Liberals looking to defect to the Tories

[Mr.Canada]

There has been speculation in the past few days that Ruby Dhalla, Liberal MP for Brampton-Springdale, has considered defecting to the Conservatives because her own party has refused to back her private member's bill to increase old-age benefits to immigrant seniors.

Dhalla wants to now become a Tory because she feels she going to lose the next election as a Liberal. We don't want her, hopefully she realizes that before embarrassing herself further. Plus she isn't in any way shape of form a Tory not even a red one. She's clearly has Liberal or further left wing bent, she should try the NDP instead. Tories don't support it either Dhalla. News flash!

I do wonder who would be the likely people to defect. Coderre might even be one of them. he is A Roman Catholic and most likely holds conservative moral values. Maybe even Brison may want to come back home....any other ideas on who it might be?

Other than that I think this speaks further to the organization of the Liberal party or lack thereof and the vicious infighting that is still going on inside that party. I don't think we've seen the worst yet, tensions are beginning to spill into the media, now it's only a matter of time before the Liberal Party melt down completely. The NDP are watching the Liberals as well, they know they need to steal left centre votes from them and are waiting til the opportune time to bring down the government and go to the polls.

It was awfully nice of the this young man below to help keep the Liberal party members informed of the goings on of their party. Very considerate if you ask me.

And indeed, Dimitri Soudas, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, sent out a mass-distributed email yesterday drawing attention to the Liberals' rebuff of Dhalla's bill. "They are voting against the (private member's bill) of MP Ruby Dhalla! Their own bill!" Soudas's email said.

Source of quotes and the full story.

[Cuzzin E]

There were similar rumours last December and nothing materialized, I suspect that's the case here.

If any were to defect, I'd bet on Keith Martin, former reformer & someone obscure in the LPC. There's also talk of Irwin Cotler, but I don't think he's staying in politics much longer so I don't know if there would be any advantage for him at this stage in the game.

No way Dhalla goes to conservatives, she is a much better fit for the NDP, who would welcome her with open arms (as would I )

[ba1614]

There were similar rumours last December and nothing materialized, I suspect that's the case here.

If any were to defect, I'd bet on Keith Martin, former reformer & someone obscure in the LPC. There's also talk of Irwin Cotler, but I don't think he's staying in politics much longer so I don't know if there would be any advantage for him at this stage in the game.

No way Dhalla goes to conservatives, she is a much better fit for the NDP, who would welcome her with open arms (as would I )

No way the conservatives take her in. That would truly be a significant blunder if they ever did.

[madmax]

No way Dhalla goes to conservatives, she is a much better fit for the NDP, who would welcome her with open arms (as would I )

Might be a group hug for Dhalla, but not with the CPC or the NDP. Immigration doesn't go well with the CPC anymore then with the current LPC decision, and Dhallas daliance with nannies makes her to hot for the NDP.

Now, I would like to see BOB RAE and Dosanjh go to the CPC

I think the one defector is in Guelph.

[ba1614]

Might be a group hug for Dhalla, but not with the CPC or the NDP. Immigration doesn't go well with the CPC anymore then with the current LPC decision, and Dhallas daliance with nannies makes her to hot for the NDP.

Now, I would like to see BOB RAE and Dosanjh go to the CPC

I think the one defector is in Guelph.

:lol:

[jdobbin]

Turns out there was no defectors at all.

It was a turf war in the Tory party.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/07/floorcr...ht-on-this-one/

The Prime Minister’s Office sought Tuesday to distance itself from reports coming from Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s office about possible defections of Liberal MPs to the Conservatives.

Dimitri Soudas, a PMO spokesperson, said there was no truth to claims made to the Star by Kenney’s communications director, Alykhan Velshi, about three Liberal MPs interested in crossing the floor to the Conservatives.

Outside the main entrance to the Parliament buildings, Soudas called out to a Star reporter that Velshi’s information was “bulls—.”

The PMO probably jumped all this because it was unauthorized. It also set up Tories as being open to taking Liberals straight into their caucus whoever they were.

