Ricki Bobbi

I still think Rae has a better shot at winning as Liberal leader than any other candidate. He'll pick up far more votes on the left than he'll lose on the right. Kennedy could well be the best ABI candidate. I think this thing is going to come down to the floor of the convention. Where do the minor candidates go after the first ballot? Will Kennedy, Dion or Rae drop off after the first ballot and play the role of kingmaker?

Paul Wells said it best. The thing that kills me is what a truly bad choice Howard Dean is to bring in. This is a man who had the Democratic nomination in his grasp and howled it away. We can only hope the Liberals look to Dean as an example on how to run a campaign.

Very interesting stuff. I thought Liberals were supposed to campaign from the left and govern from the right? Does Kennedy actually have a shot at winning this thing now? Appears that he believes he does. It is a pretty complex issue, but it comes down to a matter of global competitiveness in the eyes of people advocating the mergers.

Oops didn't see a thred had already been started on this topic.

Interesting post. Remember at the end of the last campaign Harper mused about there not being a true Conservative majority in the House of Commons because of Liberal domination of the Senate, judiciary and upper reaches of the civil service. This was the one major blip in the campaign for him. Maybe cost him a few votes, but the topic is so esoteric that most people really wouldn't get it. I think Harper needs to focus that line of reasoning on the Senate. Maybe let people know he is open to the idea of abolishing the Senate if need be, but anything is better than the status quo. The event precipitating a spring election will involve the Senate blocking some initiative of the Government in a very public way. The only people left who consider Harper scary are those who loathe him and would never vote for him in the future. *scary*, *scary*, *scary* won't work again. Hopefully the Liberals don't figure that out...

I still wonder why the Liberals didn't go ahead with the deal they clearly could have gotten before the election. Another example of Martin's dithering perhaps?

Fair enough. I don't know if the Liberals would have accepted the deal. The basic parameters were on the table but had been held up by the Canadian end. If the Liberals were willing to accept the deal as drafted they surely would have signed it before the election to gain the political mileage from it. You might be right for your reason why Emerson crossed to the Conservatives, but that could be used to equally support why he ran for the Liberals in 2004. Can't see him crossing the floor after the spring election for one simple reason. If he runs he would have to run as a Conservative. He can't win that riding as a Conservative which is why he probably won't run there. Maybe whoever wins that riding will cross-over to join Harper's cabinet as part of the majority Government.

How many other people have became President and CEO of Fortune 100 Canadian Business companies without an undergraduate education at a minimum? Other than the founders of the original businesses I can't think of one. There are more than "perceived benefits" from Belinda's status as Frank's daughter.

Only as long as it took Normie to post here. You also can't forgot the attack on Darrell Reid. Since Normie seems to support the Liberals, or maybe just any party that isn't the Conservatives, I wonder if that extends to supporting MP Andrew Telegdi and his documented use of the word n*gger??? Or are Canadians of African descent not worthy of your indignation?

Getting back to the topic of the thread. The Conservatives are close to a majority again. Looks like a toough row to hoe for whoever wins the Liberal leadership.

I appreciate getting the "hey, he's not wearing any clothes" award for a typo. I'd tell you my true feelings but your actions, but I probably be banned for it. Congrats sir you have won. Free to attack with no repercussions.

Already done Gerry. Click on the links provided before commenting in their comment without knowing what is in them.

The poll was from yesterday Gerry. Click on the link provided.

If we Harper folks were truly going to be attacking the new Liberal leader at all times why wouldn't we attack *ALL* of the leadership canbdidates or at least the ones with a shot at winning. Because we don't loathe any of them. Maybe some Ontarians loathe Bob Rae, but that is irrational. Like John Ibbitson said today ... Harper-loathers or neo-cons there is not point in discussing with people on either side.

Aghanistan might be an issue. Won't be much of one if Iggy wins. The Conservatives are working on their plan for the environment. I don't know who can best unite the Liberals, but I think the most important thing for their new leader is campaign experience and charisma.

So not much will change. Odd how the Harper loathers have no comment on the issue.

This is a thread on softwood lumber. You haven't mentioned the deal at all or tried to offer a 'dissenting' view on the deal. Go ahead and offer a dissenting view on the deal. More than willing to consider your opinions on the actual deal.

Let me get this straight. Because it was Liberal party activists, and not Members of Parliament who profited from $1.14 Million in illegally obtained funds it isn't a sign of corruption? Hmmm, nice line. Try it if you want, but that's a sure ticket to guaranteeing the Conservative Government gets re-elected.

You are replying to qutoes three days after the fact to start fights?

The provincial Liberals in Ontario...

Actually it's from November, according to the cite. It was November 8th, not August 8th. I spaced out when I typed the date.

What are the other polls you are referring to in this series? This one shows the CPC up from election day.

Here's the link to the poll. Dated August 8th, 2006 November 8th, 2006. If these results played out on election day the Conservatives and NDP would probably pick up a few seats. The Liberals and BQ lose a few.

Another solid piece of legislation. Another accomplishment to be touted in the next election. This will come up in the campaign. When you are hearing all the talk of Harper's 'broken promises' this will be among the list of promises kept.

Figs deal with the timing issue. There are some producers, my guess quite a few, who are able to survive taking 80 to 90 cents on the dollar now than risking a bigger potential payout in the future. That is probably the calculation the forestry industry made in accepting the deal. It's done in business all the time.