Impact of new Liberal Leader Stephane Dion

Congratulation Liberal seals. You now have a leader who was not voted in as a popular choice but rather someone who was voted in because they didn't want the other candidate to win. What a show of support and still demonstrates the pettiness of Liberals as a whole. And another thing, believe it or not, there are good candidates that come from other provinces besides Quebec. I'm now going to start calling the Liberals the Bloc Party #2!!

[updated Sat Dec 02 19:32:39 EST 2006]

To be honest, I know little about him. He seems to have a sense of humour. I know he is concerned about Kyoto. Hopefully he can define himself before others define him. Likely, there will be news items that will share his story. So likely there will be a "curiosity" factor.

Nik:
Bill Graham did a really good job in the House, and I really enjoyed listening to him.

Except for the question of QC/nation/non, which truly worries me, it is obvious the
pressure will be there from the 'block' to go further. This is where I do not agree with
M. Dion's position. It is futile, since the 'block' will always want more. They will not
be satisfied, until they can have a referandum.

As for the rest, Stephen Harper, has already asked for l'Hon. Dion's expertise...
I foresee, that M. Dion will be doing much of that, because he knows his files, and
doesn't have to ask help from anyone. Mr. Dion is a well of knowledge, and intelligence.

Now that we know his fellow candidates, who will be behind him, I believe this will be
a strong united party, and one that Mr. Harper will have a difficult time achieving his
own party's agenda. Mr. Dion is a strategist, who will impress, even Mr. Harper.

Mr. Dion will be very surprisingly strong, and he is always full of good surprises.

Cheers,
Blossom
blossomf@videotron.ca

The renewed focus on Quebec and Canada will only be intensified by the leadership of M. Dion. Harper vs. Dion will be very interesting to watch, but most Canadians may tire of this and tune into other channels. I see Elizabeth May and the Greens winning tonite, along with M. Dion. I think that Dion will make eople look at other alternatives and the Greens will benefit, as people get the environment.

M. Dion will serve the Liberal party well. I wish him success.

I think that both the Bloc and the NDP will lose a significant number of seats as a result of Mr. Dion's election. I think that Mr. Harper has divided the country into his supporters and his opponents and a lot of voters will be voting not for the candidate they like but for the candidate who can defeat the conservative running in that particular riding. The next election may turn into a referendum on Mr. Harper and Dion will come out the winner because he will get the federalist vote in Quebec and will syphon away many NDP votes elsewhere in the country. The final outcome in my opinion will be a liberal minority.

HORRAY FOR STEPHAN DION!!!!! Thanks for the Majority Conservative Government in the next election!!! Thank you Gerrard Kennedy for propping up Dion, lets hope that Dion gets the usual Liberal itch and folds the Government. That way we will finally see the Liberals decimated to extinction. I just do not see Canada voting in another Quebecor as Prime Minister of Canada, especially a Martin/Chretienite leftover dinner of a long lost scandelous regime.

Hello Nik:

I see that we have to ask ourselves new questions in politics, and drop the old-style
bickering that has gone on too long with the different political parties.

It is time that we all wake-up, and with the new communications' technology, that we
can now, all have a voice in influencing on how we wish to re-shape politics, politicians, and policies.
Through blogs like yours,
we can all opine our views, without being irate, but intelligent, and looking forward
for the best possible solutions for this Country to go forward.

We want political parties to change, re-invent themselves, new political faces, and ideals,
and yet, all we do is critizise, rather than writing to them, and telling what the majority
of us would prefer, and offer our views, and sometimes, yes, even our ideas. We have
the power.

Don't be too sure that politicians do not listen to what the majority is saying! They do!

It's been proved all along history, that the little guy can make a big difference.

Instead of critisizing, we can, each one of us, make that difference known, because,
for instance it is easy to e-mail Stephen Harper, and, (Stephane Dion, and
Gerard Kennedy, are two of the, when candidates), who responded to e-mails.

