Coalition Government

[jdobbin]

I love it, they can't lose!!!

Just like they couldn't lose last election in winning a majority?

[jdobbin]

"A poisoned chalice" indeed. Sorry, Dobbins... my condolences.

The fact that he gives up the position in May should reassure some of those that are unhappy about it.

Ignatieff, Rae and Leblanc couldn't hold the position or any in the cabinet unless they decided to step down as leader.

I have no idea what sort of wrangling went on where Dion ended on top but he will be a placeholder surrounded by a strong advisory board on the economy.

[jdobbin]

Does anyone else find it ironic that the people here who have been criticizing Harper's over-spending are now frothing in excitement at the prospect of a Liberal/NDP coalition that's going to topple his rule because they don't think he's spending enough?? (Hey Jdobbin!)

Harper was the one who created the deficit with his overspending.

Even up to and leading into October people were furious at his tax cuts and spending increases. Personally, I always felt he was overspending and I've never been hugely impressed. With that said, the opposition has been and still is promising to spend MORE. That's why I've never voted against Harper and that's why I may vote for him again.

You will always vote for him. C'mon.

Jdobbin I'll ask for the THIRD time now how you justify bailout money (and giant deficits because of it) in addition to what's already been spent when previously you were a consistent opponent of bigger budgets leading up to now. METHINKS it may be a little partisanship?

I think you are jumping ahead too much. Predicting giant deficits already?

Surely, you would not be saying the same thing once Harper announces a similar spending program.

Also, I'm far more confident of Liberals cutting useless spending than the Tories who have shown no interest in doing so. I certainly will be urging them to cut spending or raise the GST to ensure there is no big deficit.

For the record, I'm not against running a moderate deficit in times like this. Personally, I was quite fine with the prospect of Conservative deficits this year. I'm not so sure I'm okay with running $15-20 billion deficits a la Trudeau/Mulroney because the worthless big three and their even more useless unions cannot and never will be competitive in their current state.

Harper seemed contented to run deficits and quite big ones if we are to believe some of the economists.

[blueblood]

Yes, I'm sure this is the bestest day ever!

Damn rights, have fun next election running against a fully armed tory war room. The Liberals are flat out cowards for not going to the public for an election. Have fun campaigning against that. The list goes on. The centre right tory supporters on here are not worried at all. We look forward to watching this car accident. And they say Harper has a hidden agenda!!!

According to ctv.ca's informal poll 73% of Canadians responding think this is nothing more than a cheap power grab. Hidden agenda of the Liberals power at all costs. Pretty brave to take power without going to the electorate. If this is the only way Dion can be PM, that isn't saying much about the integrity of the Liberal, NDP, and Bloc. Watch for attack ads!!!

Edited December 1, 2008 by blueblood

[jdobbin]

Damn rights, have fun next election running against a fully armed tory war room. The Liberals are flat out cowards for not going to the public for an election. Have fun campaigning against that. The list goes on. The centre right tory supporters on here are not worried at all. We look forward to watching this car accident. And they say Harper has a hidden agenda!!!

If Harper prorogues Parliament, he is brave?

According to ctv.ca's informal poll 73% of Canadians responding think this is nothing more than a cheap power grab. Hidden agenda of the Liberals power at all costs. Pretty brave to take power without going to the electorate. If this is the only way Dion can be PM, that isn't saying much about the integrity of the Liberal, NDP, and Bloc. Watch for attack ads!!!

How many times did you vote?

I'd say that Harper had better win more than 50% of the vote in an election or we might see another coalition to keep him out. Think that will happen?

[blueblood]

If Harper prorogues Parliament, he is brave?

How many times did you vote?

I'd say that Harper had better win more than 50% of the vote in an election or we might see another coalition to keep him out. Think that will happen?

No he wouldn't be brave, but given the cowardly plot by the opposition, he has to play ball to get the budget out. Like I said, the Left is bringing a knife to a gun fight, this will get ugly.

CTV.ca only lets me vote once. Nice try. You can go there and cancel my vote if you want to. Not that it will matter.

That will depend on the next election campaign. If the tories can sell the lefts cowardice, underhanded tricks, etc. the electorate will decide.

[jdobbin]

No he wouldn't be brave, but given the cowardly plot by the opposition, he has to play ball to get the budget out. Like I said, the Left is bringing a knife to a gun fight, this will get ugly.

If we do go to an election, better hope Harper wins 50% plus 1.

CTV.ca only lets me vote once. Nice try. You can go there and cancel my vote if you want to. Not that it will matter.

That will depend on the next election campaign. If the tories can sell the lefts cowardice, underhanded tricks, etc. the electorate will decide.

