Ricki Bobbi

Got it from Paul Wells' blog. He is a member of the press gallery. Read his post from yesterday. For at least 30 days the press gallery won't boycott the list. Given how split the gallery is on the boycott I doubt anything will change after the 30 day period ends.

How is polling on Government of Canada environmental policy related to the Conservative party of Canada. That's the point you *still* haven't made Gerry....

Wow, what a crushing indictment. How would you like thr government to gauge the public's opinion while formulating an environmental policy?

I haven't seen anything on those pro-lifers targetting MPs for a while. I do know that the deadline to file nomination papers has passed, so I am guessing that none of these guys got the money and/or number of memberships required. The whole reason for the new rules was to make sure somebody challenging for a nomination was serious. I think Myron Thompson was forced to go through a nomination by somebody who brought less than 20 supporters to the nomination meeting. Completely agreed about Desjarlais, Robinson was a little different. Nominations should be open, if the person who wants to challenge is serious. If the party couldn't dissuade Svend from running they shouldn't have changed rules to keep him off the ballot.

Tradition of the scrum? But the press gallery is complaining about not being able to decide who gets to ask questions. The scrum leaves the power to choose who asks questions solely in the hands of the PM. *No reporters* are argung for the tradition of the scrum. Hey, the parliament hill press gallery agreed today to agree to Harper's request for a list of who will ask quetions. Poor Julie Van Dusen...

What are these ridings? I vaguely remember reading something about pro-lifers challenging Garth Turner. I have heard a lot of rumours about lawsuits but haven't seen that one actually has been filed, anywhere. Come on, if you want to start something post a story that is a little stronger. Or maybe two or three stories... *non-stereotypical conservative response*. I think the party could possibly be better off without Myron and Anders. Myron's time has to be coming soon. Unfortunately, Anders will stick around for a while. But they have both kept their yaps shut since we have been in government. The alternatives could be worse. *shudder*

Weren't you accusing me of following you around the forum?

Hmmm, two Calgary area ridings and the Cutler story that is almost a year old. I guess that means it has been happening for almost a year. Not really sure about the Rob Anders riding. Wakula won't speak publicly on it. Also heard that Myron's challenger had less than 50 members signed up in advance of the nomination deadline.

Where was that accusation made? The government paid for Conservative Party of Canada polling? I would have to see some actual support for that.

That's a relatively fair set of grades. The grade on economic policy comes down to whether or not you agreed with Harper's election promises. If you did that grade necessarily jumps up. The one exception is the public relations grade. The entire *tiff* with the Hill Press Gallery has been about the PMO creating a list for reporters to ask questions at Hill press conferences. In this piece Paul Wells points out how there is historical precedence. i.e. Paul Martin's staffers created lists of journalists who could ask questions during scrums in the January election. Prime Minister's have always given preferred access to journalists they like by being more likely to answer their questions. It should be noted that the Hill Press Gallery agreed to suspend its boycott of the Prime Minister's questions list for 30 days. Seems like that will give the public the chance to judge if Harper's proposal was fair or not.

Ahhh, There is the classic knee-jerk, unthinking, response from the Canadian left. I favour the Conservatives so I have to be pro-Republican. Isn't it amazing how the left is stuck with that sorry chestnut. I said repeatedly in the thread it was unfortunate that the Republicans will hold the Senate ... but you couldn't actually pay attention to threads. You asked for proof of the Canadian economy being stronger. I provided two examples. Yet, you only provide one in response. Instead of coming up with a response you misrepresent my views and attack me personally. Nice. Good contribution to the thread UOttawaman!

