How Much for Harper's Make-Up?

jdobbin · April 22, 2007

I'm not willing to give up on him quite yet (well, I won't vote for him, I still have some hope).
In an ideal situation, the CPC would be under better leadership. Bring in Berrrrnniee. It's only a matter of time.

A repeat minority government could bring the knives out.

Does your mom like Harper? heh

geoffrey · April 22, 2007

I'm not willing to give up on him quite yet (well, I won't vote for him, I still have some hope).
In an ideal situation, the CPC would be under better leadership. Bring in Berrrrnniee. It's only a matter of time.

A repeat minority government could bring the knives out.

Does you mom like Harper? heh

Yup, she does. My dad isn't a huge fan, but he voted for Bob Rae at one time so you can't really trust his judgement on the issue. The grandparents are old Joe Clark loyalists that hate everything in politics (a discussion with them always comes to 'how Joe would do it better') or hardcore Liberals depending on the side of the family, so they don't have good judgement either way.

A repeat minority will bring the knives out (in both parties), Harper see's the end, that's why he's putting off an election. Hopefully they'll pick a leader I can support, otherwise I won't be voting for awhile.

mcqueen625 · April 22, 2007

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national...bc54f3c&k=62240
When Stephen Harper travels, there's a trusted woman by his side making sure his suit is lint-free, his tie is on straight and his coif is in place.
No, not his wife Laureen. Michelle Muntean is the prime minister's image adviser. She rides the government plane with him around the world and to major domestic events.

Last week, she accompanied Harper to ceremonies at Vimy Ridge in France. In November, she made sure his look was just so when he met with Pacific Rim leaders in Vietnam - although the traditional dress-like ao dai that Harper was forced to wear in the closing photograph was out of her control.

Last summer, Muntean saw to it that the prime minister would be picture perfect for G8 meetings in St. Petersburg. She's expected to be part of Harper's public relations army in the next campaign too.

So who pays for her services?

Harper's director of communications, Sandra Buckler, refused to answer repeated questions about who picks up the tab - or even how much Muntean earns.

This used to be a big deal when Harper was back in the Reform part.

Who cares, because it certainly is far less than the Liberals wasted on the failed gun-registry, and let

s not forget the money they misappropriated from the taxpayers to give to their friends in the advertising business, mainly in Quebec. The greater crime is that not one politician spent a day in jail, even though it was politicians who were behind the scenes making the decisions. Chretien and a his Cabinet including Martin and the fumbler they now have as their leader, had to have known what was going on. Martin was the Finance Minister and Dion was Chretien's Quebec lieutenant, and if they didn't know they are either incompetent or deliberately turned a blind=eye, and let it happen. The Gomery inquiry was simply a whitewash, because his mandate did not allow him to find fault with any individual or organization, and it was worded that way in the instructions to Gomery. So for him to find no fault was not a surprise, those were the instructions given to him by Martin.

Michael Bluth · April 22, 2007

A repeat minority will bring the knives out (in both parties), Harper see's the end, that's why he's putting off an election. Hopefully they'll pick a leader I can support, otherwise I won't be voting for awhile.

A repeat Conservative minority will definitely bring out the knives.

I would personally love to see Jim Prentice as leader. Unfortunately he's from the wrong city for that.

No real Quebec stars out there. MacKay isn't credible.

Maybe John Baird? Could you support him?

jdobbin · April 22, 2007

Yup, she does. My dad isn't a huge fan, but he voted for Bob Rae at one time so you can't really trust his judgement on the issue. The grandparents are old Joe Clark loyalists that hate everything in politics (a discussion with them always comes to 'how Joe would do it better') or hardcore Liberals depending on the side of the family, so they don't have good judgement either way.
A repeat minority will bring the knives out (in both parties), Harper see's the end, that's why he's putting off an election. Hopefully they'll pick a leader I can support, otherwise I won't be voting for awhile.

Hmm, quite the opposite reaction. Women remain one of the areas where Harper constantly has to make an effort to win.

I don't know who in the Tories think they can take Harper on even if they do repeat a minority.

The Liberals could have as many a ten people in the wings, some of whom will be working hard to win seats whenever the next election comes. I think any challenger for the Liberal leadership next time around probably has to be a MP already. I don't know if that has to be true for the Tories.

jdobbin · April 22, 2007

Who cares, because it certainly is far less than the Liberals wasted on the failed gun-registry, and let
s not forget the money they misappropriated from the taxpayers to give to their friends in the advertising business, mainly in Quebec. The greater crime is that not one politician spent a day in jail, even though it was politicians who were behind the scenes making the decisions. Chretien and a his Cabinet including Martin and the fumbler they now have as their leader, had to have known what was going on. Martin was the Finance Minister and Dion was Chretien's Quebec lieutenant, and if they didn't know they are either incompetent or deliberately turned a blind=eye, and let it happen. The Gomery inquiry was simply a whitewash, because his mandate did not allow him to find fault with any individual or organization, and it was worded that way in the instructions to Gomery. So for him to find no fault was not a surprise, those were the instructions given to him by Martin.

Okay, so this is what I am hearing from you: Liberals were corrupt so we really don't need to care about expenses now that the Tories are in power.

Topaz · April 22, 2007

Why doesn't Harper just get his mom or his wife to advise him? I think money would be better spent , if he had a trainer to help his appetite into low carbs.

geoffrey · April 22, 2007

No real Quebec stars out there. MacKay isn't credible.

Bernier has been impressive. But, we're dealing with little better than Dion English.

Maybe John Baird? Could you support him?

He's a big mouthpeice, someone you want around when the other team get's in your face, but definitely not the guy you want with the C on his jersey. Appropriate analogy for tonight between two Calgarians, he's the Phaneuf to the CPC.

