Dion dismantles the attacks on him.

[gerryhatrick]

Did anyone catch Dion on CBC's "Your Turn" segmant last night (Thursday)?

He was excellent, and dismantled two of the main attacks on him thus far.

1. His English was excellent. Very smooth and very understandable. He's obviously a quick student.

2. He squashed the argument against his dual citizenship.

a. hundreds of thousands of Canadians, if not millions, are also dual citizens due to the birth of a parent. His French citizenship was given to him by his mother.

b. He is 100% loyal to Canada.

c. It was never spoken about when Turner was PM. He got Brittish citizenship by way of a parents birth.

He was articulate and clear on every issue. He was funny too. This guy will be hard for Harper to beat.

VIDEO:

This link will probably change in a day or two, but then it will be on youtube I'm sure. Move the scroll bar about 1/3 of the way along to skip to Dion:

http://www.cbc.ca/video/index.html#

[normanchateau]

I saw it. It was a question and answer format in which questions were thrown at him from Canadians across the country. He did not know in advance what the questions would be. I thought he handled the dual citizenship question, which he certainly was prepared for, extremely well. Was it my imagination or did I hear him imply that if the dual citizenship became an issue for most Canadians, he would give up the French citizenship?

[MightyAC]

I saw it. It was a question and answer format in which questions were thrown at him from Canadians across the country. He did not know in advance what the questions would be. I thought he handled the dual citizenship question, which he certainly was prepared for, extremely well. Was it my imagination or did I hear him imply that if the dual citizenship became an issue for most Canadians, he would give up the French citizenship?

That's the way I saw it. It shouldn't be a problem for Canadians but it sounds like he will give it up if it turns out to be.

[normanchateau]

The fact that he said this in a question and answer period with ordinary Canadians says that here is a politician who will do things differently. A more traditional politician would have made an announcement to the press or saved it for a debate with Harper where it would have had more impact and disarmed his opponent. Dion's frank comments on the issue, especially his acknowledgment that it was an emotional issue for him, were in stark contrast to the arrogance of some of his precedessors. I don't expect that Dion will ever attract hard-core CPC supporters but his unique style will appeal to undecided centrists. Dion needs only to win over a significant number of Green supporters to win a majority.

[scribblet]

I saw it. It was a question and answer format in which questions were thrown at him from Canadians across the country. He did not know in advance what the questions would be. I thought he handled the dual citizenship question, which he certainly was prepared for, extremely well. Was it my imagination or did I hear him imply that if the dual citizenship became an issue for most Canadians, he would give up the French citizenship?

That's the way I saw it. It shouldn't be a problem for Canadians but it sounds like he will give it up if it turns out to be.

Just heard this morning that he is considering giving it up - but only if it affects his chances of winning LOL Funny how all of a sudden loyalty to the party transcends all his previous assertions, and winning at any cost is now more important than what 'his mother left him.' I guess it is party, ideology and above all, winning at any cost for that Liberal.

[fellowtraveller]

Did anyone catch Dion on CBC's "Your Turn" segmant last night (Thursday)?

He was excellent, and dismantled two of the main attacks on him thus far.

1. His English was excellent. Very smooth and very understandable. He's obviously a quick student.

2. He squashed the argument against his dual citizenship.

a. hundreds of thousands of Canadians, if not millions, are also dual citizens due to the birth of a parent. His French citizenship was given to him by his mother.

b. He is 100% loyal to Canada.

c. It was never spoken about when Turner was PM. He got Brittish citizenship by way of a parents birth.

He was articulate and clear on every issue. He was funny too. This guy will be hard for Harper to beat.

VIDEO:

This link will probably change in a day or two, but then it will be on youtube I'm sure. Move the scroll bar about 1/3 of the way along to skip to Dion:

http://www.cbc.ca/video/index.html#

So what?

Few if any of the people he needs to convert to his cause were watching CBC, because so few people actually watch CBC. It reminds me of Rex Murphys CBC Radio County Checkup. 98% of callers suppport whatever left wing softball much Murtphy presents because the audience comes with the network. Same same here.

