New Nanos Poll: Measuring Political Coat-tails - Leader Impact on Local Party Candidates + Budget Performance

Sorry, There are no positive responses for Michael Ignatieff any of the western provinces, you must be talking about the poor lower class now in the (416) area of Toronto, even Newfoundland is even more up scale than this area. Liberals keep beating their own drum but no one is listening.

[updated Fri Feb 13 00:07:47 EST 2009]

As Quebec has a Federal party restricted to that province alone, then for clarification of this poll, the numbers should reflect Quebec only for the first question then "The Rest of Canada" for that question. If that were the case, then I believe the poll numbers in Quebec and the poll number "for the rest of Canada" for both Harper and Ignatieff would be quite different in the break down for those two regions.

I believe the new leadership of the Liberals should not be confused with the support for a new face as opposed to support for new policies. Ignatieff has to build the Liberal Party internally, mend any schisms and organize an effective money raising programme for grass roots while raising his personna with the electorate in general. On the other hand, Harper has to hold his party together with its obvious shirt toward the centre, surpress any schisms which seem to be rumoured about, keep the Conservative money generating machine running effectively and consider he maybe too well known in some regions.

I do not believe anybody can, with precision, navigate their way through this deepening economic recession / depression but Harper is at the wheel of the ship of state. Not an enviable position.

[updated Fri Feb 13 03:25:06 EST 2009]

These results are going to be a good base for Iggy to build on and he has time to do so while the Harpercrites get sullied during this economic meltdown. Iggy has lots of ammunition in his arsenal thanks to the poor performance of Harper and his minions.

I still say Harper will take his leave sometime this summer or sooner to avoid certain defeat at the hands of the liberals.

[updated Fri Feb 13 08:29:40 EST 2009]

Nothing turns me off faster than those in public office who tell me they are a leader. They must follow the lead of the public. They must tell me what their political beliefs are; followed immediately with, " but I will do whatever the majority of the people ask me to do.". Any other philosophy and they will never get my vote or support.
In other words be a follower. Do the peoples' bidding.

[updated Fri Feb 13 09:27:59 EST 2009]

Ignatieff is still in his "honeymoon" phase. He has shown significant weakness, both in allowing 6 NL MPs to vote against a whipped confidence vote on a buidget bill, and in allowing the Conservative budget to pass without amendment (other than a puff piece "report card") when he had Harper on the ropes.

He still has time to recover and show some Moxie, but thus far he's been a major disappointment.

[updated Fri Feb 13 10:40:25 EST 2009]

My humourous side has to say this first. The term "''coat-tails" no longer applies to Harper, he opted to a sweater in late September....It's interesting to note that Ignatieff has "coat-tails" across Canada while Harper has "sweater-ravelings" in the west and Ontario. Duceppe should not even be in this poll in my opinion, unless it's a Quebec only poll. More interesting than the poll results are the odd posts in here by western Canadians. Oddly they talk about the Liberal Party being the Montreal, Toronto , Vancouver party but fail to comment where the CPC would be without Calgary, Edmonton and the rest of Alberta. Why has Canada become such a fragmented country? I am not affiliated with any party nor am I partisan. Partisanship is for sheep who can't see the other side of the fence.

[updated Fri Feb 13 11:18:14 EST 2009]

Have you considered this point in the East, That maybe just maybe we do not like you people! Our roots run more North to South than East to West and it was happening long before 1871. So we do not want IGNA as Prime Minister or the Liberals in power anytime soon. I know it is hard for you to understand with that inflated ego and eastern/central Canada bias. the land that once was will never again be. Power shifted to the West long ago and growing.

[updated Sat Feb 14 02:43:17 EST 2009]

Without the benefit of a Quebec breakthrough or a Bloc meltdown where will the neo-liberal make gains?

West?
Ontario?

Is Danny Williams going to help him outside NL? Anyone understand why no premier wants to join in the D.W. chorus?

Reading tea leaves, juju beads aside "wishful" thinking does not do the liberal body well!

Dion polled these honeymoon numbers, Iggy has been the leader for 8 weeks, can he rebuild the party, offer nothing in substance to Canadians other than to criticize the budget he passed?

Canadians for the most part are not watching the games in Ottawa, the liberal MSM are fawning over the latest replacement, decrying Harper handling of this economic crisis by contrasting him with OBAMA.

Why not compare what Iggy is offering Canadians, the new neo-liberal vision?

No platform, no policy, the Carbon Tax father was busy writing a book about his family and is uncomfortable in a non cheerleader role.

He got so many issues wrong cheering for the Bush doctrine and promoting his lesser of two evils, he has to apologize for so many things. In his defence he thinks we are just too dumb to understand what he wrote and claims they don't mean what others have interpreted. Iggy believes he can talk from both sides of his mouth.

He stood on national camera with Rae, Leblanc announcing he supports the coalition and than went into hiding for 4 days.

He supported the idea of the coalition until the budget vote. The record is clear. Ask Gilles/Layton and the articles leading up to the budget.

He was wrong on the carbon tax, coalition and has not apologized for his part yet,he could have stood on principle and refused to sign the deal ending the crisis. For an alleged smart person he did not understand how the ACCORD polled 27% will be used against him. (Apologists are suggesting it forced Harper to make a better budget.) What is the alleged PM in waiting been working on? Gala Liberal fundraising dinners, shakedown of law firms squeezing montreal lawyers? He is busy meeting with the wealthy liberal supporters who can afford $ 500 donations. Is this the best the neo-liberals can present to Canadians as an alternative?

