Blue Like You

Archive for October 10th, 2008

Chretien tried to bail out Dion tonight.

Roger Smith said it was the biggest rally by far. (MDL Prime Time)

What does that say about Dion?

*   *   *   *

Meanwhile, Craig Oliver says there is a sense of desperation at the Harper rally in Toronto; even though he also says it was the biggest by far, and Mike had trouble hearing Craig due to the enthusiasm and noise. Interesting.

Stephen Woodworth begins introduction

Prime Minister Stephen Harper takes the podium in Kitchener-Centre.

(YouTube videos courtesy of my personal videographer.)

Stephen Harper visited Kitchener Centre today, and brought with him a message of hope, strength and optimism. It was a rally-the-troops moment and I’m sure he accomplished the mission.

We were packed in like sweltering sardines for over an hour standing and waiting for the PM’s arrival, but no one complained. In fact, it was so crowded that I could hardly raise my pen to my notepad without poking someone nearby with my elbow. But the mood was upbeat and jovial as rock music blared in the background.

Finally we knew that the big moment was approaching. The camera lights went on and the music stepped up in volume. Various security people entered the room in single file, and finally Stephen Harper appeared with Laureen right behind. She looked radiant and wore a gorgeous pink suit. (How does she look so good with all this traveling and campaigning?)

Anyway, Kitchener Centre candidate Stephen Woodworth introduced the Prime Minister, and made reference to the recent Record endorsement : ‘The Record says that Harper’s plan offers us hope!”

Kitchener Waterloo candidate Peter Braid* and Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht were also present when Harper stood up at the podium (which wasn’t any more than 8-10 feet away from me.)

He made reference to his earlier announcement of a $50-million grant to the Institute of Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, and the need for investment in science and technology in order to build our future.

He stated that in these uncertain global economic times, now is not the time to impose risky schemes.

Harper asked who will Canadians trust to protect our economy? (A chorus of HarPER, HarPER! broke out).

The Prime Minister said that the Liberal Carbon Tax is a recipe for a recession, whereas electing a Conservative Government is a recipe to AVOID a recession and will provide help now , rather than doing things that will make it worse later.

Harper pointed out that ‘we don’t need a leader who tells everyone we’re going to have a recession, and then tells them he has no plan to deal with it.’

Everyone was applauding and cheering and cracking thundersticks together at this point, and Mrs. Harper was beaming.

Harper closed on an optimistic note stating that we have a strong economy and a strong future.

As he and Laureen made their way out of the room and back to the bus, they shook everyone’s hand along the way that attempted to connect with them. I was able to shake his hand as well.

Stephen Harper looks strong, confident and in control - just like a leader should.

The local campaign teams are energized and pumped. Things look very promising in Kitchener Centre. Karen Redman could be in for the fight of her political career.

*   *   *   *

I gleaned a bit of inside information from ‘unnamed sources’ this afternoon. One was a tip that the Liberals will be asking Stephen Harper to apologize for commenting on Dion’s CTV melt-down yesterday. We’ll see what happens.

O.K. Here’s the other little goody from another ‘unnamed source’ who told me you can tell how the CPC numbers are doing by the looks on the faces of certain members of the media.  So you can read into that what you will.

Personal note: What a pleasure to be in a room full of hundreds of like-minded supporters where everyone feels comfortable enough to unleash their profound admiration for their leader without vilification from the left. It was a sublime experience.

*   *   *   *

Update: *Elizabeth Witmer endorses Peter Braid!

With only days until the election, the Liberal spin-meisters and media are working in overdrive mode . They don’t want you to see the lack of clothing on their Emperor Dion because they want to get back into power so badly. Desperate to cover up some inconvenient truths, they are now spuriously attacking the Tories with all the hypocritical vehemence they can muster.

Kinsella is already comparing last night’s airing of Dion’s CTV interview meltdown with Jean Chretien’s facial paralysis, but I think that is quite a disingenuous strategy. Chretien’s personal handicap did not affect his razor-sharp understanding and comprehension of anything that was thrown at him. He was able to think on his feet. That is a vital quality in a successful leader.

Funny though how the Liberals had no trouble calling Harper ‘fat’ before he lost so much weight. And they gleefully refer to his ‘cold, steely eyes’ and other nonsense. As Professor John MacKinnon sarcastically notes in today’s Post, perhaps Harper should consider surgery to try to change this apparent physical deformity.

Oh yeah. And according to the Liberal Press, Harper has an empathy deficit. Is this a character flaw? If so, is it fair to attack?

What exactly are the allowable parameters whereby we may make knowledgeable assessments of our future Prime Ministers? Must we run it all by a Human Rights Commission first?

In my opinion, a good leader  listens to those around him, and is open to new ideas. He is flexible when it is prudent to do so. But Stephane Dion has stated time and time again that under no circumstances will he postpone the implementation of the carbon tax if he becomes Prime Minister of Canada. This totally contradicts the messaging from Ignatieff and Rae.

This is not a simple problem of  ‘not being able to hear’ or an inability to comprehend a question in one’s second language. It is evidence of a fundamental disinterest in being a ‘team player’. This man has a vision for Canada, and nothing is going to stop him. Nothing. Not even the input of his ‘Dream Team’.

Greg Weston nailed it in this morning’s Sun:

…Sure, the Dion on the podium today is far better rehearsed than the peevish professor of a month ago.

But all the best speechwriters, image consultants and English coaches do not a national leader make.

Off script, Dion is still the same brainiac mouthful he always he was.

For instance, reporters asked him yesterday to respond to a report that the Harper government has been massively understating the cost of Canada’s participation in the Afghanistan war.

Under a Dion government, he said in part, "Canadians will know exactly where we are and which way does the mismanagement by whom."

Perhaps nothing speaks to Dion’s readiness to be prime minister more than his stubborn refusal to reconsider implementing the Liberal party’s centrepiece "Green Shift" carbon tax, regardless of economic conditions which aren’t exactly perfect at the moment.

This suggests he is either recklessly bullheaded, dangerously naive or totally insincere.

Earlier this week, Michael Ignatieff told the editorial board of La Presse the Liberals won’t abandon the carbon tax because "Dion has based his career on it … but details could be changed."

Yesterday, Iggy issued a clarification saying "we are in complete agreement with our leader."

So you see, it’s not about a personal handicap or physical deformity at all.

It’s about competence. Stephane Dion is the epitome of the Peter Principle.

Stephane Dion - A loyal Canadian, an adequate politician, but not Prime Minister material.

I’ll take those steely, blue eyes anyday.

*   *   *   *

Update : And since Raphael doesn’t allow comments anymore, I’ll just have to use my blog to respond to this post - Bzzzt. Sorry Gilles. You Missed The Point: Very well said, Raph. The only thing I would add is that Duceppe is a lot smarter than you give him credit for. He gets it. However, he deliberately allowing himself to appear to be this obtuse for his own partisan purposes.  He is also hoping that Quebecers will only see the event through his narrow interpretation and not think for themselves.