Stephen Harper vs Scott Brison

[Nocrap]

In light of the fact that we could be facing another election in the next year or so, I have been carefully studying hopefuls for the Liberal leadership race. I read in a poll today that the favourite was Scott Brison.

Some of the strengths he shares with Stephen Harper, from a right-wing perspective are: "Employment Insurance reform, more private involvment in healthcare and integrated defense strategy with the US" (from his bio) These three things have long been on Mr. Harper's "to do" list since he first entered politics, and from his long time involvement in the National Citizens' Coalition. Because of my passionate desire to uphold public healthcare, I could not vote for Mr. Brison, so would probably go NDP, or heaven forbid, CPC, depending on how they perform in the House.

If Stephen Harper is not just posturing over defending the Canada Health Act, he will lose his followers who have given him their support because he promised to take the federal government out of the Healthcare business; and may look to Brison as their new hopeful.

Scott Brison is younger than Stephen Harper; but has more to offer the left-wing voters. He is a defender of the Charter of Rights, and a bilingual and multicultural Canada. He supports the Liberal child care plan and has a good track record on environmental issues. It will be interesting to see how he fairs as Environmental Critic against Rona Ambrose, who has been dubbed "Queen of the Tar Sands".

Environmental Policy

He will not only be a champion for gay rights, but is himself gay (in his own words: "not a gay politician, but a politician who happens to be gay.") He will not only back same-sex marriage but himself plans on marrying his life partner, Maxime Saint-Pierre.

He did cross the floor after supporting the Alliance/Conservative merger, but only when he felt that the Alliance platform would control the new party, and after Alliance MP Larry Spencer told a reporter that "homosexuality should be outlawed" and ..."that gays created a conspiracy to infiltrate media and politics to advance their cause."

Full Floor Crossing Story Here

On the negative side, I found his policy on limiting new government employees to visible minorities, a

little over the top, though he may have seen it as the only way to balance the scales

There was also some rumbling about his involvement in the Income Trust leak, though it was pretty weak.

Income Trust Story

It would be an interesting race and so far I think they'd be neck and neck. Harper may live to regret his cabinet postings, which only put him on a level playing field with the Liberals. However, as in the past, please remember that I am not a Liberal supporter - voted for them once in my 30 odd years of casting ballots - and believe that everyone involved in the sponsorship scandal should go to jail. (Scott Brison was not even a Liberal then)

I'm just speculating on future (perhaps not so distant future) opponents of Stephen Harper and what we can look for in the next election.

[Leader Circle]

In light of the fact that we could be facing another election in the next year or so, I have been carefully studying hopefuls for the Liberal leadership race. I read in a poll today that the favourite was Scott Brison.

Some of the strengths he shares with Stephen Harper, from a right-wing perspective are: "Employment Insurance reform, more private involvment in healthcare and integrated defense strategy with the US" (from his bio) These three things have long been on Mr. Harper's "to do" list since he first entered politics, and from his long time involvement in the National Citizens' Coalition. Because of my passionate desire to uphold public healthcare, I could not vote for Mr. Brison, so would probably go NDP, or heaven forbid, CPC, depending on how they perform in the House.

If Stephen Harper is not just posturing over defending the Canada Health Act, he will lose his followers who have given him their support because he promised to take the federal government out of the Healthcare business; and may look to Brison as their new hopeful.

Scott Brison is younger than Stephen Harper; but has more to offer the left-wing voters. He is a defender of the Charter of Rights, and a bilingual and multicultural Canada. He supports the Liberal child care plan and has a good track record on environmental issues. It will be interesting to see how he fairs as Environmental Critic against Rona Ambrose, who has been dubbed "Queen of the Tar Sands".

Environmental Policy

He will not only be a champion for gay rights, but is himself gay (in his own words: "not a gay politician, but a politician who happens to be gay.") He will not only back same-sex marriage but himself plans on marrying his life partner, Maxime Saint-Pierre.

He did cross the floor after supporting the Alliance/Conservative merger, but only when he felt that the Alliance platform would control the new party, and after Alliance MP Larry Spencer told a reporter that "homosexuality should be outlawed" and ..."that gays created a conspiracy to infiltrate media and politics to advance their cause."

Full Floor Crossing Story Here

On the negative side, I found his policy on limiting new government employees to visible minorities, a

little over the top, though he may have seen it as the only way to balance the scales

There was also some rumbling about his involvement in the Income Trust leak, though it was pretty weak.

Income Trust Story

It would be an interesting race and so far I think they'd be neck and neck. Harper may live to regret his cabinet postings, which only put him on a level playing field with the Liberals. However, as in the past, please remember that I am not a Liberal supporter - voted for them once in my 30 odd years of casting ballots - and believe that everyone involved in the sponsorship scandal should go to jail. (Scott Brison was not even a Liberal then)

I'm just speculating on future (perhaps not so distant future) opponents of Stephen Harper and what we can look for in the next election.

Brison is tainted! Aside from being a floor crosser, he is caught in this Income trust thing and had prior knowledge of what Goodale was going to do, despite saying he didn't.

