Liberals now trying to buy Conservative MPs?

[calculoso]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2005/...1023856-cp.html

"I'm aware of other people in the caucus that the government approached with offers of positions - maybe in the Senate or some other position," said MacKay.

"Four people have confided in me that approaches were made - including Mr. Mark . . . .

"The objective is clear: reduce the number in the Commons to win a confidence vote. It's clear. It's just a strategy."

Is it just a strategy? I find it at least a little underhanded.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Is that really even legal? I agree it seems slimy and well corrupt for lack of a better word.... who would have thought that could come from a Layton-Martin partnership?

[LockedOut]

Just to add Paul Martin decided at first not to go to Europe(can't remember which country, silly me) cause he was afraid a vote might happen while he's gone thus one less vote for him. He had to persuade the other leaders to come with him and put any politics on hold if he is to go. Really this is all so silly. This is becoming a farce really.

[Resolute 14]

When have the Liberals not used an underhanded strategy to retain power?

[MarchHare]

Originally posted by LockedOut@May 4 2005, 12:26 AM
Just to add Paul Martin decided at first not to go to Europe(can't remember which country, silly me) cause he was afraid a vote might happen while he's gone thus one less vote for him. He had to persuade the other leaders to come with him and put any politics on hold if he is to go. Really this is all so silly. This is becoming a farce really.

Correction:

All four parties were invited to send MPs to Holland to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of V-E Day. The CPC and Bloc decided not to send anyone at the last minute, after the NDP and Liberal reps were already there (hmmm...I wonder why they'd do that?).

Martin then made the offer of a political cease-fire of sorts so that our veterans could have members of the government present at the events in Europe.

Quite shameful of the Bloc and CPC to play dirty politics like that, but at least everyone came to their senses in the end.

[Flame On]

Originally posted by MarchHare+May 4 2005, 06:54 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MarchHare @ May 4 2005, 06:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-LockedOut@May 4 2005, 12:26 AM
Just to add Paul Martin decided at first not to go to Europe(can't remember which country, silly me) cause he was afraid a vote might happen while he's gone thus one less vote for him. He had to persuade the other leaders to come with him and put any politics on hold if he is to go. Really this is all so silly. This is becoming a farce really.

Correction:

All four parties were invited to send MPs to Holland to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of V-E Day. The CPC and Bloc decided not to send anyone at the last minute, after the NDP and Liberal reps were already there (hmmm...I wonder why they'd do that?).

Martin then made the offer of a political cease-fire of sorts so that our veterans could have members of the government present at the events in Europe.

Quite shameful of the Bloc and CPC to play dirty politics like that, but at least everyone came to their senses in the end. [/b][/quote]
Yes and yet another flip flop Uturn by the dithering CPC party...
I heard Harper say "see that wasn't so hard" like a little brat. What a baby.
The liberals agenda was clear so I'm not giving them a free pass, I liked Layton the best who just said "I'd be honored to go". That's all that requires being said.

[MarchHare]

I'll add one other thing.

Last year I was fortunate enough to be at Juno Beach for the 60th anniversary of D-Day (it was the day after Game 6 of the finals and I was wearing a Flames jersey at the beach...I swear I was asked, "Did Calgary win the Stanley Cup last night?" about 800 times. I wish I could have answered that question differently ).

Paul Martin and the Governor General were present to give speeches. The leaders of every opposition party were also invited, but they all gave up their spots and sent a veteran in their place. That was a very classy move, and I give full credit to Harper, Layton, and Duceppe for that. The political shenanigans that have surrounded the V-E Day ceremonies are just shameful though. If there's one thing I think all Canadians -- regardless of political affiliation -- can agree upon, it's that our veterans deserve the utmost of respect, and to play dirty politics with them like this is terrible.

[Flames89]

If the Conservatives had a leader with half the charisma and who was half as in touch with the people as Jack Layton they would win by a landslide.

[Bingo]

Originally posted by Flames89@May 4 2005, 07:26 AM
If the Conservatives had a leader with half the charisma and who was half as in touch with the people as Jack Layton they would win by a landslide.

Charisma is nice, but give me substance any day. I think the bigger picture for Harper is to lose the "scary" label. Just or not it's hard to win if people "fear" you.

Exacty what people is Layton in touch with?

[Flame On]

Originally posted by Bingo+May 4 2005, 07:41 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bingo @ May 4 2005, 07:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Flames89@May 4 2005, 07:26 AM
If the Conservatives had a leader with half the charisma and who was half as in touch with the people as Jack Layton they would win by a landslide.

Charisma is nice, but give me substance any day. I think the bigger picture for Harper is to lose the "scary" label. Just or not it's hard to win if people "fear" you.

Exacty what people is Layton in touch with? [/b][/quote]
Those people that like to remain fear free in regards to a leader.

