Mark His Words
Here's a new favorite. Also from January 17th, 2006. That's just 20 days ago:
"Just mark my words," Industry Minister David Emerson told reporters travelling with Martin yesterday in Vancouver. "If they get elected, they are going to begin a massive review of programs and a massive set of cuts to government programs.
"And people are going to say, `We didn't ask for this. Mr. Harper didn't say this is what he was going to do.'"
People are going to say... Oh, again with the irony, this guy is killing me. The really galling aspect of it all? That had Emerson run as a Conservative in Kingsway, he would have had ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE of winning. That had the Liberals won, he would have remained in their cabinet. Talk about hedging your bets.
I didn't know you could run on the "Independent Cabinet Minister for Hire" ticket.
posted by J. A. MacDuff @ 5:29 PM
3 Comments:
What a blunder!
Just sworn in and Harper shows his arrogance and political immaturity in these ways. It should not really be a surprise to us, though: he is used to running things “my way or the highway”, and this breathtaking arrogance in doing a 180 degree turn on parliamentarians who change parties, really takes the cake!
And to choose Stockwell Day instead of boosting the number of women in his first cabinet: what message are you sending to 50% of the population, Harper – that being a white male with outdated social views makes you far more qualified for office than being a woman does? Watch your popularity amongst women slide by a handful or so of points on this one.
And so much for your platform of an elected senate ... just a bit too inconvenient right now, eh? Besides, voters are cattle – they won’t remember what you said if you now start saying something else ...
These crass steps just confirm the views of the voters in Canada’s big cities: don’t trust a man who runs a stealth campaign, hiding many of his policies.
Going to be a very interesting 12 months!
Hey MacDuff,
Hope all's well.
Completely agree with you on this. To run as a Liberal and before the House even sits....Before the new govt has been sworn in - to jump ship. Unbelievable.
I would however argue that the Brison scenario is very different from Stronach (and particularly Keith Martin). He was never part of the CPC. He left the Progressive Conservative caucus when it merged with the Canadian Alliance. I think it's entirely principled to leave a party if its about to merge with a party you don't agree with.
Emerson's move though...stunning.
Well said on the Emerson issue, and, being in Vancouver this week I can say that people are very mad. If this is a strategy to lure urban voters, it is grossly miscalculated. He also remained relatively low key throughout the campaign, meaning many in the lower mainland trusted him from a distance. He is going to quite rightly get eaten alive on his first BC media appearance.
Post a Comment
<< Home