Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
...I'd prefer a bare knuckle boxing match myself ala frankie goes to Hollywood.
At some point my friend, we'll have to find a more effective way of doing this, this posting stuff is too long.
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I couldn't agree more! For that reason I will not try to address your entire post and concentrate on the coalition issue.
You are right in that there doesn't appear to be a written document specifically stating that the three opposition parties would form a coalition in 2004. However, the document that does exist and the statements from the time by Harper do suggest that this was precisely what he was going to do. This has today been confirmed by both Duceppe and Layton. By taking the hardline that he has on the 2008 coalition, Harper has backed himself into a corner where he must now say that Layton and Duceppe are lying about 2004 as well as providing a motive for their lies.
Harper has also said that Ignatieff is lying when he made a statement that he wouldn't form a coalition with the NDP and BQ if the Conservatives don't win a majority. So basically, he has said that all three of Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe are all lying, while the existing documents suggest that he is the one lying about the coalition in 2004.
Now I know that your views will not change and neither will mine. The average Canadian who has tuned out politics since the last election, however, may very well make up their minds on who to vote for on what they hear in the next five weeks. Harper has to convince these people that all the other leaders are not telling the truth while he exclusively is. I still stand on my belief that this is a risky path for Harper and has a very good chance to backfire on him.
As for the boxing match, I am torn on who would win. I think that Ignatieff is a better athlete and he has a reach advantage, while Harper is younger and would probably be more aggressive. It would be a good match, though.