Calgary Centre Federal By-election - Nov 26 (UPDATE - Crockatt wins for CPC)

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Well, Rerun, fell free to showcase all the great things Rob has done for his constituency. If he's been such a great public servant, it shouldn't be that hard no?

I fully admit... he's a buffoon.

But, as far as I know, Rob Anders has represented his riding, in parliament, as well as any other backbencher anywhere else.

The implication, by others here. was that things would improve in the riding if someone other than Anders was the rep.
Show me where he has failed to do his job as MP representing Calgary West? (not counting the foot in mouth disease that he suffers from).

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I fully admit... he's a buffoon.

But, as far as I know, Rob Anders has represented his riding, in parliament, as well as any other backbencher anywhere else.

Time for Nenshi to run as a Liberal in Calgary West next election. That will teach Harper for forcefeeding us Anders all these years.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Honestly, has the riding suffered because Rob Anders is the MP?... other than day to day embarrassment that is.

What problems are there that Anders hasn't addressed? How would the riding be better off if there was a Liberal rep?

The riding would be better off with a Liberal for no other reason than the next time there's an election Anders wouldn't be the CPC candidate.

Simply not being an embarassment for the party and the riding is all you need to do in order to be a better representative.

[OffsideSpecialist]

My former MP was totally useless, in a riding that has been Liberal since the 1800s, but he's nowhere near as embarrassing as Anders. He was least able to keep his mouth shut and be useless silently.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

He's not suggesting he's a bad public servant at all. In fact his post suggests Rob takes care of all of his constituents issues, otherwise why say...



Clearly he feels Rob is a more than adequate representative of his riding, or at the least, that a Liberal would be a worse representative than Rob (impossible but he is a CPC supporter through and through). I think Rerun finds his gaffes embarassing, but is more than pleased Rob never votes out of party line.

Since you seem to want to put words in my mouth, I shall clarify.

Anders is an adequate representative of his riding in as such that he looks after its issues and votes accordingly in parliament.

He's a backbencher... just like hundreds of other members.

He votes CPC party line just like the other 162 CPC MPs do. No different than what the Liberal or the NDP members do.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

My former MP was totally useless, in a riding that has been Liberal since the 1800s, but he's nowhere near as embarrassing as Anders. He was least able to keep his mouth shut and be useless silently.

Well if that's the case, Justin Trudeau should resign his seat immediately.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

The riding would be better off with a Liberal for no other reason than the next time there's an election Anders wouldn't be the CPC candidate.

Simply not being an embarassment for the party and the riding is all you need to do in order to be a better representative.

Does this hold true for David McGuinty and Justin Trudeau too?

[OffsideSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Well if that's the case, Justin Trudeau should resign his seat immediately.

I'm OK with Anders being in the HoC because he is a democratically elected representative. I think he an embarrassment to the Conservatives, but his constituents continue to elect him for whatever reason, so as long as that happens he is more than welcome to be their MP.

[MarchHare]

Anders is an adequate representative of his riding in as such that he looks after its issues and votes accordingly in parliament.

He's a backbencher... just like hundreds of other members.

He votes CPC party line just like the other 162 CPC MPs do. No different than what the Liberal or the NDP members do.

MPs (from all parties) do much more than just vote in the HoC. If all you want is someone who will reliably vote the CPC party line on most issues, then I guess Rob Anders will suit you just fine. I, for one, expect more from my elected representative than that, though.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

MPs (from all parties) do much more than just vote in the HoC. If all you want is someone who will reliably vote the CPC party line on most issues, then I guess Rob Anders will suit you just fine. I, for one, expect more from my elected representative than that, though.

Well if you don't want a rep that votes the party line you better vote for an independent next election.

Guaranteed, any other party member (yes even your illustrious Liberals) vote the party line... particularly when they are the governing party.

Or is it just that you don't want an MP voting the CPC party line? Voting the Liberal party line is ok...

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Does this hold true for David McGuinty and Justin Trudeau too?

I guess? What do they have to do with Calgary West? Or CPC apathy towards Calgary?

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Well if you don't want a rep that votes the party line you better vote for an independent next election.

Guaranteed, any other party member (yes even your illustrious Liberals) vote the party line... particularly when they are the governing party.

You didn't comprehend my post correctly. MPs do much more than just vote in the HoC.

If your only expectation for your MP is to be a reliable vote for your preferred party's positions, then I can see why you'd feel Rob Anders does an adequate job for the people of Calgary-West. On the other hand, many voters quite rightly expect more from their MPs than just that.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

I guess? What do they have to do with Calgary West? Or CPC apathy towards Calgary?

