Progressive Tory

I do have glasses, not rose tinted. There are a great many things I don't like about Michael Ignatieff. For one, he is a fan of Ronald Reagan, or at least some of his policies. I never liked Reagan and thought he should have had to answer for the Iran Contra deal - and not by shredding documents. When it comes to women in his shadow cabinet; the difference is that Harper has to try to change his image with regards to women. He has always been outspoken on the topic and one of his first orders of business when becoming PM was to remove the word 'equality' from the Status of Women as well as 5 million dollars from their budget. His 'token' women cabinet members have not impressed anyone, since it comes with a hefty pricetag. Millions of dollars from the treasury during an economic crisis. It has also angered many longtime Reformers, the backbone of the party, who have been passed over again, just to improve an image. Ignatieff, on the other hand, has been a longtime advocate for the rights of women, aboriginals, gays, etc. He has no image to live down, so is free to choose his shadow cabinet on merit, and will do the same when he has to select his cabinet. As a longtime advocate for women's rights, I have never wanted concessions for being a woman, only recognition and equal opportunities. Rewards must be earned. It seems the more I learn about Michael Ignatieff, the more I want to learn; good and bad. He's led such a fascinating life. From two years living in Yugoslavia under Tito, when his father was a Canadian ambassador; to his in depth coverage of the Croation War. What a great perspective he will bring to the office of Prime Minister.

Grasping at straws. It's reverse discrimination appointing women to positions only because they're women. Harper caved again and appointed tokens to his new overstuffed cabinet at a time of economic crisis. They each get an extra $ 75,000.00 per year, plus limo, drivers and perks; yet they're not allowed to speak without permission. Ignatieff chose the best people for the jobs. He is not Stephen Harper or Jack Layton. He is substance not flash. Women love him. He reads to his wife because she has poor eyesight. I have poor eyesight so my husband bought me a page magnifier.

I suppose, though I think it will be just a formality. However, I believe the point was can he run for Prime Minister if he's JUST an interim leader? His Party call him their permanent leader, so no doubt have a clause in their own constitution.

Ignatieff is not an interim leader "Rae said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon he was dropping out of the leadership race for the "greater interest of the country." It is important that the Liberals have a permanent leader in place before Parliament resumes in January, he told reporters in Ottawa." With no contenders, he was named leader. The May convention will be about party renewal. I already got my invite.

Whether he makes inroads into the west is debatable, though not entirely impossible. I've just started reading one of his books, and am pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be dry, but it's not. It starts out when he was a journalist covering the War in Croatia. It's kind of a page turner and the reviews are excellent. The Montreal Gazette - "Uncannily comtemporary..." Washington Post - "Ignatieff writes like a dream..." Globe and Mail - Perhaps Ignatieff's succinct, popularly written primer with it's stark message will not fall on deaf ears. if it does, we'll all likely be the worse for it." Toronto Star - "Michael Ignatieff brings heart and generosity to tragedy." Calgary Herald - "Explores the heart of the most virulent nationalist conflicts around the world...a valuable, thought provoking book." I knew he was a journalist but had no idea he had been to so many dangerous places. He's led such a fascinating life. He will bring a wealth of experience to the office and a better understanding of how we fit in the scheme of things.

I could send you more but just google 'Harper Lied' and then settle in for the afternoon.

Before news came out that the tape wasn't doctored, 1/3 of Canadians thought Harper was lying. Once proven that Harper did lie .... Cadman Time Line "Oct. 10: Court-ordered audio analysis by the expert Harper hired shows that the relevant portion of the tape — the part everyone quotes — contains no splices, edits or alterations." Ex-Tory candidate wins lawsuit

Exactly. Harper's best bet is that this thing just goes away. He won't be suing anyone anytime soon. He's up to his neck now and if those boxes from the 2006 election funding get open, the media is going to have a field. Judging by the way they do things now, it should be quite interesting.

