Blue Like You

So far I’ve found two live-blogging sites:

National Post seems to be preparing for live-blogging on both the U.S. and Canadian debates.

Macleans will be covering the Canadian English Leadership debates, as they did last night with the French.

I’m sure there are plenty of blogs live-blogging as well.

If all else fails, try Stephen Taylor’s Debate Drinking Game.

Or you can weigh in here. No reason to be bored tonight if you are a political junkie. Cheers!

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BTW, my expectations for Stephane Dion tonight are very high. So if he doesn’t measure up, then he will lose!

(The preceding was Lame-Stream Media logic.)

And Matt promises to live-blog tonight!

So are you happy, Mr. Rae?  Did that make your day?

Owen Lippert resigns.

Now can we please get back to somewhat more important issues, like the economy for example?

Check out the comments from the Star link. Looks like folks are fed up with ‘Gotcha’ politics.  Why do you suppose this came out now? - It was a 2003 speech!

Grow up, people! Save it for Question Period when Parliament begins.

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Update: More from the Post - Tory staffer resigns after admitting to plagiarizing 2003 speech.

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And here’s some real news that MSM should be focusing on:

Star - Duncan sounds Ontario economic warning.

VOLVO CLOSING - 104.9 the Beach.

Leaders ask for full hour on economy in debate - CTV.

Jim Coyle - Industrial jobs gone forever, McGuinty concedes:

…"There are parts of this economy which I am absolutely convinced are not coming back,” McGuinty told reporters.

When asked what parts, he said: "There’s no doubt that there’s some of our traditional manufacturing is being challenged.”

The premier said it was time for a great deal of humility. But he sounded positively chastened.

He said Ontario manufacturers, sheltering behind the low Canadian dollar, "hid from global economic realities” longer than did the U.S.

"We didn’t make the necessary productivity gains that we should have made. We weren’t necessarily as innovative as we could have been and should have been…’

Do I actually detect a tone of responsibility and partial ownership of this mess? Maybe there’s hope for Dalton yet.

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Wednesday Update : Plagiarism charge is a low blow - L. Ian MacDonald.:

…So the big story in the campaign yesterday was whether Harper, as leader of a party that no longer exists, plagiarized a speech five and half years ago from a leader who is no longer in office.

And Bob Rae, who has spent more than a decade rebuilding his own reputation after his disastrous term as premier of Ontario, spent a morning trying to destroy the reputation of someone who has never treated him as anything other than an honourable opponent …

This story by Randell Denley really touched me - Harper stands by his man McGarry in tough times. (Citizen) - H/T National Newswatch.

Conservative Candidate Brian McGarry offered to step aside in the election race, since his wife has a serious illness and he would not be able to give the campaign sufficient attention.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper wouldn’t hear of it, and told McGarry to just do what he could:

“‘This is what is want you to do. I want you to stick with it, do as much campaigning as you can, but if you can’t do any, don’t worry about it.’

“I left that room — I don’t usually admit to being a softie, but I had tears in my eyes,” McGarry said. “I thought, the guy is hanging in with me. I left there with a weight off my shoulders. I really appreciated his answer.

Mrs. Harper has stepped in to help by having their daughter over to 24 Sussex.

This quiet demonstration of compassion is so inspiring.

I wish the McGarry family all the best and pray for Mrs. McGarry’s recovery.

And perhaps the vandals in Ottawa Centre could look for something more constructive to occupy their time.

So what’s Monte Solberg been up to lately?

I was quite surprised to read an article by him in today’s Ottawa Sun (at least I assume it’s the Monte Solberg) - No Party with Leaders.

It’s actually quite an amusing little piece, much like a fine Merlot.

One of my favourite lines regarding Jack Layton:

…Unfortunately, just saying "Green Collar Jobs" and clicking your heels together won’t buy groceries and pay the mortgage.

Incredibly I can’t even find a mention of crime issues on the NDP website, a big issue for the blue collar workers he’s courting. Sometimes Jack also comes across as way too pleased with himself in a way that makes you want to give him a noogie."

Oh yeah…

- And about Elizabeth May:

…She’s a nice person, and the kind of person I would consult on buying organic soap from the farmers’ market…

Heh.

