Who exactly Advises Michael Ignatieff?

[fellowtraveller]

I am really hoping it is some leftovers from the Dion regime, it is the only explanation for his penchant for foot-in-mouth disease. The worst explanation is that he is advising himself....

The latest one, involving Madame Jean:

They stood to thunder their applause when Governor-General Michaëlle Jean took the stage during her performing arts gala here on Saturday night. She tried to deflect the ovation to the balcony where honorees for the awards were seated, but they were standing for her too.

It was Ms. Jean’s probable curtain call and the crowd, which included Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, knew it. Everyone is now struggling to imagine what ancient relic will take her place, potentially as the royal payoff for years of faithful Conservative hackdom.

But Prime Minister Stephen Harper has moved with uncharacteristic sensitivity to include Mr. Ignatieff and New Democrat leader Jack Layton in the search for her replacement. His office contacted both leaders in recent weeks, seeking ideas on the sort, if not the actual names, of Canadians who might rank a desirable choice for all parties.

The reason for Mr. Harper’s outreach is obvious. The spectre of replacing such a force of personality is so daunting, he needs political cover from other parties just in case his pick backfires into a royal ruckus.

But the response from one leader was bizarre.

Mr. Ignatieff, who has never seen a high road he couldn’t take into a muddy ditch, issued a Sunday news release demanding the Prime Minister give Ms. Jean a one or two-year extension.

With that move on his first anniversary as Liberal leader, Mr. Ignatieff performed a multi-tasking gaffe that should go into a record book somewhere. It makes him appear an untrustworthy blabbermouth, kills any (very) faint hope of Ms. Jean’s term actually being extended, makes Jack Layton appear discreet in handling a private consultation privately and gives Mr. Harper a dignified look for seeking outside input on the vice-regal appointment.

It takes a lot of misguided effort to botch it on so many fronts.

Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/05/04/don-martin-ignatieff-abuses-harper-s-trust.aspx#ixzz0n4ZyqvxU

linky

[wyly]

I am really hoping it is some leftovers from the Dion regime, it is the only explanation for his penchant for foot-in-mouth disease. The worst explanation is that he is advising himself....

The latest one, involving Madame Jean:

linky

non issue, Ignatieff only stated what most likely Canadians would prefer, she's very popular... other than making it slightly awkward for Harper it'll do no damage to either party...

[Michael Hardner]

And the attention that this will get outside Ottawa... zero.

[ToadBrother]

non issue, Ignatieff only stated what most likely Canadians would prefer, she's very popular... other than making it slightly awkward for Harper it'll do no damage to either party...

Still tradition and convention are that the Prime Minister, as a courtesy, consult the leader of the Opposition, but because the GG's appointment is ultimately not a political one (or, at least, it's not supposed to be), the Opposition leader's particular opinions are kept pretty quiet.

Look, we've just spent weeks lambasting Harper for his own thumbing of the nose at our constitution and its conventions, so I don't see why we should let Iggy off the hook. If he didn't know, then he really needs to bone up on our constitution and conventions if he wishes at some point to be Prime Minister. If he did know, then shame on him for politicizing the process.

[wyly]

Still tradition and convention are that the Prime Minister, as a courtesy, consult the leader of the Opposition, but because the GG's appointment is ultimately not a political one (or, at least, it's not supposed to be), the Opposition leader's particular opinions are kept pretty quiet.

Look, we've just spent weeks lambasting Harper for his own thumbing of the nose at our constitution and its conventions, so I don't see why we should let Iggy off the hook. If he didn't know, then he really needs to bone up on our constitution and conventions if he wishes at some point to be Prime Minister. If he did know, then shame on him for politicizing the process.

that could all be true but no one will care...

[capricorn]

non issue, Ignatieff only stated what most likely Canadians would prefer, she's very popular...

Popular or not, the majority of Canadians don't think her term should be extended.

According to an Angus Reid public opinion poll on April 3, the majority of Canadians approve of Jean's performance as governor general, but only 40 per cent support extending her term for two more years.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Ignatieff+calls+extension+Michaelle+Jean+term/2977862/story.html

Count me in the majority.

other than making it slightly awkward for Harper it'll do no damage to either party...

In what way is it awkward for Harper?

[ToadBrother]

that could all be true but no one will care...

Probably true, but still, Iggy should have known better.

