Martin, Harper and the Separatists

[August1991]

This is what Martin says now:

"I've campaigned alongside the provincial Liberals against the separatists in every single provincial election campaign since I have been in Quebec," the prime minister said.

"And yet yesterday, Mr. Harper, either out of anger or out of calculation, accused me of hoping for a separatist win. Let me say to you that this is not within the boundaries of reasonable discourse.

"As different as our views might be, I would never for a moment suggest that Stephen Harper would prefer, for partisan political reasons to see a separatist victory," he said.

"As a Quebecker, as a lifelong federalist and as the prime minister of Canada, I believed that I am entitled to the same courtesy from Mr. Harper and frankly, as a matter of basic courtesy, I'd like to hear him say it."

G & M

This is what Martin (and Layton) said then:

He then attacked Conservative Leader Stephen Harper for teaming up with the Bloc Quebecois and threatening to force an early election over the budget.

Martin insists he simply wants to pass a budget that Canadians want.

"And I think that is much better than Stephen Harper working with separatists to force an election that nobody wants," said Martin.

Earlier, Layton accused Harper of "getting into bed" with the separatists if he joins forces with the Bloc to trigger an election.

CTV April 2005

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I have no doubt that Paul Martin is a confirmed federalist. But it is rich for Paul Martin now to appeal to Stephen Harper for some understanding and sympathy about accusations of patriotism and loyalty to country.

I think this is a John Turner moment. You know, in 1988 when Turner turned to Mulroney in the debate and said "We've built this country, withstood the continental pressure... " When Martin refers to his love for Canada and raising his kids, he's pulling a John Turner.

[Bakunin]

lol, it remember me of a joke Duccepe did in a talkshow:

The liberal say the conservative sleep with the bloc, the conservative say the liberal sleep with the bloc, both also think the ndp sleep with the bloc, in other word, they all want to sleep with us but no one wants to marry us.

[Guest eureka]

There is an obvious retort, Bakunin. I won't make it, though.

[August1991]

lol, it remember me of a joke Duccepe did in a talkshow:

The liberal say the conservative sleep with the bloc, the conservative say the liberal sleep with the bloc, both also think the ndp sleep with the bloc, in other word, they all want to sleep with us but no one wants to marry us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I didn't know that one, but it's Duceppe's style.

I was thinking to an Anglo audience and "whose on first" since "whom's on third". (Let me gossip: Who sleeps with Whom but on Whose' pillow.)

There is an obvious retort, Bakunin. I won't make it, though.

eureka, very few people come to this forum so what gossip we post here is irrelevant, in the grand scheme of things.

I happen to care about what happens in northern North America because it is the only place in the world that I can call home.

Under Laurier, King, St-Laurent and Pearson, Liberals made deals - Canada worked. Since Trudeau, Liberals have played poker, or "brinksmanship". Martin said the election was a referendum. What's up?

Is Martin a Trudeau or is he a King?

[Guest eureka]

All politicla parties everywhere make deals: there is no other way. They have to make them internally if there is no adequare opposition.

Martin is neither Trudeau or a King: he is Martin and could, in my opinion, be an effective PM if he were not, like all other Canadian PMs snarled in the problem of Quebec.

I do not think the Liberal Party has played "brinkmanship." It is the PQ that plays that game - and the Quebec Liberals since Bourassa perfected the game. Canada has simply not responded adequately in not letting Quebec fall into the abyss.

My comment referred to Prostitution, btw, if you want it openly. Duceppe is not the bright bulb that he seems to be when arguing with English speakers in French. He is a one trick pony who could never stand up to a Chretien or Trudrau.