Prime Minister Harper Should Dismiss Frank McKenna

[Duke]

Just what exactly has McKenna accomplished as Ambassador?

[normanchateau]

I never said Frank McKenna wasn't good. He was a good representative of Canada.

Yet, he is tied into the old federal Liberal regime because he was appointed by them.

But Hugh Segal was appointed to the Senate last year by the same old federal Liberal regime yet he worked full-time as Harper's campaign co-chair and is currently working as his advisor while being paid for his appointed Senate position by all Canadian taxpayers.

Does this mean that Segal is tainted as well? And what does it say about Harper's integrity that he's prepared to have Segal work for him even though he was appointed By Martin and is paid for by all taxpayers, even those who don't support the Conservatives?

Segal was a conservative for years...Martin appointed him because he wanted to be "nice" (or because he wanted to buy him off because he knew Segal's ultimate allegiance would be to the conservatives).

I respect Segal more for not just becoming another Liberal buy-out and I certainly respect him more for retaining his allegiances.

Of course Segal retained his allegiances. Martin appointed him to the Senate as a Conservative, not a Liberal. Martin was a fool to appoint Conservatives to the Senate, especially since it subjects him to criticism such as "...he wanted to buy him off."

I'm glad you see no double standard in one Martin appointee being tainted merely because he was appointed by Martin, i.e., McKenna, and the other not, i.e., Segal. I'm sure Harper sees no double standard here either since it would require pre-existing integrity.

[tml12]

Just what exactly has McKenna accomplished as Ambassador?

Good question Duke.

Pending his termination, I would tell you up until this point I would tell you he stood up to some Republican congressmen who fallaciously accused Canada of being a place where the 9/11 hijackers came from.

He also tried to improve Canada's image in the States.

He wasn't the best ambassador, but given the time constraints and the hateful remarks by the Liberal Party and their MPs I think he did the best he could.

[Duke]

I met McKenna when he was the Premier of New Brunswick with not one opposition member elected.His claim to fame was as a Salesman for the Province(read NB Tel) and got a few new jobs in call centres.

Summary : Good Salesman

[normanchateau]

I met McKenna when he was the Premier of New Brunswick with not one opposition member elected.His claim to fame was as a Salesman for the Province(read NB Tel) and got a few new jobs in call centres.

Summary : Good Salesman

Given that a social conservative with an established track record as a social conservative was able to sell himself successfully as a moderate on Monday, maybe the Liberals will need an even better salesman than Harper.

[fellowtraveller]

The difference between McKenna and Segal?

Segal isn't running for the leadership of the Liberal Party.

McKanna cannot be heard or seen to be overtly involved in Canadian party politics while he's an ambassador. He is there to represent Canada, not further himself.

McKenna will likely quit before he's fired.

How about Peter Lougheed as ambassador?

[Duke]

Peter Lougheed.............interesting but how about MICHAEL HARRIS?

[fellowtraveller]

Another difference between Segal (and any Senator) and McKenna: Segal is a purely political appontment to a legislative body. McKenna is an employee, a civil servant.

Harris? Lougheed? How about Ralph Klein, he'll be looking for a job soon?

[sage]

Another difference between Segal (and any Senator) and McKenna: Segal is a purely political appontment to a legislative body. McKenna is an employee, a civil servant.

Harris? Lougheed? How about Ralph Klein, he'll be looking for a job soon?

Everyone knows Ralph will be ascend to heaven to take his rightful place beside God following his resignation.

[Duke]

Another difference between Segal (and any Senator) and McKenna: Segal is a purely political appontment to a legislative body. McKenna is an employee, a civil servant.

Harris? Lougheed? How about Ralph Klein, he'll be looking for a job soon?

Everyone knows Ralph will be ascend to heaven to take his rightful place beside God following his resignation.

Actually Ralph may be the best choise........he sure as hell would fit in at the Crawford ranch.

[sage]

Diplomtic immunity would be a great asset for Ralph's imbibing.

[shoop]

Normie, can't you at least see the difference in the importance of the job? Unelected, powerless senators ... who cares.

The Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. is a much more important position.

Do you agree with the following?

The enormous value of a political appointment to this position is based on the ability to work intimately with the Canadian government. It is this perception of closeness that provides a strong platform for the Canadian ambassador to advance Canada's interest.

I do and I think all Canadians, without a desire to attack our new Prime Minister at every moment, would as well.

I'm glad you see no double standard in one Martin appointee being tainted merely because he was appointed by Martin, i.e., McKenna, and the other not, i.e., Segal. I'm sure Harper sees no double standard here either since it would require pre-existing integrity.

[scribblet]

He's resigned so its a moot point now.

[tml12]

He's resigned so its a moot point now.

This means there is no doubt he is gonna run.