[Resolute 14]

Originally posted by MarchHare@May 4 2005, 06:54 AM
Martin then made the offer of a political cease-fire of sorts so that our veterans could have members of the government present at the events in Europe.

Quite shameful of the Bloc and CPC to play dirty politics like that, but at least everyone came to their senses in the end.

I dont believe for a second that Martin cares about the veterans. He's using this as a means to extend his government just a little bit longer.

[Bingo]

Originally posted by Flame On+May 4 2005, 07:58 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flame On @ May 4 2005, 07:58 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Charisma is nice, but give me substance any day. I think the bigger picture for Harper is to lose the "scary" label. Just or not it's hard to win if people "fear" you.

Exacty what people is Layton in touch with?

Those people that like to remain fear free in regards to a leader. [/b][/quote]
Well Layton's policies scare the bejesus out of me! Does that count?

[Bertuzzied]

I just can't see Harper as PM. Doesn't the conservative party have anyone better? Sure the liberal party is sucking but the conservatives do not have a man/woman half as good as Martin. I mean Belinda- can't give a speech without sounding like a robot- finished 2nd in the leadership voting is pretty sad.

[Flame On]

Originally posted by Bingo+May 4 2005, 08:24 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bingo @ May 4 2005, 08:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Those people that like to remain fear free in regards to a leader.

Well Layton's policies scare the bejesus out of me! Does that count? [/b][/quote]
Of course that counts.

[FlamesAddiction]

Mulroney pulled a similar stunt back when he was trying to salvage his career.

It's not "buying" MPs. He is offtering them positions and if they put their self-interest ahead of party interest, then who's fault is that?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally posted by Snakeeye+May 4 2005, 09:18 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Snakeeye @ May 4 2005, 09:18 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-MarchHare@May 4 2005, 06:54 AM
Martin then made the offer of a political cease-fire of sorts so that our veterans could have members of the government present at the events in Europe.

Quite shameful of the Bloc and CPC to play dirty politics like that, but at least everyone came to their senses in the end.

I dont believe for a second that Martin cares about the veterans. He's using this as a means to extend his government just a little bit longer. [/b][/quote]
That's sort of an odd comment from a guy who makes a lot of noise about Liberal smear tactics and distortions. Odd in that it sounds like a smear job and a distortion.

Talk about a cheap shot.

[Flames89]

Originally posted by Bingo+May 4 2005, 11:24 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Bingo @ May 4 2005, 11:24 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Those people that like to remain fear free in regards to a leader.

Well Layton's policies scare the bejesus out of me! Does that count? [/b][/quote]
Policies - yikes.

I am just saying what he has done for the NDP, by having a semblance of charisma and by trying to talk about issues above petty politics, attracts people to him.

He is a snake in the grass, but Harper is just crappy. He does not inspire people. He scares people. The year? 2005? MiddleEast wars, Starving people, power-mad America, rising risk of world-wide epidemic, Superpowers focusing on lil' Alberta and their Oil, increased Terrorist risks, Increased anti-western sentiment, degredation of municipal infrastructures, environmental haphazardness. And our house of commons wants to discuss whether some homo's can stand at an alter and say "I do" - I just don't get it. The only people who are so opposed to it, are the religeous folk - and someone on that hill should have the common sense to take the religeon out of politics.

</end rant>

[Resolute 14]

Originally posted by RougeUnderoos+May 4 2005, 06:52 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (RougeUnderoos @ May 4 2005, 06:52 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

I dont believe for a second that Martin cares about the veterans. He's using this as a means to extend his government just a little bit longer.

That's sort of an odd comment from a guy who makes a lot of noise about Liberal smear tactics and distortions. Odd in that it sounds like a smear job and a distortion.

Talk about a cheap shot. [/b][/quote]
Do you honestly think Martin would have invited the oppposition leaders to join him if his government wasnt in jeopardy?

Martin has already proven numerous times that he will put his personal political interests ahead of those of the nation. Lacking any reason to believe otherwise, I choose to believe that this is more of the same.

[MarchHare]

Do you honestly think Martin would have invited the oppposition leaders to join him if his government wasnt in jeopardy?

Uh, how then do you explain that members of the opposition were invited to join Martin at Juno Beach last year? The Liberals still had a majority government at the time.

Martin has already proven numerous times that he will put his personal political interests ahead of those of the nation.

And this is different from Harper, how? Seeing as how Harper has vowed to try to force an election now while it's politically advantageous for him to do so even though a clear majority of Canadians don't want a spring or summer vote.

[Resolute 14]

Fair enough on the first comment. I'll concede that point.

As for the second, Harper is irrelevent to this discussion. Seriously, is the only defense you Liberals have for Martin "well, at least he isnt Harper"?

Martin called an election last year when the opposition wanted him to wait for Gomery as well. Dont cry for our corrupt (at worst) or incompetent (at best) PM because his own tactics are working against him.