" In his e-mail, Brison told the CIBC employee - who had been critical of Liberal government actions affecting income trusts - that a change was in the pipeline, adding: "I think you will be happier very soon, this week probably."

Brison's comments Tuesday were big turnaround from a day earlier when he said he didn't recall sending such an e-mail. "

These statements make him a liar, so what else is he willing to do??

If the Liberals get him to be their leader, it should secure a majority for Harper!!

We Conservatives, welcome Brison to the Liberal leadership!!

[geoffrey]

What Brison did on the Income Trusts was in my opinion criminal. If such insider trading happened involving private sector employees, heads would definitely roll. But alas, this is Canada, and politicans can't be charged with anything apparently.

The CPC would destroy Brison, as he is as tainted as can be. Not to mention he's a little meek to stand up in a debate. He's not a leader, he's just a hyped up fridge salesman (his job before politics). I can just imagine him getting rung out by Duceppe in a debate.

If Brison ever became PM, I'd move south.

[Guest Warwick Green]

He did cross the floor after supporting the Alliance/Conservative merger, but only when he felt that the Alliance platform would control the new party, and after Alliance MP Larry Spencer told a reporter that "homosexuality should be outlawed" and ..."that gays created a conspiracy to infiltrate media and politics to advance their cause."

It took Harper barely 48hrs to toss Spencer into the sewer. Just before the Jan 23rd election Harper made it clear he would not tolerate efforts to restrict abortion. His only sop to the socons was his SSM resolution and that's giving them the sweat out of his jockstrap. Go to Free Dominion and see how the religious right are whining about him.

[JerrySeinfeld]

"Bath house Brison"?

Give ME A BRRREAK!!!

[Nocrap]

"Bath house Brison"?

Give ME A BRRREAK!!!

I really didn't know too much about him. Just what I read recently. Actually, I was surprized that he was a front runner, because I believe there are better options. But you're right about the Income Trust. It certainly does sound fishy, and if the Liberals really want to make a clean, fresh start, they will have to choose someone without even a hint of formal scandals.

[fellowtraveller]

Every party leader - Harper, Layton and Duceppe -would love to campaign against Brison.

It would be cheap and easy to yank a few seats away from the Liberals, all you'd have to do would be run some clips of Brison hysterically defending the indefensible every day in Parliament under Martin.

[newbie]

[Leafless]

In all seriousness Brison cannot in anyway shape or form be considered PM material as there are to many external predispositons are against this individual and would or could be considered a risk to the party.

[fixer1]

I maybe wrong but is Brisson not an admitted gay person. If this is true I think that while canada may tolerate may gay ideas and rights, I just do not think that we would support a gay Prime Minister. We may lean left of center in some things, but that ...well lets just say we are not going to go that way any time soon.

[Guest Warwick Green]

I maybe wrong but is Brisson not an admitted gay person. If this is true I think that while canada may tolerate may gay ideas and rights, I just do not think that we would support a gay Prime Minister. We may lean left of center in some things, but that ...well lets just say we are not going to go that way any time soon.

Who knows what prejudices lurk within the hearts of mankind? I have met people who won't vote for a black or a Jew so I am sure that there are those who wouldn't vote for a gay.

But the whole thing is moot. Brison did himself in over the income trust tip. He's now dead meat.

[BubberMiley]

I maybe wrong but is Brisson not an admitted gay person. If this is true I think that while canada may tolerate may gay ideas and rights, I just do not think that we would support a gay Prime Minister. We may lean left of center in some things, but that ...well lets just say we are not going to go that way any time soon.

that's what a lot of people in Winnipeg said, and then they elected a gay mayor. Ultimately, most people won't deny a qualified person a job if they're gay. The question really is whether Brison is qualified.

[sharkman]

No, the question is whether the Liberal campaign strategists can beat the Tory campaign strategists in this climate of Liberal scandals.

Uh, Warwick, gays are not a race the last time I checked. I agree with your thoughts on Brison's chances, however.

[August1991]

I maybe wrong but is Brisson not an admitted gay person. If this is true I think that while canada may tolerate may gay ideas and rights, I just do not think that we would support a gay Prime Minister. We may lean left of center in some things, but that ...well lets just say we are not going to go that way any time soon.

That's a generational perspective. Brison may well entice younger Canadians to get involved and vote. Candidates like Ignatieff or Harper won't.

Personally, I think Brison is glib, and has nothing more to offer than ambition. He's a walking press release. At least Andre Boisclair went to Harvard for a year in an attempt to give himself depth.

In raw, political, Nixonian terms, there are too many active baby-boomers around, and too many media savvy echoists. Being in politics is really tough now. Could Ignatieff and Brison do a twosome?

[Leader Circle]

I just watched tonight on CBC about the Liberal leadership race and Rex Murphy was saying Ashley MacIsaac for leader?? Was this a joke?

Things are picking up for Conservative majority if he was serious!

Did anyone else watch the national tonight?

[geoffrey]

I just watched tonight on CBC about the Liberal leadership race and Rex Murphy was saying Ashley MacIsaac for leader?? Was this a joke?

Things are picking up for Conservative majority if he was serious!

Did anyone else watch the national tonight?

