Showing posts with label Stéphane Dion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stéphane Dion. Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Coalition To Face Wrath: 1984 Blue Wave?

Liberals look to max-out the Canadian taxpayer credit card with billions while partner NDP leader suggests Canadians should have low-fee credit cards? Do the NDP strategist understand low interest credit cards already exist? “If we want Quebec to become a country we have to have a majority in Ottawa representing Quebecers and we also have to have a sovereignist government in Quebec,” Duceppe said. Any wonder why Canadians are turned off by the out of touch politicians?

A telltale sign the opposition parties are in trouble is where they are spending time and who they attack. The Liberals are visiting ridings they currently hold and lost in 2008. Are Liberals stuck in defending Toronto, Montreal and lower mainland in BC? The NDP and Bloc look to pick off the Liberals in the lower mainland BC and Montreal.
Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics 

Shrewd political judgment had not become endemic to the Martinites, as they showed the following October when they refused to make another deal with Jack Layton. Layton was pressing for more commitments on health care in return for helping the Liberals beat off another expected Conservative non-confi dence attack. It was not for lack of money, as Finance Minister Goodale demonstrated a few weeks later with the $39 billion in spending commitments that he announced in his Economic and Fiscal Update of November 14. Clearly the men and women running the Martin shop felt they could call Stephen Harper’s bluff and take to the hustings. This was not to be the only sign of the Martin group’s overconfi dence, but it was the crucial miscalculation that abandoned its much safer position in government and exposed it to the vicissitudes of electoral combat when the media would give as much coverage to the three opposition parties’ attacks on the governing party as to its pleas for continued public support.  


...under Michael Ignatieff, the Liberals are in even worse shape going into an election in Quebec than they were under Stéphane Dion in September 2008, when they were at 16 per cent.
The Liberals' 18 per cent score in the Léger poll would break down to about 14 per cent among francophones, still nothing to write home about, but twice their francophone score in the CROP.
But both polls tell essentially the same story - francophone Quebec determines outcomes in about 60 of Quebec's 75 seats, and with scores like these, the Liberals would lose every one of them.

The Conservatives unleash their own secret weapon against the Ignatieff led coalition in a Winnipeg rally. Are the conservatives having too much fun on this campaign? I have watched clips of our PM delivers take out some time to watch a cricket match, play ping pong and perform a duet with a Gaga superfan who has become a celebrity on Youtube and American talkshows. All this publicity can't be good for the strategists in the coalition. The coalition chatter continues as defections and endorsements are making their rounds in the Ontario battleground.  


Popular candidates are coming out for the Conservatives  in the 905 and 416,  Mississauga-Brampton. A game changer in Newfoundland as our PM delivers on the promise to provide loans for Lower Churchill Falls. the emergence of Loyola Sullivan, John Ottenheimer and, quite possibly, Trevor Taylor as federal Conservative candidates, we could see three of Williams' former cabinet ministers running on a Harper-led ticket. At least two possibly three seats are up for grabs? This project will assist the Atlantic provinces and the north eastern states lower their use of fossil fuel. Anyone expect May or Suzuki to heap praise?
In the past five days I have been watching our PM take time out  in his campaign to remind us about the Liberal coallition and their tax and spend partners much to the chagrin of the Liberal friendly media. They seem to have difficulty with the Conservative messaging and warning to Canadians about the failed coup in 2008. In December Ignatieff signalled he would not support any Conservative budget. The Bloc followed up with a five billion dollar pay-off to avoid an election. The NDP almost waited for the finance minister to read the budget before signalling they would not be able to support the additional spending of nearly two billion as not enough.

The media should be careful about picking their winners. Canadians expect unbiased coverage from the news outlets. The opinions shows should be clear about their partisan views.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Liberal MP Glen Pearson: You Don't Know Taxpayers


A little heavy on the rhetoric? This Conservative government has lasted for five years because each party rejected by the voters has taken turns in supporting the policies and agenda of this minority government.  Crying and complaining about the damage to the country and Parliament won't fly on the campaign trail.

