral judgment seems anathema to today’s left.
There is certainly no precedent to hand a de facto veto to a separatist party which is unaccountable to 80% of the nation’s population. That’s taxation without representation — a concept that has been fought and died for in the past. That today’s pampered left is willing to enshrine the concept in a modern-day western parliament demonstrates that they have no grasp of history — or its lessons. How they plan to govern a modern nation through near-unprecedented economic turmoil is beyond me.
Seriously now, how does this all come together? Although many people purport to be expert in constitutional law or precedent, not many have addressed the mechanics of seizing power. What if PMSH chooses not to clean out his desk? He’s still the guy in charge. Who controls the military? Who controls the Montreal Police Service, the Toronto Police, the OPP, the RCMP? Is this a situation that requires invoking the War Measures Act, Mr. J. Trudeau?
Most Canadians see this situation as an item on the six o’clock news. I think there’s more to it.
Bob Rae has done this before! It is clear that he is “Jim Henson” here. He tried to spend his way out of a recession years ago when he stole the power in Ontario. We need Mike Harris to come forward and explain how he destroyed his own career in order to restore Ontario to prosperity after Rae took us deeper into the recession and when all was to late took the “Ray Days” from the public servants and robbed there pensions!!!!
The Organized Criminal is back on a bus navigating. Waiting to be the driver!
SDA gets results!
Ralph Goodale refuses to endorse Dion
Ralph Goodale has refused to endorse Stephane Dion as Prime Minister. On CTV Newsnet he was asked point blank if Stephane Dion was the “right man for the job”. Goodale’s response was to only talk about Dion’s constitutional rights as leader of the opposition. In other words, complete bafflegab when a simple “Hell Yes” would have worked. A key Liberal doesn’t even support Dion.
Of course, in this same segment, Ralph Goodale also called the Conservatives liars. Outside of the House. Perhaps someone should sue him for slander? Goodale called the Conservatives liars about their statements regarding the Canadian flag and the signing ceremony between Dion, Layton, and Duceppe. Goodale said there were flags at the ceremony. Of course the Conservatives never said that there were no flags at the ceremony, they said there were no flags behind the three leaders during the ceremony. I guess Goodale doesn’t just not listen to the Canadian people.
http://imrightasrain.blogspot.com/2008/12/ralph-goodale-refuses-to-endorse-dion.html
Stephen: “Dismissing Jean, that would be a mistake. Not because I like her, just the optics are wrong.”
There is zero chance that this will happen.
On CBC Boag lied and said that the Bloc aren’t part of the coalition.
Even so, the tenor of the section was that the coalition may be in trouble.
They finished with a clip where Borat said it’s better to work with the separatistes than to marginalize them.
Some, please, marginalize me to the tune of multiple billions.
Bob Rae has done this before! It is clear that he is “Jim Henson” here. He tried to spend his way out of a recession years ago when he stole the power in Ontario. We need Mike Harris to come forward and explain how he destroyed his own career in order to restore Ontario to prosperity after Rae took us deeper into the recession and when all was to late took the “Ray Days” from the public servants and robbed there pensions!!!!
The Organized Criminal is back on a bus navigating. Waiting to be the driver!
McKenna’s the next to go…on Bourque
“Meanwhile, Bourque can confirm that despite recent media reports to the contrary, former NB Premier Frank McKenna is not planning to be part of any Dion coaliton ‘wise men sounding board’.”
Hate to burst your bubble “Editor”, but “What is happening now is normal parlaimentary procedure”, it ain’t, constitutional, but hardly normal, seeing as its only happened, what, once, before? Oh yeah, and nobody voted for a coalition, unless of course your ballots weren’t the same as the rest (which somehow wouldn’t surprise me…).
Mike Duffy had three prominent radio talk show hosts on tonight: Adler, Carroll, and—sorry, I can’t remember! One was from Ottawa, one from Toronto, and one from the west. They were all excellent.
They all said they had never had such a huge volume of calls and, no matter what the political stripe of the callers, so many INCENSED by the power grab now being attempted by the Liberals and NDP, who are willing to give veto power over all legislation—and all of Canada—to the separatist Bloq. I believe that these hosts also said that at least Duceppe has some integrity: he’s doing exactly what he’s claimed to be doing all along: putting Quebec first at the (considerable) expense of the rest of Canada. Neither they nor their callers seemed to have any such feelings about the Liberal and NDP opportunists. I was impressed.
Duffy is a good guy. Sure, he could push harder—that little twerp, LeBlanc was spouting pro forma garbage—but he’s head and shoulders above the usual, media riff raff suspects.
