The Women Of Dion

[betsy]

First let's start with the Missus.

MRS DION IS A MIGHTY BAD HELP

By Earl McRae

Janine Krieber, the academic wife of Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, is probably getting a bad rap in media circles over a comment that's been dragged out in this campaign from an interview she gave a magazine last year that made her husband seem like a "yes dear, anything you say, dear" doofus.

Krieber, who the media have reported is under muzzle orders from the party brass (although her husband recently denied it) has not agreed to any extensive one-on-one interviews and, says the brass, will not do so until sometime after the Oct. 4 leaders debate; although what makes that time period so different for Janine Krieber Unplugged beats me.

Krieber, however, has recently begun a series of talks, sans her husband, before various groups across the country.

If Krieber's mouth is, indeed, under media Ziploc edict, you can understand why in a campaign where her husband is not only battling Stephen Harper, but the image Dion has among many Canadians as a weak, watery, dreamy, marshmallow head.

The party heirarchy must be terrified that her magazine comment could be an example of similar things she's capable of unleashing about her husband in Election 2008.

In the magazine interview, Boss Krieber said that, at home, she, not her spouse, does all the book-keeping, income taxes, and she picks out and buys all his clothes, and that includes his underwear.

'YES, DEAR' SYNDROME

In defending his wife against the muzzle charges, Stephane Dion told reporters this week: "Nobody muzzles Janine Krieber, that's why I love her."

He must love her even more now after her speech the other day at the University of Saskatchewan in which, defending her husband, she attacked the media for referring to her husband as "the professor" and saying -- her words -- he's "disconnected from reality" and "impossible to understand" and "lives in an ivory tower."

Nice going, Big Boss Woman. By introducing the doofus allegations to knock them down, you mightily raised them up again.

Stand by for further developments.

I'm Earl McRae and I approved this column.

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/M...886066-sun.html

And then, there's Elizabeth. I remember vividly that of all candidates, only Dion supported May - and strongly agreed - that Elizabeth May should be included in the debate.

So on debate night, Elizabeth and Stephane, together, will face and do battle with the big bad Harper.

Edited September 27, 2008 by betsy

[independent]

First let's start with the Missus.

MRS DION IS A MIGHTY BAD HELP

By Earl McRae

Janine Krieber, the academic wife of Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, is probably getting a bad rap in media circles over a comment that's been dragged out in this campaign from an interview she gave a magazine last year that made her husband seem like a "yes dear, anything you say, dear" doofus.

Krieber, who the media have reported is under muzzle orders from the party brass (although her husband recently denied it) has not agreed to any extensive one-on-one interviews and, says the brass, will not do so until sometime after the Oct. 4 leaders debate; although what makes that time period so different for Janine Krieber Unplugged beats me.

Krieber, however, has recently begun a series of talks, sans her husband, before various groups across the country.

If Krieber's mouth is, indeed, under media Ziploc edict, you can understand why in a campaign where her husband is not only battling Stephen Harper, but the image Dion has among many Canadians as a weak, watery, dreamy, marshmallow head.

The party heirarchy must be terrified that her magazine comment could be an example of similar things she's capable of unleashing about her husband in Election 2008.

In the magazine interview, Boss Krieber said that, at home, she, not her spouse, does all the book-keeping, income taxes, and she picks out and buys all his clothes, and that includes his underwear.

'YES, DEAR' SYNDROME

In defending his wife against the muzzle charges, Stephane Dion told reporters this week: "Nobody muzzles Janine Krieber, that's why I love her."

He must love her even more now after her speech the other day at the University of Saskatchewan in which, defending her husband, she attacked the media for referring to her husband as "the professor" and saying -- her words -- he's "disconnected from reality" and "impossible to understand" and "lives in an ivory tower."

Nice going, Big Boss Woman. By introducing the doofus allegations to knock them down, you mightily raised them up again.

Stand by for further developments.

I'm Earl McRae and I approved this column.

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/M...886066-sun.html

And then, there's Elizabeth. I remember vividly that of all candidates, only Dion supported May - and strongly agreed - that Elizabeth May should be included in the debate.

So on debate night, Elizabeth and Stephane, together, will face and do battle with the big bad Harper.