Did the loss of the political party funding worth $ 7 million to the Liberals necessitate a failed coalition coup with Layton and Duceppe in the Economic Update in November 2008 six weeks after the general election? The worst showing in one hundred-fifty years by the Liberals. Did dumping Dion before the scheduled May leadership convention respect the democratic principles within the Liberal party? Bob Rae complained but admitted he could count. Liberals rejected Ignatieff in Montreal. The Liberal leader has the worst support within his own voting base according to every pollster. Nearly sixty per cent of people polled are for a full term before another election. Are Liberals too impatient, out of touch with issues beyond the Hill to recognize the public disdain for triggering an early election? It appears the Liberals are in it for themselves.

 
This is the longest serving minority in Canadian history. The Liberals have found many reasons to support and provide confidence of this minority government going on for five years. In 2006 the taxpayers rejected the Liberals and Paul Martin resigned. In 2008 the taxpayers again rejected the Dion led Liberals by rewarding the Conservative led minority and the NDP with more seats at the expense of the Liberal alternative.

Making parliament work or playing games?

Did the Liberals re-introduce abortion as a wedge issue during the Maternal health initiative proposal in order to help the taxpayers? This was a whipped Liberal motion, three Liberals stood up and voted against their party on the abortion stunt. Many Liberals skipped the whipped vote. Your whip was replaced shortly therafter. Ignatieff visited the CBC to apologize and admit he had a bad day at the office.
Glen we could discuss how the Liberals played games with the H1N1 crisis, the Olympic logo, attacks on Conservatives alleging a security breach at an airport. The loyal opposition is responsible to introduce alternatives to the policy decisions Parliament  they don't support. What did the Liberals introduce in parliament and win the support of  in the last five years and secure Royal Assent when they controlled the senate?

The contempt of the opposition parties to protect the political party subsidy and engineer a coup in November 2008 will now have the opportunity to be punished in a general election. You may call for taxpayers to ignore the track record for the last two years, the signatures and the antics by your party and other members within the coalition. The taxpayers will decide. I have the utmost confidence they will find the Liberals in contempt in London North Centre and in many ridings.

A $40 billion initiative on maternal and child health will create a “wave of hope” across the developing world, Prime Minister Stephen Harper predicted Wednesday as he opened a United Nations meeting.-UN, G8 adopt Canadian Maternal Health leadership

Susan Truppe Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
Susan Truppe has lived and worked in London for over 30 years. A former constituency assistant to a Conservative Member of Parliament, Susan is currently a successful business executive and a small business owner.

In spite of having a Liberal MP whining about damage to the country and Parliament what does the record show for the London area taxpayers? Here is a link to the Economic Action Plan Website.

High marks for economic stimulus

Aside from the helicopter deals, the report's findings in most other government departments probed were largely positive. On the subject of the roughly $61-billion economic stimulus plan, which the government unveiled in early 2009, adequate measures to speed the rollout of funds were taken, and adequate attention was paid to risk by implementing suitable controls, the report found.
"I think officials deserve congratulations for rolling out such a major program quickly, without resorting to throwing needed regulations and safeguards out the window," Fraser said in French at the news conference.

"Our government''s number one priority is growth in jobs," said Harper. "Kongsberg brings . . . knowledge intensive jobs on which the economy of the future will be built." Government welcomes Konsberg March 2010
The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario today announced that the City of London is receiving more than $12.8 million for 73 projects to repair 5,062 existing social housing units through the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program.- Social housing London

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today officially opened the new cargo terminal at London International Airport, which will create new jobs and provide lasting infrastructure for the region’s long-term growth. 

“This new cargo terminal will help the City become a leading transportation hub, and will be critical to London’s future as a major North American and international gateway,” Prime Minister Harper said.  “This project is a perfect example of how a well-timed investment can create construction jobs in the short-term while providing lasting infrastructure for longer-term prosperity and growth.”  - London International Airport

I am looking forward to the voters in London Centre in selecting a Conservative candidate Susan Truppe to replace you as their MP, they can expect less rhetoric and more action on the issues that matter.

Goodluck Susan!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Liberal lost generation?

