The Hypocrisy of the Liberal Campaign

[betsy]

As the Liberals try to drag out the broken Dion for more torture and humiliation - barely 48 hours since his defeat - the media, armed with dinner knives begin to slice in deeper to get a better view of the vitals.

Liberal MPs and supporters send anonymous e-mails to kick their fallen leader. Volpe was the first one to come out with his machete to publicly deliver the first blow in an Italian newspaper interview. He toned down his attact on MDuffy, saying he wants Dion to leave with dignity. All these happening barely 48 hours after Dion's crushing defeat. They didn't even give him the grace to grieve for a few days. What's all the rush by the contenders to the throne?

Is this a Canadian "value" that we all share? I don't know about the rest of you, but it's not mine.

Is this a sample of "decency?"

Is this what the Liberals mean by "EMPATHY?" Is this how we Canadians empathized?

It is interesting to note that most of these media had been silent throughout the campaign, I guess hoping against hope that by some stroke of miracle Dion will manage the improbable and emerge to unseat Harper....or to give Harper a humiliating weaker minority.

They've got news for us, folks. There was no such "team!"

Dion is now being exposed as a dictator of the party! Ironically painting him with the very same brush they've painted Harper with. Former Liberal Party President Stephen Ledrew called him "intellectual arrogant!"

Jane Taber labelled him repeatedly as "stubborn!" He doesn't listen to anyone!

So, what team were they talking about?

So it shows he's a one-man army after all...just like they say about Harper. Remember how the Liberals and the media used that against Harper?

Hah! At least Harper is open about it! And this brings about the Liberal hypocrisy about "open-ness!"

This pretense of being something you're not! "Team" my foot, indeed!

Mike Duffy had described an example of "disconnect" between Dion and the public during the last week of the campaign.

When the public is worried about the economy, some people had expressed worries about the Carbon Tax, and Dion was described as "brushing aside the worries of people" by the lame response of "go to the website and read the Green Plan. It explains everything."

The media is using the word "disconnect," the very same word the Liberals had used to twist Harper's statement to denounce him when he stated the fact regarding "buying opportunities."

Well it seems puffing along and playing street hockey with youngsters does not resonate well enough....nor does trudging on knee-deep snow of the outdoors.

So Liberals and the media touting Harper about his blue sweater....yet no one touted Dion about his props!

Although Harper did not get his majority....it seemed that his blue sweater had given him a breakthrough in some areas where he wouldn't normally have. That sweater obviously resonated some warmth to some of the women and some "traditionally" Liberal-dominated ridings.

And the media and the liberals are whining that here we are after spending millions of dollars and we're back to square one with no change. No change??? You only need to look at the Liberals and say with honesty that there has been no change! Starting with Dion!

No need to explain other changes...about the advantage(s) the Conservatives had earned! Even the NDP had experienced some change!

The Green Party's change was through the humiliating realization that when push comes to shove....the public doesn't buy going all out on the environment! Side-deals does not guarantee victory...in this case, for both dealers.

Floor-crossers did not come back!

I do hope the public sees this farce that's been spoon-fed to them by both the Liberals and the media. And to think that all it takes is the resounding fall of a leader to have them all come out with their cudgels and clubs to finish him off....showing their brand of values....their own interpretation of "empathy" and sense of decency....and shamelessly showing how they've been distorting and lying all along!

Edited October 18, 2008 by betsy

[Shakeyhands]

Nice post, your indignation reeks though. There is a big difference though between Dion and Harpers iron fisted idea's. Not having sense enough to listen to those around you as they give advice and having to keep a lid on the loonies and not allowing them to speak because your party will be exposed for what it is are two different things.

Edited October 18, 2008 by Shakeyhands

[myata]

Well at least they can give interviews! Isn't that like, lightyears ahead (democratically speaking) of "Conservative Campaign"? If Harper had his way, all one'd hear would be his prerecorded addresses.

Edited October 18, 2008 by myata

[betsy]

Nice post, your indignation reeks though. There is a big difference though between Dion and Harpers iron fisted idea's. Not having sense enough to listen to those around you as they give advice and having to keep a lid on the loonies and not allowing them to speak because your party will be exposed for what it is are two different things.