[independent]

My wife buys my cloths and I have no problem with that. She is a lot better at picking out cloths and she likes shopping. She also took over the financing years ago at my suggestion so she had a better understanding of what is going on. I think it is great for marriages if you do things for each other. Beside have you never heard the saying behind ever great man their is even a greater women. What goes on in the home has nothing to do with what goes on outside of it.

[August1991]

In defending his wife against the muzzle charges, Stephane Dion told reporters this week: "Nobody muzzles Janine Krieber, that's why I love her."

...

I'm Earl McRae and I approved this column.[/i]

Betsy, do you buy your husband's underwear? Please be honest.

And Betsy, Earl McRae is a wonderful journalist who has been around for ages. In the past, he never really wrote about politics because that's not his style. In the past, he wrote long, delightful articles for the English Saturday magazines. Quoting Earl McRae is like quoting a well-meaning but senile uncle at a wedding.

Finally Betsy, Dion may have many problems right now but women are not his main problem. The federal Liberal Party is zero off the Montreal island and is second place in Ontario.

-----

Betsy, I admire your enthusiasm on this forum. I tend to support the Conservatives as you do. But Betsy, I strongly urge you to stick to what you know.

Your endless references to "MDuffy" as a source of inspiration are tiresome. Mike Duffy is a fat guy who has been on TV too long. His one claim to fame is that he perfected the look down, away from the camera, before making a key point.

Betsy, I strongly urge you to tell us what you honestly think yourself - and not what you think is the right thing to say. Forget Earl McRae and "MDuffy". As a Philippina immigrant to Canada, you have a vote of equal power to mine. So, as a first generation immigrant to this country, what do you think - honestly?

Edited September 28, 2008 by August1991

[betsy]

My point in this topic is not the fact that Janine Krieber buys her husband's underwear. August, my personal opinion of this is how weak the overall image of Dion is. Understandbly, being his wife, she helps him in his campaign.

The inclusion of Elizabeth May in the debate (only because of the use of the gender card which of course generated some public outcry) - even though it is known how this two had made a deal, and with May's very vocal endorsement of Dion and her very vocal anti-Harper stance - gives the perception that the two will be allies in the debate.

From my point of view, May will be out there to help Dion do his battle. Dion is starting to look like he very badly needs the help of these women - or is it the other way around? These women thinks Dion needs them badly to help him. If that's the case, then what does that tells us of Dion?

[Oleg Bach]

Sorry Dion is a girl! Liberalism has made honour and MANHOOD illegal - and Dion is the personification of a hetro-gay...not a man and not a woman and certainly NOT a leader - His need of females is in the fact that the woman are more man than him

[Who's Doing What?]

Sorry Dion is a girl! Liberalism has made honour and MANHOOD illegal - and Dion is the personification of a hetro-gay...not a man and not a woman and certainly NOT a leader - His need of females is in the fact that the woman are more man than him

Right!

Let's all get some guns, down a quart of Jack Daniels, jump into our 10mpg SUV's and Hummers and then drive around shooting anything that moves. Next we can lock up all the 13yr olds experimenting with pot, and all the 15 and 16yr olds having sex with each other. Then we can build some internment/re-education camps for the gays, to get them off the streets and away from our children. After that we will execute all the abortion doctors and burn down their clinics. Then after we have shipped all the immigrants back to their homelands, how about we remove the right to vote from the women so they won't have to worry their pretty little heads over "man stuff".

After we have taken this country back to the dark ages it will be safe for the macho man to once again walk the streets with his six-shooter at his side and his woman two steps behind him.

[Who's Doing What?]

First let's start with the Missus.

MRS DION IS A MIGHTY BAD HELP

By Earl McRae

Janine Krieber, the academic wife of Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, is probably getting a bad rap in media circles over a comment that's been dragged out in this campaign from an interview she gave a magazine last year that made her husband seem like a "yes dear, anything you say, dear" doofus.

Krieber, who the media have reported is under muzzle orders from the party brass (although her husband recently denied it) has not agreed to any extensive one-on-one interviews and, says the brass, will not do so until sometime after the Oct. 4 leaders debate; although what makes that time period so different for Janine Krieber Unplugged beats me.

Krieber, however, has recently begun a series of talks, sans her husband, before various groups across the country.

