So this coming week we will see the Presidential Primaries moving into Nevada, Michigan and South Carolina. Every State will be very different and interesting for a variety of reasons. Is Michigan is Mitt’s last stand? Could South Carolina be the same for Edwards? Will race be a response factor for Obama support in South Carolina where 51% of the Democrats are black? Labour and Hispanics are trump cards in Nevada and which Democrat has them in their hand?
Will women, youth and independents continue to show up on the Democratic side? How long can Giuliani bide his time before he makes a move? Could it be he is awaiting too long and have nothing left for the kick he will in the final laps going into and through Super Tuesday?
I see the CNN folks who call themselves the “Best Political Team on Television” have backed off believing polls and pundits and spinmeisters in their commentaries this morning. They are not calling who they predict to we the winners and losers. They are not even identifying the leaders and laggards as such.
Will women, youth and independents continue to show up on the Democratic side? How long can Giuliani bide his time before he makes a move? Could it be he is awaiting too long and have nothing left for the kick he will in the final laps going into and through Super Tuesday?
I see the CNN folks who call themselves the “Best Political Team on Television” have backed off believing polls and pundits and spinmeisters in their commentaries this morning. They are not calling who they predict to we the winners and losers. They are not even identifying the leaders and laggards as such.
That discretion is very wise because everything is in play and even gender and race will be part of the conversations this week. Let’s hope it does not get framed and focused as being about racism and feminism in the process.
Now if we can only get MSM TV to go a bit deeper into the real issues. Recession is real and new on the agenda and will change the complexion of the campaigns from here on in. Expect Illegal Immigration to fade but not go away as the Republican candidates try to show themselves ad the masters of the fiscal universe. They will duck the reality of the dismal deficits created by the two Bush presidents and the surplus left by the Clinton presidency...some much for the so-called big-spending Democrats.
I guess it is too bad that the United States doesn't have a taxpayer-funded public broadcaster like the CBC who actually "creates" the news rather than reporting it (for example, by feeding questions to opposition MPs - maybe that is going a "bit deeper").
ReplyDeleteAt least the democracy in the US is alive and thriving. This is in a stark comparison to the Liberal Party of Canada who had blatantly ignored the voices of their members and the constituents in Saskatchewan where they slapped Orchard in the face by side-stepping the nomination process.
ReplyDeleteKen thoroughly commented on the CPC nomination process but has stayed silent on the Orchard issue. Why? Are you ashamed of Dion for this terrible decision?
Anon @ 4:34- US Democracy is partly alive and thriving. We have had 2 primaries were new female, youth and independent voters have shown up in significant new numbers but will is be sustained?
ReplyDeleteThe Dems do not have a Michigan Primary as I understand it because the locals would not follow the rules so the party cancelled their primary. Harsh!
Dion is a leader who has committed to a certain minimum number of women candidates so appointing a good one is no surprise. It is a good decision on Dion's part since she has already represented the area in the provincial NDP government.
He also had the class and good sense to meet personally with Orchard on the issue too. Can't imagine Harper showing such skill and concern?
But don't expect Harper to be given a message by the party faithful to stop being a bully and a bad leader. That will not happen because Mr. Mulroney is the only one in the CPC enclave who has/had the stature to deliver such a message to Emperor Harper. Mr. Mulroney's mentor status with Mr. Harper seems a tad strained as of late.
You Conservatives don't respect your leader - you fear him, like children fear a stern and domineering father. Hence all of you CPC types only provide Anonymous comments on this Blog and others because you are afraid of Emperor Harper.
Such fear is well founded. Harper kicks sitting MPs out of his caucus for standing up for their constituents. He banishes other MPs, including Cabinet Ministers for expressing opinions in variance with his edicts. He cancels candidate nomination so he can replace them with toadies. He also rejects already nominated candidates for showing social conscious and attending events on homelessness and housing.
That is why Canadians are coming to see your boy as the bully he is. He even tries to bully the Premiers. That perception is also reality and is worthy of serious shame by the CPC supporters my friend.
It is not the way to keep democracy and debate alive and thriving in the Con Party and does not serve the best interests of the country. Harper came to Ottawa to change it. What happened was Ottawa changed him, and not for the better.
These are just some of the significant reason, and there are many others, why Mr. Harper's best days in politics are behind him. His election bluffing is about to be called.
Thanks again for the question. As usual you serve up an easy lob that based on facts comes right back at you guys. It must be discouraging.
"He also had the class and good sense to meet personally with Orchard on the issue too. Can't imagine Harper showing such skill and concern?"
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding? Are you that disillusioned to seriously believe that or are you simply spinning? Orchard said he was blindsided - that he had campaigned hard for 3 months on the promise by Dion that no one would be appointed in the riding. Native leaders and other leaders are furious with Dion's tactics and are even considering starting up another riding association.
This decision is similar to basically appointing Elizabeth May. The hardworking liberal board members in the area - who donate their time to the liberal cause - are also furious.
I completely respect Stephan Harper. He is intelligent and articulate and sticks to his principles rather than governing by the polls. You state that he is a "bad leader" - however, even most liberals can get their head out of the sand and see that the polls have consistently put Harper above 50% when asked who was the strongest leader.
I post as an anon not because I am fearful of Harper but because I am fearful that over the past decade Liberals have placed numerous patronage appointments in powerful positions. As well, organizations like the CBC are still blatently biased.
Ken, just a tip - saying Harper is the big, bad bully is not going to help the leader cause. It makes your leaders look like wimps and whiners.
Please, we want an election - obviously this is Dion's choice and he has been too scared to vote against the government and, in fact, has implicitly supported Harper's agenda. After all, he did not vote against the Throne Speech which outlines the government's broad objectives (including staying in Afghanistan).