An "early Christmas present" for Canada's Conservatives? (plus a few related 'toons)

Ottawa Sun - Canada ^ | Sunday, December 3, 2006 | Greg Weston

[GMMAC]

PING!

[paudio]

I hope Canadian conservatives do not underestimate this person. The Dims were so happy when Reagan won the primary. We were also so happy when Dean became the DNC chair.

[GMMAC]

Know what you mean: "knock on wood"

However, to reassure you, the Stateside parallels to this bunch:
Michael Ignatieff: John Kerry - no medals, otherwise like they were separated at birth!
Bob Rae: - other than the reverse of making other people scream, Howard Dean
Stephane Dion: Al Gore with somewhat less oratorical skill & a heavy French accent.

[timsbella]

Did you see the G&M poll? Shall we have some fun freep-style?

Do you think Stephane Dion and the Liberals can defeat Stephen Harper and the Conservatives in the next federal election?

www.theglobeandmail.com

[mkjessup]

This proves beyond doubt that God has chosen to show favor towards Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives.

God Bless Canada! :)

[dr_who_2]

Going by the article, perhaps the opposition that Canadian conservatives really shouldn't underestimate is the Bloc Quebecois.

[GMMAC]

"Do you think Stephane Dion and the Liberals can defeat Stephen Harper and the Conservatives in the next federal election? "

In 2 words: not likely.
Last week, on a thread here, I called Dion the least probable winner out of the front four because I simply couldn't imagine the Liberals being that politically stupid and, thus, them picking him would be akin to us winning the lottery.

He's despised in Quebec & most everywhere else he'll be viewed as:

[timsbella]

Stephane Dion - the John Turner of his generation...ya think Ignatieff is going to be the Chretien to follow?

[GMMAC]

Amen to both!

Sneak preview - General election 2007:

[conservative in nyc]

Another Quebecker as Liberal leader? Great move. Isn't Western Canada fed up with the Quebec dominance of 24 Sussex Drive during recent years?

In the old days, dominating in Quebec + Ontario would win you the election no matter what. Nowadays, BC and Alberta combined are as populous as Quebec. Dominate the West, and win 2/5ths of the ridings in Ontario, 1/3 of Quebec and 1/3 in Atlantic Canada, and you can win a majority - even though Quebec still has 11 more ridings than BC + Alberta. Once that problem gets fixed, Quebec becomes even less relevant. Talk about living in the past!

[fanfan]

I like your attitude!

[conservative in nyc]

Going by the article, perhaps the opposition that Canadian conservatives really shouldn't underestimate is the Bloc Quebecois.

Best case scenario, the Bloc takes 60 of Quebec's 75 ridings. But in some areas, if the Bloc candidate looks like he will win and the Liberals don't have a shot or can't stand Dion, people who would otherwise vote Liberal might vote for the Conservatives to make sure the Bloc doesn't win. Some races in Quebec are quickly becoming true 3-way races.

[fanfan]

Stephane Dion - the John Turner of his generation...ya think Ignatieff is going to be the Chretien to follow?

Not Iggy, Justin.

Dion is the seat warmer.

[timsbella]

Don't recall where I read it, but someone sagely reported, (to paraphrase) don't let the person that introduces you be more eloquent and capable.

I didn't think Justin was a politico though...time will tell.

[Lancey Howard]

Canada continues to move forward out of the mediocrity of socialism while America recedes deeper into it.

[fanfan]

I didn't think Justin was a politico though...time will tell.

I heard people were simply trying to get close to him, to touch him, like a God or something.

(Barf)

[timsbella]

I believe it...the Beatles are popular again thanks to Cirque du Soliel...another Quebec troup.

Justin ain't no Pierre. Canada isn't in the 1960's anymore.

[fanfan]

LOL!

It's good to grow up.

;-)

[GMMAC]

"... ya think Ignatieff is going to be the Chretien to follow?"

First off, I'd say that depends on whether he even seeks re-election in Toronto-Lakeshore.
You'll recall, one of the many stupid things he said during his leadership run, and later tried to take back, was that he'd be gone if he failed to gain the top job.
Given his readily apparent arrogance, if I had to, I'd bet the first version was the truth.
As I can't even begin to imagine Count Iggy putting in 4 more years, other than as Leader of the Opposition, stuck on the wrong side of the House, to not head back to Hahhh-vard he'd likely require:
1. The Libs so far ahead in the polls as to be virtually assured of forming a government.
2. An absolutely ironclad guarantee from Dion he'd have his pick of Ministerial portfolios. (I'd guess Foreign Minister - maybe plus Deputy PM)

Probably far more dictating he won't, at now 59, Comrade Mikhail is much, much older than either Chretien or Martin were at the time they began their campaigns to undermine their respective leaders. Plus, both were at least a bit younger than their targets while Ignatieff is 7 or 8 years older than Dion.
Bottomline: unless Dion happens to die before Count Iggy hits 60 ...