Oh dear. I hope you don’t have to issue an apology Monte. Oh yeah, you’re not running again. Lucky you.

Read his piece slowly, and enjoy.

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Update : More on Monte from a recent Calgary Sun article by Rick Bell.

Please check out this link from CTV regarding Danny Williams’ alleged campaign of intimidation and threats against residents who wish to support the CPC. Kudos to Robert Fife for his excellent report.

There are stories of people’s family businesses being threatened if candidates run for the CPC, people being called up and discouraged from attending rallies or making a donation, and a general feeling of ‘heavy fear’ from a man who has "too much power".

More from Jim Morgan who backs up the story.

It’s positively frightening. Elections Canada might want to check it out.

Fife calls it a very serious campaign of intimidation.

H/T to Sammy and Fay in the previous post for this information. This really needs to get out on blogs and MSM.

Are Newfoundlanders going to take this?

And as Mary T. asks, is it legal?

Is Danny Williams having some kind of breakdown?

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Update: National Newswatch has now picked up the CTV link.

9:15 pm - CTV Newsnet had an updated report from Robert Fife, who said that Danny Williams’ press secretary was in touch with him and they are saying Williams denies any of these allegations.

So, somebody is lying about a very serious issue.

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Sunday Update: ASTTR - "If you run, we’ll ruin your father’s business…"

Via Jack’s Newswatch - Danny Boy has gone too far: Rex Murphy.

Right as Rain: "Danny the Dictator?"

Just Right - "Danny Williams unglued."

Daimnation! - "Some things never change (including Newfoundland politics)."

Sunday Evening Update : Stephen Taylor’s post on Danny Williams is picked up by the National Post’s Full Comment. Way to go, Stephen!

Hunter - Campaign of Intimidation and Campaign of Intimidation Part 2 .

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Big Monday Update: Check out National Newswatch! CTV’s Robert Fife Under Attack!

This story has also been picked up by Uncommon Truths. Also check out the first comment at Dante’s.

Tuesday Update: Thanks to Suzanne in comments for letting me know that this post has been picked up by CBC’s Susan Ormiston in "Blog Buzz".

Also from CBC - Williams registers anti-Harper ‘ABC’ campaign with Elections Canada. (Maybe the money would be better spent taking an anger management course?)

Yesterday on MDL, Joël-Denis Bellavance of La Presse tantalized viewers with a preview of today’s big story - L’ex-ministre Jacques Brassard varlope le Bloc.

Bellavance disclosed something to the effect that a former PQ Minister says the Bloc has become the clone of the NDP and is no longer relevant.

I used Google translator, but it leaves something to be desired. I gather that Brassard feels he has nothing in common with Duceppe and his party?

Since my French is a bit rusty, I would love to hear from anyone who could give us a rough translation and thoughts about the article. Thanks.

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Update: CBC says this is having a big effect on the Bloc this morning.

Julie Van D. mentioned that Michael Fortier is scheduled for a presser later on today, which may be related to this subject.

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More recommended articles for your reading pleaure:

Liberal leader proves he’s no rock star - Greg Weston in the Sun.  (BTW, what ever happened to Lorrie Goldstein???)

Dion Stumbles - L. Ian Macdonald

Surrey MP wrote letter in support of drug trafficker - Kim Bolan

So much going on. So little time.

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Evening Update: Layton welcomes sovereigntist’s NDP-Bloc comparison - CTV.

Plummeting Que. sovereignty support good for Tories - National Post.

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Thursday Update: Sovereignty silence bites Bloc - Star.

…that Stephane Dion mentioned her company’s website in his kickoff speech to the Federal election campaign, right? National exposure after all… [sarc off]

For future reference, it’s THE Green Shift for you Mr. Bean, and Green Shift for the company who’s owner is filing for an injunction against your party .

And that’s the last bit of help I’m giving you.

Gaffe #1 and counting.

(Please see Monday update at end)

(Oh, o.k. just one more hint. Don’t accuse the Government of "sitting on their hands". That one could come back to haunt you.)

O.K. Just one more. It’s "Richer, fairer, Greener ", not "Richer, fairer, richer ".

Didn’t you check the script, Stephane?

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Update: Please check out Angelo Persichilli - Best to bomb the other party’s weakest link (Star).