[Oleg Bach]

It should be me advising Ignatieff..giving him lessons on who to be a man and carry him self as such..but liberals seem to think that manhood is politically incorrect..and they pay for holding that stupid concept dear..tell Iggy that I will be his rent a friend at a minimal cost.

[Keepitsimple]

And the attention that this will get outside Ottawa... zero.

To some extent.... but one of the reasons that Liberals did so badly in the last election was that a lot of people who traditionally voted Liberal stayed home.....mainly because they were so unimpressed (to put it mildly) with Stephane Dion. In my opinion, they continue to do poorly in the polls because many of those same Liberals are still sitting on their hands or parking their vote elsewhere.....waiting for Michael Ignatieff to show any hint of the grand leadership he was supposed to provide. These are the people who are watching Mr. Ignatieff. These are the people who desperately WANT to be impressed so they can "come home". And every gaffe he makes pushes them further away.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Keepitsimple

[Oleg Bach]

People who are not fit to lead are being elected as leaders. Those who are true and good leaders are systemically being destroyed by the corporate forces that rule the world. I had the unpleasant privledge of having a conversation with a quiet coporporate head the probably controls 500 complanies..He said..We do not want intelligent or wise people..we only approve of the medocre....If this is the case then the only people that our corporate heads will send into the public arena are the stupid..overly ambitious...and compliant types that are totally controlable and unaware of the big picture..not a good or healthy situation.

[Uncle 3 dogs]

To some extent.... but one of the reasons that Liberals did so badly in the last election was that a lot of people who traditionally voted Liberal stayed home.....mainly because they were so unimpressed (to put it mildly) with Stephane Dion. In my opinion, they continue to do poorly in the polls because many of those same Liberals are still sitting on their hands or parking their vote elsewhere.....waiting for Michael Ignatieff to show any hint of the grand leadership he was supposed to provide. These are the people who are watching Mr. Ignatieff. These are the people who desperately WANT to be impressed so they can "come home". And every gaffe he makes pushes them further away.

Anything to avoid that hideous carbon tax.and some of us even voted Conservative just because none of the other "alternatives" are at all realistic.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Uncle 3 dogs

[Jack Weber]

Who advises Michael Ignatieff???

Perhaps Chuckles the Clown?

[Topaz]

To some extent.... but one of the reasons that Liberals did so badly in the last election was that a lot of people who traditionally voted Liberal stayed home.....mainly because they were so unimpressed (to put it mildly) with Stephane Dion. In my opinion, they continue to do poorly in the polls because many of those same Liberals are still sitting on their hands or parking their vote elsewhere.....waiting for Michael Ignatieff to show any hint of the grand leadership he was supposed to provide. These are the people who are watching Mr. Ignatieff. These are the people who desperately WANT to be impressed so they can "come home". And every gaffe he makes pushes them further away.

You could be right and its unfortunate that Dom LeBlanc isn`t leader and I hope he runs in the next leadership, I think he would be a very good leader and PM.

[DrGreenthumb]

You could be right and its unfortunate that Dom LeBlanc isn`t leader and I hope he runs in the next leadership, I think he would be a very good leader and PM.

Iggy would still be a HUGE improvement over Harper's Armagedden worshipping, 6000 year old world fundamentalist bigots.

[Jack Weber]

Iggy would still be a HUGE improvement over Harper's Armagedden worshipping, 6000 year old world fundamentalist bigots.

A quick question...

How many of your synapses in your brain are'nt encrusted with bong resin?

[Wild Bill]

A quick question...

How many of your synapses in your brain are'nt encrusted with bong resin?

Jack, you and the good Dr. are coming up with some great smartass insults but it's starting to get a bit tiresome.

If we wanted ad hominem debate we could all hang out on "rubble.com".

Maybe we could all get back to debating actual points and positions?

[DrGreenthumb]

Jack, you and the good Dr. are coming up with some great smartass insults but it's starting to get a bit tiresome.

If we wanted ad hominem debate we could all hang out on "rubble.com".

Maybe we could all get back to debating actual points and positions?

Don't worry Wild Bill, I already put the guy on ignore. I've never had to do that to anyone before, even people I completely disagree with. It's just not worth talking to someone who has nothing constructive to say. There will be no more back and forth between us. The ignore thing was really easy, I can think of a few more ignoramous's on here that I could do without reading.