It was my first time having the opportunity to voice my opinion on a blog, and I wish
to thank Nik for giving me this opportunity.

When we vote for individuals in high places, it is important to remember that we are
not voting for 'stars", but rather for men and women of integrity...There are many,
fortunately, and should not let those few, pain the rest of their party. One has to be
astute as to whom one can trust, but must also recognize the importance of not
judging by their outer appearance, but rather from what radiates from within.

Although none of us can always agree, fortunately, this is what enhances our
democratic views. It is the spirit of our convictions that has made Canada, a great
Country. It is by putting all of our energies to ensuring that we continue to participate
in what we believe in, and make it known across the board!

It is by elevating our ideas, and idealism that this Country will continue to progress
for the good of all, and by encouraging those who are elected, and working each day, on our
behalf; to encourage them, and not constantly block their momentum.

We must stop playing politics, and rather promote an interest, so that all can benefit
from an enhanced government.
I know that I shall use this means to voice my opinions, with respect, and mostly
to promote, and encourage all to do so. Our right to express ourselves freely, is one of
the most democratic freedom that most of us have, to make a difference.

Sincerely,
Mtl.
Blossom

I agree it will change the landscape and Dion will lose the Election, the Liberals made a stupid move, but the Liberals have never been to smart, their MP's have always been trained as Seals, cannot think for themselves. Even I do not know much about them, Why did they not go for someone younger like Kennedy or Michael, You know why do you not the Power Corporation founder is running the Convention from behind the scenes with his trained seal whip, Warning : Do not do business with Great West Life or Investors Group these are Power Corporation Companies. Now only thing is what were the number one parasites on the public purse the Bombardier Corporation doing, eating the free food, Thank god I do not live in Quebec, putting of with this Motor Mouth Marline Jennigs just turns you off , she never listens just rambles on about nonsense and does not admit their scandals because she a Scandal herself!

Well I thnk I will jon the Conservative Party now, a past Reformer , I think is going to be fun, the Dion slaughter is about to begin Canada!

Last nite I asked our married children (voting age) whether they thought Dion would make a good leader for the Liberal party. Their answer was who is Dion? I suspect that will be the reaction in lots of homes in this country. Mr. Dion does not compare in appearance to Mr. Harper. Both may be classified as geeks. Mr. Harper does not look the part, Mr. Dion does. He will not impress voters in the West with his fractured English and coming from Quebec. However, he is well placed in the French centrist Liberal party. I can just see the next election. Mr. Harper puts forward his policies, ideas in a clear, articulate, well reasoned manner and Mr. Dion is stumbling to find the right English words or expressions in order to counter. It won't take too many times for this to happen that English speaking Canadians will say. We don't want another francophone, with dual citizen in France, leading our country.

Nobody voted for Dion because of his charisma or Quebec as a nation. He differentiated himself by making environmental issues primary on his agenda above all else (his banners were the first green ones at a Liberal convention since Eugene Whalen thought he should lead the country). The danger for Conservatives is to not realize the proportion this issue has taken among the younger urban voters. Factually, the Conservative's environmental platform will not win it any more seats than they already have in Alberta. They must win in Ontario and Quebec for any hopes of a majority or strong minority government. The environmetal issue is a huge achilles heel.

Personally I am very disappointed with this site. I was not expecting the forums to be lead by fanboys like kwlawson, but by a guy with some inside knowledge like Nik. Come on nik lets get your best guess on how this will work out! What do I think, I voted for Dion in our little primary - so am not unbiased either.

Dion's greatest strength is also his weakness. He is not that well known so people can invest in him their own hopes - but since they don't know him well they might reject him. The more he is known the harder it will be to believe he actually is what is wanted - on the other hand he will be better known and perhaps liked. I think those opposing trends will cancel each other out to some degree which limits his growth potential.

Plus he is out to lunch on the environment. Unless he cashes in on the popularity ( and illusion) on that issue soon he will be latched to a fading star.

[updated Sat Dec 16 18:00:17 EST 2006]