Some are counting he will be able to connect, some pray the "negative ads" won't work, some are hoping he will stop cheering for the CPC budget and act.

A new paint job on a rusted broken down car, same story, same hopes.

Haper steady hands have been busy doing his job with Canada entering recession as the last country of the G8, no nationalized banks, no national housing collapse, his team is getting the money moving, demostrating his decision to abandon idealogy for pragmatism in coordinating with the G20.

Coast to coast our PM is meeting with regular Canadians and sharing in their lives, through hockey tournaments, Chinese New Year, cultural events. Connecting and giving hope is what he is doing.

Like I said the CPC are not fighting the last election, they already won. Now they are clearly building up more support in ethnic communites towards their next election with a massive war chest compliment of the 3 stooges. ( Incrementalism-look it up)

I am looking forward to see the CPC with the premiers/mayors taking photos with shovels getting Canadians back to work. Just watch the announcements, the list is growing and the opposition will either support those decisions or attack his priorities.

CAE defense Canadian Aerospace with jobs in Quebec.
Community Centres, bridges are not targets they will gain traction.
Regional development $ 1 Billion to Ontaro S.W.

The last PM who travelled across Canada spending money was Chretien. Chretien won 99/100 seats to gain his majority. Can Harper gain a majority without gains in Quebec or NL? I think so 20 more seats are possible. Follow his movements and the money in Ontario. Change is coming and Haper/McGuinty both understand what it takes to keep Ontario moving.

Thank you opposition apologists for forcing Harper to spend Billions.

[updated Sat Feb 14 08:25:20 EST 2009]

Politicians mine middle class for success

Easing of partisan sniping by Obama could serve as example for winning over voters here, pollsters say Feb 14, 2009 Bruce Campion-Smith OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF

.....
That message might best be summed up as: goodbye wedge politics, hello group hug.

"We're seeing a strategic shift from what divides pockets of voters to what can potentially unite voters. That's part of the compelling attractiveness of Barack Obama," said Ottawa-based pollster Nik Nanos. "I think one of the big lessons that came out of the U.S. is that a positive unifying message can move the dial."

The audience for that message is the middle class, a large group of voters who typically aren't ideologically driven in their voting. They're worried about their futures, unsettled about their job prospects and politically ripe for the picking.

"There is no question that there is a middle class that is hurting in this country and it's in that territory where the next election is going to be won or lost," pollster Angus Reid said.

Obama figured that out early in his presidential campaign, crafting a message built around a hopeful theme – "Yes we can" – that minimized partisan sniping. It was a message that had broad appeal, but notably struck a chord with a middle class that had been feeling sidelined, said Paul Frazer, a former Canadian diplomat and Washington consultant.

"It's a group in the population that has, in the post-war period in particular, really carried the burden (of) economic and social and industrial development," he said.

"Governments lost sight of that over time. I think we're kind of in a phase of public policy where in our two countries (there is) a recalibration to move the focus back to that part of the population that really has to continue to thrive or we all fail," he said.

Frazer says Obama's messaging helped bring victories in "hardscrabble" states like Pennsylvania, Indiana and Ohio that had voted Republican in the past but swung to the Democrats this time.

Reid said that the U.S. Democrats "came to their senses and said, `we're not going to be the party of labour, we're not going to be the party of more narrow special interest. We're going to be the party of the middle class.'"

And don't think that Canadians aren't learning the lessons of Obama's election win.

"One thing about Stephen Harper and the Conservatives? He's a learning politician," Nanos said.

"There's nothing like success to capture people's attention. I think if you're a political strategist in Canada you're probably looking at what has just happened in the United States," he said.

According to Statistics Canada, the country's median family income in 2006 was $63,600. But when it comes to politics, the middle class is less an income bracket than a state of mind.

"I'm sure there are a lot of Canadians, they might mathematically be considered upper class but don't feel like they're rich," Nanos said.

"They're just getting by ... when you're still concerned about your finances, I don't think you're rich. That touches most Canadians."

So it was perhaps no surprise that last month's stimulus budget, with its tax cuts and a home renovation tax credit, was written with the middle class in mind.

In interviews and public statements, the Prime Minister delivered the message that unless the "middle class of this country" reaped the benefits, there would be no hope of an economic recovery.

But in this case, the middle class is about more than Canada's economic revival. It is critical to Harper's own political future.

"This attempt to go after the middle class is, I think, smart politics because the reality is that that's how most people define themselves," Reid said.

"In Canada, when parties have taken that step, they've often found that the result is a majority government."

It's not like Harper hasn't tried. He's wooed families with populist measures like tax breaks for sports activities and a $100-a-month child benefit for families with young kids. But at the same time, he's found it tough to dial down his sharp-elbow style of politics.

That was seen with his partisan poke at opposition parties last November that blew up in a parliamentary crisis. That "narrow-minded" approach to politics has been a turn-off for voters, Reid said.

The irony is that Harper – with two young kids – is probably, in image at least, the most middle-class prime minister Canada has had in many years.

"He's got the kids and hockey and he's kind of a regular guy, unlike (Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff) who is seen as a stuffy intellectual," Reid said.

[updated Sat Feb 14 09:46:19 EST 2009]

In Search Of Something Other Than Space Between His Ears.

No surprise to see the performances of late by Conservative MPs in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister has his dutiful servants well trained -- some CPC MPs show an amazing ability to further demean the reputation of parliamentarians.

In the Conservative playbook, it is perfectly appropriate to repeat any lie or smear under the logic that if a falsehood is spread on a continuous basis, eventually the more gullible among us will come to believe it.

