Chrétien to PM: 'Can I call you Steve, like George W.?'

[Canuck E Stan]

Lets see; Trudeau, Turner, Mulroney, Chretien and Martin all came from Quebec. Hmmmm.......

And the rest of Canada in the next election will say enough already, we don't need another one.

[geoffrey]

Martin is an Ontarian by all measures, despite running in Montreal.

That's like saying Turner was a British Columbian... I don't think so.

[jdobbin]

Martin is an Ontarian by all measures, despite running in Montreal.

That's like saying Turner was a British Columbian... I don't think so.

Or Kim Campbell being a British Columbian or Brian Mulroney being a Nova Scotian?

[Argus]

I think it is high time that Canadians recognize that Quebec has produced far more able politicians than anybody else in this country.

Horse shit.

The only reason we've had Quebec leaders for the last 40 years is because Quebec will always vote for a Quebecer over anyone else, while the rest of Canada is far less clannish. That has, in the past, guaranteed a Quebec leader about 30-40% of the seats needed to win. he only needs to pick up a small number among TROC compared to his opponent to get into power. The BQ has thrown a monkey wrench into that, of course, which is why the Liberals only survived in power while the right was divided.

Now they're trying to rely on the immigrant vote in TO and Vancouver as well as those areas of Quebec and French Canada which will still blindly follow Liberals and vote for "Da French guy".

[geoffrey]

Martin is an Ontarian by all measures, despite running in Montreal.

That's like saying Turner was a British Columbian... I don't think so.

Or Kim Campbell being a British Columbian or Brian Mulroney being a Nova Scotian?

Umm... Kim was born, raised, went to school and worked in British Columbia. So no. Turner wasn't even born in Canada though, so I guess where Kim was born is a rather invalid comparison. Turner spent his professional days in Ontario though.

I agree with your Mulroney concept when he ran in Central Nova, though he remained for only a year. He did spend most of his public service time in his home riding in Quebec though.

[jdobbin]

Umm... Kim was born, raised, went to school and worked in British Columbia. So no. Turner wasn't even born in Canada though, so I guess where Kim was born is a rather invalid comparison. Turner spent his professional days in Ontario though.

I agree with your Mulroney concept when he ran in Central Nova, though he remained for only a year. He did spend most of his public service time in his home riding in Quebec though.

Quite right on Kim Campbell.

The idea of who runs where and in what riding is a bit tiresome. I heard some people say that Kennedy wasn't part of anywhere in Canada. I suppose that argument could go for Harper too as he was born in one area and moved to a few others.

[geoffrey]

Quite right on Kim Campbell.

The idea of who runs where and in what riding is a bit tiresome. I heard some people say that Kennedy wasn't part of anywhere in Canada. I suppose that argument could go for Harper too as he was born in one area and moved to a few others.

Those are the best types to lead our country.

Harper, as an adult, has been only in Alberta, specifically Calgary. Kennedy, as an adult, has gone to school and worked in both Alberta and Ontario. He's a little more diverse.

I guess he doesn't belong to any specific area. But I don't see that as a problem... especially not as a Ontario-Alberta transplant myself.

[uOttawaMan]

I think it is high time that Canadians recognize that Quebec has produced far more able politicians than anybody else in this country.

Horse shit.

The only reason we've had Quebec leaders for the last 40 years is because Quebec will always vote for a Quebecer over anyone else, while the rest of Canada is far less clannish. That has, in the past, guaranteed a Quebec leader about 30-40% of the seats needed to win. he only needs to pick up a small number among TROC compared to his opponent to get into power. The BQ has thrown a monkey wrench into that, of course, which is why the Liberals only survived in power while the right was divided.

Now they're trying to rely on the immigrant vote in TO and Vancouver as well as those areas of Quebec and French Canada which will still blindly follow Liberals and vote for "Da French guy".

Whoah, take your common sense elsewhere buddy. This is the internet!

[jdobbin]

Those are the best types to lead our country.

Harper, as an adult, has been only in Alberta, specifically Calgary. Kennedy, as an adult, has gone to school and worked in both Alberta and Ontario. He's a little more diverse.

I guess he doesn't belong to any specific area. But I don't see that as a problem... especially not as a Ontario-Alberta transplant myself.

Even Dion lived in the U.S. for some time for the Brookings Institute.

[geoffrey]

Even Dion lived in the U.S. for some time for the Brookings Institute.

Did he bring a translator?

[gerryhatrick]

Even Dion lived in the U.S. for some time for the Brookings Institute.

Did he bring a translator?

That's mature. Will you be making fun of how he speaks from here on in?

A little juvenile.

[geoffrey]

Even Dion lived in the U.S. for some time for the Brookings Institute.

Did he bring a translator?

That's mature. Will you be making fun of how he speaks from here on in?

A little juvenile.

Oh gerry, lighten up.

People in English Canada need to be as quick to condemn the poor English of a French leader as the Quebecois are to condemn the poor French of an English one.

In fact, it's more important to speak English than French in the big scheme of things. Quebec isn't even a 1/3 of the population, but their language is twice as important, that needs to end.

[gerryhatrick]

People in English Canada need to be as quick to condemn the poor English of a French leader as the Quebecois are to condemn the poor French of an English one.

In fact, it's more important to speak English than French in the big scheme of things. Quebec isn't even a 1/3 of the population, but their language is twice as important, that needs to end.

Whatever. I can understand him fine. Obviously partisan hacks will look to swiftboat him on that issue, just like they mocked Chretien for a speech impediment.

Real classy.

[geoffrey]

Whatever. I can understand him fine. Obviously partisan hacks will look to swiftboat him on that issue, just like they mocked Chretien for a speech impediment.

Real classy.