"This is a headstrong individual who refused to listen to seasoned advice in preparing for the election, ignored internal pleas to change the channel from the environment to the faltering economy during the campaign and, when he was finally pulled to the back of his campaign bus on Tuesday to be informed the election was lost, reacted with defiant disbelief to the news."

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/el....html?id=888581

Yes, big difference. When the polls are showing the path to a coffin, and your party is in a panic and pleading....I guess the survival of a party takes precedence over one's own dream of personal glory.

[betsy]

Well at least they can give interviews! Isn't that like, lightyears ahead (democratically speaking) of "Conservative Campaign"? If Harper had his way, all one'd hear would be his prerecorded addresses.

Democratic? Some Liberal-leaning media edit or distort the context of interviews. Some of these media let their bias and own opinion influence the reading public. This is propaganda!

I don't blame Harper and his MPs for avoiding the media when they're getting unfairly ambushed a lot of times!

[Argus]

Nice post, your indignation reeks though. There is a big difference though between Dion and Harpers iron fisted idea's. Not having sense enough to listen to those around you as they give advice and having to keep a lid on the loonies and not allowing them to speak because your party will be exposed for what it is are two different things.

I think if we've seen anything from this campaign it's that there are "loonies" in all the parties. The Conservatives don't have more of them; they're just more vulnerable to their exposure than other parties. The media doesn't seem to have the same interest in exposing a Liberal who says "racist" things about natives, for example, as it would if they'd found a tory saying the same things. They will certainly report an NDP candidate who liked to get naked around children, but they would have been positively gleeful to have found a tory with the same history. Tory misdeeds, especially if they can be played up as in any way intolerant become huge national stories that live on for days. Most of the misdeeds of the other parties are simply given a brief mention and then passed over as they resign.

[Argus]

Well at least they can give interviews! Isn't that like, lightyears ahead (democratically speaking) of "Conservative Campaign"? If Harper had his way, all one'd hear would be his prerecorded addresses.

And yet, I heard Baird on several occasions, and Flaherty and Emmerson. All I ever saw for the NDP was Layton. Ever. All I saw for the Liberals, up until that "we are the world" move near the end, was Dion.

And as I've said before, you're allowed to be pro choice or anti choice in the Conservative Party. You're allowed to be in favour of gay marriage or against. You can be in favour of the death penalty or against. Etc. Etc.

In the NDP. You believe what Jack believes and you say what Jack tells you to say or you're out the door. And none of you ever seem to feel this merits complaint or even notice.

[myata]

I don't blame Harper and his MPs for avoiding the media when they're getting unfairly ambushed a lot of times!

Yeah, I know (very well) blame the ... (whoever). In my soul, I'm oh so democratic, open and transparent, you won't believe it if/when you see it (but how - oh yeah, you simply have to read my mind), but those ... (whoever)... It's not my fault! I had no choice! They simpy force me to do that!!!!

[Argus]

Yeah, I know (very well) blame the ... (whoever). In my soul, I'm oh so democratic, open and transparent, you won't believe it if/when you see it (but how - oh yeah, you simply have to read my mind), but those ... (whoever)... It's not my fault! I had no choice! They simpy force me to do that!!!!

I noticed NO difference whatever in the coverage of local candidates here insofar as the candidates talking to the local media, the sound bytes, the public appearances, going door to door, etc.

[Bryan]

1) Interviews:

I've seen and heard plenty of Conservatives give interviews. If you watch Politics with Don Newman, he has a lot of different people on all the time. Mike Duffy too.

I don't see a difference at all in this respect in any of the parties. They all have certain people who are good in front of a camera, and others who they'd rather not speak for the party, and they all put the leader first especially during a campaign.

2) Taking advice:

Harper was recruited to come back to politics specifically to become the leader of the new conservative movement. He did not charge in insisting how things should be done, they wooed him, brought him back, and organized the top down structure for him. Flanagan, Flett, etc, showed him how they wanted him to do things, and he did as he was told. He compromised a LOT just to get the right to join back together under one banner. There are still a lot of precarious differences that he has to balance, as the Reform and PC camps still tend to view each other with suspicion. Harper is all too aware of the importance heeding the concerns of both camps.

This is a stark contrast to what other Liberals are saying about Dion now that the dust is settling.