2.a. Millions of Candians are not the Leader of the Opposition and potentially the Prime Minister. Madame Jean, as defacto Head of State, acknowledged this reality. The longer he waits to renounce the dual citizenship, the worse it will get for him.

b. Then he needs to demonstrate his undivided loyalty immediately, with action. Talk is cheap. As is so often the problem with people that have spent their entire lives as academics and politicians, M. Dion is unable to recognize the situation for what it is. His worldview is not shared with those he wishes to rule. The longer he waits, the more it will cost him politically.

c. John Who? I would venture that 80% plus of Canadians could not recognize John Turner as a former PM, much less care what happpened with his citizenship.

[kimmy]

I caught a bit of it during a commercial break during another programme.

I'd say that describing his english as "excellent" is a bit optimistic. He's certainly articulate, but his accent is slapstick, and sounds like something out of sketch comedy.

It might not be politically correct to say so, but it will certainly remind English Canadians that Stevie D ain't exactly from around here.

-k

{"Come on, say 'chowdah' again, Frenchie!"}

[sideshow]

I am actually quite impressed with Dion. I think it will be an interesting election next time with Dion vs. Harper. Both men have interesting directions and are showing themselves to be competent leaders. Congratulations to both of them for reaching out to everyone in their respective parties.

[normanchateau]

I saw it. It was a question and answer format in which questions were thrown at him from Canadians across the country. He did not know in advance what the questions would be. I thought he handled the dual citizenship question, which he certainly was prepared for, extremely well. Was it my imagination or did I hear him imply that if the dual citizenship became an issue for most Canadians, he would give up the French citizenship?

That's the way I saw it. It shouldn't be a problem for Canadians but it sounds like he will give it up if it turns out to be.

Funny how all of a sudden loyalty to the party transcends all his previous assertions, and winning at any cost is now more important than what 'his mother left him.' I guess it is party, ideology and above all, winning at any cost for that Liberal.

Funny how Conservative supporters were bothered by his dual citizenship and now they're bothered by his offer to give up his French citizenship. If I were Dion, I'd keep the dual citizenship since those who favour Harper won't switch to Dion over this trivial issue no matter what Dion does or says.

[scribblet]

I caught a bit of it during a commercial break during another programme.

I'd say that describing his english as "excellent" is a bit optimistic. He's certainly articulate, but his accent is slapstick, and sounds like something out of sketch comedy.

It might not be politically correct to say so, but it will certainly remind English Canadians that Stevie D ain't exactly from around here.

-k

{"Come on, say 'chowdah' again, Frenchie!"}

It will likely remind them of Chretien and corruption.

[Technocrat]

I caught a bit of it during a commercial break during another programme.

I'd say that describing his english as "excellent" is a bit optimistic. He's certainly articulate, but his accent is slapstick, and sounds like something out of sketch comedy.

It might not be politically correct to say so, but it will certainly remind English Canadians that Stevie D ain't exactly from around here.

-k

{"Come on, say 'chowdah' again, Frenchie!"}

It will likely remind them of Chretien and corruption.

wow you just won't stop poking a dead carcus will you...

of course you can poke away if you want... but it won't help.

[mikedavid00]

Did anyone catch Dion on CBC's "Your Turn" segmant last night (Thursday)?

He was excellent, and dismantled two of the main attacks on him thus far.

1. His English was excellent. Very smooth and very understandable. He's obviously a quick student.

2. He squashed the argument against his dual citizenship.

a. hundreds of thousands of Canadians, if not millions, are also dual citizens due to the birth of a parent. His French citizenship was given to him by his mother.

b. He is 100% loyal to Canada.

c. It was never spoken about when Turner was PM. He got Brittish citizenship by way of a parents birth.

He was articulate and clear on every issue. He was funny too. This guy will be hard for Harper to beat.

VIDEO:

This link will probably change in a day or two, but then it will be on youtube I'm sure. Move the scroll bar about 1/3 of the way along to skip to Dion:

http://www.cbc.ca/video/index.html#

So let me get this straight.

Our publically funded broadcaster has a campaign style 'what would you do if' when it's not a campaign, and further more, they show the 'Liberal' logo on the screen while people are asking questions.

