Martin's election strategy.

[shoop]

Isn't this strategy, as outlined by Jane Taber in yesterday's Globe, bound to get ugly and nasty quickly? Shouldn't the Prime Minister try and represent ALL Canadians?

Over the past two weeks, Canadians have been treated to a glimpse of the strategy the Martin Liberals will likely take into the federal election campaign. It is one that involves picking fights on two fronts -- with the U.S. and with Alberta. Last week, Prime Minister Paul Martin launched his attack on the U.S. failure to respect the NAFTA softwood-lumber ruling. And he didn't back off this week during campaign-like stops in southwestern Ontario and in Quebec. At the same time, he took Alberta Premier Ralph Klein to task for not supporting the government's position on NAFTA, and brought federal Opposition Leader Stephen Harper into the mix as well, painting him as someone who supports provincial interests over those of the nation. Picking on Americans and Albertans plays well in so many Liberal circles.

Sure it might play well in 'some circles' but hey - screw the west, right?

[August1991]

David Herle explained the Liberal strategy about a month or so ago. The Liberals are going to seek the soft-NDP voters. The NDP received 2 million votes in the last election. Clearly, the Liberals want some of those votes.

These (English-Canadian) voters favour a strong central government, are very uncomfortable with the Bush Administration, think Klein is a buffoon and fear Harper. They voted for Layton but they don't want him to be PM. The Liberals think they can get these voters back without losing any to the Tories.

It's a smart strategy and it might work, giving Martin the majority he really wants.

[err]

Isn't this strategy, as outlined by Jane Taber in yesterday's Globe, bound to get ugly and nasty quickly? Shouldn't the Prime Minister try and represent ALL Canadians?

Over the past two weeks, Canadians have been treated to a glimpse of the strategy the Martin Liberals will likely take into the federal election campaign. It is one that involves picking fights on two fronts -- with the U.S. and with Alberta. blah... blah, blah....

Picking on Americans and Albertans plays well in so many Liberal circles.

Sure it might play well in 'some circles' but hey - screw the west, right?

It's about time Martin stood up to the Bush administration.... I gather the Tories think we should just take whatever the USA throws at us.... or better still, turn around and bend over... I think you will, as Martin obviously does, see that Canadians don't like to be pushed around by the USA... at least not too much...

[Riverwind]

At the same time, he took Alberta Premier Ralph Klein to task for not supporting the government's position on NAFTA, and brought federal Opposition Leader Stephen Harper into the mix as well, painting him as someone who supports provincial interests over those of the nation. Picking on Americans and Albertans plays well in so many Liberal circles.

I do not interpret Martin's comments as picking on Alberta. Klein has been using a lot of rhetoric to attack the rest of the country and has persistently shown an unwillingness to co-operate with the rest of the provinces. What else could Martin say? Thanks for helping undermine our unified front with the Americans?

This news item really bothered me:

Mr. Melchin said the proliferation of trusts is a concern for Alberta as well, since it means a substantial loss to Edmonton because unitholders -- largely outside of Alberta -- are getting cash that used to be taxed inside the province. "It's going to shift a lot of it east and to the U.S."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...Story/Business/

The idea that the Klein gov't feels there is something wrong with investors outside of Alberta benefiting from the oil industry is a sign of serious problem in Edmonton.

[shoop]

That is great news for the CPC. Totally typical of the complete lack of new ideas from Dithers et. al.

Fear Harper, yaaaaawn. Why oh why should the CPC move off the corruption, corruption, corruption theme if the Liberals are going to resort to the same old 'scary' Conservatives theme? Given that taking the moral high ground will lose them more votes than it will when them, they will be shrewd to get back on that horse. Disagree? Prove me wrong. Dukakis-Bush is a classic example of a candidate getting hammered for taking the moral high ground.

The voters have bought the scary, scary, scary cries for long enough. That strategy will force the CPC to go corruption, corruption, corruption. The Liberals won't win more votes from the soft CPC and soft NDP voters this time around. But maybe just maybe enough will come out about Gomery to turn a few soft Liberal voters in either direction.

The Liberals fought hard for those soft NDP voters last time around. The voters they did convince are the voters that kept the CPC out of office. I don't think many of the remaining voters will swing Liberal. (The 2004 results are still about a half a million shy of the number of votes the ND received in 1993 - their high water mark.)