3) Open to differences:

Harper himself has taken one position initially, then revised it according to his constituents' and/or party's desires (Iraq, abortion, gun control, etc). He knows full well that members need to reflect their constituents' wishes.

All parties have had people that they've had to bounce. Each tries to be open to differences while balancing the fact that they are a party that is supposed to be voicing a set position on things, rather than a loose network of independents.

[Smallc]

Democratic? Some Liberal-leaning media edit or distort the context of interviews. Some of these media let their bias and own opinion influence the reading public. This is propaganda!

Yes of course they do....they probably caused 9/11 too.

[betsy]

Yes of course they do....they probably caused 9/11 too.

I'm curious, what do you say about this?

Liberal MPs and supporters send anonymous e-mails to kick their fallen leader. Volpe was the first one to come out with his machete to publicly deliver the first blow in an Italian newspaper interview. He toned down his attact on MDuffy, saying he wants Dion to leave with dignity. All these happening barely 48 hours after Dion's crushing defeat. They didn't even give him the grace to grieve for a few days. What's all the rush by the contenders to the throne?

Is this a Canadian "value" that we all share? I don't know about the rest of you, but it's not mine.

Is this a sample of "decency?"

Is this what the Liberals mean by "EMPATHY?" Is this how we Canadians empathized?

And to think that Dion is one of their very own. I mean....it's bad enough to be so insensitive and cold - another descriptions the Liberals have been throwing at Harper - but to turn and chop up your own family....I'd hate to see what they would do to someone outside the party.

[betsy]

And to think that Dion is one of their very own. I mean....it's bad enough to be so insensitive and cold - another descriptions the Liberals have been throwing at Harper - but to turn and chop up your own family....I'd hate to see what they would do to someone outside the party.

Mind you, Dion himself was quick to chop off his MPs heads by firing them for any insensitive or stupid remarks!

The firings were done in a flash - a knee jerk reaction for the sole purpose of winning.

There was no semblance of reflection over these decisions. He was only too quick to offer them as sacrifice.

[betsy]

Yes of course they do....they probably caused 9/11 too.

Except to obtuse reference about 9/11, what do you have to say about this?

On the last week-end of the 40-day campaign to elect a new government in Canada, the IMF and a Conference of the G7 reported facts that could only be favourable to the government in power in Canada over the last year during the economic crisis that the world is facing.

Not only did they say that Canada's economy is head and shoulders above other western powers and that the Canadian banking system is the best and most stable in the world, they also endorsed the current Canadian government's actions over the last year or so.

The problem was the media completely ignored these commendations in interviews and political commentaries for the last three days of critical election campaign. Does this not seem odd?

Had there been evidence that the Liberal or indeed any of the other parties were on the right track...even remotely, I have no doubt that the CBC and all other Canadian television media would've made a giant fuss, especially had they been able to throw it in the face of the Conservative government.

Even a liberal with half-a-brain...and there are lots out there... would be able to see this bias. Witholding this critical information not only exposes the media in this country as shamelessly biased, but also shows them as neglectful, incompetent and irresponsible. They're serving themselves, not the public they're meant to serve.

[sharkman]

You're right about that Betsy. Your reporting is the first I've heard about the IMF and G7 reports. I did hear repeatedly, however, that the public is blaming the Tory government for the affects of the world financial crisis, from several Canadian media outlets. I wondered about this in another thread, iffy on whether voters were dumb enough to blame Harper for world events. I'm sure it cost the Tories votes though.

[marksman]

I don't blame Harper and his MPs for avoiding the media when they're getting unfairly ambushed a lot of times!

Another blame the evil media statement. When they first came to power Harper's definition of unfairly ambushed was that the media asked him questions he didn't want to answer. Sorry but in a democracy that's not an excuse to throw a little tantrum and stop dealing with the media. He's now better in dealing with the media but at no point was the media unfairly ambushing him.

[Smallc]

On the last week-end of the 40-day campaign to elect a new government in Canada, the IMF and a Conference of the G7 reported facts that could only be favourable to the government in power in Canada over the last year during the economic crisis that the world is facing.

Not only did they say that Canada's economy is head and shoulders above other western powers and that the Canadian banking system is the best and most stable in the world, they also endorsed the current Canadian government's actions over the last year or so.