Sometimes statements can be made under parliamentary privilege to remedy an injustice or to work toward the betterment of society. That is not what we saw in the House of Commons recently...

Personally, I'm tired of political stooges who mindlessly repeat untruths to earn brownie points toward a future cabinet appointment. Some MPs are so covered with sleaze they couldn't recognize anything but a bold-face lie unless the truth happened to smack them in the face.

It's time for the Canadian people to put an end to back door hit and run smear campaigns. Bring on the next election as soon as it's politically feasible. This country deserves better, the voters deserve a government that can look them in the face. Why do I suddenly feel the need to take a shower after contemplating the recent conduct of a Conservative MP? I hope you also agree that this government has to be put out of its misery for the sake of Canada and Canadians.

[updated Sat Feb 14 10:51:25 EST 2009]

So Much For Harper Being "Tight" With The U.S. Congress And President.

I don't know about you but I'm not surprised to hear that our Prime Minister remains "concerned" over the Buy American trade provisions adopted by Congress. He should be. After all, the final draft adopted proves how the Harper government has failed miserably to win a blanket exemption for Canada and Canadian companies.

Let's begin by looking at the text. (Apologies in advance to those who will suffer a case of MEGO!):

"Conference Report on H.R. 1, [The] American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

BUY AMERICAN

Sec. 1605. Use of American Iron, Steel, and Manufactured Goods. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or a public work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case or category of cases in which the head of the Federal department or agency involved finds that --
(1) applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the public interest;
(2) iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or
(3) inclusion of iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent.
(c) If the head of a Federal department or agency determines that it is necessary to waive the application of subsection (a) based on a finding under subsection (b), the head of the department or agency shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed written justification as to why the provision is being waived.
(d) This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements."

At first blush, Subsection (d) appears to ensure that the Americans will respect agreements made under the WTO, GATT and the NAFTA. However, that is misleading.

Under The Trade Agreements Act of 1979, the President has been given the power to issue waivers to foreign companies if subsequent legislation treated foreign products in a manner less favourable than comparable legislation in the other country.

Again, that is deceiving because such exemptions can only be applied to federally-mandated contracts. To put it another way -- if it's a United States public works contract, you may get a waiver. However, if it's federally funded but it is a state or local government contract (which most contracts are), Canadian companies are out of luck.

So much for Canadian clout in Washington. Ambassador Michael Wilson did his best but sometimes you just can't part the Red Sea.

Once again, the Harper government has been found wanting having failed to deliver after much boasting and bravado about the dawn of a new era in U.S.-Canadian relations. I guess the advance billing was all hype rather than results. How typically Conservative.

[updated Sun Feb 15 09:40:28 EST 2009]

Why Don Martin Missed The Boat.

Those of us who have had the experience of toiling in the Conservative Party of Canada know a little about the make up of our Prime Minister. For my part, I met Stephen Harper four times and attended several events at which he was the featured speaker.

I won't pretend to be able to decipher Harper's psyche but I will hazard a somewhat educated guess on his political future: like him or loathe him, Stephen Harper is a fighter. It flows from the very essence of his being. The guy may be down but he isn't out by a long shot.

That is precisely why the PM is such a formidable opponent. If Harper hadn't gone overboard in recent months, he might have been able to regroup and be the "new" Jean Charest.

Unfortunately for him and fortunately for those of us who yearn every day for an end to the Harper era, the loss of key players in the PMO such as Mark Cameron and Patrick Muttart is indicative in my view of a disorganized and distracted PMO. Tension abounds as finger pointing becomes the order of the day. I don't envy his chief of staff, Guy Giorno. Clearly many rough days are ahead. I hope they have plenty of messengers left to kill, in the good old Conservative Party tradition. Hopefully, the next one won't hold the usual title of director of communications...

If I know one thing about Stephen Harper it's this -- we haven't seen the last of the man. Don Martin is dead wrong -- the PM will face the voters in the next election and if necessary, will go down fighting in full fury. Harper will give 110% until the last political breath has been drawn from his body. That is his nature.

As a newly minted Liberal, the prospect of facing my old nemesis in political battle in the next campaign fills me with anticipation. I rejoice in that prospect believing that the PM is the Liberal Party's best secret weapon.

I don't want Stephen Harper to take a powder. From from it, I want him front and center being Stephen Harper. I expect to get my wish and look forward to helping cream him in the next election, if the Canadian people agree. Something tells me the voters won't leave me disappointed.

[updated Sun Feb 15 13:24:05 EST 2009]

You guys in the East have short memories or do not know what takes place in other parts of Canada. And you only remember what pleases you. How many of you knew about the Apex Affair and the lack justice given to Chretien, Axworthy and this other Liberal clown Peter Donolo only because of a incompetant RCMP force that is still in a mess!

[updated Sun Feb 15 13:31:30 EST 2009]

Playing to fiscal foes at the big Obama-Harper meet
Headshot of Norman Spector

NORMAN SPECTOR

February 16, 2009
...
"Mr. Harper has also been helped by the ascendancy of Michael Ignatieff: A more audacious politician would have taken down the Conservatives at the first opportunity. Though Mr. Ignatieff said he was supporting the budget because it was the right thing for the country, Canadians will need an election "like a hole in the head" only until he thinks he can win one."