If Krieber's mouth is, indeed, under media Ziploc edict, you can understand why in a campaign where her husband is not only battling Stephen Harper, but the image Dion has among many Canadians as a weak, watery, dreamy, marshmallow head.

The party heirarchy must be terrified that her magazine comment could be an example of similar things she's capable of unleashing about her husband in Election 2008.

In the magazine interview, Boss Krieber said that, at home, she, not her spouse, does all the book-keeping, income taxes, and she picks out and buys all his clothes, and that includes his underwear.

'YES, DEAR' SYNDROME

In defending his wife against the muzzle charges, Stephane Dion told reporters this week: "Nobody muzzles Janine Krieber, that's why I love her."

He must love her even more now after her speech the other day at the University of Saskatchewan in which, defending her husband, she attacked the media for referring to her husband as "the professor" and saying -- her words -- he's "disconnected from reality" and "impossible to understand" and "lives in an ivory tower."

Nice going, Big Boss Woman. By introducing the doofus allegations to knock them down, you mightily raised them up again.

Stand by for further developments.

I'm Earl McRae and I approved this column.

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/M...886066-sun.html

And then, there's Elizabeth. I remember vividly that of all candidates, only Dion supported May - and strongly agreed - that Elizabeth May should be included in the debate.

So on debate night, Elizabeth and Stephane, together, will face and do battle with the big bad Harper.

There used to be a saying that behind every great man there was a great woman. Don't know what your issue is, but I would wager any husband would say that his wife is his greatest ally and friend.

Now are you going to tell me that Harper picked out that "gay" blue sweater he wears in his ads. Oh and doesn't he have a woman for a stylist and image consultant? Shame on him for paying for what Dion is obviously MAN enough to get from his woman for free.

[Drea]

Right!

Let's all get some guns, down a quart of Jack Daniels, jump into our 10mpg SUV's and Hummers and then drive around shooting anything that moves. Next we can lock up all the 13yr olds experimenting with pot, and all the 15 and 16yr olds having sex with each other. Then we can build some internment/re-education camps for the gays, to get them off the streets and away from our children. After that we will execute all the abortion doctors and burn down their clinics. Then after we have shipped all the immigrants back to their homelands, how about we remove the right to vote from the women so they won't have to worry their pretty little heads over "man stuff".

After we have taken this country back to the dark ages it will be safe for the macho man to once again walk the streets with his six-shooter at his side and his woman two steps behind him.

best.post.evvah!

[betsy]

Betsy, I admire your enthusiasm on this forum. I tend to support the Conservatives as you do. But Betsy, I strongly urge you to stick to what you know.

Your endless references to "MDuffy" as a source of inspiration are tiresome. Mike Duffy is a fat guy who has been on TV too long. His one claim to fame is that he perfected the look down, away from the camera, before making a key point.

Betsy, I strongly urge you to tell us what you honestly think yourself - and not what you think is the right thing to say. Forget Earl McRae and "MDuffy". As a Philippina immigrant to Canada, you have a vote of equal power to mine. So, as a first generation immigrant to this country, what do you think - honestly?

I don't know MDuffy that well enough to know what his claim to fame is. I refer to MDuffy simply because that's the title of his show (or he is the host of that show)....and I am citing my source! Usually it is not his opinion that I am citing at, but the opinions of his guests.

If you hadn't noticed, I try as much as possible to cite my sources to back up a claim. Aren't we supposed to do that?

Mind you my curiosity is piqued as to what else MDuffy had been up to since the mere mention of his name seems to rattle you so.

Btw, thanks for the condescending and pretentious lecture. Are you the Bob Kerr of Maple Leaf Forum?

I don't pretend to know everything. I have my sources and will happily reveal them, even if they do exceed normal weight or cast their eyes askew before making their point. Trust me. I have a very strong opinion of my own but I don't pretend that I know everything AND those that don't acknowledge their sources, we all know are plagiarists. Their knowledge doesn't spring from some mystical source.

Don't worry about me, August1991. I may be a FILIPINA immigrant-turned CANADIAN, but rest assure I am not cowed from speaking my own mind.

Btw, how do you form your political opinion? Are you privvy with politicians? Are you in the political field?

Or are you just brilliant?

Edited September 28, 2008 by betsy

[betsy]

There used to be a saying that behind every great man there was a great woman.

