Paul Martin - Old Lion Or Young Lion ?

[Michael Hardner]

Well, it certainly won't be difficult for Paul Martin to outpace the glacial rate of change marked by his predecessor.

But he seems to be saying that Canada is in for some major changes ? Is this just PR or is Paul Martin planning to shake things up ?

My view of government over the last ten years is that they've cut services, and cut taxes somewhat but haven't really attacked the waste, and redundancy that run through every level of government.

Predictions ?

[Lost in Manitoba]

Ah, unfortunately Chretien suckered me into voting liberal the last two times with the same types of promises. Alas, the GST is still here.....

One thing I'm going to look for is the response of the premiers. If Martin can round up the majority of them, maybe there is something to it (Premiers used to being screwed around and being treated like misfits). Especially looking to see the attitude of Klein and my own Premier, Doer, towards Martin.

It would seem that for as long as Martin has coveted and had to wait for the top dog position, and even his father before him, I would imagine he may be inclined to act on his ideas. Then again, too often it seems that once a position is reached, most of the politicians energy is wasted trying to mantain that position.

[dnsfurlan]

I think a big problem for Martin is that he's promising everything to everyone.

I can't remember the last time a politician became successful without a more targeted message.

I'd also like to see what kind of temperament Martin is made of.

Its one thing to have developed an almost cult-like following within your own party. Its quite another to lead the rest of us.

Depending on the quality of the opposition in the next election campaign, somethng tells me Martin is capable of a big stumble - a lot of idealism, not enough pragmatism.

[Michael Hardner]

I think a big problem for Martin is that he's promising everything to everyone.

This is the same thing that McGuinty has done in Ontario, I admit, but there's something different at play here.

Martin, unlike McGuinty, has long been an insider and has years of experience in business as well. I think that it's possible to give everyone a piece of the pie if a thorough and radical restructuring takes place.

This would take vision, imagination, drive and energy unlike any PM since Trudeau.

Or, it could just be more hype...

[sir_springer]

My prediction for Martin?

Harper will humiliate him, and he will tumble.

The King who never was.

Listened to his acceptance speech on Friday...

What an "apple-pie" shmooze was that, eh?

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz..............

The emperor has no clothes.

[Communist_boy]

I dont think that anyone can really predict what will actually happen, martin may not be completely aware of his plan himself. It has happened before that politicians promise action, but with no real solid plan to go on.

As for what he is able to do, that all depends on what the country looks like when Martin actually takes over, and what things happen while he is PM.

One thing he must do is end the years of scandals and public mistrust in the Canadian government. If he expects to survive then he is going to have to really clean house on anyone who is suspected of "non-ethical" dealings.

With his promise to help everyone, he may be one of the greatest leaders in history, or if he can't fulfill them he could be one of the worst. Unfortunitly though history will be the true examination for any administartion.

[Craig Read]

Martin supported Chretien's policies.

Taxes were not cut. It was legerdemain - decrease personal taxes increase business taxes et voila, with Ont. and Alta growing, military cuts and downloading the deficit is gone and we have surpluses - thanks to EI over taxation which is by the way unconstitutional.

Martin is a liberal who promises everyone everything.

His supports socialised health care, redistribution, regional subsidies, tax cuts, spending increases, indian affairs, and no military.

His program is an amalgram of confusing and competing claims.

So what will he do ?

As little reform as possible. He will play the shell game - taxes will continue to rise, spending will increase and through accounting tricks and EI over taxation and further downloading he will declare fiscal surpluses.

No democratic, health, welfare, tax or military reforms.

After all it WAS Martin who said that Canadians like high taxes.

That one comment is all you need to know about Martin.