Ashley MacIsaac has stated his intentions a long time ago.

Hopefully he wins. It'd destroy the crediability of the party for decades.

[JerrySeinfeld]

"Bath house Brison"?

Give ME A BRRREAK!!!

I really didn't know too much about him. Just what I read recently. Actually, I was surprized that he was a front runner, because I believe there are better options. But you're right about the Income Trust. It certainly does sound fishy, and if the Liberals really want to make a clean, fresh start, they will have to choose someone without even a hint of formal scandals.

i think "brokeback brison" is a solid choice

[Montgomery Burns]

Nocrap,

Harper will whip Mr Fancy Pants Brison. I'd bet the mortgage on it.

As for your healthcare lament, Stephen Harper has said that he wants people to have access to additional (private) healthcare services. He said that public funds will pay for private medical treatment. This will reduce waiting lists. You can't possibly be against this.

Canada's healthcare system is a mess. It's interesting that these days people/other countries look at Canada's healthcare system as something not to be emulated. Even Europe allows the option of private healthcare. BC's Liberal Party recently went over to Europe to check out their public/private healthcare system.

Why spend Canadian money going to the US for healthcare when this money could stay in Canada?

[JerrySeinfeld]

Nocrap,

Harper will whip Mr Fancy Pants Brison. I'd bet the mortgage on it.

As for your healthcare lament, Stephen Harper has said that he wants people to have access to additional (private) healthcare services. He said that public funds will pay for private medical treatment. This will reduce waiting lists. You can't possibly be against this.

Canada's healthcare system is a mess. It's interesting that these days people/other countries look at Canada's healthcare system as something not to be emulated. Even Europe allows the option of private healthcare. BC's Liberal Party recently went over to Europe to check out their public/private healthcare system.

Why spend Canadian money going to the US for healthcare when this money could stay in Canada?

Dudes, we already have 2 tiered health care. Here, and the US private clinics.

The only question lef is - do we want those private clinics here in Canada, providing for services for Canadians and tax dollars for Canadians, or do we want them stateside?

The rest is optics.

[Montgomery Burns]

Jerry Seinfeld:

Dudes, we already have 2 tiered health care.

Yes, but private healthcare is officially illegal in Canada--just like in Cuba and North Korea.

[Nocrap]

Nocrap,

Harper will whip Mr Fancy Pants Brison. I'd bet the mortgage on it.

As for your healthcare lament, Stephen Harper has said that he wants people to have access to additional (private) healthcare services. He said that public funds will pay for private medical treatment. This will reduce waiting lists. You can't possibly be against this.

Canada's healthcare system is a mess. It's interesting that these days people/other countries look at Canada's healthcare system as something not to be emulated. Even Europe allows the option of private healthcare. BC's Liberal Party recently went over to Europe to check out their public/private healthcare system.

Why spend Canadian money going to the US for healthcare when this money could stay in Canada?

Dudes, we already have 2 tiered health care. Here, and the US private clinics.

The only question lef is - do we want those private clinics here in Canada, providing for services for Canadians and tax dollars for Canadians, or do we want them stateside?

The rest is optics.

I was really just trying to weigh the pros and cons of each man, and for people like Geoffrey and others, I simply stated that both Harper and Brison are leaning toward more private services; so both would appeal to others who also support this move. The healthcare thing would not be on the table since they are both on the same page.

As for the gay thing, Scott Brison says that he is "not a gay politician but a politician who happens to be gay". We can't label him. When I was researching the man I found that the Young Liberals are supporting his bid, so I guess he has already appealed to the younger crowd.

He could also be seen as a champion of human rights, since he has not only come out of the closet, but plans to enter into a same-sex marriage. This would no doubt make national and international headlines and I could see marches worldwide. He could continue to argue that he is simply a politician who happens to be gay, while the media painted him as a humble hero.

This would not necessarily be a slam dunk for Harper.

That being said, the fact that he is gay would not affect my decision at all. The income trust thing could.

[Montgomery Burns]

Nocrap:

As for the gay thing, Scott Brison says that he is "not a gay politician but a politician who happens to be gay". We can't label him. When I was researching the man I found that the Young Liberals are supporting his bid, so I guess he has already appealed to the younger crowd.

He could also be seen as a champion of human rights, since he has not only come out of the closet, but plans to enter into a same-sex marriage. This would no doubt make national and international headlines and I could see marches worldwide. He could continue to argue that he is simply a politician who happens to be gay, while the media painted him as a humble hero.

This would not necessarily be a slam dunk for Harper.

That being said, the fact that he is gay would not affect my decision at all. The income trust thing could.

So if he won the leadership and then somehow beat Harper, Brison's husband (wife?) would be Canada's First Gentlemen?

Only progressive liberals in "the reality-based community" believe Canadians would ever vote in that result.

[BubberMiley]

Like I said, it wasn't even an issue in Winnipeg, and Winnipeg isn't exactly San Francisco. Glen Murray was elected with something like 70% of the vote. I can't imagine he would have gotten any more than that if he were heterosexual. His partner kept a low profile while he was mayor though because he wasn't interested in public life.