Tories to present confidence motion

[Keepitsimple]

I'm not so sure about Harper's minority gov't again. It seems a lot of people who voted for him did so because he said he wouldn't touch the interest trust accounts. How many will vote this time for him? You think the manufacturing and lumber groups will vote for him after he tried to blackmail the oppositions into voting for the budget? Maybe Harper has found out that it not "fun" being the PM just too much pressure especially if you think about how 78 that have died in Afghanistan. The negatives out weigh the positives for Harper as PM.

Thank you. You've helped to make my point. There is no reason for him to want to trigger an election - and you're right, God help us - it might even end up to be a Liberal minority.....so as I said, he needs confidence motions - or at least the threat - to push any meaningful action through Parliament.

Edited February 7, 2008 by Keepitsimple

[myata]

Elections over Afghanistan, forced by Harper - I can't think of a better opportunity for the Liberals in the long time. Just hope Dion won't blow it in the last moment. If there's any hope for this project, it's in the diplomatic and development fields. Troops won't accomplish the task as most Canadians now seem to agree. If Harper wan't to press his views on the country, let hime take the consequences.

[Keepitsimple]

Elections over Afghanistan, forced by Harper - I can't think of a better opportunity for the Liberals in the long time. Just hope Dion won't blow it in the last moment. If there's any hope for this project, it's in the diplomatic and development fields. Troops won't accomplish the task as most Canadians now seem to agree. If Harper wan't to press his views on the country, let hime take the consequences.

So you truly believe that if you remove the troops from Afghanistan, you'll be able to freely build schools and talk peace with the Taliban? You truly believe that the Taliban will play nice and not try to over-run the country and plunge it back into the dark ages? It's OK, you're allowed to believe that.....apparently, you are not the only one. But just to be clear - is that your position - get rid of the troops and talk peace?

Edited February 7, 2008 by Keepitsimple

[MontyBurns]

Here is the chance that our cut-and-run pansies have been waiting for.

[noahbody]

How about a Roadside Bomb Registry? That ought to work.

[Leafless]

Just hope Dion won't blow it in the last moment. If there's any hope for this project, it's in the diplomatic and development fields.

Dion who?

[myata]

you'll be able to freely build schools and talk peace with the Taliban? You truly believe that the Taliban will play nice and not try to over-run the country and plunge it back into the dark ages?

Yes I think it's ultimately up to the people to build the schools, build the country, and live in whatever ages they like to. Certainly I don't see it as a wise investment of our resources (and lives) to install, and support a government we think is good for Afghanistan, if its own people aren't so sure about that (and if they were sure, in their masses, would we need to install and prop it up in the first place?)

At least an election over the issue will give all Canadians a say what they think. Just in case it's different from what real men do i.e. always stick to the plan, even a wrong and desperate one, to the last and no matter what - or do they command others to stick to it, until they're kicked out of power at which time they'll retire to write manly memoirs??

[eyeball]

The most interesting feedback from the public - from several polls over the past year - is that a strong majority feel the country is headed in the right direction.

I think this has a lot less to do with Parliament and more to do with Canadians just going about their business honestly and civily amongst themselves. In any case I'm all for going to the polls, and I'd be even happier if we got to vote on issues every 3 - 6 months. Canadians know what's best for Canada.

[jdobbin]

I think this has a lot less to do with Parliament and more to do with Canadians just going about their business honestly and civily amongst themselves.

I think you are correct about that. Strong support for the direction the country is going to has not translated into a strong mandate for the Tories in the polls. Latest poll has them tied with the Liberals.

[fellowtraveller]

I think you are correct about that. Strong support for the direction the country is going to has not translated into a strong mandate for the Tories in the polls. Latest poll has them tied with the Liberals.

I truly hope that the Liberals share your fascination and utter reliance on polls.

Harper has already won this one, again, with Dion- or at least gotten him into an untenable postion.

Harper has not actually committed to anything, and has given himself a few boltholes on Afghanistan.

Dion has now committed himself firmly to the gone -in -2009 position.

And this is just the beginning moves of this latest chess game, in which Dion seems to be eternally playing with less than a full intellectual grasp of the rules and manouvers available.

Advantage Harper.

As I predicted several months ago, Harpers election strategy will have at least two big topical hammers to pound on Dion during the upcoming campaign. The first will be Afghanistan, where the Tory message will be simple: Canadians are not cowards who cut and run when the going gets tough. Speaking of polls on Afghainstan, IMO the LIbs/NDP have read the mood of Canadians wrong, and will pay the price. Second, the Tories will point out the intransigence of the Senate in obstructing the passage of important legislation, and will point the finger of blame directly at the puppermaster, Mr Dion.

And of course, Harper always has the reserve hammer, which is Dions record as a Cabinet Minister.

There won't be anything left but a greasy smear on the campaign trail after a few weeks of that....

And how is that Liberal fundraising going?

[myata]

The first will be Afghanistan, where the Tory message will be simple: Canadians are not cowards who cut and run when the going gets tough.

And I wonder how many will actually buy into this macho dumbwitted strategy. The real issue is, is there any serious chance of success with this chosen strategy, and does it worth spending our resources and lives? Maybe Harper, true to his usual self, underestimates intellectual abilities of Canadians (but then, everybody looks from their own bell tower, as Russians say...)

And of course, Harper always has the reserve hammer, which is Dions record as a Cabinet Minister.

There won't be anything left but a greasy smear on the campaign trail after a few weeks of that....

Right, with nothing much to show for his own two years in power (environment? transparency? accountability? anyone?).

[jdobbin]

I truly hope that the Liberals share your fascination and utter reliance on polls.

If Tories like yourself feel they have majority numbers, make the confidence vote now.

I'm sorry some people don't believe the numbers. They have been pretty consistent over the last years. I never claim that the Liberals are about to break through and win but the Tories just can't reach majority numbers and consistently stay there.

Harper has already won this one, again, with Dion- or at least gotten him into an untenable postion.

Harper has not actually committed to anything, and has given himself a few boltholes on Afghanistan.

Dion has now committed himself firmly to the gone -in -2009 position.

And this is just the beginning moves of this latest chess game, in which Dion seems to be eternally playing with less than a full intellectual grasp of the rules and manouvers available.

Advantage Harper.

Since the Canadian public continues to show skepticism over Afghanistan, it is Harper's peril if he thinks he can proceed forthwith.

I don't see an advantage in Harper being belligerent about Afghanistan. If he wants to make it an election issue, he will not win a majority and could very well lose the election.

As I predicted several months ago, Harpers election strategy will have at least two big topical hammers to pound on Dion during the upcoming campaign. The first will be Afghanistan, where the Tory message will be simple: Canadians are not cowards who cut and run when the going gets tough. Speaking of polls on Afghainstan, IMO the LIbs/NDP have read the mood of Canadians wrong, and will pay the price. Second, the Tories will point out the intransigence of the Senate in obstructing the passage of important legislation, and will point the finger of blame directly at the puppermaster, Mr Dion.

And of course, Harper always has the reserve hammer, which is Dions record as a Cabinet Minister.

There won't be anything left but a greasy smear on the campaign trail after a few weeks of that....

And if all Harper can muster is another minority, there will be questions about whether he can take the Tories to the next level.

And how is that Liberal fundraising going?

Much better I've heard.

Edited February 8, 2008 by jdobbin