2015 Endorsements

[ReeferMadness]

That last STV referendum was a remarkable display of bipartisanship, as both parties and their supporters in the business and labour communities were in full agreement that the voters needed to be screwed over.

Yup. The mainstream media was at best apathetic and at worst openly hostile to the idea.

I will say, though, that I think Gordon Campbell was at least open to the concept of PR. His party couldn't have been very happy about any of it but the citizen's assembly was a brilliant example of grass roots democracy. It was just a pity how democracy was undermined when it really counted.

[Wilber]

Yup. The mainstream media was at best apathetic and at worst openly hostile to the idea.

I will say, though, that I think Gordon Campbell was at least open to the concept of PR. His party couldn't have been very happy about any of it but the citizen's assembly was a brilliant example of grass roots democracy. It was just a pity how democracy was undermined when it really counted.

I agree, we missed a real opportunity and probably won't get another chance in my lifetime.

Our present premier also championed the no side during the second referendum on her radio talk show. Another reason I don't have much use for her.

[ReeferMadness]

I agree, we missed a real opportunity and probably won't get another chance in my lifetime.

Our present premier also championed the no side during the second referendum on her radio talk show. Another reason I don't have much use for her.

No, she didn't. She championed the yes side on her radio talk show in a great rant. She was against it in the first referendum (while she was an MP). And she seems to have forgotten about it now that she's premier.

And it's possible that we get a shot at this federally. Don't give up.

Edited October 19, 2015 by ReeferMadness

[ToadBrother]

No, she didn't. She championed the yes side on her radio talk show in a great rant.

She was against it in the first referendum (while she was an MP). And she seems to have forgotten about it now that she's premier.

One thing I will say, and that is if the House of Commons moves to another electoral system, the pressure on the Provinces will become huge. If there is a change to the Federal electoral system, I figure it will end up being adopted throughout Canada within a decade or so.

[Moonlight Graham]

I have to say now, I don't think it's right for entities (newspapers, unions) to make political endorsements. I think individual people should make endorsements, like individual editors of a paper each making their own endorsements. Very unlikely all editors on an editorial board are going to agree on the "newspaper's" endorsements, like in this Andrew Coyne controversy, so it makes those endorsements BS frankly. Same with unions, where in a large union it's impossible for all union members to all agree on who they endorse.

[Wilber]

No, she didn't. She championed the yes side on her radio talk show in a great rant. She was against it in the first referendum (while she was an MP). And she seems to have forgotten about it now that she's premier.

And it's possible that we get a shot at this federally. Don't give up.

My mistake, I knew she was against it at one time. Wonder how she feels about it now that FPTP is again serving her best interest.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Wilber

[TimG]

One thing I will say, and that is if the House of Commons moves to another electoral system, the pressure on the Provinces will become huge. If there is a change to the Federal electoral system, I figure it will end up being adopted throughout Canada within a decade or so.

You are assuming any change will be an improvement which is extremely unlikely. Parliament will only become more dysfunctional with governments which are unable to think long term because they will be facing elections every 2 years or so. Important but politically difficult reforms will become impossible and we will be unable to fix bad legislation. Edited October 20, 2015 by TimG

[cybercoma]

One thing is clear, print media is completely out of touch with people. It's hardly any wonder why it's dying.

[ToadBrother]

One thing is clear, print media is completely out of touch with people. It's hardly any wonder why it's dying.

I have a feeling that if Postmedia had not imposed the Conservative endorsement on its papers a number, including the National Post, might have gone the other way.

But at least they made their stand. The Globe and Mail's ludicrous endorsement of a fictitious version of the CPC was possibly the most absurd bit editorializing I've ever seen.

[msj]

But at least they made their stand. The Globe and Mail's ludicrous endorsement of a fictitious version of the CPC was possibly the most absurd bit editorializing I've ever seen.

Interesting because they essentially did this with Chretien for the 2000 election (I think). Basically Liberal is ok assuming Paul Martin is going to take over after the fact.

But that is different as Paul Martin was the PM in waiting and everyone knew it; whereas Harper did not have anyone to pass the baton to.

So Chretien was tolerable and got re-elected based on the popularity of Paul Martin while Harper was no longer tolerable because there was no hope of replacing him after the election.

If that makes any sense at all....

[Wilber]

I think the CPC has a lot of work to do but let's hope they can get it done, because a weak opposition is not a good thing and the NDP is not a desirable counterweight to the Liberals. There isn't enough between them.

Edited October 21, 2015 by Wilber

[Smallc]

There are many areas where the liberals and conservatives are far closer...trade, for example.

[ToadBrother]

I think the CPC has a lot of work to do but let's hope they can get it done, because a weak opposition is not a good thing and the NDP is not a desirable counterweight to the Liberals. There isn't enough between them.

I think the Tories will take their time. They'll do what the Liberals did after 2011. They'll appoint an interim leader in time for the first sitting of the new Parliament (I'm assuming a sitting from November to Christmas break to put in place whatever the Liberals feel are the most important changes). I'm thinking they'll take a good long time after that to get their house in order. Rushing to find a new leader would be a disaster; much as the Liberals trying to jam leaders into holes left the party disunited and uncertain.

Whatever you think of Trudeau, I think the way the Liberals did it, letting Bob Rae, who had agreed not to compete in the main show, sit as interim leader and let the race proceed at a much slower pace did a lot to heal party wounds, and in the end essentially resurrected the party.

[Smallc]

It's going to be hard for Parliament to come back before January. There are 4 international conferences in the next 4 weeks.

[Big Guy]

Looks like Wayne Gretzky can skate backwrads as fast as he skates forwards. He was asked about his endorsement of Harper in light of the devestating defeat, he relpied that he was just helping a Prime Minister - any Prime MInister:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/10/22/wayne-gretzky-says-appearance-at-harper-campaign-event-a-favour-for-the-pm.html

Wow, talking about loyalty!

[Big Guy]

Was flipping channels yesterday and caught this interview with Jean Chretian.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.2626652

This is obviously a partisan video but he sure has a harsh view of what Harper has done to Canada and its place in the world. For a guy who does not seem to speak English very well he sure gets his views across.