If Harper and the Conservatives pull this off, they’d better take off the gloves re the CHRC, CBC, and their ilk and go for the jugular, because, if it’s not the jugular of the left, as we’ve seen over and over, it’s ours.
LindaL.I think that Harper put the demise of political funding into the bill to give him some negotiating room.Who could know that the socialists had cut a deal with the others to topple the gov’t at the first opportunity. I’ll give it to Jack,this ploy shows him to be craftier than I ever thought before,but I would never have imagined that he was so Machiavellian.Layton has made his dead heroes proud.
I’ve never seen this kind of wrath before over actions of parliament. I was too politically naive in the NEP days, but I do recall the intense hatred of Turdeau, despised widely across BC.
The level of animosity brought forward, even by public left leaning ND types, is amazing. Even these ND types fear the longterm ramifications of this deal with the separatist devil.
We must keep the heat up here, e-mailing those Lib MP’s who may have a shred of decency in their bones, Iggy has been mentioned, Keith martin in my neck of the woods. These guys are the wildcard types, you never know.
Interesting also to see Adler from CJOB, McComb from CKNW, and another talkie host on NewsNet, saying they have never in their years seen and heard the upset and vitriol of the people like they have, almost universally repugnant feelings over this menage a trois.
This ain’t over, as we see the real agenda come forward, thanks to the dinosaur Parizeau, and the never was Moonbat May come out of hiding.
How soon we all forget the bully Chretien . Harper is a political gentleman in comparison. Oh, but the media fawned over the Chretien “streetfighter” like he was some kind of hero for literally squashing and destroying andy and all opposition to his r ape of Canada; cutting billions and billions from provinces for health care, education, social services – we all suffered intensely while HE padded his own pockets and those of his friends – including AdScam.
Harper is nothing like that ball breaker knuckle fighter – the media and opposition are inventing a myth.
Harper sat down with all three opposition leaders to ask for their input towards the budget coming out next year. You can’t do a budget until the fourth quarter of this year is over and Harper also promised he would not bring out a budget until he consulted once again with the provinces since we are all in this together.
The whole “doing nothing for the economic crisis” line is absolute fabrication as new tax measures come in on Jan. 1st as does a doubling of funds for infrastructure – all told the so called “economic stimulus package” they are all crying for is in place – so far totalling $200 billion over 5 years.
These jokers don’t want solutions for Canadians – they want power for themselves and their special interest groups. Proof??? The Labour unions are now running ads in support.
My ballot didn’t have the coalition party on it with the leaders “Larry, Curly and Moe driving Mrs. Daisy” The new symbol is 4 whack jobs carrying the Fleurdelisé heading to Ottawa.
More good news. Just picked up my high school aged-son from work, haven’t seen him yet today. His report is that the normally don’t-care-about-politics-teens at his school are buzzing over this all day, ranting about the undemocratic nature, blaming the Liberals.
More severe, permanent Liberal brand damage in the GTA, this time, with hundreds of teens set to become voters within the next 3 years.
Bravo, you Liberal idiots.
Getting rid of Jean ? – not a good idea. With her separatists credentials it puts her in a tight corner.
If she goes against Harper she metaphorically will be incinerated – it’ll be just one more piece to the coup jig saw puzzle in the eyes of non Quebecers.
She may be compelled to go against her instincts and decline the Coalition – and just have done the right thing.
Stephan at 9:58 writes “Dismissing Jean, that would be a mistake. Not because I like her, just the optics are wrong….”
I asked the question in an earlier thread and no-one responded. I ask again, the GG serves as the Queen’s representative does she not? Can the queen not say “Move over dahling..I’d rather do this myself” (Sounds like ZsaZsa, meant to sound like HM ERII) I’d say let the Queen call in her representative for a chat, and maybe a little holiday.
For those who don’t like to invoke the vestiges of our British parliamentary system then lets get at the parliamentary reform that the Reefoorm Party first called for. (Does that sound like Presto?)
Hang in there PM Harper, the Canadian people are not going to sit by and let this happen to their government. Not even plenty of those who voted Liberal/Ndp. There are rational thinkers in that crowd too. Fortunately in this country a government crisis still only means a lot of red hot electrons flying around, nothing more serious. But we’ll be out there on Saturday demonstrating!
My ballot didn’t say, “Vote for the coalition that will give the separatists senate seats, give Quebec even more equalization $$, give the Bloc a veto on every important piece of legislation, and make the most losingest loser of a Liberal Leader the PM, and give Elizabeth May a frickin senate seat”.