A CPC government will work with the United States professionally. That doesn't mean being sychophantic, but it does mean that we have to manage this very important relationship much more professionally. This means no press directors calling representatives of the white house a**hole, this means no crazy party MPs stomping on GW Bush dolls.

I really hope that the strategy you outlined is the best the Martinites can come up with. It WILL NOT win them a majority, and just might put the Conservatives in power.

OMG, would that be sweet irony. Martin fights his entire lifetime to avenge his father only to be relegated to historical debates about whether or not he was the worst Liberal leader ever. ba ha ha ha ha ha ha

David Herle explained the Liberal strategy about a month or so ago.  The Liberals are going to seek the soft-NDP voters.  The NDP received 2 million votes in the last election.  Clearly, the Liberals want some of those votes.

These (English-Canadian) voters favour a strong central government, are very uncomfortable with the Bush Administration, think Klein is a buffoon and fear Harper.  They voted for Layton but they don't want him to be PM.  The Liberals think they can get these voters back without losing any to the Tories.

It's a smart strategy and it might work, giving Martin the majority he really wants.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Leafless]

I don't think this could be Paul Martin's strategy at all.

Picking a fight with the U.S. could turn sour with the U.S. retaliating (depending on the scenario) making the Liberals look foolish and this could cost the Liberals big votes especially if there is any retaliation that affects Canadians directly.

As for Ralph Klein --Since when is Alberta the ONLY province in Canada that likes to control their own resources.

Perhaps Ralph Klein does not look that foolish in the eyes of Canadians after all and could translate to votes for Mr. Harper.

[Yodeler]

I really hope that the strategy you outlined is the best the Martinites can come up with. It WILL NOT win them a majority.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It sure won't!

The only strategy that WILL win the majority for either party this time around is a strategy of borrowing from JFK's quote of the century .......... "Ask not what America can do for you, ask what you can do for America!"

And that's who I'M going to bet on and vote for!

[Guest eureka]

I endorse your view that the CPC will act "professionally" toward the United States.

I assume that you are writing of the oldest "profession."

[err]

I endorse your view that the CPC will act "professionally" toward the United States.

I assume that you are writing of the oldest "profession."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ha ha... good one.... but I think you might have to explain it to them...

[err]

A CPC government will work with the United States professionally. That doesn't mean being sychophantic, but it does mean that we have to manage this very important relationship much more professionally. This means no press directors calling representatives of the white house a**hole, this means no crazy party MPs stomping on GW Bush dolls. 

That's right... they can show the public that they have no problems with the Bush Republicans policies... in fact, they share the same values, and like the Bush Republicans, they are against abortion, against Gay marriage, unions, you name it....

[shoop]

I endorse your view that the CPC will act "professionally" toward the United States.

I assume that you are writing of the oldest "profession."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ha ha... good one.... but I think you might have to explain it to them...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ahhh, yes err you are so right. and so symbolic of the ignorance and condescension of the left. dumbass conservatives are too stupid to 'get' a joke about prostitution. ha ha ha

oh I get it, y'all don't understand the concept of working professionally because you have never had jobs that pay more than minimum wage plus tips

[shoop]

That's right... they can show the public that they have no problems with the Bush Republicans policies... in fact, they share the same values, and like the Bush Republicans, they are against abortion, against Gay marriage, unions, you name it....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hmmm, about 1/3 of the Liberal caucus was opposed to SSM, the CPC have repeatedly said they will let abortion stand where it is and unions for the most part are a provincial jurisdiction.

Yaaaaaaawn, same old arguments, same bull-headed close-minded leftist err.

Do you honestly think Jack Layton would make a good PM? Paul Martin clearly hasn't been and Harper is too 'Republican' for you, who else is left?

[err]

hmmm, about 1/3 of the Liberal caucus was opposed to SSM, the CPC have repeatedly said they will let abortion stand where it is and unions for the most part are a provincial jurisdiction.

Yaaaaaaawn, same old arguments, same bull-headed close-minded leftist err.

I seem to remember a few different positions on abortion during the last election campaign...