U.S. Republicans have chosen a riskier course, wagering that the economy will not recover quickly. Mindful of this scenario unfolding in Canada, Mr. Ignatieff is flailing about looking for a plausible way of distancing himself from a budget he whipped his caucus (other than Newfoundland MPs) to support. Mr. Ignatieff may be right in thinking time is on his side, but, meantime, he's given Mr. Harper time to regain his footing - or to call a leadership convention if he cannot.

At one point, it seemed the penny was beginning to drop on one of the shortcomings of the Liberals' strategy: Who better than they to understand the political benefits of infrastructure expenditures? But they misfired by suggesting the government is dispensing largesse in Conservative constituencies. Watch, instead, for special attention to be paid to ridings lost by less than 5 per cent.

Last week, in the face of sustained criticism that they weren't doing enough, the Conservatives signalled they'd be prepared to bring in greater stimulus if needed. Mr. Harper must be pinching himself at his good fortune in having the best opposition money can buy. Is it any wonder he's been so kind and gentle with Mr. Ignatieff?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com//servlet/story/LAC.20090216.COSPECTOR16/TPStory/Comment/

[updated Mon Feb 16 13:09:39 EST 2009]

Canada wants 'frank' talks on NATO
By Luke Baker, ReutersFebruary 16, 2009 4:01 PM

National Defence Minister Peter MacKay said he would use the meeting to hammer home the importance of all 26 members fulfilling their obligations to the organisation.

National Defence Minister Peter MacKay said he would use the meeting to hammer home the importance of all 26 members fulfilling their obligations to the organisation.
Photograph by: Candace Elliott, Edmonton Journal

LONDON - The struggling effort to defeat the Taliban and bring security to Afghanistan means it is time for a "frank discussion" about the future of NATO, Canada's defence minister said on Monday.

In comments that are likely to aggravate some NATO partners, Peter MacKay told an audience in London that all alliance members needed to pull their weight otherwise the 60-year-old security pact faced an existential crisis.

"We need to have a frank discussion about the future of NATO," MacKay told the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, while underlining that Canada, a founder member, remained committed to the organization.

"The U.S. re-emphasis on the mission in Afghanistan — with the commitment of more troops, more development, more diplomacy — has brought a predictable sigh of relief from some around the alliance," he said, suggesting some members saw it as a chance to sit back and say 'it's okay, the Americans will handle it'.

"As the United States says, its contribution is designed to reinforce, not to replace ... We all need to maintain our collective effort so that we maximise the official contribution from the United States," he said.

NATO defence ministers are due to meet in Krakow, Poland, for informal meetings on Feb. 19-20. MacKay said he would use the meeting to hammer home the importance of all 26 members fulfilling their obligations to the organization.

In the past, criticism like MacKay's has been a veiled reference to the need for Germany, France and other major NATO states to step up contributions, bringing them into line with those made by Britain, Italy, Canada and the United States.

MacKay did not name names, however, merely saying that unless there was a more unified, coordinated response across the alliance, the 8-year operation in Afghanistan risked failure.

"Afghanistan tests the ability of the alliance to execute its most basic mission in the 21st century and in a global context," he said.

"If NATO cannot deter or defeat the real physical threat facing alliance members, and indeed contribute to the building of security for the larger international community, then we have to ask ourselves, what is NATO for?"

Addressing specific problems, MacKay said that as well as forces on the ground — Canada contributes 2,800 soldiers to the 70,000-strong international force — NATO allies needed to train more Afghan security forces, engage Pakistan and regional players such as Iran, and urge the Afghan government to pull its weight in combating corruption, among other goals.

Afghanistan is due to hold a presidential election in August, when President Hamid Karzai's faltering popularity — both among Afghans and internationally — will be tested.

MacKay said he expected the elections to be free and fair, but said that did not mean Afghanistan was suddenly a democracy.

"I predict with confidence that we will have more successful elections," he said. "But what we are not going to have is a Westminster-style democracy in Afghanistan," he said, referring to the British parliament.
© Copyright (c) Reuters
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canada+wants+frank+talks+NATO/1295415/story.html

[updated Mon Feb 16 17:16:10 EST 2009]

Here's where the rubber may hit the floor:

An excerpt from a writer:

"Where would you find a match in comparing Harper's credentials with Ignatieff's.

First off, Harper has only a Master of Arts degree in a subject he has never practiced professionally and yet calls himself an economist.

Secondly, Harper has no publications to his name. (Oh, unless you count on a book about hockey which he still hasn't completed for the love of Pete).

Third, the only articles you find Harper's name attached to are ones in which he claims he hates Canada and wants to change this country so that none of us will ever recognize it. He plans to do this slowly dismantling Canada's institutions and social programs like Health Care and unemployment insurance. (Creeping Conservatisim. Creepy?)

On the other hand:

Ignatieff is a Rhodes Scholar, has a Ph.D., and has actually held real jobs in the real world doing such things as teaching at major universities and running major policy think tanks.

Ignatieff has over 50 books published, some of which have been prize winners. He has written numerous articles in publications all over the world. Yes, some people point to a few articles with which they disagree but given the amount he has published that is bound to happen (it's called mileage which equates with experience). Where do we make comparisons to what Harper has written - we can't because he hasn't written anything other than his NCC articles which he almost now denies writing! Sort of like not attempting to bribe Cadman

Where, in the love of Mike do see the two as comparable? Intelligence? Give me a break! You can't equate Harper's scheming dirty and unethical politics with intelligence. We don't need scheming and dirty politics in this country. We don't need someone who spends his days and night plotting the annihilation of his opponents. We need someone of substance like Ignatieff who will work in the best interests of the Canada we love."

