shoop

Wow, what a well thought out and considered response. Your invaluable contribution to raising the level of debate is greatly appreciated.

Let me see if I get this right. For fiscal 2004-2005 the Federal surplus is going to be smaller than forecasted. Somehow, the story in the Toronto Star spins it as good news for the Martin government. wtf? Can these guys do anything wrong? "OTTAWA — Finance Minister Ralph Goodale is poised to announce an unusual small federal surplus — bad news in normal times, but curiously good news for the beleaguered minority Liberal government. Sources say Ottawa's surplus for the past fiscal year will total only about $2.6 billion — a bit below the $3 billion that was expected for 2004-05. Normally, having such a small cushion against deficit wouldn't be cause for celebration. But after years of being politically reviled for consistently underestimating — by large amounts — the size of the federal surplus, Goodale will this year be close to the mark." News 'stories' such as this really do give credence to claims of Liberal bias in the media.

I cannot believe, that you mirror, an ardent supporter of the New Democrats, would resort to a racially motivated taunt of this nature.

Isn't it ironic? That mirror attacks more people personally than any other poster on his board yet is whinging about the personal attacks. There is a difference between taking issue with someone's actions, which I have done with Mirror's actions in my earlier comments on this thread; and "attacking them" personally, which none of my comments on this thread can be fairly seen as a personal attack against mirror. Keep up the good work Greg!

Cartman, your knowledge/usage of the term irony ranks up their with Alanis Morrissette. Care to explain yourself....

wtf does "pettifogging" mean?

I love the irony of Mirror starting this thread. If anyone deserves to be barred it is Mirror. (using the generic he as a pronoun here as a guess based on alphamale behaviour) He has attacked people personally repeatedly. He always steers off topic. Repeatedly asks people to support their statements, yet offers no support for his and totally ignores it when they do. Clearly got something against Greg. Generally, a mean-spirited jerk who lowers the tone of the board. Blatant agenda against the CPC without support. Repeatedly uses terms like CPC support is "in freefall" or "dropping like a stone", yet uses 2 1/2 month numbers from prediction sites to support himself. Mirror, we get the point. Why bang your head against the wall here? This site isn't, and hopefully never well be, a site solely devoted to bashing the political centre and right in Canada. If that is what you want, why not go to rabble?

No need to stress about it. The reorganization really is a non-story. Better to right the ship now than try to do so in the midst of an election.

From Ibbiton`s column today. Back in 1995 "Provincial Conservative leader Mike Harris, according to conventional wisdom, had no chance of taking office. But his party's recipe of lower taxes and reduced welfare entitlements struck a chord, vaulting it from back of the pack to majority government in the June election. Now fast-forward to the present. Cracks are once again beginning to show in the Ontario economy. The provincial government is in deficit; infrastructure is decaying; major industries face increasing challenges; the electricity sector is a disaster; and investment in tomorrow's economy -- through university funding, research and development and the like -- lags behind." So bring on that election anytime you want PM Dithers. Time for ANY government other than a Liberal government.

You are using a 2 1/2 month old election forecasting model to 'prove' the CPC is at 26% in the polls? What a sad, sad person you are. Thanks for confirming your lameness by not responding to kimmy's analysis of why the democratic space projections are a total piece of crap.

I wouldn't say it was portrayed as incompetence in the CTV piece. More like trying to create a story that isn't really there. There is some validity that the situation in Harper's office could be viewed as a little more unstable. Maybe all of the changes should have been done at once. More lessons to remember for the furute.

great analysis kimmy. Alas wasted on a moroon like mirror. He will undoubtedly ignore your coherent analysis. And he would never provide substantiation whenever someone else asks for it. Your third point is especially valid. What sort of results would this model have predicted in 1988 given the wildly different results in 1980 and 1984?

Here is Harper's quote. "The Liberal party thinks they've got great polls? Call the election - we've got the money, we've got the candidates, so ask them what the problem is." Doesn't really sound so eager. Just showing that the CPC is ready for an election if it happens. PS. I wonder if Martin would call an election if Harper double-dog dared him?

Right on! The next election is going to be ALL about Gomery. No matter when Martin calls it. Or "engineers" his own defeat. Hopefully the NDs see the light and join on the bandwagon. It would also be nice to see the Greens win a few seats. Might actually vote for them myself dependin' on where I'm living at the time...

Harper is looking a lot stronger now than he was just before the election was called in spring of 2004. Calling for an election now is brilliant. If Martin ignores him, which is likely to happen, he shows Canadians he is eager to govern and has a rationale for announcing his platform plank by plank. If Martin is foolish enough to take the better, instant issue. Why call the election before Gomery reports? At that point nobody, not even the Toronto Star, will care that Harper was calling for the election.

For your first questions, it is very shrewd for Harper to have McKay play the role he is playing. Harper appears above the fray while Mckay is the 'hatchetman' if you will. About not getting the right people .... hmmm. You ever been involved in an office merger or takeover? It's a far different animal then creating a staff from scratch. There are a lot of staffing decisions to be made. Probably smart to keep somebody from each party in some positions. Then as the team evolves you decide who is the best fit with the new direction you are trying to move the new team. Harper is definitely moulding his team for the new Conservative Party of Canada. Only time will tell if he is making smart decisions.

Just goes to show how truly desperate they are to paint a picture of disarray in the office of the Official Leader of the Opposition. Gotta love how there is absolutely zero traction to this story. Nobody cares, except mirror.

Yawn, Lots of forecasts out there, yet one note mirror continues to beat the CPC in freefall bandwagon. Hmmm, wouldn't your NDs with your illogical and incoherent leader be ecstatic with 71 seats?

Why don't you actually make a good argument and quit resorting to blanket insults like 'neo-con' while you are at it?

Hmmm, when Decima supplies a national political poll that shows the CPC within striking distance of the Liberals nationally it is a "rogue poll" and not representative of the views of Canadians because it goes against Mirror's political bias. When the same firm supplies a poll that supports Mirror's views it is accepted without question and a basis to start a discussion. Weak, very, very weak. Gotta love the NEP. Still the reason why the Liberal's four Alberta MPs in the 1993 election represents a high point for the party that will not be matched in the foreseeable future.

I misspoke (mistyped?) and meant the proposal Layton floated about putting an export tax on oil flowing to America. Bottom line such a move would not be helpful to Canada as a whole. America is always going to be our best customer for a variety of reasons. Huge demand, stable domestic political situation (say what you will but the likelihood of a coup in America is next to zero), low transportation costs and a flawed, yet generally functioning, free trade agreement. The proposal slap tariffs on oil floating out of Canada is ridiculous and a terrible way to deal with an unfair trading party. Back in the days of the NEP ole Trudeau was only screwing Alberta. Now that Newfoundland and Saskatchewan also get significant income from oil royalties Martin won't even think of going there. Slap duties on selected products they are sending to us.

Keeping in mind the effort you put into this post I will respond with the apropos - I know you are but what am I.

If you read the context of his comments he is complaining about Harper not being vocal enough on issues that marginalize the party. Hmmm, Harper being attacked by the far right for moderating too much = CPC moderating itself to appeal to more mainstream Canadians. As much as guys like Nicholls might whine it is all the much better for the CPC. No where else for the NCC to go and they get more of the swing Ontario voters. Duhhhh, Mirror can't see the logic because he is too caught up in his juvenile attack the CPC at every moment game and too stupid to put any thought or analysis into his posts.

If you are going to ignore debate and resort to personal attacks why shouldn't others? Don't know how you call yourself a class act wearing track pants all the time though...

You too. I should apologize. Mark's Work Wearhouse probably has track pants that will fit you so don`t get too down on yourself.