Harper suing the Liberals

[Topaz]

Have you been following any of this?

PMSH never made an offer, it is alleged that two members of the conservative party did.

This is part of what Harper has said. "They were legitimately representing the party." Harper confirmed. "I said. "Don't press him. I mean, you have this theory that its, you know, financial insecurity, and you know, just you know, if that's the what you say, make the case, but I said Don't press it." Harper statement proves he knew what was going on. He said himself they went to see this dying man several times to change his mind and Harper was among them that did.

[gc1765]

He's claiming the tape recording of him admitting that an offer was made to Cadman was altered.

Maybe Harper should hire an independent expert to decide whether the tapes were altered...kind of like what was done when the Grewal tapes were altered...

[fellowtraveller]

So what if Harper or anybody else was pressing Cadman?

It is not illegal and wholly expected in the circumstances.

I think Harper heard that the Libs got a few million on a line of credit for an election sometime, and he wants to tap that.

[Topaz]

And in addition JDobbin, I was reading that by not naming any Liberals directly, Liberals cannot use House of Commons funds to pay their costs. Another blow to Liberal Party coffers.

It's already been announced that the Conservative Party will pay Harper's costs.

The problem Harper may face the majority of how Canadians feel about this. I saw a poll over on Yahoo and 73% feel Harper is lying. So Harper may or may not win in court but he may fail at the voting box.

[jdobbin]

So what if Harper or anybody else was pressing Cadman?

It is not illegal and wholly expected in the circumstances.

Financial incentives are against the criminal code. That would be an insurance policy which Dona Cadman says was offered.

[Who's Doing What?]

I feel extremely confident that Harper believes that this lawsuit will prevent him from having to answer questions about financial offers to a candidate just like the last lawsuit he was involved in.

I think you have something here. Being able to repeat "I can't discuss matters about an on going case before the courts." could be just what he is after.

Be just like the 16 months of hearing "Well, the preveious Liberal Govt. ..."

Edited March 14, 2008 by Who's Doing What?

[Keepitsimple]

Say whatever you want inside Parliament but for decades, politicians have "threatened" their accusers to repeat their remarks outside Parliament - and for decades, the accusers have refrained from doing so - for fear of being sued. The Liberals refused to openly slander Harper outside of Parliament but instead, posted over-the-top comments on their Website - calling him criminal, immorable and unethical - among many other things. Even if - and that's a big if - some form of illegal financial offer was made sometime by someone - the overwhelming evidence shows that Harper did not not know of it and certainly would never condone it. Putting aside the personal assault on Harper, if these actions are allowed to go unchecked, they will drag our politics even deeper into the mud than it already is. There is no other choice but to take legal action - since the Liberals show absolutely no inclination to apologize or even back off.

Edited March 15, 2008 by Keepitsimple

[DrGreenthumb]

Say whatever you want inside Parliament but for decades, politicians have "threatened" their accusers to repeat their remarks outside Parliament - and for decades, the accusers have refrained from doing so - for fear of being sued. The Liberals refused to openly slander Harper outside of Parliament but instead, posted over-the-top comments on their Website - calling him criminal, immorable and unethical - among many other things. Even if - and that's a big if - some form of illegal financial offer was made sometime by someone - the overwhelming evidence shows that Harper did not not know of it and certainly would never condone it. Putting aside the personal assault on Harper, if these actions are allowed to go unchecked, they will drag our politics even deeper into the mud than it already is. There is no other choice but to take legal action - since the Liberals show absolutely no inclination to apologize or even back off.

Nice try, the overwhelming evidence shows exactly the opposite, Harper knew about the offer and approved it. His own voice on tape incriminates him. Instead of another Tory cover-up maybe he should explain to the Canadian people what he meant on the tape when he told his guys it was ok to go and bribe cadman. I think the Canadian people have a right to know if the "law and order" party leader in fact broke the law. I think there should be a mandatory minimum prison sentence of say 5 years (totally arbitrary just like the cons drug sentencingz) for politicians who break elections laws.

[jdobbin]

Say whatever you want inside Parliament but for decades, politicians have "threatened" their accusers to repeat their remarks outside Parliament - and for decades, the accusers have refrained from doing so - for fear of being sued. The Liberals refused to openly slander Harper outside of Parliament but instead, posted over-the-top comments on their Website - calling him criminal, immorable and unethical - among many other things. Even if - and that's a big if - some form of illegal financial offer was made sometime by someone - the overwhelming evidence shows that Harper did not not know of it and certainly would never condone it. Putting aside the personal assault on Harper, if these actions are allowed to go unchecked, they will drag our politics even deeper into the mud than it already is. There is no other choice but to take legal action - since the Liberals show absolutely no inclination to apologize or even back off.

Dryden went outside of the House and repeated what he said after being taunted. He wasn't sued. Dion, Ignatieff and Gooddale also have repeated what they said outside the House.

[Keepitsimple]

Dryden went outside of the House and repeated what he said after being taunted. He wasn't sued. Dion, Ignatieff and Gooddale also have repeated what they said outside the House.

None of them spewed the vitriole that appeared on the Liberal website.

[capricorn]

None of them spewed the vitriole that appeared on the Liberal website.

But...if during court proceedings (if it gets to trial) it is found that one or more Liberal elected official OK'd the statements, that will be used as ammunition by Harper.

[jdobbin]

None of them spewed the vitriole that appeared on the Liberal website.

We'll see if this gets to court. I still think this an attempt by Harper to say he can't comment anywhere about all of this because it before the courts.

[capricorn]

I still think this an attempt by Harper to say he can't comment anywhere about all of this because it before the courts.

Well that's one way of steering the Liberals to do their job as official opposition.

[jdobbin]

Well that's one way of steering the Liberals to do their job as official opposition.

The election is coming soon enough. By-elections first and then perhaps we will see something in the weeks after.

[BubberMiley]

Well that's one way of steering the Liberals to do their job as official opposition.

If by "steering" you mean "preventing," then yeah.

I think this lawsuit shows how bush league the CPC really is, and how they really aren't cut out to be government.

[jdobbin]

I think this lawsuit shows how bush league the CPC really is, and how they really aren't cut out to be government.

The Liberals could use the same tactic Harper did and use Parliamentary privilege and not give a deposition. This isn't going to court anytime soon.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080314/...l/harper_cadman

Liberal MPs could invoke parliamentary privilege to delay testifying in the prime minister's libel suit over bribery allegations - a tactic Stephen Harper himself has used before.

Harper invoked parliamentary privilege last year after longtime Tory Alan Riddell sued him and the Conservative party for allegedly libelling him during the last federal election.

What is Harper going to do? Complain about this?

[normanchateau]

The problem Harper may face the majority of how Canadians feel about this. I saw a poll over on Yahoo and 73% feel Harper is lying.

In the poll I saw, only 33% of Canadians thought Harper was lying about knowing about the million dollar insurance policy bribe. However, 44% thought he knew that something was offered to Cadman.

Strategically, I think Harper did the right thing. As long as it's before the courts, he has an excuse not to talk about it. Either way, Harper's "clean" persona will remain tarnished up to the next election.