Stephen Harper: Closet U.S. Democrat

[normanchateau]

On Nov. 9, 2006, former United States President Bill Clinton discussed Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, saying, "If we lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban come back, it will not only be a nightmare for the Afghan people, but it will create greater options of movement for the al-Qaeda leadership and increase the likelihood that they will be able to mount and conduct more global terrorist operations."

[gerryhatrick]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

[kimmy]

If we lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban come back, it will not only be a nightmare for the Afghan people, but it will create greater options of movement for the al-Qaeda leadership and increase the likelihood that they will be able to mount and conduct more global terrorist operations.

That's something that many of us who support Canada's continued participation in Afghanistan believe.

(both parts: that the Taliban's return would be a nightmare for the Afghan people, and that it would give al Qaeda a safe haven.)

It is gratifying to hear those words spoken by somebody who is respected by many Liberal supporters in Canada. Perhaps Clinton's comments will give them cause to reassess their feelings about the Afghan mission.

-k

[gerryhatrick]

If we lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban come back, it will not only be a nightmare for the Afghan people, but it will create greater options of movement for the al-Qaeda leadership and increase the likelihood that they will be able to mount and conduct more global terrorist operations.

It is gratifying to hear those words spoken by somebody who is respected by many Liberal supporters in Canada. Perhaps Clinton's comments will give them cause to reassess their feelings about the Afghan mission.

-k

Where did you get the misguided idea that Liberals and their supporters don't agree with what Clinton said? It's pretty much common sense.

[normanchateau]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

I was being facetious.

[gerryhatrick]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

I was being facetious.

This is a political forum, not comedy hour.

[MightyAC]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

I was being facetious.

This is a political forum, not comedy hour.

C'mon G even partisan trolls can appreciate sarcasm. Put on a happy face.

[normanchateau]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

I was being facetious.

This is a political forum, not comedy hour.

Unless there is a forum rule or guideline precluding being facetious, I will do so when I choose.

[kimmy]

It is gratifying to hear those words spoken by somebody who is respected by many Liberal supporters in Canada. Perhaps Clinton's comments will give them cause to reassess their feelings about the Afghan mission.

Where did you get the misguided idea that Liberals and their supporters don't agree with what Clinton said? It's pretty much common sense.

I specified Liberal supporters, not Liberals. Recent polls have indicated decreasing support for the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, and I assume that a fair chunk of those who have ceased to support the mission are Liberal supporters. Do you disagree?

-k

[kimmy]

I specified Liberal supporters, not Liberals.

And, it's clear that the Liberal caucus has divided opinions on the mission in Afghanistan:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberals/afghanistan.html

-k

[Argus]

If we lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban come back, it will not only be a nightmare for the Afghan people, but it will create greater options of movement for the al-Qaeda leadership and increase the likelihood that they will be able to mount and conduct more global terrorist operations.

It is gratifying to hear those words spoken by somebody who is respected by many Liberal supporters in Canada. Perhaps Clinton's comments will give them cause to reassess their feelings about the Afghan mission.

-k

Where did you get the misguided idea that Liberals and their supporters don't agree with what Clinton said? It's pretty much common sense.

Then why do they keep bitching and whining about our role there?

[normanchateau]

Recent polls have indicated decreasing support for the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, and I assume that a fair chunk of those who have ceased to support the mission are Liberal supporters.

-k

Seems like a reasonable assumption given that there aren't enough NDP/BQ voters to account for the numbers opposed.

The November, 2006, Ipsos-Reid numbers for support of or opposition to the Canadian mission are:

21% strongly support

23% somewhat support

17% somewhat oppose

37% strongly oppose

2% don't know

It's interesting to note that even among the 44% who support the mission, most don't support it strongly.

And with only 21% of all Canadians strongly in support, there are significant numbers of Conservative supporters who are at best lukewarm on the mission.

[gerryhatrick]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

I was being facetious.

This is a political forum, not comedy hour.

Unless there is a forum rule or guideline precluding being facetious, I will do so when I choose.