[updated Mon Feb 16 17:36:10 EST 2009]

More of the missing political leadership this Country needs amidst the narrow minded tory regime that stifles creative science:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090216.wresearch17/BNStory/National/home

After federal funding dried up, one of Canada's top researchers had to scramble to find private donations to continue an ambitious experiment that aims to identify children most at risk of developing serious cognitive and behavioural disorders.

At the same time, the researcher, McGill University's Michael Meaney, was asked to establish a similar research program in Singapore, but with roughly eight times the government funding.

The contrast highlights the difficulties even the best Canadian scientists face as federal spending for research is scaled back in Canada but increases in other countries.

Dr. Meaney and his colleagues have gained international attention for their work investigating the biology of resiliency, the combination of genes and environmental factors that allows some children to emerge relatively unscathed from impoverished, stressful childhoods while others develop problems. They are tracking 500 mothers and their children for the Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment project, or MAVAN.

Pregnant women in Montreal and Hamilton, Ont., were recruited starting in 2004. Some suffer from depression, or live in poverty, or both, which means they have a higher risk of having children with learning difficulties or behavioural problems. Others are part of a control group.

[updated Tue Feb 17 01:26:21 EST 2009]

Ignatieff has friends in Obama's White House – NOT!

As I read this article on the CTV website on Sat I could not help but laugh aloud. This is a weak and flagrant attempt by the Liberals and their friends in the media to spin “Iggy” into an Obama clone. It is also a big lie!

The article cites Samantha Power a senior adviser to Obama and her husband Cass Sunstein, as good friends that he met while at the Carr Centre. The truth is that they were good friends at one time but not any more. In fact Iggy even wrote a dedication in one of Sunstein’s books. But that was all before Iggy’s vigorous defence of the war in Iraq, use of torture and the Bush administration. At this point they parted ways. In fact Power, the centre's founding executive director was so infuriated over his actions that she left the Carr Centre.

Larry Summers who Obama has just appointed as director of the National Economic Council is also cited as a good friend but it was Iggy who was a prominent leader in a revolt against Summers. He lead the movement that tried to have him fired as Pres of Harvard for making what Iggy and some other professors viewed as remarks that were discriminatory against women. The University’s governing body disagreed with them and Summers was not dismissed nor censured.

The only other “friend” that the article cites is Richard Holbrooke, special envoy to the Balkans for then-president Bill Clinton and now for Obama in Afghanistan. I guess Iggy was in the press pool that accompanied him to Kosovo so this makes them “good friends”.

It is clear by the upcoming visit that Iggy’s “friends” in the Whitehouse are telling the Pres to keep their distance from him. This is evidenced by the fact that PMO and the opposition had agreed to a 20 min private meeting followed by a 15 min press conference between the Pres and Iggy in hour two of his visit. The Whitehouse rejected that agenda and amended it so that Iggy gets a 15 min meeting with staff present but not alone with no press present and no press conference will be held afterwards. This will take place at the airport after the final press conference and just before Obama departs and no official photos are to be taken. Friends indeed! It seems that all of Iggy’s Washington “friends” just left office.

[updated Tue Feb 17 09:08:54 EST 2009]

Harper boosts GO Transit with $500M investment

Updated: Tue Feb. 17 2009 1:04:00 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

GO Transit is getting a $500-million funding boost by the federal government, as part of an initiative to create jobs and entice more people to use public transit.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday the money will go towards funding more than a dozen GO Transit projects, including upgrades to the Ontario-wide commuter system.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090217/Harper_GO_090217/20090217?hub=Toronto

Looks like the EAP will be responsible for allowing the Conservative to get some goodwill in public relations in demostrating cooperation with Premiers/Mayors.

What was the Liberal war room thinking? Give Harper a blank cheque to deliver for Ontario? Demand he spend more and faster?
The Ontario Liberal Premier has been looking giddy everytime Harper shows up.

[updated Tue Feb 17 13:38:33 EST 2009]

Harper the worst PM ever caves into separatists again. Jean Chretien would have never ever backed down against those thugs:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090217.wPOLabraham0217/BNStory/politics/home

RHÉAL SÉGUIN

Globe and Mail Update

February 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM EST

QUEBEC — A slugfest of insults between federalists and separatists that threatened to turn to violence led to cancellation of the re-enactment of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham marking the 250th anniversary of the British conquest of New France.

For weeks a war of words erupted in newspapers, on the web and on open line radio shows where extremists on both sides threatened to use violence to either stop next summer's re-enactment from taking place or protect it against disruptions.

It appeared as though a modern version of the Plains of Abrahams battle was in the making, which led the head of the federal agency known as the National Battlefields Commission André Juneau to back down from his idea to re-enact the 1759 French defeat at the hands of the British.

“Given the excessive language in the past few days and the threats mad through the media, we could not as responsible agency compromise the security of families and children who could attend the event,” Mr. Juneau said in cancelling the event. “It was odious and unreasonable to have suggested that the Commission planned to celebrate a military defeat.”

[updated Tue Feb 17 17:37:04 EST 2009]

Iggy sells out event in Regina:

National. Western rage helped sink coalition: Ignatieff
Canwest News ServiceFebruary 17, 2009
Michael Ignatieff says it was western Canadian rage which -- in part -- convinced him to back away from a proposed governing coalition with the New Democrats and the Bloc Québécois. Speaking with Canwest News Service Sunday before a sold-out Liberal brunch speech in Regina, the new Liberal leader acknowledged that Western outrage over the prospect of seeing overturned the results of the last federal election -- which brought a West-dominated minority Conservative government to power -- gave him pause. "You are, after all, looking at someone who turned down the chance to become prime minister of Canada, and I did so, in part, because I felt that it would divide the country," said Mr. Ignatieff. "I want to be someone who unites the country, and that includes the West." Mr. Ignatieff used his first visit to Regina since becoming Liberal leader to acknowledge some of his party's past missteps in Western Canada's energy sector -- and to make a pitch to voters in Canada's "new economic centre."

