Conservatives

[maplesyrup]

Not being a member of any political party I have no inside knowledge of what takes place in the backrooms of Canada's political parties.

Looking at it from the outside, the external optics might give the impression that the Alliance has taken over the PCs.

I had thought it was a bad idea for either Harper or MacKay to go for the leadership of the new party.

Will a lot of PCs now leave the new party?

If some do leave, how many will leave, and where will they go?

[August1991]

If I understand properly, the CA/Tories had about 140,000 members at the moment of uniting. Now, they have some 250,000.

Of these 110,000 new members, Stronach added between 20,000 to 30,000. Most of the others were added by candidates running for nomination.

More interesting perhaps is the poll of Tory members:

The survey found the prime motivation for people to join the party was to be part of a group of like-minded small-c conservatives. Nearly as strong was the desire to see a change of government in Ottawa.

You can read it all here:

Edmonton Journal article

Clearly, if Stronach wins, many will leave - but to go where? And if Harper wins, the Stronach recruits may well leave too. More likely, they won't vote.

Looking at it from the outside, the external optics might give the impression that the Alliance has taken over the PCs.

I hope you know where the "P" came from in "PC Party". This has happened before.

[Goldie]

Well I understand Manning has endorsed Stronach. I have not read any rationale to this and I hope it is not continued sour grapes, because geez man make some wine already.

So if Stronach wins with Mannings endorsement wouldn't that mean a Reform take over of the Conservatives? Does this endorsement not totally disprove the whole Alliance take over thing? It is as if Joe Clark endorsed Harper.

[August1991]

Well I understand Manning has endorsed Stronach.

Where did you see that? Do you know who John Laschinger is?

There are news reports that Mulroney endorsed Stronach. Did he?

Read this article. I remember Walkom as a straight guy. You judge.

Walkom Stronach

[Pellaken]

So if Stronach wins with Mannings endorsement wouldn't that mean a Reform take over of the Conservatives? Does this endorsement not totally disprove the whole Alliance take over thing? It is as if Joe Clark endorsed Harper.

Clement better not win, he's a PCer

*gasp*

who can they elect as leader!!

....

ME!

[Goldie]

Harper was first elected to Parliament in 1993 (he was defeated in 1988), but served only one term before returning to private life, having had a falling-out with then-Reform leader Preston Manning over the party's direction.

Some bad feelings might well remain: Manning endorsed Belinda Stronach for the leadership.

After leaving elected politics, Harper became president of the National Citizen's Coalition, a right-wing lobby group.

I've included the link so you can read the whole story on CTV online.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...7///?hub=Canada

[maplesyrup]

Interesting the way Manning's endorsement of Belinda came out.

Mulroney publically is remaining neutral probably because he was prime minister, privately however, I have heard that he has been helping Belinda.

[August1991]

Thanks Goldie, for the CTV link.

First, did Manning really endorse Stronach? Where is the exact quote? Maybe I'm wrong, but Laschinger is the PR guy to hire.

Second:

"That part of the country is never going to be wealthy, is never going to get ahead or succeed as long as the Liberals run it the way they do," was his reply.

I'd heard about Harper's comment about the Maritimes but I'd never read exactly what he said. I was curious. Thanks, now I know.

IMO, if that's the exact quote, Harper's gone up in my esteem. I know Newfoundland. Ask the smart ones what they think of the Liberal Joey Smallwood, and what the Federal Liberals did to the cod fishery. Newfoundland has not benefitted by the Liberal Party.

[maplesyrup]

Let's put it this way: the residents of the Atlantic region were so offended the Nova Scotia Legislature passed an unanimous motion against him and/or what he said.

The Liberals are already at 49% in the polls there.

If Harper wins the CPC leadership the Liberal strength might increase.

There is lots of information on the 'net about it. Just do a google search on"harper defeatist", and you will see what I mean.

It's a big issue.

[maplesyrup]

Re: Manning's endorsement of Belinda.

Harper was first elected to Parliament in 1993 (he was defeated in 1988), but served only one term before returning to private life, having had a falling-out with then-Reform leader Preston Manning over the party's direction.

Some bad feelings might well remain: Manning endorsed Belinda Stronach for the leadership.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...7///?hub=Canada

This endorsement come out of the blue. No one seemed to be aware of it till now. It has shaken up a lot of Harper's supporters.