I didn't say you couldn't be facetious.

A strong argument could be made that this topic is in violation of the "POSTING CONTENT" rule section.

[gerryhatrick]

If we lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban come back, it will not only be a nightmare for the Afghan people, but it will create greater options of movement for the al-Qaeda leadership and increase the likelihood that they will be able to mount and conduct more global terrorist operations.

It is gratifying to hear those words spoken by somebody who is respected by many Liberal supporters in Canada. Perhaps Clinton's comments will give them cause to reassess their feelings about the Afghan mission.

-k

Where did you get the misguided idea that Liberals and their supporters don't agree with what Clinton said? It's pretty much common sense.

Then why do they keep bitching and whining about our role there?

I have never heard a single Liberal or Liberal supporter say anything which contradicts what Clinton said.

[Argus]

If we lose in Afghanistan and the Taliban come back, it will not only be a nightmare for the Afghan people, but it will create greater options of movement for the al-Qaeda leadership and increase the likelihood that they will be able to mount and conduct more global terrorist operations.

It is gratifying to hear those words spoken by somebody who is respected by many Liberal supporters in Canada. Perhaps Clinton's comments will give them cause to reassess their feelings about the Afghan mission.

-k

Where did you get the misguided idea that Liberals and their supporters don't agree with what Clinton said? It's pretty much common sense.

Then why do they keep bitching and whining about our role there?

I have never heard a single Liberal or Liberal supporter say anything which contradicts what Clinton said.

Now YOU'RE being facetious.

[normanchateau]

You don't make the case for your topic assurtion/question

A one issue parallel does not a Clinton clone or Democrat make.

I was being facetious.

This is a political forum, not comedy hour.

Unless there is a forum rule or guideline precluding being facetious, I will do so when I choose.

I didn't say you couldn't be facetious.

A strong argument could be made that this topic is in violation of the "POSTING CONTENT" rule section.

It was an "attempt to stimulate discussion" within the "Posting Content" rules.

[scribblet]

Sounds like Who's On First...

[normanchateau]

Sounds like Who's On First...

It occurred to me that you especially must be smiling given that you began the "Harper is no Bush clone" thread. That's actually what inspired me to start this thread.

[scribblet]

Harper probably is closer to a democrat, they really are closer to our conservatives than the GOP.

[Canadian Blue]

Yes they are, even with some of the Social Conservative stances Harper has taken they are no worse then Clinton's. Really the whole Liberal theme of being "anti-Republican" is pretty stupid. Why not be "anti-Christian Democrat", "anti-Australian Liberal", etc.

As well the Republican's have some liberal senators and liberal congressmen. Some of these politician's are even more leftwing then the Liberals.

[normanchateau]

Harper probably is closer to a democrat, they really are closer to our conservatives than the GOP.

We could debate that issue forever. What matters to me is that Harper has positioned himself within the socially conservative wing of the Conservatives. That puts him outside of mainstream Canada in my opinion. I can easily relate to the fiscal conservatives but not the social conservatives within the Conservatives. I think that describes the majority of Canadians.

[scribblet]

What matters to me is that Harper has positioned himself within the socially conservative wing of the Conservatives.

I beg to differ, he has not, in fact the 'social conservatives' are upset with him.

[jdobbin]

I specified Liberal supporters, not Liberals. Recent polls have indicated decreasing support for the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, and I assume that a fair chunk of those who have ceased to support the mission are Liberal supporters. Do you disagree?

A good deal of Conservative voters as well. I know several who are starting to have doubts about the long term success of the mission.

[geoffrey]

A good deal of Conservative voters as well. I know several who are starting to have doubts about the long term success of the mission.

Success and neccessity are two different things. There are days I doubt the success, though I think it's likely with the EU's support we can win this one. There are never days where I doubt the neccessity of NATO's work in Afghanistan.

[Ricki Bobbi]

A good deal of Conservative voters as well. I know several who are starting to have doubts about the long term success of the mission.

The long-term succession of the mission is distinct from the short-term success off the mission.

Someone like Mubarak in Egypt.