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

[updated Tue Feb 17 20:47:15 EST 2009]

Message to the CRTC stay out of the Internet unless you are going to allow eg ESPN 360 to operate in Canada, it is a North American market now, when you say Canadian content you actually mean Quebec content, most Canadians do not give a dam about Canadian content, Globe and Mail had a live discussion to day while their watchers were at the hearings.(95% agree with my way of thinking on this subject) Go the CRTC website their are far to many Civil Servants working in that Department they need to get rid of half of them and cut the salaries of the other 50% by 50%. The 50-50 solution.Canadians want the best entertainment and internet sources.

[updated Tue Feb 17 22:18:27 EST 2009]

Boy Iggy sure sounds like an ally of George Bush (NOT) here:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/17/obama-cbc.html

"Speaking Tuesday, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said Canada shouldn't extend its military mission in Afghanistan even if Obama requests it.

Ignatieff said he would press his opposition when he meets with Obama during the visit."
...............................

More of canadian/informed 1/alice illogical premises down the tube. She will get fired by her Tory handlers. LOL.

[updated Wed Feb 18 04:29:50 EST 2009]

A Message To Conservatives.

During the coalition crisis, much talk was made of the fact that several Liberal MPs would be jumping ship to join the CPC. I don't know about you but I'm still waiting!

Why don't one of you good Conservatives give us an update on your political "triumph". Perhaps the Liberals MPs are still too busy kicking your tires, or another part of your car's anatomy (See Nik, I can take a hint.)...

[updated Wed Feb 18 09:52:22 EST 2009]

The despiration of Harper to align himself to Obama is pathetic and embarrassing:

"Harper's staff were anxious this week to point out that the two leaders have a lot in common, saying they are similar in age, both have young families and neither had been in elected office for long when they became their nation's leader."

Three areas that are of major political importance.

They forgot to mention that they both like kittens.

[updated Wed Feb 18 13:50:19 EST 2009]

The CRTC has a French Canadian bias towards this issue of the Internet, look at the number of Quebec people and Companies that allowed to make comments to this Internet issue, it is nothing but a farce. Go to the CRTC website and count. This inquiry must be shut down. Until they get a true mix of Canadians based on their percentage of the population, the CRTC has been nothing but a mouth piece for Quebec. I'm opposed to the CRTC being involved in the Internet period. And this Agency has far to many Civil Servants at this agency doing nothing at all. (Cut Staff by 50% now) Quebec artists are lazy and same for actors, your of sub par quality compared to others, go find a real job. This is now a intergrated North American Market, get used to it Quebec, change your attitude or go the way of the do do bird!

[updated Wed Feb 18 16:53:38 EST 2009]

Ignatieff makes best impression, poll suggests

JOAN BRYDEN

The Canadian Press

February 10, 2009 at 2:42 PM EST

OTTAWA — The Tories' federal leadership advantage has evaporated since Michael Ignatieff took over the Liberal helm, a new poll suggests.

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey indicates the newly minted Liberal Leader is viewed more favourably than either Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper or NDP Leader Jack Layton.

Mr. Ignatieff was the only one of the three to score a net positive rating. Forty-three per cent of respondents said they had a favourable impression of him versus 32 per cent who had an unfavourable opinion.

Mr. Harper was viewed favourably by 43 per cent and unfavourably by 49 per cent, relatively unchanged since last October's election.

Mr. Layton was seen positively by 37 per cent and negatively by 49 per cent of respondents, almost a complete reversal since the closing days of the election campaign when the NDP leader was the most favourably viewed national leader.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was viewed favourably by 37 per cent, unfavourably by 33 per cent — a significant decline in her popularity since the election.

Liberal support was dragged down during the election by the unpopularity of then-leader Stéphane Dion, who consistently scored last in leadership favourability. Mr. Ignatieff was chosen through a hastily-arranged process to replace Mr. Dion in early December.

Since then, Liberals have bounced back into contention. The poll suggests the Tories and Liberals were statistically tied, with 33 per cent and 31 per cent support respectively, well ahead of the NDP at 15 per cent, the Greens at 10 per cent and the Bloc Québécois at 10 per cent.

In Quebec, the Bloc led with 41 per cent, followed by the Liberals at 27 per cent, the Tories at 16 per cent, the NDP at 10 per cent and Greens at 4 per cent.

More importantly, the leadership favourability numbers suggest the Liberals under Mr. Ignatieff have more growth potential than their rivals.

Mr. Ignatieff was viewed more positively than negatively all across the country, except Alberta, and across all age and gender groups.

While he was most favourably viewed among Liberal voters (70 per cent), 33 per cent of Conservatives, 44 per cent of New Democrats, 32 per cent of Bloquistes and 38 per cent of Greens said they too had a positive impression of the Liberal leader.

By contrast, Mr. Harper was viewed favourably by 90 per cent of Conservatives but only 27 per cent of Liberals, 22 per cent of New Democrats, 14 per cent of Bloc supporters and 30 per cent of Greens.