I seem to remember hearing that over and over again. What you have is called selective hearing. What you also forget, is that there were other reports, some from our own banks, contradicting the reports your talking about. I really hope the IMF and World Economic Forum are right, but I'm not completely sure that they are.

[marksman]

Except to obtuse reference about 9/11, what do you have to say about this?

On the last week-end of the 40-day campaign to elect a new government in Canada, the IMF and a Conference of the G7 reported facts that could only be favourable to the government in power in Canada over the last year during the economic crisis that the world is facing.

Not only did they say that Canada's economy is head and shoulders above other western powers and that the Canadian banking system is the best and most stable in the world, they also endorsed the current Canadian government's actions over the last year or so.

The problem was the media completely ignored these commendations in interviews and political commentaries for the last three days of critical election campaign. Does this not seem odd?

Had there been evidence that the Liberal or indeed any of the other parties were on the right track...even remotely, I have no doubt that the CBC and all other Canadian television media would've made a giant fuss, especially had they been able to throw it in the face of the Conservative government.

Even a liberal with half-a-brain...and there are lots out there... would be able to see this bias. Witholding this critical information not only exposes the media in this country as shamelessly biased, but also shows them as neglectful, incompetent and irresponsible. They're serving themselves, not the public they're meant to serve.

Maybe your tinfoil hat was getting in the way of seeing the obvious. Your argument would certainly be more convincing if you actually referenced the reports and the parts that "endorsed" the Conservative government.

I remember reading about favorable IMF projections and our stable banks before the election and a 2 second google search confirmed it.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/10/08/imf.html from Oct 8.

The IMF said this country should see economic growth in the range of 1.2 per cent next year, less than half of what Canada experienced in 2007, but the best performance among Japan, the United States, Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/513968 from Oct 8

Canada will outperform other well-off countries but can't escape a global slowdown as the world works through "the most dangerous shock in mature financial markets since the 1930s," the International Monetary Fund says.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/200...nks-rating.html from Oct 9.

Canada has the world's soundest banking system, closely followed by Sweden, Luxembourg and Australia, a survey by the World Economic Forum has found as a financial crisis and bank failures shake world markets.

I've also seen part of the IMF report but it didn't say anything about the Conservative government only that Canadian banks were stable.

Of course that didn't stop Harper from taking credit. He was a bit unclear on what his plan actually was. Note that the media did report this on Oct 8

http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/514102

The only thing odd is the continuing attempts to find extreme media bias by some partisans out there.

[betsy]

Maybe your tinfoil hat was getting in the way of seeing the obvious. Your argument would certainly be more convincing if you actually referenced the reports and the parts that "endorsed" the Conservative government.

I remember reading about favorable IMF projections and our stable banks before the election and a 2 second google search confirmed it.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/10/08/imf.html from Oct 8.

Your own cited article did say as much:

"Canada will lead the other G7 countries in economic growth in 2009, a muted honour considering that the global economy should slow markedly, according to a new International Monetary Fund study released Wednesday."

So who was the sitting government for the last two years to make it possible so for us to lead the other G7 countries in economic growth? Considering that the global economy should slow markedly? Was it the Green Shifters? Or the Conservatives who were in government?

Furthermore there was an interview of an economist from University of Toronto who clearly stated that the IMF commended the way Canada was going. This is not a figment of my imagination. I don't only hear what I want to hear.

I hear the facts that are reported.

I had tried searching for sites about the latest IMF report....but it's hard to find one! Usually when there's something positive about Canada, especially when it comes being the world's leader, you never hear the end of it!

So why suddenly this deafening silence? Considering when we're in the midst of one of the most disastrous happening in global economy...and WE'RE LEADING THE WORLD!

I know why. It's counter-productive for the liberal-biased media to report the very thing they don't want to hear. That the Conservative plan is very effective, and therefore the completely contrary Liberal plan will be disastrous!

No bias? Yoo-hoo.

[betsy]

I've also seen part of the IMF report but it didn't say anything about the Conservative government only that Canadian banks were stable.

Of course that didn't stop Harper from taking credit. He was a bit unclear on what his plan actually was. Note that the media did report this on Oct 8

http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/514102

The only thing odd is the continuing attempts to find extreme media bias by some partisans out there.

