Ricki Bobbi

I do agree with what you said. It won't really matter what leads to the actual election being called. The Liberals tried to make a deal of the timing for the 2006 election and got no traction with that. Calling an election for the spring won't be much of an issue. Chretien called early elections twice and won majorities both times.

My prediction is April 9th. The House sits again on January 29th. In five weeks Harper can introduce a new cabinet, new legislation on the environment (based on a deal agreed to with Jackie Layton) and an exit plan for the mission in Afghanistan. The budget will be presented on February 26th. The howls of indignation by the opposition parties will last for a week and a half then Harper will visit Michaelle Jean on Sunday, March 11th to dissolve Parliament. Look for the budget to re-institute the cuts to the lowest tax bracket, provide signigicant funding for the wait times guarantee and for addressing the fiscal imbalance. This will be preceded by a significant Conservative pre-election advertising push. (They have waaaaay more money than they will be allowed to spend in the campaign period.) This will allow Harper to take advantage of the Liberals new leader and campaign, before they have a chance to really get ready for the next campaign. (What's good for the goose is good for the gander). This timing has the advantage of allowing for an election before the real fighting for the season starts in Afghanistan. The final advantage to this timeline is it avoids how weak and ineffectual a PM can look while fighting daily for survival (*cough* *cough* Paul Martin c. 2005.)

Bravo sir, well said. When Harper strikes a deal with Layton on the environment it will include pretty much everything from the Clean Air Act. If Layton really wants a deal he'll have to know that Kyoto is dead. But if he can agree to a deal that is better for Canada it's win-win for the Conservatives and the Dippers. Real action on climate change doesn't involve sending hard-earned Canadian dollars to lesser developed countries with a spotty record of adhering to international *standards*. It involves setting attainable goals that don't kill the economy. It involves truly sustainable development.

A very cynical move, but why wouldn't Dion do that?

Kennedy has roots in Edmonton. NEVER lived in Calgary. No roots here. Believe it or not Alberta isn't a monolith. Kennedy trying to run here would be a joke.

Well said Stan. After years of over spending Mulroney finally began running operating surpluses. Too bad his successor was such a weak choice. I used to strongly consider my choice with every vote. Since the changes to the elections act I see it as directly supporting my party of allegiance. My vote isn't a given now, but I truly believe Harper has done a good job with what he has been handed. So the Conservatives will probably get my vote whenever the next vote is held.

I disagree. I don't think anyone would be bothered by it. But Albonczy is the wrong choice. She defending the extradition of Arar which wouldn't play well in today's climate. She's also a proven Western sepertist, which is fine by me, but the opposition would make a deal out of it. That's Rona's job. I think you would hear howls of disapproval from the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail if there were three Calgarians in cabinet. Probably withiin the caucus as well. Rumour was that originally Ablonczy was in and Solberg out. Small town Alberta howled. A third cabinet minister from Calgary? Obhrai or Anders? 2. I mentioned Edmonton needing representation in cabinet in response to the suggest of Ablonczy taking Rona's spot. How about Jaffer getting put in if Rona gets yanked? Raises his profile, puts another vizmin in cabinet and puts his riding out of touch...

By admitting they have zero local talent and have to parachute in a candidate with no connection to the riding who makes his home 3,000 KMs away? The Liberals have made a serious push for seats in Alberta in ONE Federal election since 1972. If they wanted to send a message about the fulture Liberal leadership being genuinely interested in being a National party again why not run Kennedy in a winnable Alberta riding?

Why can you never be sure? Other than your unfounded disdain for the Conservatives? Net debt isn't really a creative new concept. You are making it sound like a deceptive move on Flaherty's part when he is just setting a target for reducing our debt.

In 11 months, with a minority government, Harper has made more significant changes to the Canadian tax system than did the Liberals in 13 years. Under the circumstances, this is as close to a complete overhaul as you are going to see. My guess is you'll see the return of the 1/2 point cut in the lowest tax bracket in the new budget. If you look at everything Harper has done in office it totally fits with the guy you think you elected. He had to make a compromise on one tax. What is the value of your trusts compared to the day Harper won the election? If they are close to mirroring the returns of the Trust Index you have still experienced gains. Oh no, they aren't in double-digits... Then again looking at things objectively wouldn't allow you to justify your anger. You didn't expect anyone to debate the quotes? You just thought you would post out-dated qutoes that place the PM in the worst possible light to 'laugh at'? Hmmm imagine that, we all don't share your condescending view of the Prime Minister.