You Liberals screwed up real good.
The Steelworkers union is having a rally in Vancouver Thursday Dec 4 at the vancouver convention centre to support the coalition and Jack Layton.
Vancouver residents should get there by 5 when the doors open to show the press it is not popular. Rally starts at 6.00
re: “Keith martin” — I heard him defending the Liberal position on Sunday I think. Early days, maybe he has changed his mind by now. I suspect there are many like him who feel trapped. They may support what they consider to be good left-wing principles and may despise Harper, but to take over in this way is so dangerous for the country. I think many in the Liberal ranks would be wise to sit this one out — sitting as independents would be an option or just not showing up for the vote. I am not sure how their party would treat them, but Dion is a lame duck anyway, so who else is pulling the strings on the inside? I have heard several former Liberal MP’s repudiate this move (one on Duffy today). I am not sure who the pro-coup people are listening to. Surely Dion does not have that many supporters among the Libs.
I’m not getting much response to my musing about how this coup will actually be accomplished. Will the incumbent holders of office just clean out their desks and leave? Would this be because an unelected official, albeit the Queen’s representative, commanded them to leave? Is it all about honourable gentlemen upholding a tradition?
My question is serious, who can make them leave and why should they?
Jean Chretien, Jaques Parizeu, Paul Martin, Ed Broadbent..
Christ, did some home for has-been aged politicians let out somewhere?
Who’s next, are they going to break out shovels for Duplessis and Tommy Douglas?
Do you all recall when the house voted non confidence in Paul Martin and he simply ignored it?
Yup! Not so long ago was it.
What did the Liberal media have to say about that at the time???
Bravo Paul Martin – you are so clever and wise and still our Liberal hero. Now keep sweeping all of that corruption under the rug before anyone else can get near it,
While I still think that Iggy harbours a dark and dangerous personal and hidden agenda, even I have to admit that he is not dumb (like Dion-style deranged, that is). He knows that by joining in this junta government, his reputation will be sullied until the Day of the Final Judgment.
If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay out.
I have also said on my site today that I think that some Blue Liberals in the caucus will probably cross the floor or sit as independents and vote with Harper in any non-confidence motion. Blue Liberals, of whom there are still plenty, wouldn’t want to be led by a PM Dion, be associated with the NDP or the Bloc. You see, that would be bad for “future business”, and the Liberals will be exterminated at the next election anyhow …
“My question is serious, who can make them leave and why should they?” — The Law can make them leave. Once they are no longer in charge of Parliament, they have no legal basis for refusing to leave. And — Canadian public would not put up with such an antic either.
Lets go to the polls and let Harper bring home the largest majority ever seen. Let the 3 fools attempt to join in question period from the Balcony. Duceppe will lead the other party on the floor with 30 seats.
Then the new coalition with the green gobbler can get thrown out of the house daily and discuss how great they never were.
I think they have found an issue that will unite this country. “Elimination of the Coalition”
Linda L “The Law can make them leave”
OK and which law is that?
“The Steelworkers union is having a rally in Vancouver Thursday Dec 4 at the vancouver convention centre to support the coalition” — Yes, it looks like many unions are officially supporting the coalition. We should not be surprised. Unions have never been very democratic and many of the executive players are megalomaniacs. I am not sure where the workers might stand on something like this.
Well, I admit I was wrong, there was a way for Dion to become PM. Not have an election; whooda thunk it!
I’m getting resigned to the whole idea; even my gut feeling of GG’s very brief comments made we wonder if this thing is already a fait accompli.
Maybe Harper should challenge Dion to a one on one about who is more fit to be PM. Basically say, if he won’t talk to the Canadian people, can he at least face the guy he seeks to kick out of office.
The response to the obvious “you’re desperate” should be, “so, you won’t do it, didn’t think so.”
Or, maybe Mr Dion would like to provide a rebuttal (sorry, no stunt doubles allowed) to Mr Harper’s invevitable address to the nation, where he will be concilliatory to the Canadian public (oops, sorry for being so stubborn), but I actually know how to run the governance of a national economy, and we’re doing great BTW, and now these guys want to tie up the affairs of the nation for months while they go to their meetings and get their orientation briefings.
BTW, as far as the other parties are concerned, screw them, who cares what they think. No more playing Israeli to their Palestinian. They wanted nothing but war, from day one (cause we’re so mean spirited), so they may now have it.
To the coalition supporters; If you get this, enjoy your time in leadership were you will find out, quickly, that wanting is not the same as having, and supposing is not the same as doing.