Key words: GREAT MAN.

But in Dion's case, he projects a weak image. Even right from the start. Not standing up to the Conservatives on several policies only enhanced his weakness. And now women are doing his battles for him.

Don't know what your issue is, but I would wager any husband would say that his wife is his greatest ally and friend.

I agree. With just Krieber campaigning for him I guess it's understandable.

But with Elizabeth May in the debate? It's just like a fuming big sister to the rescue!

Hey, all I'm saying is that it makes him look a whole lot weaker.

But then, that's just how I percieve it. That's just my opinion.

Edited September 28, 2008 by betsy

[independent]

I don't know MDuffy that well enough to know what his claim to fame is. I refer to MDuffy simply because that's the title of his show (or he is the host of that show)....and I am citing my source! Usually it is not his opinion that I am citing at, but the opinions of his guests.

If you hadn't noticed, I try as much as possible to cite my sources to back up a claim. Aren't we supposed to do that?

Mind you my curiosity is piqued as to what else MDuffy had been up to since the mere mention of his name seems to rattle you so.

Btw, thanks for the condescending and pretentious lecture. Are you the Bob Kerr of Maple Leaf Forum?

I don't pretend to know everything. I have my sources and will happily reveal them, even if they do exceed normal weight or cast their eyes askew before making their point. Trust me. I have a very strong opinion of my own but I don't pretend that I know everything AND those that don't acknowledge their sources, we all know are plagiarists. Their knowledge doesn't spring from some mystical source.

Don't worry about me, August1991. I may be a FILIPINA immigrant-turned CANADIAN, but rest assure I am not cowed from speaking my own mind.

Btw, how do you form your political opinion? Are you privvy with politicians? Are you in the political field?

Or are you just brilliant?

Dion has a very high opinion of women. He worked very hard to get as many female candidates as he could. I think women make very powerful allies. I am not sure what your problem is with women. My wife has no problem letting me know what she thinks and I love her for it. I have no use for any man that does not treat women with respect. Women should be happy that so many women are active in the Liberal party.

Edited September 29, 2008 by independent

[Shakeyhands]

more slagging..... sad what some will stoop to.

[jdobbin]

Sorry Dion is a girl! Liberalism has made honour and MANHOOD illegal - and Dion is the personification of a hetro-gay...not a man and not a woman and certainly NOT a leader - His need of females is in the fact that the woman are more man than him

The namecalling and insults really don't become you.

[Canadian Blue]

This just shows why journalists get less and less respect as time goes on. I really don't care whether Dion's wife buys his clothes, their are more important issues to deal with. Like figuring out what kind of vegetable Stephen Harper would be, which is a touchy issue for a certain poster on here.

[Smallc]

This just shows why journalists get less and less respect as time goes on. I really don't care whether Dion's wife buys his clothes, their are more important issues to deal with. Like figuring out what kind of vegetable Stephen Harper would be, which is a touchy issue for a certain poster on here.

What do you expect? Its a SUN newspaper (as if it can even be called that).

[independent]

Key words: GREAT MAN.

But in Dion's case, he projects a weak image. Even right from the start. Not standing up to the Conservatives on several policies only enhanced his weakness. And now women are doing his battles for him.

I agree. With just Krieber campaigning for him I guess it's understandable.

But with Elizabeth May in the debate? It's just like a fuming big sister to the rescue!

Hey, all I'm saying is that it makes him look a whole lot weaker.

But then, that's just how I percieve it. That's just my opinion.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...008&no_ads=

Dion will protect womens rights.

[Canadian Blue]

Dion will protect womens rights.

How do womens rights differentiate from individual rights?

From the sounds of it all Dion is saying is that he's going to create a massive expansion of the nanny state.

[kimmy]

The current NDP ads contrast Jack Layton directly with Stephen Harper. "That's their idea of strong, this is our idea of strong," is the message. "The new strong takes care of families, not corporations," etc. I think they're excellent ads. A lot of people might not agree with NDP policy, but I think most people think Jack Layton is sincere and firm in his convictions, and yes, strong.

Could anybody imagine the Liberals trying the same thing with Stephane Dion?