Yes, I do live in Calgary. Live about a mile east of the riding. Your reading of the riding is pretty weak. In the nine elections since this riding has been formed it has gone PC, Harper or Anders everytime. Rob pisses a lot of people off with some of the things he says and does. The voters haven't even come close to punishing him for that. Just look at the results of the riding. Rob won by 24,000 votes in January. People don't really care about the candidate in this riding. The Liberals have put up some pretty high profile candidates, for Liberals in Calgary that is, in this riding. Bronco ran in 1997 for the Liberals and lost by 9.000 votes. Bill code ran there in 1984 and got CRUSHED, losing by 31,000 votes. This is not a winnable riding. There isn't a winnable riding in Calgary for Kennedy. Would all the oil execs and other people whose livelihood depends on the industry living in the riding vote for Stephane "carbon tax" Dion? What message would Kennedy send by running in Calgary West? I'm willing to parachute into a riding I have ZERO connection with in order to get handed my arse in the general election?

The original commitment, including the rules of engagement, was agreed to by the Liberals. The Conservatives haven't changed the rules of engagement. For the Liberals to walk away from their ownership of that agreement whos how sad and lacking in leadership they really are.

Incompetent in Finance? That's a very unique view. Flaherty is seen by many. including the Toronto Star, as one of the brighter lights of the Cabinet.

Rumour is that Rob was ordered out of town as part of Harper's "Let's keep the rednecks and buffoons quiet so we can actually win" strategy. Can't even believe Kennedy would have the slightest of a chance. The Libs have to decide how safe a riding they want to give Kennedy. Edmonton Strathcona and Winnipeg South are the only real possibles in thr prairies. Too bad they both have some of the few visible minorities in the Conservative caucus...

So the real issue isn't managment? wtf? Just throw money at the issue without worrying about how that money is managed .... seems like a very good course of action.

I was referring to good ole Svend...

Let's look at their promises (not your opposition to them mind you) GST cut = promise kept Accountability act passed = promise kept Choice in childcare = promise kept Transit pass tax credit = promise kept Textbook tax credit = promise kept Vote to re-open SSM = promse kept And so on and so on and so on. They clearly are doing what they say they will more than once in a while. So why not be honest with your attacks?

No doubts it was a dumbass move. But isn't "low of lows" a little histrionical? It's not like he's bipolar and pled guilty to theft over $5,000 is it?

That wouldn't happen for three reasons. 1. Calgary can't have three members of cabinet. 2. Edmonton needs representation in cabinet. 3. Ablonczy was a little too vocal about her exclusion from the original cabinet.

Of course we should forgive him of that. He is after all Quebecois and a Liberal. It's only Conservatives that should be held up to a higher standard if you ask the likes of Saturn...

Interesting poll. The part about an election in Quebec early next year makes you wonder if any party, especially the Bloc will force an election before that. There are only so many volunteers out there. Also, the Bloc and Liberals could both want to wait for the results of that election. A PQ vote theoretically is better for both of them than the current status quo.

MPs frank using postal codes. Sometimes if a postal code straddles two ridings they'll send into the entire Postal Code area. The only option is not to send any mail at all... What's this about?? In 2000 Jaffer's family was opening a coffee shop in the riding at the time he had a radio interview booked. Instead of cancelling something because he double-booked Jaffer had an assistant appear on the radio program. A listener caught on and it created a little sh*tstorm. Rick Mercer made fun. Jaffer cried and apologized on TV. A lot of people in the riding still remember and are still angry about it. Poor immigrants? 1. The immigrant population isn't very high in his riding. Are you thinking of Edmonton-Mill Woods? 2. Jaffer does much better in the poorer parts of that riding than he does in the richer part. There are some very rich parts closer to the U of A. Filled with silver-spoon socialists who don't vote for him. If a dipper or lib can really increase the vote in those areas they have a shot. It would have to take somebody really good to beat him though.

You're from Winnipeg and don't really understand the Prairies? That is a little odd isn't it? Do you honestly think that people in Edmonton wouldn't vote for Kennedy because he started the food bank? That's pretty stereotypical and demeaning. Edmonton Strathcona is a very winnable riding for a non-Conservative. Represented provincially by Libs and Dippers. Contains the U of A. Big francophone population. The current MP, Rahim Jaffer, still has one big strike against him. i.e. a certain non-radio interview.

So a 38 year old quote is off limits but a 14 year old quote isn't? Where's the line? 20 years? 25? 30? If you don't like Harper that's fair. But when you get exposed for being as biased as you are lick your wounds and call it a day. What are you talking about in the last part of your post?