First they had strong principles - against... (until they saw the public's reaction)

then

"wouldn't stop a private member's bill" (until they saw the public's reaction)

then

"will let it stand where it is"....

It would appear that the Harper Reform/Alliance/Conservative party's principles are "get elected at all costs, then implement what we think is best"... Hardly principled on their hot-button abortion issue .... and consequently, it would appear... totally untrustworthy...

Do you honestly think Jack Layton would make a good PM? Paul Martin clearly hasn't been and Harper is too 'Republican' for you, who else is left?

Jack Layton

He appears to be the one candidate who takes the side of the majority of Canadians... not just Corp. Canada....

(Chances are remote for a win, but controlling a minority... that would be wonderful... If you'll remember, that's how we got health care, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions.... ) Most Canadians think these are good things, even if you don't....

[shoop]

Jack Layton

He appears to be the one candidate who takes the side of the majority of Canadians... not just Corp. Canada....

(Chances are remote for a win, but controlling a minority... that would be wonderful... If you'll remember, that's how we got health care, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions.... )  Most Canadians think these are good things, even if you don't....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tommy Douglas and Ed Broadbent were reasonable, sensible leaders of the CCF/NDP/NDs. They deserved the support of the population that they received. Layton panders to the silver-spoon socialists, ala Naomi Klein, who are out of touch with the MAJORITY of Canadians.

Please don't ascribe to me opinions I haven't stated jerk.

[err]

Tommy Douglas and Ed Broadbent were reasonable, sensible leaders of the CCF/NDP/NDs. They deserved the support of the population that they received. Layton panders to the silver-spoon socialists, ala Naomi Klein, who are out of touch with the MAJORITY of Canadians.

Please don't ascribe to me opinions I haven't stated jerk.

I don't understand your complaint... I have made true statements about the party that you so vehemently defend, but don't believe I've attributed any statement to you personally... (unless of course you're Steven Harper in disguise)

[Canuck E Stan]

It would appear that the Harper Reform/Alliance/Conservative party's principles are "get elected at all costs, then implement what we think is best"... Hardly principled on their hot-button abortion issue .... and consequently, it would appear... totally untrustworthy...

So why did your fearless leader of stage and screen....Pot.Tv, give up on the legalization of the weed? Maybe, just maybe it was a "too hot-button issue" so he backed off to the decriminalization aspect, so he could

"get elected at all costs, then implement what we think is best."

Bongo Jack plays the political game very much like everybody does on the hill.He'll toke one over the line if he thinks someone might vote for him.He guessed wrong on the legalization aspect,now the NDP big boys are pulling him in.

[shoop]

Bongo Jack plays the political game very much like everybody does on the hill.He'll toke one over the line if he thinks someone might vote for him.He guessed wrong on the legalization aspect,now the NDP big boys are pulling him in.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jacko's instincts are pretty bad. He supported the Libs for a pittance in spending and tax cuts the Liberals reneged on. When the reneged he shoulda pulled the plug outta principle. Then again, Jacko would have to have principles...

[tml12]

hmmm, about 1/3 of the Liberal caucus was opposed to SSM, the CPC have repeatedly said they will let abortion stand where it is and unions for the most part are a provincial jurisdiction.

Yaaaaaaawn, same old arguments, same bull-headed close-minded leftist err.

I seem to remember a few different positions on abortion during the last election campaign...

First they had strong principles - against... (until they saw the public's reaction)

then

"wouldn't stop a private member's bill" (until they saw the public's reaction)

then

"will let it stand where it is"....

It would appear that the Harper Reform/Alliance/Conservative party's principles are "get elected at all costs, then implement what we think is best"... Hardly principled on their hot-button abortion issue .... and consequently, it would appear... totally untrustworthy...

Do you honestly think Jack Layton would make a good PM? Paul Martin clearly hasn't been and Harper is too 'Republican' for you, who else is left?

Jack Layton

He appears to be the one candidate who takes the side of the majority of Canadians... not just Corp. Canada....

(Chances are remote for a win, but controlling a minority... that would be wonderful... If you'll remember, that's how we got health care, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions.... ) Most Canadians think these are good things, even if you don't....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Harper wants to be PM. If it isn't obvious now that he'll sell Peter MacKay for it, it never will be...