Mr. Layton was seen positively by 56 per cent of Quebeckers but everywhere else a plurality of respondents registered an unfavourable view of him.

“Definitely, Ignatieff has the most room to grow among all the leaders,” said Jeff Walker, Harris-Decima senior vice-president. “Some of that is natural, just the very fact that he's just become the leader. But there are clear limits to growth for both Stephen Harper and Jack Layton.”

Mr. Walker noted that Mr. Harper's favourability score stems largely from overwhelming support among those who identify themselves as Conservatives. But non-Conservatives are “lukewarm or negative” about the prime minister, which could make it harder for him to pick up votes in the next election.

On the bright side for Mr. Harper, the poll suggests Conservative voters have not deserted him despite a turbulent few months in which his government was nearly defeated and he was forced to introduce a big-spending, deficit-riddled budget.

“They love the guy,” Mr. Walker said of core Conservative supporters. “They've got nowhere else to go.

The telephone survey of just over 1,000 Canadians was conducted Feb. 5-8 and is considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points 19 times in 20.

[updated Wed Feb 18 17:55:10 EST 2009]

The snub of Iggy

Canadian Liberals miffed at Obama plans
February 19, 2009

Members of Canada's lead opposition party say arrangements for U.S. President Barack Obama's Thursday meeting with Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff are "cheap."

Obama's first international visit as leader to Ottawa was scheduled for six hours that included three meetings with Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper at Parliament Hill and, as by tradition between the two countries, a meeting with the head of the opposition.

However, several Liberal Party members say scheduling Obama's meeting with Ignatieff at the airport on his way home was a slight, the Toronto Star said.

Member of Parliament Dan McTeague told the newspaper he didn't like the protocol.

"I think it's pretty cheap," he said. "It's very typical of Mr. Harper, not wanting to share anything."

Ignatieff, whom the newspaper said shares similar political views as Obama and who has mutual friends, also said he was unhappy with the arrangement.

"My problem is with Prime Minister Harper, not with President Obama," Ignatieff said Wednesday at a Quebec news conference.

In response, Kory Teneycke, Harper's director of communications, said "details of that are for the White House and opposition leader to work out."

UPI

[updated Thu Feb 19 16:59:27 EST 2009]

Ignatieff gets his 15 minutes, but Liberal leader wants more


By PHILIP AUTHIER, The GazetteFebruary 19, 2009

He's been given 15 minutes with U.S. President Barack Obama but is angling for more so Obama hears views other then those of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said yesterday he does not want to sound like a whiner but when Harper was opposition leader and met then president George W. Bush in 2004 he got 20 minutes for their tête-à-tête.

The current plan as organized by the prime minister's office is for him to meet Obama for 15 minutes and not even on parliament hill. Their meeting will be at the Canada Reception Centre in hangar 11 of the Ottawa airport at 4 p.m. - just before Obama hops back on his plane for Washington.

"What I don't want to do is sound like a dog in the manger about this," Ignatieff said. "This is a great moment for our two countries to spend time together. I'm looking forward to an exchange with the president. I hope he looks forward to an exchange with me and I hope it will be the beginning of many."

But Ignatieff also indicated he is not going to let Obama's first visit to Canada be an "all Harper" event.

"I am not going to let the prime minister's interests spoil an important opportunity," Ignatieff said at a news conference in Brossard following a meeting with local mayors and officials. "You'll remember that Prime Minister Stephen Harper, when he was leader of the opposition, had a good and extended meeting with President Bush.

"We will expect nothing less and I am sure I will receive nothing less."

Obama is expected to be in Ottawa only about six hours. His schedule is so tight an interview he gave CBC television Tuesday lasted precisely 10 minutes although his every word appeared significant in the context of Canadian-U.S. relations.

Ignatieff noted that apart from Harper and the governor general, he will be the only Canadian Obama will meet given his brief stay.

"I will speak frankly, in a dignified and sober way," Ignatieff said, noting he will raise the issue of maintaining open borders, free trade and the Canadian presence in Afghanistan.

"We're going to welcome him in any way we can," Ignatieff said. "If he's here for five hours or five minutes."

pauthier@thegazette.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

[updated Thu Feb 19 17:01:47 EST 2009]

Why Obama was more out going than Harper at the Press Conference, It is not because Harper is not, It is the stuck in mud Parliamentary Staff that is to rigid and that goes for the Civil Servants at Gonvernor's General Office, these people still live in the 1800's and some are that old especially in the Liberal side of the dysfunctional Senate of Canada.

[updated Thu Feb 19 18:27:22 EST 2009]

Darcy Meyers: Winning the West will require more than just words from Ignatieff. Does he have the resolve to stick it out?
Posted: February 20, 2009, 12:02 PM by Kelly McParland
Full Comment, Canadian politics, Darcy Meyers

It is an obvious understatement to say Michael Ignatieff isn’t even close to winning the West. But his recent trip and accompanying rhetoric indicate his seriousness about engaging “the West”. He has sent a strong signal of his willingness to establish the liberal brand west of Lake Superior.

That’s all well and good. Every new Liberal leader in recent memory has suggested the same thing -- being the ominous “best friend” of the West. I tend to believe (perhaps naively) these leaders are initially sincere -- but once real politics enters the equation they shed the West in a heartbeat. The chance to make gains in the electoral heartland of central Canada has been irresistibly tempting to Liberal predecessors.