Enjoy your short life in parliament with the ever dependable Duceppe, Messrs Layton and Dion (in order of importance, including the first guy).
Trying to bribe themselves with Canadian’s money – $40 million
The tax the peasants have to pay the lord to, well, lord over them – $1.95
Not neeeding elections to gain power – priceless
Linda L… who is going to enforce that law? Union thugs? The FLQ?
All I know, it will not be Dion.
I didn’t know that BC had that many french seperatist steel workers out there!
If the coalition gets in you might see the prary provinces try and seperate!!!!
I didn’t know that BC had that many french seperatist steel workers out there!
If the coalition gets in you might see the prarie provinces try and seperate!!!!
Just watched the CTV news. The main topic was how the coalition was unraveling. Major change from what we’ve been hearing for the past couple of days.
It seems that the trigger for second thoughts amongst Liberals may have been Parizeau’s endorsement of the coalition.
Manley and McKenna were both confirmed by CTV as declining the offer to be on the counsel of advisors.
As well, Ignatief has apparently said he will not hold a cabinet post in the coalition.
I’m beginning to wonder if Harper planned this all along. I have it on the word of a former Mulroney MP that the Tories have known about plans for an opposition coalition for some time.
The party funding bill may have been a ruse to flush the conspiracy out into the open, along with the possibility of Dion as PM. Knowing how stubborn Dion is and how he rarely listens to anyone’s advice, they basically offered Dion enough rope to hang himself. He appears to have taken it, and perhaps thrown the Liberal Party under the bus in the process.
Going forward, the Liberals cannot possibly avoid being labelled as Friends Of The Separatists, something that most rank-and-file Liberals (along with most Canadians) are bound to find highly questionable or totally repugnant. With an endorsement from the Grand Old Man of Quebec sovereignty, it’s a label that they are going to have to wear for a very long time.
I would not be surprised if the Tories did not have an absolutely massive public relations campaign ready to go if and when Dion took the bait. He seems to have taken it hook, line and sinker. This crisis seems to be the issue that can galvanize support around Harper, the kind of issue that he was looking for in the last election but could not find.
Last paragraph should have started with “I would be surprised…”
Sorry.
“Linda L “The Law can make them leave”
OK and which law is that? ” —
I think it is the anti-trespassing law — the same one that had protesting students hauled out of administrative offices in the 60’s. I would guess it would be the RCMP that would look after that.
Well, also he should be having second thoughts. For most normally intelligent people, a quick purview of the landscape around a separatist party would be enough. But, for the slower brains, those who consider themselves intelligent, AKA Iggy, there must be SOBER second thought before any decisive thoughts. However, how sober is this man???
So, the Libs think this guy a saviour????
Hell, I’m a damn quick smarter, more knowledgable and can speak with my mouth working. Iggy can’t. I run for his job but I’m Conservative.
LindaL
Yeah, no surprise that Martin has, at least given some kind of soundbite publicly approving Dion, somewhat.
But he is somewhat of a maverick, based on past discourse with the party. And, as someone from BC, he has to recognize the anger from these parts of this usurping of power.
These are the types we must continue to get after, reminding them that this is not democracy, and that if they support it, it will be a dark day in hell for the Libs, and the Horde, come next election day.
Dennis
I sort of agree – not sure how much Harper knew in advance. But I think we have turned the corner on this – I hope. It sure seems to be unraveling.
Parizeau will be the kiss of death. The opposition parties are mud.
Mike at 10:25,—My ballot didn’t have the coalition party on it with the leaders “Larry, Curly and Moe driving Mrs. Daisy” The new symbol is 4 whack jobs carrying the Fleurdelisé heading to Ottawa.— Is this Mrs.Daisy that you are refering to Lizzie May. I just saw a clip of her on CTV showing her from the side and with the outfit that she was wearing,a man/woman suit jacket with leotards below,reminded me of Daisy Duck. If I was as proficient as your average 4th grader on a computer,it would be posted for comparison. Alas,I am not.
Did anyone catch Stephane Dion’s near meltdown when he was dressed down by PM Harper during question period?
I thought he was going to cry, his separatist fighting credentials in tatters…his voice all squaky and cracking..you press this man’s buttons and he will snap, you watch..
It’s not enough for Iggy to just decline a cabinet position. He has to walk away from this entirely, or he wears it just like the rest of them.
Yes, Kursk, watching Stephane in QP was absolutely hilarious. I really thought he was going to cry.
At least if Dion gets in there, he will not have a button to put his finger on. That man is as unstable as an Italian Parliament. No offense to any Italians out there.