Harper must be banging his head after this quote

[lonewolf]

Man was I surprised by Emerson's stupid comment to the CTV.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

What got me was this:

Emerson has also said had the Liberals won the election, he wouldn't have switched parties.

I mean does this guy want his government to have problems. What happens if the Liberals win again, will he prostitute himself again?

Or if the impossible would happen, the NDP ever formed a government, would Emerson be wearing an orange scarf...

Harper must have been yelling “DOH!” after hearing that comment.

[Hicksey]

Man was I surprised by Emerson's stupid comment to the CTV.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

What got me was this:

Emerson has also said had the Liberals won the election, he wouldn't have switched parties.

I mean does this guy want his government to have problems. What happens if the Liberals win again, will he prostitute himself again?

Or if the impossible would happen, the NDP ever formed a government, would Emerson be wearing an orange scarf...

Harper must have been yelling “DOH!” after hearing that comment.

I really fail to see how this quote is anywhere near as bad as you say. It surely cannot be any worse than naming that damned recycled Liberal to his cabinet in the first place.

[Argus]

Man was I surprised by Emerson's stupid comment to the CTV.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

What got me was this:

Emerson has also said had the Liberals won the election, he wouldn't have switched parties.

I mean does this guy want his government to have problems. What happens if the Liberals win again, will he prostitute himself again?

Or if the impossible would happen, the NDP ever formed a government, would Emerson be wearing an orange scarf...

Harper must have been yelling “DOH!” after hearing that comment.

Why? Nothing he said was strange to me.

People don't understand the electoral process? Too bad. You vote for someone to represent you in the House of Commons. That's it. The system does not care if that man belongs to a political party, or what that party is. That's strictly up to the individual you elect. Now if you vote for the party and not the invidiaul - tough luck. That's not the way you're supposed to be going. Nor should it be otherwise.

You can criticise someone who crosses the floor, depending on motivation. You can criticise a government which lures someone across the floor, depending on motivation. In all respects, there is less to criticise about this than the Stronach case. But the media hates conservatives, so they're continuing to keep it alive in hopes of forcing someone, somewhere to resign, or at least say something stupid (hello Garth Turner) so they can keep it up even longer.

For those who believe in individual MPs having more power, rather than less, the cry that anyone who crosses the floor must resign from office and face a byelection would be a disaster. It would give the party even more power over their MPs. Even now the individual MP has precious little power. We don't want to lessen that further.

[August1991]

I was surprised by the quote too when I read it. It was a dumb thing to say.

Nevertheless, I agree with Argus.

If we force an MP to resign and run again in a by-election (C-251) then think what power we give to the PMO and the party apparatus. If we want to have genuine democracy, then this legislation is not the way to go.

I think the reaction is similar to children who are angry with their choice of ice cream flavour. In the future, choose more carefully.

I don't know if Canadians really want real democracy though. It is easier to vote the party line and give the PMO power for four years. Do Canadians want to go to the trouble of finding out who their MP is?

[shoop]

The quote really isn't that surprising.

He said as soon as he crossed that he felt he could best serve his constituents as a cabinet minister.

Of course he wouldn't have crossed if the Liberals won. That would have meant *giving up* his cabinet seat.

[Canuck E Stan]

The last time I voted the individual's name on the ballot was first,in large bold type, followed by the party in much smaller type.

If anything good comes out of this, it will be legislation presented in parliament this spring that will have rules for floor crossers.

A number of proposals are already in the works.

I would suggest that the other Liberals thinking of crossing the floor,do so before this legislation is law.

[August1991]

If anything good comes out of this, it will be legislation presented in parliament this spring that will have rules for floor crossers.

How would C-251 do any good?

It will just make the MPs more disciplined circus seals. The PMO and party leaders will be able to keep all their deputies quiet, neatly in a row, by holding the threat of a byelection over their heads. How will that be good for representative democracy?

If you don't like what your MP does, the solution is not to get angry and pass a law. The solution is to be more careful when you pick your MP.

In a democracy, it is the people who are supposed to be responsible. I get the impression sometimes that Canadians want the benefits of democracy but they want someone else to assume the responsibility for making it work.

[Leafless]

lonewolf

You wrote- "Emerson has also said had the Liberals won, he wouldn't have switched parties."

This guy sounds a bit unstable and must think he's in 'the politcal garden of Eden'.

I think this floor crosser's politcal future will be short lived.

[lonewolf]

actually the CTV wrote it

But all I am saying is that political parties and the politicians are hypocrites.....