[Topaz]

How many Libs or anyone else REALLY believed that? If you know what the Tories have done in the past then you know how low they will go and they aren't done going lower yet.

[Mr.Canada]

How many Libs or anyone else REALLY believed that? If you know what the Tories have done in the past then you know how low they will go and they aren't done going lower yet.

Some Tories were most like just trying to get some more dissension in the Liberal ranks. Fan the flames as it were. Somewhat foolish considering the Liberals were doing a fine job of deep sixing themselves without any help.

Something like this can rally the troops and raise moral within the Liberal party. Which is bad for us. We need the Liberals dead.

[Topaz]

Some Tories were most like just trying to get some more dissension in the Liberal ranks. Fan the flames as it were. Somewhat foolish considering the Liberals were doing a fine job of deep sixing themselves without any help.

Something like this can rally the troops and raise moral within the Liberal party. Which is bad for us. We need the Liberals dead.

Really? Like the way the Conservatives did back in Mulroney days?? What two guys standing.

[Mr.Canada]

Really? Like the way the Conservatives did back in Mulroney days?? What two guys standing.

Well that was a bit different as Kim Campbell decided to make fun of Chretien's appearance and the manner in which he spoke which unbeknownst to her was a permanent disfigurement from the Bells Palsy he had as a child.

It was a childish thing to do. I'm sure Harper is blasting them in private over it.

[Topaz]

Well that was a bit different as Kim Campbell decided to make fun of Chretien's appearance and the manner in which he spoke which unbeknownst to her was a permanent disfigurement from the Bells Palsy he had as a child.

It was a childish thing to do. I'm sure Harper is blasting them in private over it.

No what really happened was mulroney quit, just like Harris and let someone else take the fall. Mulroney couldn't wait to make deals with Bush sr. and get him on board with Barrick Gold and get the Free Trade done. As soon as Bush sr. was done with Mulroney he was left out in the cold. Of course, there was the deals with other wealthy people, and a guy named Schreider.

[Bryan]

Turns out there was no defectors at all.

It was a turf war in the Tory party.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/07/floorcr...ht-on-this-one/

The PMO probably jumped all this because it was unauthorized. It also set up Tories as being open to taking Liberals straight into their caucus whoever they were.

Of course, that is in stark contrast to Don Martin's claim that he has personally spoken to the as-yet-unnamed Liberal MPS who have confirmed to him that they are indeed thinking about defecting.

The truth is, it's clear that a lot of current Liberal MPs are wondering what they are doing on this sinking ship, and that leaving the party is one of the things that they are at least considering.

[jdobbin]

Of course, that is in stark contrast to Don Martin's claim that he has personally spoken to the as-yet-unnamed Liberal MPS who have confirmed to him that they are indeed thinking about defecting.

And the Tories are prepared to take all the Liberals in, right?

The truth is, it's clear that a lot of current Liberal MPs are wondering what they are doing on this sinking ship, and that leaving the party is one of the things that they are at least considering.

And you consider this good for the Tory party having these people in your party?

[M.Dancer]

Apparently the made Ruby recite the Liberal pledge of allegiance...I wonder who it goes?

I Ruby Dhalla

Pledge my life and my fate

Come heaven or Shawinigate

To hold our values dear

When ever the media is near

And in all truthfullness

To plot with ruthlessness

When the opportunity arrises.

[Keepitsimple]

And the Tories are prepared to take all the Liberals in, right?

...and I'd like to play for the Yankees. Just because someone wants to join doesn't mean you make the team - that sounds like an inflated sense of entitlement.

I wouldn't touch any of them with a ten foot pole at this point - there is no strategic advantage to adding a seat or two.....just the talk of their willingness to consider defection is another nail in Mr. Ignatieff's coffin.

....which reminds me.....a coffin falls out of the hearse and rolls down the hill, crashing through a pharmacy where the lid flies open and the corpse pops up and saya "have you got anything to stop this coffin?"

Boo...Hiss....I know - don't quit my day job.

Edited October 8, 2009 by Keepitsimple

[jdobbin]

I wouldn't touch any of them with a ten foot pole at this point - there is no strategic advantage to adding a seat or two.....just the talk of their willingness to consider defection is another nail in Mr. Ignatieff's coffin.