Ignatieff Dion Dec 2006 Photo: Simon Hayter/Getty Images

In the last few years, the Liberals have had four leaders: the shrewd Jean Chrétien, the flashy Paul Martin, the intellectual environmentalist Stéphane Dion and (repatriated from the U.S.) Michael Ignatieff, who was supposed to be the next Pierre Trudeau.
But while the faces changed, the structure, mentality and apparatus with its backroom boys remained the same. This dichotomy goes back a few decades, but two specific events accelerated the fragmentation of the Liberal party between the leadership, the MPs and the grassroots. Angelo Perschilli Toronto Star

Who is next? Will the Liberal party survive if the political party subsidy is removed through a Conservative majority?

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Ignatieff as Jerry MacGuire

Do you remember reading about the criticism from Liberals that Dion was not adept at fixing the organizational problems left behind with the infighting of Chretien-Martin? I do
Perhaps the Liberals were too eager to scrap the leadership contest. The cerebral assassin may have had them at Hello but the opposition seats and balance sheets don't hide the ugly truth. 
In 2009 Ignatieff was able to post a substantial improvement from the Dion led Liberals in 2008. The only problem  is the Liberals have not been able to hit two million in the first three quarters in 2010. It is now the fourth quarter in 2010 and Ignatieff needs to equal the Conservatives in their four million per quarter to break even from 2009. Does this sound realistic to you?
2010
Q3  $ 1,335,860
Q2  $ 1,610,610
Q1  $ 1,467,998
Total  $ 4,414,468
Based on the first three quarters in 2010 Ignatieff will be lucky if he can match $ 5.8 million. It is time for Jerry Maguire being played by Ignatieff to show me the money as Bob Sugar to be played as Bob Rae is holding on line one!
Another factoid not reported about the Liberals and their successful bus tour. Exception is Jane Taber her article touches on the numbers briefly.
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Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Conservatives Dominate 2010 Q3 Fundraising

Revised Pie Chart 1.0 (Thanks Mark)
Original Pie Chart (Error Noted)
Another inconvenient truth about political organizations. It takes money to run them. Some are just better at asking and finding support from Canadians.
The Conservatives have had 36,744 donors donate to their party in the third quarter of 2010 for just over four million. The Liberals came in second with $ 1.3 million from 16,619 donors. The Democrats placed third with  almost $ 1.1 million with 12,643 donors. The Green came up in fourth with $ 278,062 from 2,896 donors. The Separatists came in last with only $ 112,055 from 1,290 donors.
The Conservative Party again dominates the political landscape with  beating the combined total of the opposition in dollars and donors. The Liberals replaced Dion with Ignatieff in December 2009. How much time will they give his executive to close the gap?
2009 Q3 vs 2010 Q3
  • Conservatives $ 4,514,207 from 39,785 vs. 2010 a drop off $ 469k with 3,011 less donors.
  • Liberals $ 1,944,231 from 17,810 donors vs. 2010 a drop off $608k with 1,271 less donors.
  • Democrats $ 1,077,750 from 13,705 donors vs 2010 a gain of $ 8,395 with 1,062 less donors.
  • Green $ 239,953 from 3,315 donors vs 2010 a gain of $ 38,109 with 419 less donors.
  • Separatists $ 221,259 from 2,688 donors vs 2010 a loss of $ 109,204 with 1398 less donors.
 3rd Quarter: 2009 vs 2010
The Conservative Party continues to dominate the political landscape beating the combined total of the opposition in dollars and donors. The Liberals replaced Dion with Ignatieff in December 2009. How much time will they give his executive to close the gap? The Democrats were not going to reach the one million mark without the donation of two hundred and ten thousand from an  Estate of Ruth Millicent as reported from Pundits' Guide . 
The highlight is the significant drop in dollars and donors for the Separatists comparison of the third quarter  2009 vs 2010 and lack of financial support of momentum in donors or dollars from the Liberal express this summer.
What's up with the mainstream media not be able to connect the dots with  the poor financial performance from the political left leaning parties and their inability to fund a national television ad buy?
Information is available in more detail on The Pundits Guide regarding finances.
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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Scare Tactics: Liberals running on empty

Will the Liberals repeat the same mistake in Vaughan in 2010 with Federal Conservative candidate Julian Fantino they did in 2006, 2008 and 2009?




