Layton getting hammered by reporters

[Mr.Canada]

Layton is getting hammered by reporters in Yellowknife atm. The media is at least waking up and asking him hard questions which they should. Apparently a candidate in Qc cannot speak French and she is avoiding any media interaction. Layton won't answer question regarding his candidate. Can she speak French yes or no?

[wyly]

Layton is getting hammered by reporters in Yellowknife atm. The media is at least waking up and asking him hard questions which they should. Apparently a candidate in Qc cannot speak French and she is avoiding any media interaction. Layton won't answer question regarding his candidate. Can she speak French yes or no?

a party leader not afraid to take unscripted questions someone else could learn from that

[ToadBrother]

Layton is getting hammered by reporters in Yellowknife atm. The media is at least waking up and asking him hard questions which they should. Apparently a candidate in Qc cannot speak French and she is avoiding any media interaction. Layton won't answer question regarding his candidate. Can she speak French yes or no?

He should take it as a sign of his new significance. A couple of weeks ago nobody could have given a damn.

[Shady]

I'm glad they're finally asking him how he's going to pay for all of his bribes...er...promises to the voters.

[capricorn]

a party leader not afraid to take unscripted questions someone else could learn from that

Looks like Layton is afraid of answering questions in Alberta.

Jack Layton took the time to address his supporters at a rally, and even posed for some pictures, but he refused to answer questions from reporters for a second time in our city.

Layton's refusal to speak to media now has critics on the attack.

"Of course he wouldn't want to answer here. He would answer in Montreal, but he wouldn't answer here," said Conservative candidate Peter Goldring.

His critics are accusing the NDP leader of dodging criticism of his oilsands policy in the province where it would affect most.

The party platform would end subsidies for oil companies, impose a cap and trade system for carbon emissions, which is something Layton has promoted in campaign stops in Quebec.

But he steers clear of that plan when he stops in Edmonton.

Political expert Alvin Finkel with Athabasca University thinks Layton is trying to play both sides in the oilsands debate, attempting to lure green voters with environmental concerns. As well as those who see the industry as an economic engine.

"He's trying to use the language that will appeal to voters in different places," said Finkel.

"What I'm expecting is now that he's surging in the polls...he's going to be hiding from having to say very much."

http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110428/edm_layton_110428/20110428/?hub=EdmontonHome

Jack Layton is a two-faced coward.

[cybercoma]

The last thing Conservatives want to bring up is Layton answering questions. Please. Jump on that issue because the worse you make it look, the worse you make Harper look.

[Shady]

The last thing Conservatives want to bring up is Layton answering questions.

Not at all. Why can't he explain to Canadians his fuzzy math? He puts us into deficit territory we've never seen before. And all he does is duck the question.

[nittanylionstorm07]

lol @ the desperation in this thread and throughout the Tory ranks.

[Smallc]

He puts us into deficit territory we've never seen before. And all he does is duck the question.

He's already said his platform is flexible to cost considerations (i.e. he won't raise the deficit and plans to balance the budget). What more do you want?

[capricorn]

He's already said his platform is flexible to cost considerations (i.e. he won't raise the deficit and plans to balance the budget).

Of course it's flexible. All the goodies he promised are contingent on revenue from cap and trade, and increased taxes on corporations. His cap and trade program would only see billions in federal revenue after the 3 or 4 years required to set up a carbon credit/trading scheme, complete with a watchdog to prosecute the resulting corruption cases.

What more do you want?

Not one, but two chickens in my pot.

[cybercoma]

Not at all. Why can't he explain to Canadians his fuzzy math? He puts us into deficit territory we've never seen before. And all he does is duck the question.

Why can't Harper explain putting criminals in the Senate? Why can't Harper explain his contempt of Parliament? Why can't Harper explain why he's ignoring research that shows his "tough on crime" bill will actually do more harm to society than good? Why can't Harper explain the "giant black hole in the budget", where he hid expenses from Parliament? Why can't Harper explain why he's defunding NGOs that have historical been supported by governments of all colours? In fact, why can't Harper answer any questions that aren't scripted?

