Ricki Bobbi

So we'll never get a CPC majority because of fears of the social agenda. Fears of the social agenda won't go away until after a CPC majority. Seems like a catch-22 that *conveniently* plays into the hands of the Liberals.

Because Kingsley is responsible for investigating the allegations and I honestly don't know enough about the case to make an informed decision. I don't think anybody can from just reading that story. Do you know exactly how much the CPC has done to co-operate and what would be considered full co-operation? I don't and we'll have to see what Kingsley finds in his investigation. What if the CPC has sent already sent over a set of *books*, but it might not have included exactly the information needed? Accounting can take a long time for a number of reasons. 2 1/2 months is not an exceptionally long time to received a report. Any number of non-criminal things could have held it up. The *books* are probably kept by professional accountiants who are doing it as volunteers. Maybe they got busy at work. Filing the reports might require having to go back to vendors to get backup copies of invoices. yada yada yada... This will deservedly become a much bigger story if the allegations are proven true. It's just too early to make an informed decision. Look how long it took for the sponsorship scandal to gain national prominence...

A much better example of bizarre. Completely agreed about abiding by the law. Here's an interesting little tidbit from the article that was conveniently cut in the OP. Until Kingsley says it outright this is a non-story.

Fair enough. but I didn't start this thread....

She's unqualified for the job. She was chosen for purely reasons of political optics in a failed attempt by Paul Martin to win the 2006 election. She had the audacity to put conditions on accepting the job.

Thanks for that. Couldn't have said it better myself. No I am not employed by the Conservative Party of Canada. Yes I have volunteered for them in the past. Yes I am a party member. Yes I will volunteer during the next election, when we crush the Bob Rae lead Liberals...

Hmmm, $1.14 million dollars illegally given to party supporter in the name of promoting national unity isn't as bizarre in your mind? No bias there at all.

Sure put me in that place with your attack gerry. Is this an attack based on your perception of my manliness or my sexual orientation? Personal attacks are the playground of the weak-minded... Your *one and only point* has been responded to many times. But here it is again. A party with the tons of free media associated with a leadership race while the government is in an unpopular armed conflict should be gaining ground. Back on topic. Rae has the best chance of the leadership hopefuls but whoever wins is in for a tough fight.

There's a lot of people on this board who can't admit that. Look at the endless attacks by certain posters.... Fears of the social conservative agenda will recede after time. Originally the charge was that *any* Conservative government would push the social agenda. Now that we've been in government and haven't pushed the agenda. *Scary* *scary* *scary* has less resonance as time goes on.

Contributing to the debate would be to say *something*. But you could stick to your standard *leaderless Liberals* line. For example, why do you think Rae will beat him by the largest margin? Yeah, that would take the ability to debate and add something to the board.

Do you not remember the conidtions she put on accepting the job? What was ... it free time to go back to Montreal and something about a guaranteed spot in a certain school for her daughter? Those are things that are perfect acceptable to ask for when negotiating for a new job ... that *isn't* the highest job in the land and a dream opportunity of a lifetime. That isn't how you treat a job you really want. That turned me off on her from day one. The fact that Martin didn't tell her to shove it when she made her demands was symbolic of why he had to go. That isn't how a leader acts. Can anybody imagine somebody Harper offers the GG gig to putting conditions on their acceptance? Andrew Coyne summed it up best.

I agree that Rae is electable in a general election, but think you are off the mark about people in Ontario knowing little about his past. Just say *Rae days* to any likely voter in Ontario and you willd efinitely get a reaction of some kind. If Rae wins the Conservatives will flood the airwaves in Ontario with reminders of the bad old days...

A Cabinet shuffle is a possibility, but not for a little while. The fall won't see a shuffle. Ambrose will get the chance to prove herself on environment. Clement on health and MacKay will get the chance to do something. The budget probably comes in February so look for a shuffle after that. Far too early to speculate who's in or out at this point, but *IF* nothing changes those three may be on the outside looking in.

OMG, wouldn't that be Harper's wet dream. Iggy loses the leadership because of an ABI movement that leads to Rae, or Kennedy, taking the crown. Iggy gets p.o.'d and crosses the floor. MacKay is *promoted* to Deputy PM, but loses any real power and Ignatieff becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs. Man that would be great. Wouldn't really have much effect on the election but it would be fun to watch.

OK. Let's say there are only four candidates that have a realistic chance to win. Ignatieff, Rae, Kennedy and Dion. Here's a brief rundown of the big four. Ignatieff has a lot of issues. Weak on the left flank because of Afghanistan. Propensity to misspeak. Has lived in Canada for how many months as an adult? On the plus side he has a hell of team working for him and is leading but not enough. Can Rae overcome the failed Premiership of Ontario? That seems like the only major strike against him. Seems like any centre-right voters he might lose because of that time could be overcome by centre-left voters. Kennedy isn't the most experience and has issues with his French. If he could avoid rookie mistakes he could catch a wave but there are a lot of pitfalls out there. Dion struggles in English, and isn't a favourite son in Quebec by any stretch. (Sorry August, but he isn't well thought of in la belle provenc.) Also got a pretty strong team, but I don't really see much upside for Dion. My feeling is that in all probablities Rae would be the toughest opponent for the Conservatives to beat in a general election. If he won the MSM would be falling over themselves to write stories of redemption. But Kennedy could be scary. I think Iggy and Dion would be relatively easy to beat for a variety of reasons.

Take a look at my original post. It was a response to a poster who always takes the time to post the Prime Minister in the worst possible light. Yet you don't say anything about his post? Here is the quote I took issue with. How is starting a thread calling the Prime Minister a wimp not being *irrationally partisan*? Do you not think he was being hypocritical?

Now that Arar is suing the government for $400 Million dollars, it makes you wonder how much he is really seeking justice at this point?

MH, agreed it was a classic drive-by. gc, are the supporters of any other party that fair minded here? Is it wrong if everybody plays by the same rules? I'm not really aware of any poster here with a history of standing up for the Liberals and the Conservatives. But feel free to enlighen me if I'm wrong. And feel free to address the substance of my post. It would only be fair for you to take umbrage with a post by a poster with a history of attacking Harper as it would with somebody with a history of supporting him. Wouldn't it?

Ahh the irony in chastising others for the terms they use in describing Canadian politicians. But sticking to form by turning *any* thread into a chance to attack Harper. Consistency is an admirable trait.

Funny how you have to look 42 years in the past to make your point. Five years of receiving benefits and 42 years of paying into the program? Hmmm, at some point their fair share has been paid...

The NDP moved left at their convention. Support our troops bring them home?

Goes to show how far the Libeals have fallen. The Conservatives were in *terrible* shape at the time of the leadership campaign. The Liberals aren't looking that good right now. Incoherent messaging on Afghanistan. A Conservative Primie Minister mired in an unpopular war with the Official Opposition in the midst of a leadership race shouldn't be so close to a majority. There's got to be something about the Liberals the public isn't ready to embrace them yet.

So the constitutionally most powerfuly position in the country should be the place to start with affirmative action? That is a benefit to the appointment process?

There is a huge jump from an eye test to psychiatric and psychological screenings. Who would be responsible for paying those costs? The other tough thing about that requirement is what happens when the normal everyday joe snaps because of a serious life trauma. Should these tests be required yearly?

I think that election of the GG is opening the same can of worms as electing the Senate. Both are primarily ceremonial at the moment despite having vast constitutional powers. The constitution would have to be amended to reflect a realistic viewpoint of the role an elected GG would play. Probably want to change the name of the role too. Perhaps even to President, although that would be very American of us, it would reflect the reality of the role.