If you say "oh well, so what and that's how the political game is played," that's your discretion and all the power to you, freedom of speech is one the perks of living in free country, but it's that kind of reasoning that made me vote for an independant candidate, at least I know that when I voted for that person, he was not going to jump ship and join the other party...

[Canuck E Stan]

at leat I know that when I voted that person was not going to jump ship and join the other party...

And how would you know that for sure?

[lonewolf]

if you must know, he's a fellow colleague of mine and I know him to be man of honour and has one thing many politicians lack, honesty

[Canuck E Stan]

And when a political party(especially one in power) offers him a job that would make a difference to his constituents and his country, he'll turn it down?

if you must know, he's a fellow colleague of mine and I know him to be man of honour and has one thing many politicians lack, honesty

[tml12]

Man was I surprised by Emerson's stupid comment to the CTV.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

What got me was this:

Emerson has also said had the Liberals won the election, he wouldn't have switched parties.

I mean does this guy want his government to have problems. What happens if the Liberals win again, will he prostitute himself again?

Or if the impossible would happen, the NDP ever formed a government, would Emerson be wearing an orange scarf...

Harper must have been yelling “DOH!” after hearing that comment.

Emerson is becoming a liability. Harper needs to get this guy in check, shut him up, and issue a statement about his decision before CBC starts any more leftist rants.

[Riverwind]

In all respects, there is less to criticise about this than the Stronach case.

Where do you get that idea from? Stronach could at least argue that bringing down the gov't was not what the majority of her constituents wanted (since the NDP was supporting the gov't at the time). In Emerson's case, it is clear the overwhelming majority of his constituents did/do not want a Conservative MP. It is fair to say that both were primarily motivated by personal gain and what their constituents wanted was not really that important to them. However, saying that there is less to criticize about the Emerson defection does not make any sense.

[geoffrey]

Emerson is becoming a liability. Harper needs to get this guy in check, shut him up, and issue a statement about his decision before CBC starts any more leftist rants.

A hit on Emerson?

It pretty much comes down to a bunch of ignorant idiots in his riding that don't appreciate that they have a cabinet minister. Emerson sitting in opposition would have done nothing for them. But its probably one of those 95% immigrant ridings that just won't accept anything other than welfare supporting socialists, little did they know Emerson never supported that view.

The Liberal label gives those on social assistance comfort, because they know they'll never have to work with them in Ottawa. Now that their conservative member actually became Conservative, its like the devil has come to Earth or something.

Grow up Vancouver-Kingsway, and appreciate what you just got. Keep bitching and you won't have a cabinet minister for another 100 years.

Oh look what I found, what a suprise:

The 2001 census found just one-third of residents here listed English as their mother tongue. More than 55 per cent are immigrants. Nearly 40 per cent are ethnically Chinese – the second-highest such proportion of any riding.

The area is mainly residential. The service sector is the major employer, along with manufacturing and retail. The average family income in 2001 was $54,724, and unemployment was 8.2 per cent.

A highly unemployed (higher than the national average), middle income, immigrant community. How could they possibly accept anything other than a Liberal.... even if he was always a conservative.

[tml12]

In all respects, there is less to criticise about this than the Stronach case.

Where do you get that idea from? Stronach could at least argue that bringing down the gov't was not what the majority of her constituents wanted (since the NDP was supporting the gov't at the time). In Emerson's case, it is clear the overwhelming majority of his constituents did/do not want a Conservative MP. It is fair to say that both were primarily motivated by personal gain and what their constituents wanted was not really that important to them. However, saying that there is less to criticize about the Emerson defection does not make any sense.

Yes I would agree with that.

[BubberMiley]

It must be disappointing to many CPCers that the CBC didn't get the story. Then they could have complained about the obviously socialist bias.

[shoop]

What story didn't the CBC *get*?

It must be disappointing to many CPCers that the CBC didn't get the story. Then they could have complained about the obviously socialist bias.

[Cunctator]

Emerson seems like a pretty sleazy character. But, with so many of Mulroney's old timers around Harper, what did you expect. Its the old way of politics being pushed onto Harper who, possibly, is a little overwhelmed with his position and has lost his judgement. That aside, I agree with what Argus said at the outset. We vote for the MP, not the party, so Emerson is free to do what he wants. When the next election comes, the electors in his riding are also free to get rid of him -- and, in my opinion, thaty wouldn't be a bad thing to do.

[tml12]

Emerson seems like a pretty sleazy character. But, with so many of Mulroney's old timers around Harper, what did you expect. Its the old way of politics being pushed onto Harper who, possibly, is a little overwhelmed with his position and has lost his judgement. That aside, I agree with what Argus said at the outset. We vote for the MP, not the party, so Emerson is free to do what he wants. When the next election comes, the electors in his riding are also free to get rid of him -- and, in my opinion, thaty wouldn't be a bad thing to do.

