The following is pure speculation, but please indulge me for a moment.
Who’s missing from the front lines of Stephane Dion’s Green Shift summer tour?
That’s right – the two contenders to the throne, Iggy and Rae.
As Raphael points out, Stephane Dion is having great trouble providing details to his plan. He stumbles when asked pointed questions and refers inquirers to the website or grandchildren who are presumably brighter than the person asking the question. And he won’t tell us specific numbers, because we wouldn’t trust him anyway, right?
Here’s my theory: Back in March, Bob Rae wanted Dion to hold off on bringing down the government until he had his seat firmly established in the by-election and was able to get some face-time in the House during Question Period.
Meanwhile, Dion’s carbon tax plan is being developed and fine-tuned with the assistance of various party and caucus members. Dion has a vision. It is so sweet because it addresses his three pillars of a richer, fairer and greener Canada in one package. Unfortunately, that simple plan grows into 48 pages of confusion.
And perhaps some of his caucus supported his delusions of grandeur by telling him that this bold policy will finally annihilate his image as a ‘weak leader’. Because how could a weakling take such a risk? I can just see them clapping right now, as Dion beams and soaks up the adulation.
The plan is then christened "The Green Shift" even though the principles are keenly aware of a small environmental company already holding the name ‘Green Shift’. The theory is that Jennifer Wright should be so lucky as to be getting all this free publicity. But why didn’t anyone suggest that she might be a tad annoyed, and maybe launch a lawsuit or something?
Then when the threat of having to force an election is safely out of the way, The Green Shift is unveiled at the end of Parliament and Dion sets out on his road tour to sell the plan.
The problem is that what sounded so simple in theory is getting a lot of pesky questions throw at it. The party line to check the website is starting to sound hollow. Even some of Dion’s own candidates are publicly stating that constituents aren’t swallowing the ‘revenue neutral’ aspect. They are suspicious – especially when they’re not getting straight answers.
And where are the party elders? Where is the backup? Has Dion been hung out to dry?
Oh, he’s brave alright. But is he wise? Does he have good judgment? Was he set up by some of his caucus who are weary of having to defend their seat-warming policy to their constituents?
Are there some who secretly hope that Dion’s plan crashes and burns before the next leadership review at the end of the year?
The tale will be told after the September by-elections. If the Liberals hold onto their existing seats, look for an election this fall.
However, if Guelph or (especially) Westmount go anything but red, Dion’s Green Shift days are over.
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Very intriguing article in the Hill Times (H/T to Jad) . Right on Course also picks up on it.
Alberta Ardvark has two excellent posts on this topic – Another day, and more green shift lies revealed, and Ralph Goodale and the mystical Liberal money fairy.