The accomplishments of Harris with the electorate went far beyond typical Conservative voters. Until 1995, an “Italian-Canadian Conservative MPP” was a political oxymoron. With Harris, things changed and he made inroads into the GTA’s ethnocultural communities, electing six members of Italian origin, including the late Al Palladini in Vaughan.
The Liberals’ use of scare tactics now indicates they are both scared themselves and running on empty — just like the current federal Liberals, who are trying to get back into government by scaring Canadians about their Conservative opponent. It worked for Jean Chrétien only because the Conservatives were divided. Once they united, the Liberal secret weapon became more of a paintball gun. It didn’t work for Stéphane Dion, it’s not working for Michael Ignatieff and it’s not going to work for McGuinty. -Persichilli: Scare tactics won’t work for Ontario Liberals

Reservations and criticism has been confirmed by several people with the direction of the Liberal party.

"the federal Liberal party, which he says was bereft of ideas and direction by the time Stephen Harper's Conservatives won the 2006 election." - Ken Dryden

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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Becoming Canada: Ken Dryden exposes Liberals

"the federal Liberal party, which he says was bereft of ideas and direction by the time Stephen Harper's Conservatives won the 2006 election."-Ken Dryden
Harper is so politically skillful that the public spotlight has turned mostly on the Liberals since 2006. "It is Dion and now Ignatieff, who have had their flaws so starkly revealed," he writes. "Today, Harper seems less worn than Dion did, less worn than Ignatieff does now."-Ken Dryden

No kidding, observations from another Liberal that non-partisans have been stating for a long-time. The Liberal party is not the party of our parents any longer.As a partisan blogger for the conservatives, I don't see the party of Trudeau either.
Talk to Liberals – office holders, party organizers, fundraisers – around the country and you will tap into a malaise that a good pollster could rout out with a single question: “What's happening?” “Nothin',” the vast majority would respond, with a margin of error of plus or minus very little.
“There is no Liberal Party,” says one lifelong card carrier who has sat at cabinet tables.
“It died a long time ago. It's not completely extinct yet, but there's no there there.” In this lifelong Liberal's eyes, the party has been stalled for years. No new energy, no new ideas, no vision of what it might like to do. The singular advantage of proroguing, this Liberal would say, is that it has put an end to the squirming every time the opposition pounces.

“The ‘gotcha' stuff is out of control,” says the Liberal. “They bring in all these nerdy keener kids from campus and it's some kind of game to them. They're turning politics into pro wrestling.” The media concentrates on the top, Ignatieff, and on the Hill, but disenchanted Liberals say there is a story to be told far from the now-silenced sound bites of the Centre Block - Liberals show up to picket at Tim Horton's.
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Sunday, August 01, 2010

Canadians Pay Price For Liberal's Petty Politics

Angelo Persichilli hits another one out of the ball park.


A senior party strategist noted that the Liberal advance team, seeking to highlight the government's alleged tardiness in spending stimulus money, had used the wrong field for an Ignatieff photo op last week, and that the park wasn't scheduled for construction until next year anyway. "In our rush to dump Stephane Dion, we have given ourselves John Turner," he sighed. Don Martin September 28, 2009

Angelo Persichilli is the political editor of Corriere Canadese.

Angelo Persichilli, an award-winning political journalist, writes each Sunday for the Toronto Star. Persichilli is the political editor of Corriere Canadese, the Italian daily newspaper headquartered in Toronto.
Toronto Sun Building
He has been a political columnist for the Toronto Sun and The Hill Times.
Previously, he was vice president, corporate development and news programming and public affairs, at CFMT (now Omni). In this capacity, he oversaw the production of Channel 47's daily news telecasts in Chinese, Italian and Portuguese. 

CFMT logoPersichilli is the recipient of the Canadian Ethnic Journalist's and Writer's Club award for excellence in journalism reflecting multicultural issues. He has also won several national awards for his contributions to broadcasting.

Hard to sustain can only mean one thing Michael. Hard for your ego to sustain.
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