Andrew Scheer, new Speaker of the House

[Dave_ON]

IOW, I fear that Harper (and the Conservatives) will grow complacent and in 2014, they will face a real opposition that suddenly has come out of nowhere.

I fear worse still, that they won't have real opposition in the next election and they will follow the same path as the LPC, grow arrogant and corrupt due to lack of competition. I sincerely hope this is not a cycle we've entered into. People should not be celebrating the likely death of the LPC, the NDP isn't even remotely prepared to fill their shoes. It may seem like everything is coming up roses for the CPC now, but I think the current situation will only lead to disaster for the CPC if they are left uncontested for too long. Our system functions best when we have two relatively evenly matched parties to keep each other honest (mmm I hesitate to use the word in reference to a politician) and accountable. Only the threat of being replaced by a strong rival keeps the party in power in check. Running uncontested, for too long means we all lose out.

[Dave_ON]

Every time someone directs yet another inappropriately sour and personal comment to that young woman I want her to succeed all the more, make you all choke on your runaway sexism. Really, if Maxime Bernier (for one glaring example) can be treated as a credible adult, the bar is snake-belly looooo-o-ow. All she's ever done to offend anyone,or to earn such withering disrespect is to let her name stand, and be chosen.

What a crime. What a heinous sin.

I agree, the razing is a wee bit over the top, but at the same time, it was poor form to go out of the country on election night, even if you didn't expect to win. It does demonstrate a certain lack of seriousness towards the position. However, poorly begun is only half done, and since then she has put forth a great deal of effort to grow into her responsibilities. She even speaks french better than Mr. Harper now