Harper named Time's top Canadian newsmaker

[MatsNaslund]

Dion is not loved in Quebeec like most french politicians because of his federalistic views, he wont get anything in western canada, in fact he will probably lose what little there is to lose. So you think he is going to make dramatic in roads in ontario then? A frenchmen that can barely speak a word of english and was a member of the federal liberals, in QUEBEC I might add, during the sponsership scandel?

Dion has a few things going for him. He was a cabinent minister with both Martin and Chretein. He is a Trudeau Liberal. So he can help bridge the gap between the 2 camps. He is not the party establishment's man. The report that came out after the sponsership scandal never mentioned him even remotely. He is as clean a candidate as anyone out there. Dion is the architect of the Clarity Act. This b.s. that he is dual citizen with France and trying to drum up things about him saying that he is anti-Canada is crap. The man is about Canadian as they come. In his youth he might have supported the PQ and his mother was born in France so he can keep his dual citizenship just like the rest of us. All this crap is coming from Ezra Levant who published those anti-Islam cartoons and offended Muslims everywhere and gave them a reason to hate Canada.

More importantly, Dion keeps the tradition of having one Anglo and then one French leader in succession. He can carry Ontario (where the election will be won) because they take it very seriously in Ontario that Quebec's interests be represented. With a Quebecker at the Liberal helm they would prefer him over the Alberta-first Harper. In Quebec, he may not be the most popular Liberal but who is Dion running against? Harper. They would prefer their own native son over a Alberta-first, anti-Kyoto,anti-environment, anti-gay rights, Pro-Afghanistan war (in which Quebeckers are about to be deployed) Harper who also has yet to act on the Fiscal imbalance issue like he promised. Dion's values mirror more closely those of typical Quebeckers then those of Harper. If Dion takes a chunk of Quebec (BLOC will always carry the most of it) and takes most of Ontario along with some support in the maritimes he will get a majority without needing any other support from any other province. Lately BC has been showing support for Liberals and he could add some seats there. The Strength of the Liberals is in urbans centers (most of which are full of progressives and minorities like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, etc.), Ontario, and Quebec and to a lesser extent the maritime provinces. What happens in other places they don't care it is all just gravy. As for the conservatives: they were given a protest vote last time especially in Quebec over the sponsership scandal. A lot of those voters will not conservative again and keep this in mind even then the Conservatives only meeked out a minority. To get a majority Harper would have to get out of Afghanistan, address the fiscal imbalance for Quebec and Ontario, approve of gay marriage, apply kyoto, increase immigration, increase spending on and maintain public healthcare, restore the gun registry, restore the Wheatboard etc. I don't see him doing that because that would shatter everything his redneck base votes for.

[mykalberta]

I wouldnt say he is the man of the year,

I would say he is the biggest surprise of 2006

As a Alberta Conservative he has surprised me more than anyone, I thought it would be back to the drumming commercials, now that he hasnt done anything too crazy those drum commercials really look "great now"

I hope the cons use those commercials in the next election to show the libs what they truly are - spinless Dalton McGintey's

The whole Harper is a Republican routine died as soon as he brought in the Trust legistlation. The reps have a sound base but the big biz corruption is why I could never vote for them - its likely why so many people dont vote in the US. BigBiz vs Michael Moore - um no thanks - I will take a pass on that please.

MYK

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by MatsNaslund

Dion has a few things going for him. He was a cabinent minister with both Martin and Chretein. He is a Trudeau Liberal. So he can help bridge the gap between the 2 camps. He is not the party establishment's man. The report that came out after the sponsership scandal never mentioned him even remotely. He is as clean a candidate as anyone out there. Dion is the architect of the Clarity Act. This b.s. that he is dual citizen with France and trying to drum up things about him saying that he is anti-Canada is crap. The man is about Canadian as they come. In his youth he might have supported the PQ and his mother was born in France so he can keep his dual citizenship just like the rest of us. All this crap is coming from Ezra Levant who published those anti-Islam cartoons and offended Muslims everywhere and gave them a reason to hate Canada.

