MSM pundits seem to be framing this election as a choice between ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘Mr. Mean’. I can only surmise that the reason for this is that it sells more newspapers and ad spots than boring talk about the pros and cons of carbon taxes.
But let’s get down to the nitty gritty of this bizarre election – Do you want a strong leader or do you want someone to protect and cuddle?
(Maybe that’s why Dion’s getting so much female support! He evokes the maternal instinct.)
After watching the video at Stephen Taylor’s, I am left with feelings of pity for this man. He is clearly out of his element. In fact, I almost just want to pick him up, give him a big hug, and dry his tears.
But do Canadians really want to elect a Prime Minister whom they pity?
* * * *
Update : Stephane Dion and the Price of Principle (Star). This is actually quite an interesting piece:
"Others don’t quite know what to make of him. He needs a lot of time to think. He’s best in speeches and letters, not in sound bites. So it takes time to recognize him as a competent political actor."
Jean Lapierre, a cabinet minister in Martin’s government and now a Quebec TV commentator, is more blunt. "The problem with Mr. Dion is he’s got the charisma of a garage door."
Aww… Poor Stephane.
* * * *
Sunday Update: Greg Weston – An election with no voters?
HALIFAX — Martha Murphy stirs her tea pensively as she ponders the national election turned mudfest, and a resulting dilemma likely shared by millions of voters across the country, especially women.
"I was hoping the last couple of weeks (of the campaign) would help me decide how to vote," says the 30-something marketing assistant. "Instead, I actually feel a lot worse about all of them."
She "can’t stand" Stephen Harper, and while she feels sorry for Stephane Dion, "this guy as our prime minister? Ah, no."
Not at all…
Mr. Chretien was a nasty guy!!!
I fail to see the nasty side of Mr. Harper
Thank goodness we have the media around for illusionary effects.
I cannot believe how irresponsible the media in this country are being by continually propping up Dion. Although that video is funny, it is funny like watching those shows that show accidents where someone was hurt, but it is funny how they got hurt. Unfortunately, this hurt will affect a whole country. Yet the media hide this from the voters.
They also allow the opposition to preach – unopposed – the fact that Stephen Harper has just reacted to this crisis when every one of them have year end interviews in their vaults showing not only SH predicting it, but the opposition and themselves calling him pessimistic (hmmm maybe that is why, because it would show them in a bad light).
Even yesterday Iggy made the statement that Harper had “bailed” out the banks to the tune of “40-50 million” – Mike let that one go by unopposed – two lies in one sentence and it is let go by.
I believe the Tories have not been given the same air time as the rest of the parties on purpose – because the more Canadians see of Stephen Harper, the bigger the contrast between Harper and the rest of the crowd.
Oh well, at least this election, blogs have forced them to be a bit more truthful. Hopefully enough Canadians see through the bias and the propping up of Dion, because if he gets in, this country is heading downhill fast.
Interestingly, I wonder if it is the tenure system that kept him a professor for so long – I wonder if the University was very happy when he ran for politics.
I agree regarding the phenomena of Harper = nasty. Try as I might I don’t see it either. This is a complete media fabrication and makes me shake my head whenever they drone on about this.
I’m afraid any sympathy I might have felt for Dion vanished when I learned he had named his dog Kyoto. Anyone would can be so easily led around by the environmental zealots obviouly does not have the makings of a leader. He would simply be another Paul Martin, making up policy on the fly in hallway scrums based on the latest flavour-of-the-week “socially reponsible” crusade generated by the Toronto/Ottawa media.
I don’t want to give him a hug – I want to give him a good hard kick in the groin and a slap in the face for attempting to ruin this country with his sky-is-falling antics. If that makes me a bully, so be it.
No pity for him. His stubborn ego is too overgrown to let him realize he is way out of his depth. And HE considers himself a Hero (or reho). He’s like a kid who has only received praise his whole life, no constructive criticism or “you’re grounded” when warranted. He’s absolutely pathetic.
Powell, even the naming of his dog Kyoto was unoriginal. I know it’s not plagiarizm to name your dog the same as someone elses, but I think it highlights the fact Dion is not a leader, but rather needs to be lead.