I feel that was campaigning and this should be called out by the CPC because I believe it's technically breaking rules to use public dollars in order to campaign. I don't even think you are allowed to run campaign ads when there isn't a campaign. I don't know the specifics on that?

Anyone?

[geoffrey]

c. It was never spoken about when Turner was PM. He got Brittish citizenship by way of a parents birth.

Factual correction, Turner was born in England.

I think it was as much as problem then... just people don't see the issue. In the US, you don't only have to be solely American, but American born to be President.

[betsy]

Just heard this morning that he is considering giving it up - but only if it affects his chances of winning LOL

That's what I heard too this morning...but can't find it on the web....otherwise it would've been added to my flipflop question.

That could've been two flipflopping in one week....quite a record considering no election date had been announced yet.

[jdobbin]

That's what I heard too this morning...but can't find it on the web....otherwise it would've been added to my flipflop question.

That could've been two flipflopping in one week....quite a record considering no election date had been announced yet.

Sort of like Harper's flip flops on the gun registry!

[gerryhatrick]

Here's the youtube link of Dion with Mansbridge on "Your Turn" talking about dual citizenship.

[southerncomfort]

I believe the GG allready set the precedence by renouncing her French citizenship.

[GreenWhiteandPink]

That's exactly what Harper said. Can't you think of any original thoughts for yourself. No one cares that Dion has dual citizenship by virtue of his mother being born in France.

He loves his "mudder".

[normanchateau]

That's exactly what Harper said. Can't you think of any original thoughts for yourself. No one cares that Dion has dual citizenship by virtue of his mother being born in France.

He loves his "mudder".

Not quite no one. According to CanWest News Service results published yesterday, 29% of Canadians thought he should relinquish his French citizenship. Fortunately for Dion, that's even lower than the percentage of Canadians who plan to vote for Harper. So even if Harper attempts to make dual citizenship an issue, it will make no difference to the election outcome. And from a Liberal perspective, perhaps it's good that Harper waste his energy and flap his jaws on this anti-motherhood issue.

[Canuck E Stan]

And from a Liberal perspective, perhaps it's good that Harper waste his energy and flap his jaws on this anti-motherhood issue.

Normie,

You've done more flapping of your jaw about this topic than Harper has. I don't see Harper making an issue about this, he said what he thought and that was it. If Dion takes two citizenships to the ballot box, I really think a lot of Canadians will wonder why he did. If he's wise he'll ditch the French citizenship to keep those that will be thinking about the issue, and make it a non-issue. Can Dion really afford to lose any votes?

[normanchateau]

And from a Liberal perspective, perhaps it's good that Harper waste his energy and flap his jaws on this anti-motherhood issue.

I don't see Harper making an issue about this,

Whether Harper makes an issue of this will depend in part on his strategists and in part on whether he thinks it will make a difference to the election outcome.

But it certainly has been an issue to Harper supporters on this discussion board.

It would not be the first time that Harper was saddled with an issue which he personally might not have cared about. For example, I suspect Harper cares very little about whether lesbians marry or not but he was saddled with the issue because many of his supporters wanted to take away the rights of lesbians to marry.

[gerryhatrick]

I believe the GG allready set the precedence by renouncing her French citizenship.

Ah, a "precedence" has been set, has it?

Care to explain specifically what that means? Or are you just repeating something some rightwing editor wrote?

[normanchateau]

I believe the GG allready set the precedence by renouncing her French citizenship.

Ah, a "precedence" has been set, has it?

Care to explain specifically what that means? Or are you just repeating something some rightwing editor wrote?

I thought John Turner set the "precedence" by retaining his dual citizenship. The GG is not the leader of a political party. She's Head of State.

[cdaddynews]

I think from the video, he fails miserably on:

English language.

On his vision for the oil sands, which employ hundreds of thousands of Canadians directly and indirectly.

His comparison of Fort McMurray's economy with China's, then he leans in and says 'This is my vision for Western Canada. Isn't it good'?. This was comedy at it's best.

Times are tough in the Liberal Party.