The French were quite quick to mock Kennedy on his English, I'm looking at this internally to the Liberals, not as an outsider in this case.

Dion is leader because Kennedy doesn't speak satisfactory French. If Kennedy finished 2 votes higher on the first ballot, he'd be the winner, with Dion coming to him.

I think it's fair to turn that criticism around, no?

[jdobbin]

Did he bring a translator?

They said his accent was fake and that he spoke with an English accent and finished off every conversation with "Cheerio!"

[gc1765]

The French were quite quick to mock Kennedy on his English, I'm looking at this internally to the Liberals, not as an outsider in this case.

Dion is leader because Kennedy doesn't speak satisfactory French. If Kennedy finished 2 votes higher on the first ballot, he'd be the winner, with Dion coming to him.

I think it's fair to turn that criticism around, no?

I dont' speak french well enough to comment on Kennedy's french, but Dion's English is good enough for me.

[gerryhatrick]

Whatever. I can understand him fine. Obviously partisan hacks will look to swiftboat him on that issue, just like they mocked Chretien for a speech impediment.

Real classy.

The French were quite quick to mock Kennedy on his English,

I know you meant French.

You can critisize his English, but if you take it to the point of saying he's unable to speak the language then you're engaging in partisan hack attacks.

I can understand him, that is the truth. If you can't I'm sorry for that. Keep trying. But don't try to tell us he has no command of the language, because he can express himself quite well.

Deal with him on the issues level, that would be more meaningful.

[geoffrey]

I'll gladly deal with Dion on the issues level when that presents itself. Unfortunately, for the average voter, it's not issues but image. Dion suffers in English Canada.

It's not fair to blame the Liberals entire environmental disgrace on Dion, he wasn't in charge for long enough to do anything. But really, what was his plan? To have Rick Mercer ask us to buy new washers and dryers for the next ten years?

I've seen alot of rhetoric from Dion, but the other main difference between him and Kennedy is showing. Dion sees politics (as Harper does, as most politicans do) as an end in itself, publish a good policy and you'll get elected... he doesn't really care about the results at the individual level. It's a major failing of most politicans from all parties, it's all a game, the actual results don't matter.

I see it on his relentless commitment to the Liberals failure with Kyoto. I see it in his commitment to the failure at dealing strong handedly with provinces especially Quebec.

It's trouble. He's an ideologue. I don't like those types. That's me dealing with him on the issues.

[gc1765]

I've seen alot of rhetoric from Dion, but the other main difference between him and Kennedy is showing. Dion sees politics (as Harper does, as most politicans do) as an end in itself, publish a good policy and you'll get elected... he doesn't really care about the results at the individual level. It's a major failing of most politicans from all parties, it's all a game, the actual results don't matter.

I see it on his relentless commitment to the Liberals failure with Kyoto. I see it in his commitment to the failure at dealing strong handedly with provinces especially Quebec.

It's trouble. He's an ideologue. I don't like those types. That's me dealing with him on the issues.

I'll wait to see if he gets results or not before I judge him.

The fact is, we never know what a politician is going to do in charge until we put them in charge. I'm willing to give Dion a chance to see what he can do. I do think he appears more sincere than most politicians I have seen, so if he says he is going to be committed to the environment for example, then I am more willing to believe him than most other politicians. The Conservatives talked a lot about tax cuts, and you know more than anyone they didn't deliver.

[geoffrey]

Would you put me in charge qc to just 'see what I'm going to do'?

That's dangerous. Dion has had his chance, he's been a cabinet minister that really didn't accomplish much in terms of real results.

[gc1765]

Would you put me in charge qc to just 'see what I'm going to do'?

That's dangerous. Dion has had his chance, he's been a cabinet minister that really didn't accomplish much in terms of real results.

I think you missed my point earlier. We can never know what a politician is going to do until they are in power. You helped put Harper into power because you thought he was going to cut your taxes, and he failed at it. Would you describe that as putting Harper into power "just to see what he's going to do"? Dion has certain things that he wants to accomplish, but we can't possibly know if he is going to accomplish those things until he is elected. I am saying that I trust Dion will live up to his word more than I would trust most other politicians. As you've said before, he was only the minister of the environment for a short period of time, and you already said you didn't blame him for not getting things accomplished. Anyways, I wouldn't describe the environment as my number one priority. I think it's an important issue, but not the most important. I don't agree with everything that Dion says, but I agree with him more than I agree with any other party leader.

[abcon99]

Chretien is of no further importance, he is heavily tarnished with sponsorship scandal. Nothing that comes out of his mouth is worthy of notice or mention, but since it has been, I guess we will just have to start calling him ChrENRON! And thats all that need to be said in response to anything he says. Done and finished.

[jbg]

I think it is high time that Canadians recognize that Quebec has produced far more able politicians than anybody else in this country. The reason for that is simply that their cultural origins put far more emotion into politics than ours did, consequently they are better at playing upon peoples emotions. Emotional politics are not exactly inclusive but they are very powerful.

Lets see; Trudeau, Turner, Mulroney, Chretien and Martin all came from Quebec. Hmmmm.......

Maybe the "25% rule" for number of MP's has a small amount to do with it as well?

[abcon99]

Sleazy insider liberal politics, and the pcs used to play sometimes. No Quebecers for PM for just a few years for the love of all that is holy! One day all those false seat counts will end, and each province will get the number of seats it deserves, and then this crap will stop.

[betsy]

"Stephen, can I call you Steve, like George W.?" he said, garnering a large laugh from the audience of 5,000 Liberal delegates.

"Do not adjust your sets," Chrétien said following the rapturous applause. "What you see is what you get."

Sour grape!

I'd say Chretien is only jealous...since George never called him "Johnny."