Given the wide ranging polls during the campaign, I don't know that I am going to lose sleep over an scientific or unscientific poll.

Harper's prince of darkness, anti-Christ ways are what lead to this. There is no great love for the man.

[TomS]

If we do go to an election, better hope Harper wins 50% plus 1.

Given the wide ranging polls during the campaign, I don't know that I am going to lose sleep over an scientific or unscientific poll.

Harper's prince of darkness, anti-Christ ways are what lead to this. There is no great love for the man.

If the Liberals, ndp, and Seperatists had the courage to run on their coalition platform, The Consevatives would probably get the ever elusive 51%. But they don't want to go to the people do they?

[blueblood]

If we do go to an election, better hope Harper wins 50% plus 1.

Given the wide ranging polls during the campaign, I don't know that I am going to lose sleep over an scientific or unscientific poll.

Harper's prince of darkness, anti-Christ ways are what lead to this. There is no great love for the man.

Of the seats in the HOC, given these shenanigans he has a legitimate shot.

And the left's power at all costs and cowardly ways are what's stoking the fire. Canadians are pissed at them.

[jdobbin]

If the Liberals, ndp, and Seperatists had the courage to run on their coalition platform, The Consevatives would probably get the ever elusive 51%. But they don't want to go to the people do they?

You think the Tories will win a massive amount of seats in Quebec?

[scribblet]

Harper's prince of darkness, anti-Christ ways are what lead to this. There is no great love for the man.

Somebody needs to get a grip on reality here.

[jdobbin]

Somebody needs to get a grip on reality here.

You're right. I forgot devil incarnate.

[TomS]

You think the Tories will win a massive amount of seats in Quebec?

I think the Conservatives were only 11 seats short of a majority, they wouldn't have to win a "massive" amount of seats in Quebec to reach 154

[madmax]

If the Liberals, ndp, and Seperatists had the courage to run on their coalition platform, The Consevatives would probably get the ever elusive 51%. But they don't want to go to the people do they?

The people don't want anyone to come to them with another election. More waste, more delay. Its a non starter, unless the GG rejects the coalition. Should be interesting.

[johhny]

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says it's time for political leaders in Ottawa to get their heads "out of their kilts" and work together to help the country.

Wall said Monday he's dismayed by the actions of Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government

[blueblood]

The people don't want anyone to come to them with another election. More waste, more delay. Its a non starter, unless the GG rejects the coalition. Should be interesting.

People also want to pick their governments when it's time is up. That's not wasteful, that's a pinnacle of democracy. Apparently there is 30 billion floating around for economic stimuli, why not spend 1/3 of 1 billion to take their idea to the people.

[jdobbin]

I think the Conservatives were only 11 seats short of a majority, they wouldn't have to win a "massive" amount of seats in Quebec to reach 154

Then he should call an election today since he is so confident.

[johhny]

Then he should call an election today since he is so confident.

Harpers a coward!

[ThatGuy]

It looks like Dion and 18 Liberals, along with 6 NDP members, will constitute the new government.

Hopefully this will eventually see the NDP cease to exist and allow the left to get it's groove back.

[4Can51]

Duceppe helping form a coalition, that is laughable, he would be inclusive and keep it together til what, the first vote.

Whatever we may think of Gil Duceppe, he still represents people who are still Canadian citizens.

[TomS]

Harpers a coward!

I am going to state this again Harper doesn't have the authority to call an election, that is the GG's job. She probably has difficulty calling an election when the seperatists/socialist coalition is offering to govern without the consent of the people. Clearly it is the coalition that doesn't want to go to the people, COWARDS for sure. They are the ones who can chose to go to the people, not Harper.

[White Doors]

Mark my words, this will spell the end of the Liberal Party of Canada.

They are finished and this act is the final nail.

[madmax]

Then he should call an election today since he is so confident.

A) People will freak if there is an election.

The CPC would lose seats in Quebec.

Its what the CPC want, because it would likely stave off defeat. I don't know how many seats they held within the Striking range outside Quebec, but it wouldn't matter, the CPC are either going to lose government, or risk losing an election. They would choose the Latter over the former.

[ThatGuy]

I am going to state this again Harper doesn't have the authority to call an election, that is the GG's job. She probably has difficulty calling an election when the seperatists/socialist coalition is offering to govern without the consent of the people. Clearly it is the coalition that doesn't want to go to the people, COWARDS for sure. They are the ones who can chose to go to the people, not Harper.

Not cowardice, just political genius.

Harper could have held power for years after the current election if he would have just accepted the fact that co-operation is necessary when you do not hold a majority. Alas, others figured it out first.

[4Can51]

Harpers a coward!

Of course he is. He really thought he could get a majority last election. Not all canadians are that stupid.