You must also be from Ontario. I lived under the Mike Harris gov't and when I saw that Harper had put Flaherty, Baird and Clement in his cabinet, I actually laughed out loud. I just assumed they were in jail. If I ever even considered voting Conservative again, those three would quickly bring me to my senses.

You just have to read the comments at the end of every Calgary Herald post on the subject. I would like to see a poll, just in the West, that asked: If the (fiscally and socially conservative) Reform Party (I know they'll have to change their name) was to run a candidate in your riding would you a). Vote for the new party? or . Stay with the CP? The results would be interesting. Before worrying about the rest of the country, they'd better start listening to their base. They won't go Liberal (unless Hell really does freeze over) but a return to the original conservative principles might be welcome.

Exactly. That was my point about the 850,000 votes lost by the Liberals last election. Harper could not get them to change their brand. However, now that the brand is 'new and improved', they could very easily win those back. The question is also whether or not they can entice the other 170,000 that voted Cons in 2006, and not in 2008 to get behind Ignatieff. I did. I voted PC until they were swallowed up by the Alliance/Reform. I then unenthusiastically voted NDP. The West will never vote Liberal. I know that. But if the present Conservative Party fractures and a viable alternative to the CP emerges, it might be a different thing. Again by the polls posted above: The West least likes the budget, the West least like the deficit spending, the West is more worried about losing their jobs (40% of Albertans)

Specualtion? Did you listen to the tape? If anyone was on their knees, it wasn't a Liberal.

John Baird is an idiot. When he was in the Ontario Legislature he was considered a blowhard. He rambled on an on about gov't spending then the Star printed an article when they discoverd that his department was the bigggest spenders. Posh dinners, etc. He even once submitted a receipt for .89 for Timbits. That's how cheap he is. He has zero credibility in Ontario. (Except for his riding with an unlimited pouring of cash)

The Majority of Canadians agree with you.

Actually, that's not true. I forgot to post the Calgary Herald Article in my original message but it clearly states that: "Nationally, the Conservatives retain a commanding lead in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. But the Liberals have overtaken the Conservatives in Ontario for the first time since the federal election, and retain a firm lead in Atlantic Canada."

I forgot to post the link for the new poll from the Calgary Herald. Another important number is one that I mentioned in another thread. Last election the Conservatives ran a very successful attack ad against the Liberals, that resulted in them losing 850,000 votes since 2006. However, he failed to inspire so never picked up even one of those. In fact, 170,000 people who voted for the Cons in 2006, opted to just stay home. He did not get a stronger mandate and only vote splitting gave him more seats. With more than a million votes at play, if Igantieff is able to inspire where Harper failed, we could see very different election results. Everyday it seems, a new Conservative scandal is coming back to haunt them, not to mention constant bad news about the economy, that always falls on the shoulders of the existing gov't. I also read the Calgary Herald everyday now. Most of Harper's support is still in the West. Yet is is the West who least likes the budget, least accepts the deficit and perhaps more importantly, are the most afraid of losing their jobs. Soaring job losses finally hit Alberta Albertans were the most concerned. "Albertans, whose economy has been fuelled by high oil prices, were concerned their job market was running out of gas. The poll found 40 per cent of respondents were less confident their job was safe, compared to 14 per cent who were more confident." If this budget fails to deliver, he could be on shaky ground with his base.

The tide is turning and Harper is turning out to be not much a leader afterall.

Actionable, how? Bribing an elected official is not legal. The tape proved that he did. If Harper wants to sue me, he can go for it, but he'll also have to sue hundreds of bloggers and contributors to message boards who are saying the same thing. It's in his best interest for this to go away. However, just because the Liberals have agreed not to bring it up again, doesn't mean the NDP or Bloc can't. What he did was wrong. He knew it. He won't be trying to remind Canadians anytime soon. PM incriminated himself on tape over alleged Cadman bribe, Opposition charges Bribing Cadman Illegal & Unethical Globe and Mail Editorial Harper, Bribery and Dying MPs

You seem to be forgetting that it was Harper who engaged in criminal activity by trying to bribe an elected official. He only launched the lawsuit to deflect attention. He now knows that he doesn't have a leg to stand on. His own expert said that the tape wasn't doctored. He now needs to make this go away. The Liberals could have in turn sued him for making false allegations. This was not a victory for Harper, but more of a 'tail between his legs thing'.