You said that Iraq was *the* biggest reason why the Republicans were going to lose the House AND Senate. Already proved they won't win the Senate. Already provided evidence how the Canadian economy is stronger than the American. In response to your overstatement of the importance of foreign policy in U.S elections. See post #67. As for a comparative figure about the housing starts, here is a Canadian link for comparison. U.S. starts have already turned down. Canada may turn down in 2007. Hmmm, more proof that the Canadian economy is stronger than the American. But I will take your ignoring the issues that you have admitted error on these issues: - The Liberals won't win the next election. - The Republicans, unfortunately, won't lose the Senate. - The Canadian economy is stronger than the American. - The last six U.S. elections weren't dominated by foreign policy - The legislative branch of the U.S. government is the House of Representatives and the Senate.

You are just playing with me. I mentioned two areas. You wanted comparative Canadian figures but couldn't look them up yourself. Then in your next post you point a link to an article supporting my contention all along. Have fun choosing another target to play with...

Ahhh, Shakey you asked for an example of your unwarranted and disrespectul attack about the Conservative Party or their leader. You are getting closer by attacking Conservative Party supporters. You're getting there buddy!

Yet again changing the goal lines. Very interesting. When I posted that you asked for evidence of a downturn in the U.S. economy. I provided it and now you want comparative figures for Canada You may have the ability to do so, but your obtuseness in replying to my evidence make me feel you are just playing with me .... or really don't get it. Not really fun to play that game anymore. See you after the next election. Hopefully your anger recedes. Have fun raging against the machine.

Uhhh, the do. Do you ever watch CTV news?

I thought "Are they lefties too?" was compaing the Sun to the CTV and the CBC. Regardless, the CBC is free to broadcast all the bias they want once the tax payer funds are turned off.

You are a great individual Shakey. I give you full credit for giving me nothing to come back with in your very next post. But I'll bide my time.

It's not about them being right or left. The Sun can run what they want. They don't derive the majority of their revenue from tax dollars. The CBC does. Cut of the flow of government money and the CBC is free to do what they want .... if they can survive.

I could dig through the archives and find stuff, but I really don't want to take the time. I'm sure you will prove yourself with a more egregious example soon enough.

You do know that Rothenberg actually used to write for the Cook report, don't you? Interesting your source had to be on TV with no way to support what you *heard*. Four posts ago you said "And show me where the U.S. economy has done worse than Canada's. Stats on that?" Now that I showed an example with a stronger Canadian economic indicator you narrow the ground to GDP growth. Hmmm, very interesting. Would adding a link on the downturn in housing starts in the U.S. added to the information on slower salary growth top your marginally higher projected growth in GDP?

The choice of the same *hip* *young* *left-of-centre* announcers. Sook-yin Lee, George Stromobolopous, Avi Lewis, Evan Solomon is there any difference between these people? I will admit Gian Gomeshi appears to fit this mold but is much more open-minded and fair than the rest.

Why would I got to the effort to supply evidence when you won't? You wanted proof the Canadian economy was stronger than the American, you got it. There are no other comparable sources to the Cook Political Report from a truly non-partisan source. I have done the research. You have supplied, ZERO evidence, and are just pulling things out of thin air. Go ahead, find one report that is even similar in providing an analysis of every Senate race. Say what you want. But I have backed up my assertions. All you have done is brushed them off without supported then asked me for more support of your changing ground. Easy to debate with somebody like you. No evidence, always changing the subject when proven wrong and you won't take the time to dig up the support. FYI - The Congress, i.e. House of Representatives and the Senate, is considered the legislative branch of the U.S. Government. If you want to post accurately you should learn what you are talking about.

Your point was that Foreign Policy could cost the Republicans the Senate. Unfortunately, it won't. The Democrats need to hold all of their seats and pick up six Republican seats. They would have to win all the toss ups according to the latest Cook Political Report. Is Katrina the *only* reason Democrats are stronger? No. Is Iraq? No. About the economy. These links show how Canada's payroll growth is outpacing the U.S.'s . 3.8% to 0.2% which means that much more money in the hands of Canadian consumers. With things basically staying the same in the U.S. people lose confidence and don' tspend as much. Any other information you want?

Yet another rule broken by gerry. You already started a thread on the polling and this is at least the third thread you have posted the same information on. Good work!