“Dion’s family has a husky named “Kyoto” which they purchased “to cheer themselves up after the Liberals lost the last [2006] election.”[88] However, Dion was not the first environment minister or Liberal to have a dog by that name. David Anderson also has a schnauzer named Kyoto which he purchased one week after Canada’s ratification of the Kyoto Accord”
Dion is definitely a liability but I think it goes deeper than that, it’s also Liberal policies and attitude. Some of their “we’ll be right there with you” ads give me the creeps. I imagine myself stepping out of the shower and finding a bureaucrat standing there waiting to hand me a towel or coming home after work and finding a bureaucrat finishing up the dishes. To me it’s the infantilization of society.
As far as his proposed carbon tax goes, it’s nothing more than a sin tax. Left in the hands of the Liberals it will be played as a “Canadian value” and anyone who has the temerity to disagree with it or questions the government when they inevitably raise it will be branded as a “climate change” denier or as someone who hates the environment. I hope Canadians don’t want to revisit Liberal Fascism.
Dion is another one like Jean Charest who will do anything to get and keep power.
Jean Charest lost me when he used to tell blatant lies about Preston Manning. Dion lies all the time too. Whatever integrity he had he left behind when he came to Ottawa.
Agent Smith – For more Non-MSM reporting, please check out the next post.
Its really very funny when you think about it. The person Mr Dion has to thank for the negative ads and the character assaults are non other then Warren Kinsella! I dont disagree with WK that when you aspire to lead this county you leave yourself open to questions about your character and leadership quality’s…I just dont think the Libs and WK ever thought it would be the downfall of one on their own.
Fair or Unfair…it is what it is and I feel no empathy for Mr Dion, be prepared to rise above it or fail! Seems pretty simple to me.
I read an interesting post somewhere. In the last few days Dion has held rallies in all the ridings surrounding Garth Turner’s, yet despite all the other riding candidates being there Garth was nowhere to be seen.
Interesting….
‘CTV Defends Airing of Dion Interview’ by Alison Auld. Canoe News. Two media analysts were asked about the ethics of releasing this tape. Both analysts disagreed with the tape’s release stating there was nothing in the content to warrant release. Both analysts criticized/disagreed with bloggers’ comments/analysis that suggested Stephane Dion did not grasp the question; a comprehension issue. Apparently the media analysts were not privy to the statements/comments/excuses coming from the LPC. It is my opinion that bloggers were responding to the denials/excuses coming from the LPC just as much as they were responding to the content of the tape. The fact this story made headlines is a testament to its news worthiness. Timing is everything. We are nearing the end of an election campaign — this is news! Just sayin’.
First and foremost I object to the media and LPC abusing all handicapped people in Canada, trying to get our sympathy vote. Wont work. Perhaps we should remember the numerous tax breaks PMSH has given to the handicapped and to family members caring for them in their homes. These benefits also accru to seniors caring for spouses. There are now extra deductions for handicapped children under a certain age, which benefits their parents with increased refunds.
If Dion can’t hear or undertand a question in a sound proofed room, what would he do in a UN meeting, or G7 or with the 3 amigos. Can’t wait for him to get his cowboy boots. He would say, where are the other two, a cow has four feet. If Dion is elected and puts all his spending and tax increases in place, and Canada becomes a 3rd world nation, will the media take responsibility, or will all those responsible just sit in the Red Chamber and ask, What happened, we are innocent. Talk about american greed or bankers greed.
You can be sure that if the situation was reversed, and it had been Dion predicting a slow down and tough times ahead in his year end interviews, they would be filling the airways.
For the first time I have heard Dion mention that all these things will be in his first budget. Guess he has realized that he will have to get his throne speech passed, and then the budget. See you all at the polls in February.
Everyone complains about needless elections, but they will do nothing to stop them. A majority means 4 years of so called civility.
The liberals are years if not decades from another majority, but PMSH is only 3 days away. Think about it, do you really want another 300 million spent in a few months.
Is anyone watching Dion on CBC right now? He said most Canadians will see their taxes cut by 10% with the green shift! Does anyone have stats on that?
“Is anyone watching Dion on CBC right now? He said most Canadians will see their taxes cut by 10% with the green shift! Does anyone have stats on that?”
The liberals are not above lying to get power – after all everyone knows that what they say during an election doesn’t mean a hill of beans after then get elected. ie. childcare, healthcare, kelowna accord, GST, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
Of course our taxes will be cut by 10% with the greenshaft. Lower income means lower taxes. No job means lower or no taxes. Dion forgets to mention that when corporations or companies leave Canada there will lower taxes coming into the treasury.
How many Canadian, companies have moved. How many companies and corporations, owned by foreigners have moved. A liberal mentioned John Deere closing, that is an old american company, not a canadian company.