Because by your standards, if an MP says stupid things, the riding would be better off without him or her. Thus my assertion that JT and DM should fall into this category.

Originally Posted by Roughneck

The riding would be better off with a Liberal for no other reason than the next time there's an election Anders wouldn't be the CPC candidate.

Simply not being an embarassment for the party and the riding is all you need to do in order to be a better representative.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

You didn't comprehend my post correctly. MPs do much more than just vote in the HoC.

If your only expectation for your MP is to be a reliable vote for your preferred party's positions, then I can see why you'd feel Rob Anders does an adequate job for the people of Calgary-West. On the other hand, many voters quite rightly expect more from their MPs than just that.

I inferred from your statement that you were looking for an MP who didn't vote the party line all the time.

I know that MPs do more than just vote in parliament. Are you saying that this is the only thing that Rob Anders does?

FYI.....

He began his career as deputy critic for Human Resources and in 1998 was appointed the chief critic for Senate and Patronage. As the official opposition's chief critic, he created and chaired the Elected Senate Action Team - a task force to advance the cause of Senate Reform in Canada. Rob worked closely with Alberta Senator Bert Brown, to see the results of Alberta's 1998 Senate election realized. He also served as deputy critic for Citizenship and Immigration and as the Official Opposition Critic for National Defence.

Rob currently sits on the Scrutiny of Regulations Committee. His prior committee work includes; Co-chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Joint chair of The Standing Committee on the Library of Parliament, Chair of the Veteran's Affairs Committee, Vice Chair for the Subcommittee on National Security, member of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

One of Rob's great passions is his support for democracy and religious freedom. Over the years he has hosted and participated in many events to protest the Chinese government's occupation of Tibet, their brutal repression of Falun Gong practitioners and their military intimidation of Taiwan. He worked hard to facilitate his Holiness, the Dalai Lama's 2004 visit to Canada. He initiated a letter writing campaign from Canadian Parliamentarians to the President of China, urging him to respect the basic freedom of the 70 million Chinese who adhere to the spiritual practice known as Falun Gong. Rob also played an important role to help bring together Canadian MPs and Senators with religious leaders from Vietnam.

[KelVarnsen]

Is Rerun really defending Rob Anders?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Is Rerun really defending Rob Anders?

Not really... I'm just saying that he does more than just vote in the HOC.

As I said before, I think he's a buffoon and I wish Calgary West had another person as their CPC rep... but it is what it is and he does what he's supposed to as their MP.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by Rerun

In the end, in our system, the individual MP generally has very little power and ability to effect change.... no matter what kind of candidate they are.

So I think you are best to just vote for the party you support the most and just ignore the qualities or lack thereof, of the individual candidate running in this by-election.

I am a Conservative supporter but still think that you should always factor in the candidate when voting.

I don't think it will happen but I think it would be great if the election sent a message to Ottawa that they had better pay more attention to Calgary/Alberta.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Because by your standards, if an MP says stupid things, the riding would be better off without him or her. Thus my assertion that JT and DM should fall into this category.

Those weren't my standards at all. Not even close. Seriously, where did you get that from?

[mariners_fever]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Not really... I'm just saying that he does more than just vote in the HOC.

As I said before, I think he's a buffoon and I wish Calgary West had another person as their CPC rep... but it is what it is and he does what he's supposed to as their MP.

Actually, he's my MP. For those of you who suggest that there's more to the job than voting with his party, he isn't the worst MP out there based on this criteria.

Don't underestimate the reason for his continued electoral success. Media gaffes and subsequent reputation aside, he is actually a decent constituent MP. Holds regular events, attends important ceremonies in the constituency, and has returned all my calls when we agree or disagree. Believe it or not, he even called me back about the sleeping thing, explained the situation, and apologized.

I know you guys will jump on me for this, but think about it. There's a reason why he's hard to take out in nominations.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by mariners_fever

Actually, he's my MP. For those of you who suggest that there's more to the job than voting with his party, he isn't the worst MP out there based on this criteria.

Don't underestimate the reason for his continued electoral success. Media gaffes and subsequent reputation aside, he is actually a decent constituent MP. Holds regular events, attends important ceremonies in the constituency, and has returned all my calls when we agree or disagree. Believe it or not, he even called me back about the sleeping thing, explained the situation, and apologized.

I know you guys will jump on me for this, but think about it. There's a reason why he's hard to take out in nominations.

Yes, and that reason is the 2/3 rule, which with the redrawn boundaries he won't have the privilege of next time around...