[shoop]

Agreed. I am of two minds about this one. It is probably better for the Conservatives if the Liberals have a quicky (late spring, early summer) leadership convention, policy convention in the fall then anoint McKenna. Because that means another truly untested leader at the national level who could make Martin-esque or Turner-esque gaffes at the top.

However, better for the Liberals to have their policy convention in the spring then their leadership in the fall. This will give second-tier (i.e. not McKenna) candidates the chance to run and it would actually force McKenna to *earn* the leadership.

This means there is no doubt he is gonna run.

[tml12]

Agreed. I am of two minds about this one. It is probably better for the Conservatives if the Liberals have a quicky (late spring, early summer) leadership convention, policy convention in the fall then anoint McKenna. Because that means another truly untested leader at the national level who could make Martin-esque or Turner-esque gaffes at the top.

However, better for the Liberals to have their policy convention in the spring then their leadership in the fall. This will give second-tier (i.e. not McKenna) candidates the chance to run and it would actually force McKenna to *earn* the leadership.

This means there is no doubt he is gonna run.

The Liberals will need an interim leader, someone in Parliament, in the meantime though, eh?

Might be an interesting opportunity to see Belinda or Brison make a play for the Liberal leadership in the interim.

[shoop]

Interesting, but unlikely.

It would have to be someone high profile enough who *could* conceivably run for the leadership but definitely doesn't want to. This rules out Belinda and Scott.

My guess is that Bill Graham gets the interim tag.

The Liberals will need an interim leader, someone in Parliament, in the meantime though, eh?

Might be an interesting opportunity to see Belinda or Brison make a play for the Liberal leadership in the interim.

[tml12]

Interesting, but unlikely.

It would have to be someone high profile enough who *could* conceivably run for the leadership but definitely doesn't want to. This rules out Belinda and Scott.

My guess is that Bill Graham gets the interim tag.

The Liberals will need an interim leader, someone in Parliament, in the meantime though, eh?

Might be an interesting opportunity to see Belinda or Brison make a play for the Liberal leadership in the interim.

Possibly. But Graham was pro-Iraq and pro-missile defence and is quite a laid-back guy...you think the Liberals would put up someone who has been staunchly left-leaning and anti-Harper in the past...I dunno, like Stephane Dion.

[fellowtraveller]

Almost certainly Stephane Dion as interim leader.

Do not underestimate McKenna, his experience or ability. He will be a formidable opponent.

[tml12]

Almost certainly Stephane Dion as interim leader.

Do not underestimate McKenna, his experience or ability. He will be a formidable opponent.

McKenna will be the Liberal leader...I don't doubt it. High-profile CPC defectors like Brison and Belinda will sit this one out for sure because McKenna will kill their chances.

[kell2784]

There is also a possibility of scandal-free Manley ascending the stairs again. He's a face the public knows, and has a stead-fast mind of his own.

[tml12]

There is also a possibility of scandal-free Manley ascending the stairs again. He's a face the public knows, and has a stead-fast mind of his own.

We thought so too but he said he wasn't running this time...

[normanchateau]

Another difference between Segal (and any Senator) and McKenna: Segal is a purely political appontment to a legislative body. McKenna is an employee, a civil servant.

McKenna, to his credit, resigned once he decided to run for the leadership. Hugh Segal continues to be paid by all Canadians while working for Harper. Clearly Conservatives see no problem in Segal working for the party and being paid by all Canadians rather than by the Conservative Party. :angry:

Hugh Segal would, in my opinion, make a good ambassador to the US.

[tml12]

Another difference between Segal (and any Senator) and McKenna: Segal is a purely political appontment to a legislative body. McKenna is an employee, a civil servant.

McKenna, to his credit, resigned once he decided to run for the leadership. Hugh Segal continues to be paid by all Canadians while working for Harper. Clearly Conservatives see no problem in Segal working for the party and being paid by all Canadians rather than by the Conservative Party. :angry:

Hugh Segal would, in my opinion, make a good ambassador to the US.

That is a completely different comparison norman.

Segal is a Conservative...would you feel better if Brian Mulrooney appointed him and he was campaigning for Harper. Give me a break, the man is a proud Tory helping his party out...

[normanchateau]

That is a completely different comparison norman.

Segal is a Conservative...would you feel better if Brian Mulrooney appointed him and he was campaigning for Harper. Give me a break, the man is a proud Tory helping his party out...

You seem to have conveniently forgotten your original point.

Earlier in this thread you argued that Harper should fire Martin-appointee McKenna simply because he represented the old "Liberal Dynasty". Notwithstanding that he's a proud Tory, Segal is also a Martin-appointee.

And do you believe that Segal should have run Harper's campaign while receiving a six figure salary from all Canadians instead of being on the CPC payroll? Obviously Harper sees no problem with this but integrity never was one of his strengths.