The optics of the Tories celebrating bring in Ruby Dhalla was not looking good on them. Probably why the PMO came forward to say it was a blather.

[waldo]

It was awfully nice of the this young man below to help keep the Liberal party members informed of the goings on of their party. Very considerate if you ask me.

Dimitri Soudas, a PMO spokesperson, said there was no truth to claims made to the Star by Kenney’s communications director, Alykhan Velshi, about three Liberal MPs interested in crossing the floor to the Conservatives.

gee - what a surprise... coming from the likes of propaganda meisiters/spin-masters Soudra & Velshi. But don't let that stop your zeal the next time they beak-off!

[ba1614]

I think it's just as plausible that Dhalla started at least some of it herself to try and garner support for her ridiculous bill that she's not getting any on.

Who really knows? But it is a sad part of politics, regardless of where it started.

[eyeball]

If any were to defect, I'd bet on Keith Martin, former reformer & someone obscure in the LPC. There's also talk of Irwin Cotler, but I don't think he's staying in politics much longer so I don't know if there would be any advantage for him at this stage in the game.

I'd be surprised if Martin went back the Conservatives. He apparently left them becasue of their medieval positions on pot. I do have wonder where he'll go though now that the Liberal party has voted to support these.

[Bryan]

And the Tories are prepared to take all the Liberals in, right?

And you consider this good for the Tory party having these people in your party?

It totally depends on who they are. Most of them, no.

In fact, I'm quite certain that's exactly what happened; several Liberal MPs probably did come to the Conservatives asking to be let in, and Harper showed them the door.

[Mr.Canada]

It totally depends on who they are. Most of them, no.

In fact, I'm quite certain that's exactly what happened; several Liberal MPs probably did come to the Conservatives asking to be let in, and Harper showed them the door.

We don't need any socialists in our party. We're a centre right party not a centre left to hard left party. The Liberal party is so wishy washy who knows what they stand for, they seem to go between two extremes depending on the day. I don't see what we'd have in common.

Edited October 9, 2009 by Mr.Canada

[jdobbin]

It totally depends on who they are. Most of them, no.

In fact, I'm quite certain that's exactly what happened; several Liberal MPs probably did come to the Conservatives asking to be let in, and Harper showed them the door.

Which I'm sure he would have had great pleasure in detailing those meetings in public. But Harper is a good guy and doesn't do that, right? C'mon.

The problem for the Tories was that they were uncorking the champagne bottles for whoever was coming over and the optics looked bad.

If any of this story is true, we will see some Liberals come over to the Tories in the next days. If not, well then we are dealing with rumours from the dirty tricks department.

[Mr.Canada]

Which I'm sure he would have had great pleasure in detailing those meetings in public. But Harper is a good guy and doesn't do that, right? C'mon.

The problem for the Tories was that they were uncorking the champagne bottles for whoever was coming over and the optics looked bad.

If any of this story is true, we will see some Liberals come over to the Tories in the next days. If not, well then we are dealing with rumours from the dirty tricks department.

Dirty tricks?

Where are the "soldiers, with guns, in our streets"? Where is Harper's "Hidden Agenda"? Surely he must have implemented it by now.

I demand to know where our "Aircraft carriers" are? Martin promised Harper would do all of these things if elected into power.

[jdobbin]

Dirty tricks?

Where are the "soldiers, with guns, in our streets"? Where is Harper's "Hidden Agenda"? Surely he must have implemented it by now.

Where is the promise to keep income trusts? Where is the the promise to stick to fixed election dates?

I demand to know where our "Aircraft carriers" are? Martin promised Harper would do all of these things if elected into power.

Where are three or four icebreakers for the north?

[Bryan]

The problem for the Tories was that they were uncorking the champagne bottles for whoever was coming over and the optics looked bad.

No they weren't. The nearly universal reaction among Conservatives when they heard these stories was "no f-ing way".

The Liberal party is imploding quite nicely on it's own, we don't need to get involved.