Is there a tru canadian auto manufacturing company or are they all US, Japanese or others companies.
Will Dion cancel the abolition of tariffs for manufacturing plants.
I notice Julie Van Dusen is using the Ontario court release of Cadman tape to beat Stephen Harper with every 30 minutes on CBC. Then goes on to say green shift will bring tax cuts to Canadians. The only party that has a chance of winning elections in Canada is the Liberal Party. CBC is going to make sure this happens for ever. All Canadians need to be very afraid of the National Press Gallery!!!
Any sympathy I had for Dion vanished when he did a 180 on the ATA sunset clauses. I will never forget that. I will also never forget (nor will I forgive) the media and the opposition fear-mongering during a global crisis and putting themselves before the country; whereas Stephen Harper seems to be taking a hit for doing the right thing and not panicking. I will never believe the media again; nor will I ever vote for Layton (I already ruled out voting liberal after the sponsorship scandal). I wasn’t going to vote for Layton this time anyway; but I had respected him enough to consider him a plan B option if the Conservatives ever did become corrupt (as unlikely as that seems) years and years from now. No party should stay in power forever. Layton just ensured I will never vote NDP while he is at the helm. Right now my plan B is staying home. Fortunately for this election I don’t need a plan B; Harper is the best PM we’ve had since John A. Macdonald. We need him now more than ever.
May don’t stay home, vote for PMSH regarless of what you may or may not think of the conservative candidate. By not voting you are actually giving a vote to the opposition.
I couldn’t agree more, Joanne.
I have news for Julie Van Dusen and the other floaters of the Dion balloon.
The everyday family cares not about Cadman, or any other of the scandals the Liberals dreamed up in the only legacy they leave.
People simply aren’t buying it or caring about it now or ever again.
You know what would really knock the socks of the Dion camp???
A Thanksgiving Day “Message from the Prime Minister” aired on Monday. Something hopeful and patriotic.
End Campaign There.
p.s. – notice how the Nanos polls seem out of line with all the others through out this campaign?
I’m pretty sure in Statistics 101 that’s known as an outlier and needs attention either because it’s unually accurate or not accurate in the least.
So, if the Nanos polls are proven right then he’s the only guy to have predicted the outcome, BUT, if he’s wrong, he’s the big pollster who was off the mark completely.
Don’t worry about me MaryT; I’d walk through a hurricane to vote for PMSH
I think you misunderstood me; I meant way in the future when someone else is the leader of the Conservative party; like 10 or 15 years down the road. Even then I wouldn’t vote for Layton because of what he’s doing now. I’ve already promised myself I will never ever vote liberal because I believe they are rotten to the core. Green is just another wing of liberal; so they never have my vote either.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is incorruptible and he always has my vote.
The Cadman thing spooked me this morning too but I believe that KNOWING, (just a face in the crowd) PMSH, he sincerely meant nothing other that what has always been said…to help his family (Cadman’s)
Feeling down again and having boycotted the CBC and CTV now, I, turned on CPAC and low and behold, the little fear mongering Dion, was at a rally spewing his negativity and calling PMSH a liar etc etc. Right after, PMSH was at a rally and oh my gosh what a difference in persona and information and spirit and gratefulness and POSITIVITY. Let’s Believe!!!
The media can live with themselves and should be so ashamed but our Prime Minister, has been a beacon of hope and pride for a country that stretches from coast to coast not a pocket here and a pocket there.
He deserves this and so does a country needing true leadership.
Well said Bec. I hope that we are not the only ones noticing the foul language from Dion and Layton . While Stephen Harper speaks respectively to all. Who is the angry man now, not Stephen Harper.
One thing about it, Dion can pronounce the word Liar without an accent. He has been sayin it over and over .It is deprssing to listen to him.
Partisan mode off,
Dion is a hero to those of us who despise Quebec separatism. He wrote substantial responses to the usual separatist fantasy rhetoric (that we have read here recently), and was instrumental in implementing the (Harper-inspired) Clarity Act.
Partison mode back on,
He also has proposed the disastrous Green Shift, in which your taxes will be used both the fight global warming and poverty, by the Robin Hood-like transfer of energy taxes to whomever the Liberal Party thinks will vote for them, without regard for the economic consequences.
Pity? Pity?
He works pity like a travelling salesman works balding balms.
Chucker, yes. I’m beginning to see that I was taken in by a con man.