Vancouver King

Not a single word in the BofC update on the major chartered banks refusal - for the second time - to pass on to consumers the full amount of the central bank's interest rate reduction. How are homeowners to cope with variable mortgages if their banks keep a huge portion of interest reductions as increased profits? All this while the banks continue userous 20% rates on credit card balances. This BofC update simply confirms it's usual function: pouring coffee for the Bankers Association.

Also, only one combatant remains of the two that brought the public's blood to a boil. Even Tory supporters admitted there was much blame to go around, beginning with Harper's toxic economic update. Iggy's first move as leader - keeping all his options open at the end of January - is a measured response to Harper's latest entreaty of co-operation, while insisting that the immediate issue is one of trust, or lack of it in our govt in hiding. Tories are going to miss Dion as a political patsy.

Not sure if Chrysler's ultimatum of taking it's marbles over the border if no Canadian bailout is particularily helpful in view of above poll. An analyst on BNN today says bailout is cash flushed away as all companies will close operations here in favor of low cost Mexican assembly within a decade.

Here's an interesting read. Wide ranging Nanos poll with questions on economy related issues. This one surprised: QUESTION: Would you be willing, somewhat willing, somewhat unwilling or unwilling to pay more in personal taxes to support companies in difficulty, such as the auto industry? ANSWER: 72% unwilling + 8% somewhat unwilling. Honda and Toyota owners have spoken http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls...AT-F08-T348.pdf

There was a news item 2 weeks before Oct 14th stating the NDP had raised $7 million dollars during the campaign which for the perennial third party struck me as sensational. I am certain that far outstrips the Liberals total. I noticed political fundraising/phone soliciting is exempt from the new no-call registration program. Does anyone know if these telephone solicitors are party volunteers or professional fund raising firms?

Imagine the implications of having an opposition leader that can be understood by Canadians.

A new Harris-Decima poll for Canadian Press confirms two likelihoods: The coalition, at least a structured one including the Bloc, is finished and perhaps at high cost to Conservatives: their next campaign in Quebec could be more difficult as Harper's strategy has isolated the province. Ignatieff's ascendancy makes a Liberal breathrough there more plausible. "A new poll suggests that a proposed Liberal/NDP coalition under Michael Ignatieff's leadership isn't much more palatable than an alliance under Stephane Dion". http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...08?hub=Politics

Just when they fought successfully for a 7 week reprieve, suddenly they must adjust to their meal ticket being cancelled. The horror...the horror...

It's a new ball game. Soon we will be able to gauge Harper's mettle against a leader other than a weakling. Disposing of Dion is only half the Liberals problem - choosing the right new leader is absolutely crucial. Whatever it takes, the new man must be Ignatieff.

This poll has credibility issues. Who was interviewed, what was the size of the sample? But most of all in the context of Conservatives demonizing a Quebec institution - the Bloc - it absolutely strains credibility that, "... [the CPC] overtake Liberals in Quebec".

New Strategic Counsel poll on parliamentary crisis. This one directly measures blame. Has this affair permanently impaired Tory prospects in Quebec? "We haven't seen this kind of dramatic regional division since the Meech Lake crisis of the Mulroney government when the fabric of the country was really being torn", Peter Donolo sid to CTV.ca on Friday. http://ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CT...?hub=TopStories

I would guess that's true for all parties. One of the few benefits out of this parliamentary crisis is a heightened awareness of federal political process by the public whose eyes normally glaze over when politics is mentioned. This should result in higher memberships and donations. On it's own, Harper's threat to impoverish the opposition surely means the coalition members will now get serious over fund raising. How many years does it take to organize an internet program? A change at the top might unleash a torrent of funding into Liberal coffers.

According to today's polls all the CPC does need is an election. However, giving his own party a 6 week reprieve also affords the Libs an oppourtunity to counter with an emergency leadership change. That should tighten up the polls.

It's also a confirmation of Dion's weak leadership. Harper turned the initial 3-day focus off the brinkmanship of the original economic update, went on the offensive by attacking the coalition's 'scary' Bloc involvement and sold Canadians on the idea the proposed change in govt was equal to a coup de tat. Dion was unable to counter this PR batlle, unable to even highlight some of the misinformation. His cause has now lost the initiative, his nemesis, furiously backpeddaling only a couple of days ago, is again in control of events.

Nothing like going out on a limb.... PREDICTION: Stephen Dion will not be the Liberal leader to rise in late January and move a motion of non-confidence in Harper's govt. The newly emboldened coalition then defeats Harper only to have the GG again rule in the CPC's favor, plunging the country into winter, 2009 election. This results in a Liberal minority govt. You read it here first.

This thread always appreciates links on poll results - do you have any?

These numbers suggest something even more dire: the very survival of the Liberal party now depends on it immediately removing Dion from leadership. Last night's speech should be his final, unforgiveable debacle. His being pushed won't be pretty but it might save the coalition and ensure a viable Liberal party in the next election.

Allow me to break the tie. I am pro NDP and favor the coalition. It's chances of succeeding would increase if the Liberal Party can devise a way - any legitimate or even an illegitimate way - to ditch Stephen Dion. All considered, Dion is the only albatross against the coalition assuming power in January, '09.

Umm... they are already having a tough time selling cars in Canada.

You might be on to something here, Johnny. It's a certainty that Hilary Clinton, no friend of neo cons, will counsel Obama on Harper's tenuous position and, in turn, the new president then will likely prefer to settle political scores sooner than later. What if the price of Harper's meddling, and Obama's big 3 bailout, is the liquidation of Canada's auto sector?

Completely false. Quebec nationalism has been in a relative state of dormancy for years. Harper's current demonizing of the Bloc threatens to reignite separation sentiment there.

Sure he got lots. A stimulous package, an assurance that Harper-type transfers of wealth will continue unabated and most important of all, he's rid of PM whose hatred for all opposition borders on the pathological.

The Bloc is not - repeat not - part of the coalition. They have agreed only to support the Liberal/NDP coalition for a period of 18 months on Commons confidence votes. This ensures the new govts stability without allowing sovereignists into cabinet or decision making.

It's written into the forum rules that Elizabeth May's chompers are off limits. That rule immediately precedes the one outlawing any reference to Jim Flaherty as a political skank.

They must have been the same brand as those behind the coalition sign in - the type invisible to Harper.