For months we've been hearing that "once the campaign starts and Dion has a chance to get out there in front of Canadians, they'll like him. When people get to know him, they'll like him." Now that the campaign is approaching its final 2 weeks, the "once people get to know him, they'll like him" theory is going over so well that his wife is now hitting the trail to assure Canadians that he's a strong leader.

I'm sorry, Liberal supporters, but no sale. Pick somebody else and get back to us in a couple of years.

The namecalling and insults really don't become you.

You're not familiar with Oleg's work, I gather.

-k

[jdobbin]

I'm sorry, Liberal supporters, but no sale. Pick somebody else and get back to us in a couple of years.

Doubt anyone would really have made a difference. Doubt if it will be a couple of years.

[kimmy]

Doubt anyone would really have made a difference.

I don't agree. The polls, from the time of the Liberal convention even up to not that long ago never showed that the Liberals were not so far behind. The Conservatives had maintained a bit of a lead since the last election if I recall correctly... but never a lead that suggested the public had either fully embraced the Conservatives or fully rejected the Liberals.

The Liberals were never so far out of it that a good campaign and a good platform couldn't have turned things around. I believe that the past couple of elections, for instance, have had major polling swings from the Liberals to the Conservatives during the course of the campaign. The Conservatives have been better at it in the past couple of elections, but they're hardly some juggernaut. The problem for the Liberals isn't that the Conservatives have transformed into some kind of unstoppable election-winning machine, the problem for the Liberals is that the Liberals brought a knife to a gunfight (or a pop-gun to a knife-fight, or something along those lines).

Having a platform that Canadians would buy into would have given the Liberals a fighting chance.

Having a leader who could go in front of Canadians and communicate and persuade would have given the Liberals a fighting chance.

Both of those problems relate directly to the choice of Dion as leader. Not to the damage to the party brand that occurred during the final months of the Chretien era. Not to the Conservatives being any kind of powerhouse. The collapse of party fiancing in the wake of the sponsorship scandal plays a role, and probably the loss of key backroom people due to infighting plays a role, but those are also problems that would have been helped by the choice of a better leader. The Liberals problems trace in large measure to the inexplicable choice of The Absent Minded Professor to carry their banner.

...

I think everybody who has been here for a while knows that I am an enthusiastic Harper supporter. At the risk of sounding like a raving kook, I will say that what Harper has accomplished since becoming CPC leader has saved federal politics in Canada. I think that forging the remains of the PC party and the regional phenomenon of the Reform party into a genuinely credible national alternative to the Liberals was something federal politics (and federalism) in this country desperately needed, and Harper's victory in the 2006 election was the cap-stone on that achievement, the moment that people will look back on and say "yes, federalism in Canada was functional again." I think that without a true national alternative to the Liberals, regionalism and discontent in this country would have fissured this country beyond repair. I think Stephen Harper saved this frickin' country, to put it bluntly.

That said, my view of the first 33 months of the Harper era has been only luke-warm. There are lots of areas where I don't think the results lived up to the talk. I think they've done ok, I'd certainly give them a passing grade, but I don't think they've been exactly overwhelming. I think they could have been better in many respects.

What I'm getting at is that if somebody who supports Harper as enthusiastically as I do can only say luke-warm things about the first term of his government, I am sure that people who have lower opinions of the man might be much less charitable in their assessment of his government.

(I suppose the corollary is that while somebody like me who had high expectations for Harper might be a little less than thrilled with the government's performance, those who had lower expectations may have been pleasantly surprised.) (hmm.)

Doubt if it will be a couple of years.

I guess that's a strong possibility. However, in the last election we saw swing voters swing away from Harper in the final days of the election. I would not be surprised to once again see some Conservative support slip away in the final days as I still have a hunch that voters in "battleground" ridings are still not completely sold on Harper or the Conservatives.

-k

[jdobbin]

I don't agree. The polls, from the time of the Liberal convention even up to not that long ago never showed that the Liberals were not so far behind. The Conservatives had maintained a bit of a lead since the last election if I recall correctly... but never a lead that suggested the public had either fully embraced the Conservatives or fully rejected the Liberals.

Based on who stepped up to run for the leadership, they all had weaknesses. Based on the organization, I don't think it would have been ready in two years. The party was in serious need of a policy convention and re-thinking of what the party was about in the next years. Based on the finances, I don't know that two years was enough to the trick either.