That's one thing I'm miffed about Harper. Why didn't he take MORE CREDIT for it?

If it had been the Liberals, Dion would've said: "dats da best ting dat did not 'appen by da Liberal." (or something equally meaningless or incoherent)

Seriously, the Liberals, to their credit, would've been crowing endlessly. That's the strength of the Liberal Party: its MARKETING ABILITY - not its governing ability!

[betsy]

What you also forget, is that there were other reports, some from our own banks, contradicting the reports your talking about.

I have not heard that. Can you give a cite?

[Sir Bandelot]

I dont see how you could expect much else to happen. There were already many grumblings about Dions leadership long before this election. many felt he was the wrong choice right from the start. But he was given support, by Chretien I think and allowed a chance to see what he could do. The loss in this election was simply the last and biggest nail in his coffin. As leader of the oldest and most powerful party he had to perform, or else he will be removed simple as that. This aint no social club, they have a job to do and a lot of other peoples jobs, and money is at stake.

You are surprised that the leader of a federal party would run it his/her own way, with tight control and not listen much to the opinions of others? How naive. They are all like that including Layton, Duceppe and no doubt the same goes for May too. Thats what being the leader means, someone needs to maintain control over the big machine, and rein in the wackos.

Get over it.

Edited October 18, 2008 by Sir Bandelot

[Smallc]

I have not heard that. Can you give a cite?

CTV News

And just so you can see that the media reported what you said they didn't:

CTV News

Globe and Mail

Canwest News Service

Reuters

And I could go on.....

[OddSox]

Another blame the evil media statement. When they first came to power Harper's definition of unfairly ambushed was that the media asked him questions he didn't want to answer. Sorry but in a democracy that's not an excuse to throw a little tantrum and stop dealing with the media. He's now better in dealing with the media but at no point was the media unfairly ambushing him.

Well, I suppose if he didn't want to answer, he could have just pretended not to understand the question. But I think you are right, the media was much less biased this time around than they have been in the past. The Liberal brass rail is starting to look a little tarnished...

[betsy]

I seem to remember hearing that over and over again. What you have is called selective hearing. What you also forget, is that there were other reports, some from our own banks, contradicting the reports your talking about. I really hope the IMF and World Economic Forum are right, but I'm not completely sure that they are.

Thank you for the cite.

Well I don't see the "contradiction" you're talking about.

What I gather is the confirmation of what Harper was saying: it is an uncertain time.

Bank economists predict: 'worse than a recession'

Updated Mon. Oct. 6 2008 9:47 PM ET

The Canadian Press

TORONTO -- Economists from Canada's Big Five banks expect little or no growth in the near future, warning Monday that the domestic economy's current gloom will deepen into something worse than a recession.

"I still think the fundamentals on the Canadian currency -- those that initially drove it through parity and kept it quite strong by recent history-- are largely intact," he said, pointing out that Canada's trade numbers still look favourable compared to many other developed countries.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...1006?hub=Canada

Two days after that, the IMF report came out:

IMF sees Canada leading developed world

Oct 08, 2008 03:06 PM

In a separate report today, Canada's biggest bank echoed the IMF forecast, saying that financial market turmoil and disappointing economic trends over the last two quarters will produce Canadian growth of less than one per cent this year.

However, the Royal Bank of Canada forecasts the economy will expand by a moderate 1.5 per cent in 2009, slightly more than the IMF prediction, mainly because of strong domestic income growth that has accompanied rising commodity prices in the last year.

"The continued weakness in the U.S. economy is expected to dampen growth in Canada," said Craig Wright, senior vice-president and chief economist at the Royal.

"However, this pressure on our growth will be tempered by strong commodity prices which are contributing to robust export revenues and providing support to Canadian domestic spending via a boost to incomes."http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/513968

Both are indicating that it is indeed a volatile situation. Who knows what could happen down the road.

Both are saying we're going to have less growth. We're not losing. Not yet anyway at the time it was reported.

To have less growth is still better than losing. That's why it was irresponsible to cause panic. Panic only makes it much worse. I think, imho, it was the reaction of all leaders to the situation that clearly pointed out who is the best PM to lead us in this situation. I honestly think this played a significant role why some newspapers had openly endorsed Harper in the end.