Using your logic, I should have voted NDP. I really liked my NDP candidate.

But no. In the U.S., Americans vote for the person more than the party. In Canada, Canadians vote more for the party than the person because although I liked my NDP candidate's personality more than I liked my Conservative candidate's personality, I thought the Conservative party overall better reflected my values.

[cybercoma]

Man was I surprised by Emerson's stupid comment to the CTV.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

What got me was this:

Emerson has also said had the Liberals won the election, he wouldn't have switched parties.

I mean does this guy want his government to have problems. What happens if the Liberals win again, will he prostitute himself again?

Or if the impossible would happen, the NDP ever formed a government, would Emerson be wearing an orange scarf...

Harper must have been yelling “DOH!” after hearing that comment.

Why? Nothing he said was strange to me.

People don't understand the electoral process? Too bad. You vote for someone to represent you in the House of Commons. That's it. The system does not care if that man belongs to a political party, or what that party is. That's strictly up to the individual you elect. Now if you vote for the party and not the invidiaul - tough luck. That's not the way you're supposed to be going. Nor should it be otherwise.

You can criticise someone who crosses the floor, depending on motivation. You can criticise a government which lures someone across the floor, depending on motivation. In all respects, there is less to criticise about this than the Stronach case. But the media hates conservatives, so they're continuing to keep it alive in hopes of forcing someone, somewhere to resign, or at least say something stupid (hello Garth Turner) so they can keep it up even longer.

For those who believe in individual MPs having more power, rather than less, the cry that anyone who crosses the floor must resign from office and face a byelection would be a disaster. It would give the party even more power over their MPs. Even now the individual MP has precious little power. We don't want to lessen that further.

Doesn't the party a particular person runs for indicate how he or she will vote on bills? The MPs have to vote along party lines for the most part and voting for the person that represents the party you most agree with is the best way to get someone in there who will vote the way you want. Unless you believe in talking to each candidate and asking them how they would vote in every possible circumstance.

In my particular riding, Brian Masse (NDP) is the person I like the most and think would fight specifically for this riding the most. He's an NDPer though and I absolutely refuse to give him my vote because I totally disagree with the way he will vote on most issues in the house. Are you saying I should elect him anyway, regardless of what party he represents?

[newbie]

I think the reaction is similar to children who are angry with their choice of ice cream flavour. In the future, choose more carefully.

Choose more carefully? So now when we're in the voting booth we have to realize that our candidate may "cross the floor.?" This is democracy? It's called fraud August. And today 100's of his constituents protested, even calling Emerson a traitor. This is a clear case of Emerson trying to advance his own private interest. He would have stayed Liberal had they won. It's a disgusting situation, and Harper has to move on this if he's to have any credibility on his moral high ground that he platformed on.

[tml12]

I think the reaction is similar to children who are angry with their choice of ice cream flavour. In the future, choose more carefully.

Choose more carefully? So now when we're in the voting booth we have to realize that our candidate may "cross the floor.?" This is democracy? It's called fraud August. And today 100's of his constituents protested, even calling Emerson a traitor. This is a clear case of Emerson trying to advance his own private interest. He would have stayed Liberal had they won. It's a disgusting situation, and Harper has to move on this if he's to have any credibility on his moral high ground that he platformed on.

On 90% of issues I would back August over Newbie.

On this issue I would have to agree with Newbie. Many of his constituents thought they were getting a Liberal MP and now he's a Tory.

I have a problem with that...

[tml12]

I think the reaction is similar to children who are angry with their choice of ice cream flavour. In the future, choose more carefully.

Choose more carefully? So now when we're in the voting booth we have to realize that our candidate may "cross the floor.?" This is democracy? It's called fraud August. And today 100's of his constituents protested, even calling Emerson a traitor. This is a clear case of Emerson trying to advance his own private interest. He would have stayed Liberal had they won. It's a disgusting situation, and Harper has to move on this if he's to have any credibility on his moral high ground that he platformed on.

On 90% of issues I would back August over Newbie.

On this issue I would have to agree with Newbie. Many of his constituents thought they were getting a Liberal MP and now he's a Tory.

I have a problem with that...

I should add, as a Tory, if I ever voted a Tory MP in and they switched to the Liberals I would be REALLY angry...

[newbie]

What story didn't the CBC *get*?

It must be disappointing to many CPCers that the CBC didn't get the story. Then they could have complained about the obviously socialist bias.

Yep, your old standby, CTV, scooped the "left wing" media on this one. Oh, the "story" is in the first post.