I'd hate to see him as leader. I don't think he's overwelmingly liked outside of the party, he's an ass, which is ok, but not for a leader. He doesn't even have Harper's class, yet alone enough class to really be considered a top notch leader.

Lord does though, he's bright, liked by everyone in Canada (even his opponents), on the young side, he's perfectly fluent in both languages and is even respected by French Canadians and he was the Premier of an Atlantic province. He's Red Tory enough to grow the party, but respectful enough of the socons to have them not flee to Reform II.

Could you get more ideal?

Michael Bluth · April 23, 2007

Lord does though, he's bright, liked by everyone in Canada (even his opponents), on the young side, he's perfectly fluent in both languages and is even respected by French Canadians and he was the Premier of an Atlantic province. He's Red Tory enough to grow the party, but respectful enough of the socons to have them not flee to Reform II.
Could you get more ideal?

Lord's twice toyed with the idea of running. Federal PC leadership plus the CPC leadership.

For the PC leadership he had assembled a team then cancelled. The term heard at the press conference when he announced he wouldn't run. None of them would work for him on the CPC leadership.

Old wounds eventually heal, but Lord has a lot of bridge building before he is credible.

Having lost in the last NB election takes a lot of the shine off his star as well...

geoffrey · April 23, 2007

Having lost in the last NB election takes a lot of the shine off his star as well...

He both won and increased the popular vote, he lost on riding redistributions.

Michael Bluth · April 23, 2007

He both won and increased the popular vote, he lost on riding redistributions.

Your point being?

He is no longer Premier of New Brunswick. That was the outcome of the last election.

Does the CPC want a leader who blames not being Prime Minister on riding redistributions?

geoffrey · April 23, 2007

Does the CPC want a leader who blames not being Prime Minister on riding redistributions?

I don't think he blamed it on gerrymandering, I do though.

NB provincial politics isn't a fair place to judge like that though, the seats are almost always within +/-5 and a minority is nearly impossible (two party politics). A massive majority is rare, and behold, Lord was one of the few that has done it (and McKenna, a Liberal I'd vote for in a heartbeat).

What do you actually have against Lord? You seem to not like him, but the not-being-Premier excuse seems pretty weak.

Michael Bluth · April 23, 2007

What do you actually have against Lord? You seem to not like him, but the not-being-Premier excuse seems pretty weak.

It's nothing personal, don't know why it would be with a politician.

The Conservatives need a strong leader. It's a difficult party to hold together.

I know somebody who was part of the team Lord assembled for the PC leadership. The way he handled it was horrendous.

The Hamlet act is all well and good, but he blew his two shots at the big game.

The only thing I "have against him" is he wouldn't be a good leader.

Redemption is possible, but not as the next leader. He is young enough that he could win a seat in Parliament and bide his time for a shot after Harper's replacement. Next leader? No way.

Why do you like him?

You have issues with Harper not being conservative enough for your liking. Lord is definitely to the left of Harper.

Shakeyhands · April 23, 2007

I'm going to take a stab at this and say that she is making 120K per year.... We may as well have some "fun" while we wait for the info to be disclosed?

jdobbin · April 23, 2007

I'm going to take a stab at this and say that she is making 120K per year.... We may as well have some "fun" while we wait for the info to be disclosed?

42 days more of waiting? I see they didn't grace us with a news conference this morning disclosing the costs.

I'll say she was making $60,000 a year for dressing the prime minister and $20,000 for clairvoyant services.

Fortunata · April 23, 2007

I'll go with the $60k for dressing and $10k for psychic services. The publicity and book/movie deals to follow will more than make up for lack of salary whilst on the public payroll.

I think that all clothing and makeup advice expenses should be deductible for the 2007 tax year.

jdobbin · April 24, 2007

Harper responded to a question in the House today on his make-up artist.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070423/...psychic_stylist

"I am gathering from some recent press reports that they should be able to reach me without calling at all; I can just hear through mediums."
The "medium" in question is Michelle Muntean, a former television makeup artists that accompanies Harper on the road to manage his wardrobe and general grooming. Friends and colleagues have said she has a eerie intuition, and can sometimes surprise people by telling them private facts about themselves.

Still no news on what she is being paid.

jdobbin · April 25, 2007

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/701419.html

The view from Nova Scotia on Harper's make-up artist.

Sure, we care that Mr. Harper is dressed. But beyond this basic public interest, we are believers in limited government.
We think taxpayers have no place in the wardrobe, or even at the hair salon cubicle or makeup table, of the prime minister.

41 days to go before the Tories have to report to the Parliamentary committee.

jdobbin · April 25, 2007

The view from Vancouver on Harper's stylist.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/edi...92-b8dc9d142c25

Which raises the question, in Harper's case, of who pays Muntean's wages. The Tories aren't saying.
Our view is that taxpayers shouldn't be footing the bill for his makeovers. He should do that himself -- from his own well-tailored pocket.

Many defenders of Harper here says that they taxpayer should be paying for this. Are they out of step with the Tim Horton's dads who have to pay for their own haircuts?

Michael Bluth · April 25, 2007

Four out of the last five posts on this thread.

Somebody should really start a blog!

blueblood · April 25, 2007

The view from Vancouver on Harper's stylist.
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/edi...92-b8dc9d142c25

Which raises the question, in Harper's case, of who pays Muntean's wages. The Tories aren't saying.
Our view is that taxpayers shouldn't be footing the bill for his makeovers. He should do that himself -- from his own well-tailored pocket.

Many defenders of Harper here says that they taxpayer should be paying for this. Are they out of step with the Tim Horton's dads who have to pay for their own haircuts?

Ahh, Tim Horton's is a little too high class for me, it doesn't have that small town coffee shop atmosphere that your trying to refer to, Tim Horton's tries though.