And via Wilson’s comment at Christian Conservative, we have this juicy tidbit - Note on the new Liberal website, the name being used now
” The Liberal Green Shift” .

Will Jennifer Wright be o.k. with this further revision of the Green Shift? Stay tuned…

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Monday Update: Well, it seems that the CTV translator made a mistake and it has now been corrected. Mr. Dion did actually say "The Green Shift", but it was translated as Green Shift.  However, CTV has now changed their web page to reflect the correct translation.

Which all goes to show that you can’t always trust MSM, and neither should bloggers.

I just finished reviewing the beginning of yesterday’s ‘Question Period’, which I had fortunately recorded. Lloyd Robertson and Lisa LaFlamme clearly chastize Dion for saying "Green Shift", and Lisa calls it the first gaffe of the Liberal Party in this campaign. Strange that that segment is not available on the CTV website…

BIG UPDATE: LIBERALS HAVE A NEW WRIT EXPENSE: PAYING FOR ‘GREEN SHIFT’ - Steve janke

OMG.

The Green Party’s Jim Harris is on CTV right now announcing legal action for Lizzy to join the Leaders’ debate.

They’re making it a woman against all the men issue. (As well as having their floor-crossing MP on board, of course.)

Harris sites this editorial by Chantel Hebert as evidence that the Tories and NDP ‘fear’ Elizabeth May.

Developing.

CNews Update.

O.K. Here we have the CTV link. Check this out:

…Harris also noted that as the only female party leader, May has an additional right to be included in the debates …

What????

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More CTV newsnet discussions - Scott Brison is on CTV just now (noon) saying Premier Rodney MacDonald is lying to Nova Scotians regarding the Green Shift.  I hope the interview ends up on Newsnet.

(Note: Comments were accidentally turned off until now. )

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2:30 pm Update: The other half of the Red Green Show is on CTV Newsnet right now. Dion is speaking to his ‘enthralled’ caucus.  Oh, this is cute - ‘Tory times are tough times.’ Better tell that to Dalton McGuinty. He must have changed parties.

Oh boy, now he’s invoking Bush and Harris.  What a broken record.

Now he’s saying that Canadians need a government guided by ’science and facts’. I wonder what Robert Thibault would say about that?

This is painful. I can’t take anymore. You’re on your own, folks.

Dalton McGuinty plans to ask the federal party leaders for fairness for Ontario:

…After meeting with students at a Pickering high school today, McGuinty said he will ask each federal party leader how they would deal with Ontario’s claims that it is not treated fairly by the federal government…

Too bad Dalton doesn’t worry about fair and equal treatment of Ontario citizens himself.

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Wednesday Update : Waterloo Region has big problems with long wait times for specialists. Here is the latest crisis developing - Region loses two dermatologists (Record). Where is Dalton McGuinty on this file? Why is he ignoring the health of Waterloo Region citizens?

…Area dermatologists see a mix of medical and cosmetic cases. But Papp said they could see more medical cases if the province provides more funding.

Money to introduce electronic health records would boost efficiency, he said. And hiring nurse practitioners or other trained practitioners to help monitor less serious cases would free up specialists to care for complex ones, he said.

Two years ago, Papp asked the province for funding for a nurse practitioner but was told none was available.

He added that there have been only minor increases to fee-for-service payments for dermatologists.

"Basically, we are getting paid the same as we did in 1986 and the costs are much, much higher."

Dalton McGuinty should stop pandering to unions and start funding the health sector properly. Where is our health tax going???

Regarding McGuinty’s electioneering style, check this out: Obama goes to McGuinty U. (Sun)

I just came across this little gem on the CTV website quoting Harper communications director Kory Teneycke, regarding whether or not Elizabeth May should now be allowed to participate in any televised leaders’ debates:

"Our view is there should only be one Liberal candidate in the leaders’ debate."

Sweet.

Related discussion going on at  ChuckerCanuk’s.

But unlike ‘Southern Ontarioan’, I don’t want Lizzie being forced to share her time with Dion if she ends up being allowed to participate.

I want to hear Stephane speak uninterrupted and without a media translation of Dion-speak into English.

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Update: And who knew that CTV was biased against the Liberals???