I said back in 2006 that the Tories would win again. The one advantage the Liberals had was the timing of the election. Pick the right time and they might keep Harper to a minority. However, my first posts in this forum I said that Harper would call an election despite the law on fixed elections. I said he would declare confidence without a vote. I was told in so many words that this would be impossible.

The leadership issues for the Liberals would not have simply gone away with Ignatieff at the helm. He has evolved in his role in the House but he had huge issues to deal with along the way. Kennedy's French was too poor. Dryden was not dynamic. Bennett unknown. Rae too new and too fresh from the NDP and too associated with the bad times during his time as head of Ontario.

Maybe McKenna or Manley might have made a difference but they would have still faced the same problems of policy, money and timing.

The Liberals were never so far out of it that a good campaign and a good platform couldn't have turned things around. I believe that the past couple of elections, for instance, have had major polling swings from the Liberals to the Conservatives during the course of the campaign. The Conservatives have been better at it in the past couple of elections, but they're hardly some juggernaut. The problem for the Liberals isn't that the Conservatives have transformed into some kind of unstoppable election-winning machine, the problem for the Liberals is that the Liberals brought a knife to a gunfight (or a pop-gun to a knife-fight, or something along those lines).

The Liberals are still hurting from the finance policy that Chretien started and the stink he left with Quebec.

A policy platform was not likely to spare them defeat this election.

Having a platform that Canadians would buy into would have given the Liberals a fighting chance.

Having a leader who could go in front of Canadians and communicate and persuade would have given the Liberals a fighting chance.

Defeat was inevitable. It is probably why McKenna and Manley didn't run in the first place.

I guess that's a strong possibility. However, in the last election we saw swing voters swing away from Harper in the final days of the election. I would not be surprised to once again see some Conservative support slip away in the final days as I still have a hunch that voters in "battleground" ridings are still not completely sold on Harper or the Conservatives.

I said at the beginning of the campaign that that Bloc was like the New York Islanders of politics. Once again they rise like a phoenix to deny majorities. Harper is usually called a genius. How he didn't see his arts cuts galvanizing some people in Quebec is beyond me.

[blueblood]

Based on who stepped up to run for the leadership, they all had weaknesses. Based on the organization, I don't think it would have been ready in two years. The party was in serious need of a policy convention and re-thinking of what the party was about in the next years. Based on the finances, I don't know that two years was enough to the trick either.

I said back in 2006 that the Tories would win again. The one advantage the Liberals had was the timing of the election. Pick the right time and they might keep Harper to a minority. However, my first posts in this forum I said that Harper would call an election despite the law on fixed elections. I said he would declare confidence without a vote. I was told in so many words that this would be impossible.

The leadership issues for the Liberals would not have simply gone away with Ignatieff at the helm. He has evolved in his role in the House but he had huge issues to deal with along the way. Kennedy's French was too poor. Dryden was not dynamic. Bennett unknown. Rae too new and too fresh from the NDP and too associated with the bad times during his time as head of Ontario.

Maybe McKenna or Manley might have made a difference but they would have still faced the same problems of policy, money and timing.

The Liberals are still hurting from the finance policy that Chretien started and the stink he left with Quebec.

A policy platform was not likely to spare them defeat this election.

Defeat was inevitable. It is probably why McKenna and Manley didn't run in the first place.

I said at the beginning of the campaign that that Bloc was like the New York Islanders of politics. Once again they rise like a phoenix to deny majorities. Harper is usually called a genius. How he didn't see his arts cuts galvanizing some people in Quebec is beyond me.

I think your right, it's hard to have a concrete policy when there is the likes of Bob Rae and Pablo Rodriquez (I think that's his last name) on one end and Ignatieff and McCallum on the other. It looks like a party with a split personality.

I think Harper was going after rural Quebec hard with the arts cuts thinking rural canadians are rural canadians, i guess rural quebecers like their arts more than other rural people. I also think harper got ahead of himself with that comment and this might deny him the majority.

[Who's Doing What?]

I'm sorry, Liberal supporters, but no sale. Pick somebody else and get back to us in a couple of years.

-k

There is no denying that Dion is the LPC's weak link. No real top quality leader available right now. Exactly why a guy like Harper can be way ahead in polls about who is the best Party leader.