Though only Opposition Leader for about two months, Michael Ignatieff has been slowly making his way to the top. Everything the Tories throw at him have proven to be futile in the court of public opinion. The latest poll shows that he is narrowing the gap, and while the West is still keeping Harper on top, he is losing ground across the rest of the country. "The poll conducted for Canwest News Service and Global Television showed the Liberals have steadily narrowed a 23-point gap behind the Conservatives in early December to six points in the two months since Ignatieff replaced Stephane Dion as leader." Harper will need to pull a rabbit out of hat his pretty soon, because none of his attacks are sticking. 1. Wasn't an elected leader, but appointed - "A new poll suggests Canadians are favourably impressed by Michael Ignatieff’s installation as federal Liberal leader". 2. He's wishy washy for saying budget flawed but voting for it anyway- " Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff seems to have read the public mood precisely with his decision to support the Tory budget with conditions, a new poll suggests." 3. Michael Ignatieff Knew budget was not a good one and Canadians agreed - "It's probably the least-supported budget of all the ones he's delivered and at a time of crisis when he was supposed to make people feel better, I think it's benign," said Ipsos Reid senior vice-president John Wright. "For most people, it's made them feel indifferent....And only 23 per cent -- fewer than one in four Canadians -- believe Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's fourth budget will help them personally." What's interesting here are the comments after that reflect the true feelings. Some blame this on the coalition but the fact is Harper always had the chance to say no. A Coalition under Dion would have failed and next election the Conservatives would have got their desired majority. 4. Poll reveals slim majority favour deficit - Again, the ones least comfortable with the deficit are Harper's core supporters: - Alberta 48% Saskatchewan 40% Manitoba 40% I heard Stockwell Day's ridiculous comment in the house the other day, 'from the man who spent the last thirty years in the U.S.' I was glad Iggy didn't bite. It's getting old. I don't know whether Stocky's problem is math or geography, but it's not landing. I hope they've got better than that next election, because nobody cares. I went to the Library to get some of Iggy's books. They had two - the rest were out and a waiting list already begun. Everyone is curious and intrigued.

Rant away. It's the same here in Kingston. The malls are full of empty stores. I always buy gift cards for my family for Christmas. I told them to spend them quick before the store closes (literally). I just read where Hudson Bay plans to lay off 1000 workers, so I imagine that will also have an impact on our local Bay.

It was definitely a retreat. He didn't need anymore bad publicity with his political career hanging by a thread.

Why would the Liberals lose the suit when they were the ones accused of doctoring the tape? When it was proven that the tape wasn't doctored, it leaves Harper with two choices. Perjure himself or admit that he bribed a government official for a confidence vote. I think he may have agreed to cover all their court costs if they just made it go away. However, shouldn't there still be criminal charges laid? What Harper did was wrong.

You would think a good strategist would try to spend in seats they want to take away, making sure the residents know it was a Tory initiative and that they are not as partisan as their reputation suggests. When John Baird was head of children's services in Ontario he came out with much fanfare about massive spending for the Children of Ontario. Turns out that the majority of the spending was in his own riding to assure re-election. (The rest of the spending was a myth) The chance of the Conservatives gaining any ground right now is almost impossible. I suppose spending in their own ridings could ensure they don't lose the support they currently have.

You can't really take $ 100.00 a month off that. Since it's taxable, and both you and your wife are working, depending on your income, I'll bet you see a fraction of that.