In Chicago, the institutions are a reflextion of the political reality of cosmopolitan mid-west America.
In parliament today, it was the federalists against the separatists. Some say the federalists won.
Harper's political statement that Quebec is a nation within Canada will represent different things for all Canadians.
Conveniently, Stephen Harper could be accidentally or deliberately throwing Michael Ignatieff a "life preserver". With CPC's decision to handle the Bloc motion this way, Iggy's bad publicity could be contained yet.
The suspected very strategic leak by the CPC the day before before super weekend in September is now mostly confirmed: Harper would rather face Ignatieff in the next federal election.
Why? Most political scientists would agree that a lack of political separation between candidates heavily favours the incumbent, Harper. And, Harper and Iggy are the closest ideologically, which also favours the incumbent.
Even Jane Tavers was assumptive tonight with Iggy about how he and Harper could be seen to be ideological twins. She questioned Iggy about Harper's possible deliberate gesture today to help him off the hook, and Iggy vehemently denied he has anything in common with Harper. This is very convenient Iggy.
If I were Stephen Harper, I think I would most want to face Iggy too! Odds are, Iggy will find himself in trouble again, which is bad new for Liberals if he becomes our leader. I don't think Jane is pro-Iggy at all.
However, I also observed CTV's Craig Oliver's comment that Harper's decision to recognise Quebec as a Nation within Canada could put Michael Ignatieff "over the top" at our convention. FYI, I identified CTV's Craig Oliver as an ideological Tory when I was twelve, so I am not surprised to hear this.
I interpret the self-interested analysis by Craig suggesting that Iggy will gain from the CPC's stand on the Nation issue as purely "convenient" and reflective of Craig's pipe dream of a conservative Canada. Craig's "political analysis" raises red flags with me as far as what he is analysing, who he prefers, what he is spinning, and why.
The bottom line is that ideological conservatives like Stephen Harper and Craig Oliver would rather the Conservative Party of Canada face the Liberals in a soon to be election with Michael Ignatieff as leader, most of all.
When Tories/reformers line up behind one Liberal candidate they most want to face in an upcoming election, it is important to ask, why? The pattern I see has much to do with the ideologies of those making the decisions and the spin.
3 comments:
Iggy is a joke.
He follows which way the wind blows and it changes every day.
He is just not competent to be leader.
Oliver was almost giddy at celebrating 'Harpor's big victory'... unfortunately the collateral damage could be massive, but what's a few borders among nations, whot?
And if you thought Oliver was a dye-blue tory, how about that fart-catcher Fife. He's no barney, and I don't say that in a kind way. Tonight, as usual with his secret paper from Flamin' Baird, was chortling about the next great Tory shift, which is to constitutionally hamper future federal gov'ts from enacting any major programs and giving provinces 100% flexibility to refuse and take the cash. Kind of like that ol' Let's Make A Deal, but have-not provinces always end up in the silliest costumes walking the old goat home.
Glum days for Canada, I'm afraid, unless we Liberals can pull something out of the fire. Thank the Lord for Layton, so eager-beaver to back any resolution that may get him on the 30-second news clip...
It might be germane to remember what happened at the first Alliance convention. After Stock and Preston gave their speeches, it was Craig Oliver who said Manning was a veritable shoe-in. Political pundits get paid to offer opinions which are at best guesses. His was wrong then and may be wrong now.
As for the Harper Quebec strategy, it would be wise to remember that only a few weeks ago pundits called his refusal to designate Quebec a "nation" brilliant. The sames ones were calling his about face "brilliant" as well.
As for Iggy and Bob, both are intelligent men. Both lack the bona fides to lead the Liberal party. I hope we renew ourselves with Dion or Kennedy - although Ken Dryden would make such a decent prime minister...
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