...
In Saskatoon last Saturday, Ignatieff signaled a less regionally punitive approach to energy and environmental policy that should be more satisfactory to the West than other recent proposals/schemes. He intimated approval for the carbon sequestration approach to GHG control -- which also supports advanced energy development. If he supported CCS through a well-defined policy alternative, it could be a welcome approach to the energy and environmental imperatives facing western Canada. His policy will have to clearly distinguish itself as regionally respectful and effective, something the disastrous Green Shift couldn’t do. He will also have to constructively differentiate his policy from the recent understanding between the U.S. and Canadian administrations. Since this continental approach is in it’s infancy there may be an opportunity to capture ground.

...
The opposition leader also made it clear he believes in maintaining a strong and capable military. To be effective on the world stage we must be able to back up our beliefs with a strong military. This has been an area conservatives have held relatively unchallenged for some time, and such a move from the Liberal leader should increase his credibility among the centre-centre-right of similar view. There is a significant western demographic who strongly believe in a well equipped and effective military. Many associate their Canadian pride and identity with the support and pride they have in our Canadian Forces. A strong commitment to the Forces is not only responsible policy, but is also successful strategically in western politics.

I don’t know Mr. Ignatieff’s fiscal philosophy, and am not sure if anyone does. However, an adoption of Blue-Liberal fiscal policy may receive a passing grade in the West -- given current fiscal developments. A commitment to return to balanced budgets would touch on a deeply held western belief. This commitment, with an accompanying pledge not to increase taxes, is a fiscal approach many western Canadians have long supported. It is also a strong wedge point, targeting the current Conservative government’s wounded budgeting credibility.

The focus on Ag policies, particularly U.S. protectionism (like concerns over COOL) for livestock is a no-brainer. Focused trade support and defense for Ag products could serve the Liberals well. Another opportunity may have been presented since the bottom has fallen out of commodities, the standard Liberal defense of the CWB may be perceived more favourably. Concerned producers may find the increased sense of security from pooled marketing is more appealing than it was 18 months ago. This is less of a wedge now since the conservatives have backed away, but liberal consistency on this policy could help strengthen their credibility in the Ag sector.

These may be some areas of opportunity for the new Liberal leader in the West. However, the major underlying question remains; can the new leader rebuild trust. If Mr. Ignatieff completely adopted a pro-western agenda; would he increase western seats? Restoring trust in the Liberal brand will take considerable effort -- effort that could be more effectively directed elsewhere.

Will he succumb to the easy and popular regional politics when the going gets tough? His predecessors have -- to secure short term electoral success -- at the expense of major regions. Or can he win the West, by sticking to his desire to rebuild trust and provide a vision westerners support? Only time will tell how Mr. Ignatieff’s commitment to reach out to the West will play out. Perhaps for now we should check the knee-jerk cynicism and see where it goes.

[updated Fri Feb 20 21:29:25 EST 2009]

To protect other bloggers and those suspended I have sent e-mail to the BC Civil Liberities Org and asked them to check this website to see if the staff has violated any freedom of speech laws or charter rights, we will not allow anyone in Ottawa to dictate the Topics!

[updated Sun Feb 22 22:36:58 EST 2009]

www.loosechangee911.com or Goggle Video search engine type loose change final edition, the real truth about 911 to day.

[updated Wed Feb 25 18:09:41 EST 2009]

Do you have a friend in Alaska or in the Oil Industry there? They can confirm this:

The North Slope of Alaska has enough oil without importing a single drop of oil from any other country in the world excluding Canada, that will last USA for 200 years.

There is enough Natural Gas on the same Alaska North Slope to also supply the USA for 200 years with importing a single drop and 78 747 Jet Engines put back into the ground 1 billion cu ft a day of Natural Gas as the oil is pumped out.

Russia has Super Deep holes that are called Super Cola S3 that run 40,000 feet deep.

If the Executive Branch told the America Public the truth, gasoline at the pumps would be $1.50 us a gallon in less than one year. What would it be in Canada. Deception at its finest!

Do you have any comments or confirmation

[updated Wed Feb 25 18:19:46 EST 2009]

Are you a resident of BC, check out the new party on the block www.reformbc.net Campbell will win again that is a given. British Columbians do not think Carole James connects with them as a Leader, she has never done anything! Candidates running in the next Election but not many, looking for members, I may join, maybe we need the return of Reform in Federal Politics, any comments or ideas!

[updated Wed Feb 25 18:28:01 EST 2009]

Is this true the Liberals have supported Harper 62 times now in a row in 3 years? Layton is suggesting the Liberals should just merge with the CPC because they simply adopt the CPC measures.

The Liberals had confidence in the NDP and were giving them 6 Cabinet Seats and Deputy PM role.

Layton may be suggesting the only survival strategy left by the liberals after failing to win the left or centre voters. Maybe it is time for these 77 MP's to drop their failed party and ask Harper for a formal merger to avoid bankruptcy.

The CPC warchest compliments of Canadians of $ 21 million could easily afford to pay for those liberal deadbeats and lack of grassroot support.

The radical left liberal can send at least 10-12 to the NDP and the rest be absorbed by the CPC.

A bailout for the Liberals, maybe Iggy can schedule a meeting with our PM and bring humble pie.

[updated Tue Mar 10 13:59:15 EDT 2009]

Is this true that the Cowardly Harpo is about to pass a Liberal budget? With hundreds of liberal spending items. He is afraid to pass a conservative budget because he will die a faster death. What liberal wouldn't support one of their own budgets? Harper is a sellout and his time is up.

The Tory slide in the polls in seat rich Ontario and Quebec are his undoing.

[updated Wed Mar 11 20:06:41 EDT 2009]