Duck the questions indeed. I'm not worried about a hypothetical could be when Harper is ignoring questions from parliament, voters, and the media about what is.

[nittanylionstorm07]

Of course it's flexible. All the goodies he promised are contingent on revenue from cap and trade, and increased taxes on corporations. His cap and trade program would only see billions in federal revenue after the 3 or 4 years required to set up a carbon credit/trading scheme, complete with a watchdog to prosecute the resulting corruption cases.

Not one, but two chickens in my pot.

Conservatives: "He has no plan to fund any of his programs because his announced funding plans don't count!"

Edited April 29, 2011 by nittanylionstorm07

[capricorn]

"He has no plan to fund any of his problems because his announced funding plans don't count!"

That's his problem, no money.

[Shady]

(i.e. he won't raise the deficit and plans to balance the budget). What more do you want?

I see, so he wants a massive increase in Federal spending, but he promises not to raise the deficit. Not only that, but balance the budget. And you actually believe that crap? I've got some swamp land in Florida to sell you.

[Smallc]

I see, so he wants a massive increase in Federal spending, but he promises not to raise the deficit.

Apparently you didn't read anything I said...and I bet Layton won't have a bunch of expensive crime bills. All the important things (2 for 1, consecutive sentencing, and faint hope elimination) have already been done anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to decriminalize marijuana. There are many good things that an NDP government could do.

[August1991]

Layton is getting hammered by reporters in Yellowknife atm. The media is at least waking up and asking him hard questions which they should. Apparently a candidate in Qc cannot speak French and she is avoiding any media interaction. Layton won't answer question regarding his candidate. Can she speak French yes or no?

I think it's Tyrone Benskin in Jeanne-LeBer. I heard him in English say that his French is manageable and anyway, it's something that he could learn. BTW, he's head of the Black Theatre Workshop and other than his French language skills, he would be a good candidate. (He's certainly no place-holder.) But imagine electing a federal MP in Toronto or Vancouver who could only manage halting English.

His French can be halting, but Benskin, who lives on St. Jacques St. W. and works as an actor in English, says the fluency is coming back.

Montreal Gazette

Jeanne-LeBer used to be Liberal, is now Bloc and could well be NDP on Monday. It's a three way race.

Edited April 29, 2011 by August1991

[Shady]

Apparently you didn't read anything I said...and I bet Layton won't have a bunch of expensive crime bills. All the important things (2 for 1, consecutive sentencing, and faint hope elimination) have already been done anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to decriminalize marijuana. There are many good things that an NDP government could do.

What good things. So far you haven't mentioned one. But he's gonna spend money like it's candy. It's so sad that you've completely abandoned your principles when it comes to fiscal responsibility and economic growth, just because you don't like Stephen Harper personally. Layton represets nothing related to what you've continually posted for the last year or so. How you can turn on a dime is beyond me. It's pretty sad.

[Smallc]

Layton represets nothing related to what you've continually posted for the last year or so. How you can turn on a dime is beyond me. It's pretty sad.

It's quite simple. My default party (the Liberals) are a wreck, and the Conservative hypocrisy has simply become far too much. It isn't sad to be able to change your vote. I'm not afraid of any party forming government, because I'm not some kind of partisan ideologue. There are good and bad things to each party. The social conservative wing nuts in the Conservatives vs their....ummm...vs their....well, I'm not sure what the good is anymore. Their economic policy is stolen from the Liberals, except it's not as good. The Liberals are the middle party (although right now, they're trying to be the NDP) and that brings both good and bad all on it's own (half measures and compromise that can have varying degrees of success). The federal NDP has an unproven economic track record, but I fall right in line with them on social issues (education and support for the poor, not controlling social behaviour, etc.). Like I said, I'm not a partisan ideologue.

The one real problem I have with the NDP is their lack of support for our institutions...but the Conservative lies and half truths about our said institutions leave me no choice in that regard anyway.

Edited April 29, 2011 by Smallc

[August1991]

But he's gonna spend money like it's candy.

Here's what Richard Martineau had to say about Layton and the NDP programme:

Vous dites que vous appuyez Layton car vous laimez bien, il a lair sympathique, près du peuple, un bon Jack, le genre de gars avec qui on aimerait prendre une bière, une belle moustache, un beau sourire, blablabla…

Mais avez-vous lu son programme ? Savez-vous dans quoi vous vous embarquez ?

Le coût de ses promesses est astronomique ! Même le Père Noël est plus réaliste !

Augmenter les prestations pour les congés parentaux, augmenter le supplément de revenu garanti, développer le système de garderies, réduire les frais de scolarité, bonifier les subventions aux étudiants, augmenter le crédit dimpôt pour léducation, augmenter les subventions accordées aux logements sociaux, instaurer un programme de « rénovation de domicile intergénérationnel », augmenter les prestations aux enfants, indexer le système de santé public de 6 %, instaurer un programme pour les aînés, un programme pour les logements adaptés, un programme pour la nutrition des enfants, un programmes pour les maisons éco-énergétiques, un crédit dimpôt à la création demplois, un fonds dinvestissement pour les autoroutes du Nord, et jen passe…

Or how about the NDP candidates in Quebec:

On a limpression que Layton est allé les chercher à la sortie des écoles. Aucune expérience en politique, expérience de travail minimal à côté de ça, la première équipe de lADQ a lair du Dream Team !

« Bac en sciences infirmières en 2010 », « Juge au concours Campagnes fleuries pendant 15 ans », « Conseillère en orientation pour un organisme communautaire spécialisé en recherche demploi », « Diplôme détudes collégiales en sciences humaines », « Comédienne amateur », « Étudiante en journalisme qui travaille dans le domaine de limprimerie »…

Cest ça, votre équipe du tonnerre ?

Richard Martineau

Hilarious.

"Even Santa Claus is more realistic."

I was tempted, as Martineau did, to go through the NDP programme or its web site of candidates to find the English equivalent. If you can't read French, you can use Google translate.

Edited April 29, 2011 by August1991

[Shady]

It's quite simple. My default party (the Liberals) are a wreck, and the Conservative hypocrisy has simply become far too much.

I see. So you'd rather put the health of the Canadian economy, and the deficit and debt gains under Chretien and Martin in jeopardy. All over some percieved hypcrisies. Ooookkkaaay.

So there's not much logic and reason to your vote. It's all about emotion.

[cybercoma]

What a crock. Stephen Harper already squandered the gains by Martin and Chretien. Do you have any credibility?

[Smallc]

I see. So you'd rather put the health of the Canadian economy, and the deficit and debt gains under Chretien and Martin in jeopardy. All over some percieved hypcrisies. Ooookkkaaay.

But you see, I live under an NDP government, and so I don't agree with you about what will happen.

So there's not much logic and reason to your vote. It's all about emotion.

There's a great deal of logic to my vote. I can't stand what the Conservatives are doing. In the beginning of the campaign, I was making excuses for them. They don't deserve a majority. No one does right now. In this election, I voted for who I wanted to form the opposition, not the government. That said, I'm not afraid of them forming the government. It isn't as if Harper has been some kind of economic genius anyway. He hasn't messed things up really, but it isn't him that kept us out of trouble.

[Smallc]

What a crock. Stephen Harper already squandered the gains by Martin and Chretien. Do you have any credibility?

Exactly. If you're afraid of deficits, you should be afraid of the Conservatives. It wasn't all their fault, but their cut taxes and spend policy didn't help.

[Shady]

What a crock. Stephen Harper already squandered the gains by Martin and Chretien. Do you have any credibility?

Complete nonsense. You can't blame the global recession that started with the mortgage problems in America on Stephen Harper. And I agree that Harper's been spending too much. But do you know the only other party leader to complain that it was too little? Yep, Jack "Money grows on trees" Layton. Our deficit would be twice what it is now under a PM Layton.

[cybercoma]

The GST cut was unanimously criticized by economists as the worst possible thing the government could have done. Then he started spending like crazy.

It's not rocket science here.

Edited April 29, 2011 by cybercoma