More importantly, Dion keeps the tradition of having one Anglo and then one French leader in succession. He can carry Ontario (where the election will be won) because they take it very seriously in Ontario that Quebec's interests be represented. With a Quebecker at the Liberal helm they would prefer him over the Alberta-first Harper. In Quebec, he may not be the most popular Liberal but who is Dion running against? Harper. They would prefer their own native son over a Alberta-first, anti-Kyoto,anti-environment, anti-gay rights, Pro-Afghanistan war (in which Quebeckers are about to be deployed) Harper who also has yet to act on the Fiscal imbalance issue like he promised. Dion's values mirror more closely those of typical Quebeckers then those of Harper. If Dion takes a chunk of Quebec (BLOC will always carry the most of it) and takes most of Ontario along with some support in the maritimes he will get a majority without needing any other support from any other province. Lately BC has been showing support for Liberals and he could add some seats there. The Strength of the Liberals is in urbans centers (most of which are full of progressives and minorities like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, etc.), Ontario, and Quebec and to a lesser extent the maritime provinces. What happens in other places they don't care it is all just gravy. As for the conservatives: they were given a protest vote last time especially in Quebec over the sponsership scandal. A lot of those voters will not conservative again and keep this in mind even then the Conservatives only meeked out a minority. To get a majority Harper would have to get out of Afghanistan, address the fiscal imbalance for Quebec and Ontario, approve of gay marriage, apply kyoto, increase immigration, increase spending on and maintain public healthcare, restore the gun registry, restore the Wheatboard etc. I don't see him doing that because that would shatter everything his redneck base votes for.

I am sorry but publishing cartoons is a matter of the Freedom of the Press - that comment is about as usefull as - the only reason there was such an uproar is people are afraid that the same factions that did 9/11 will do it if they run cartoons.

There was more uproar over cartoons than their was about the Holocst deniers - what sense does that make.

Also, dual citizenship does matter when you are the Prime Minister. Why would he not just let the passport expire and then get it when he isnt prime minister. Please name me one leader in Nato that has dual citizenship - please - thanks.

The passport plays to the cons base to rally for vote support - that is why it has been brought up.

MYK

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by MatsNaslund

Dion has a few things going for him. He was a cabinent minister with both Martin and Chretein... ...The report that came out after the sponsership scandal never mentioned him even remotely. He is as clean a candidate as anyone out there.

If you are naive enough to think that a senior Cabinet Minister FROM
QUEBEC did not know what was going on IN QUEBEC under Chretien's corrupt and dictatorial regime, I have a bridge to sell you in Greenland!

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I am sorry but publishing cartoons is a matter of the Freedom of the Press - that comment is about as usefull as - the only reason there was such an uproar is people are afraid that the same factions that did 9/11 will do it if they run cartoons.

There was more uproar over cartoons than their was about the Holocst deniers - what sense does that make.

Also, dual citizenship does matter when you are the Prime Minister. Why would he not just let the passport expire and then get it when he isnt prime minister. Please name me one leader in Nato that has dual citizenship - please - thanks.

The passport plays to the cons base to rally for vote support - that is why it has been brought up.

MYK

According to Dion....he does not have a French Passport. He can apply for one if he wants...but he says he doesn't have one.

I have no problem with the Prime Minister holding two citzenships if other people are allowed to have them....I still think that Dion will sink this country if he gets in....he is a one issue person Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

According to Dion....he does not have a French Passport. He can apply for one if he wants...but he says he doesn't have one.

I have no problem with the Prime Minister holding two citzenships if other people are allowed to have them....I still think that Dion will sink this country if he gets in....he is a one issue person Kyoto, Kyoto, Kyoto.

(Dions dog begins quickly running toward Jolinar)

[FlamesAddiction]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Mulroney had dual American and Canadian citizenship.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I wouldnt say he is the man of the year,

I would say he is the biggest surprise of 2006

As a Alberta Conservative he has surprised me more than anyone, I thought it would be back to the drumming commercials, now that he hasnt done anything too crazy those drum commercials really look "great now"

I hope the cons use those commercials in the next election to show the libs what they truly are - spinless Dalton McGintey's

To be fair, no one would think that a minority led government would expose itself or its agenda. You need a majority to really do what you want, or to let it be known what you really want to do. It doesn't matter if it is the Libs or Cons. It's the nature of our political system.

As for Harper, I have no problem with the MOY recognition. He was probably the highest profile Canadian during the last year. Although, not musch else really happened either.

[ikaris]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Sorry, but that is a cop out. Please name someone who you feel is a more fitting Canadian newsmaker of the year.

I actually do not see how that is a cop out. If the news year is so slow, then properly choose someone that has made a change, and with the new media revolution, I would say that we have definitely made the most impact. I have watched a lot less TV other than hockey as I find user generated content to be generally more interesting. And the movie Borat of course

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by MatsNaslund

Dion has a few things going for him. He was a cabinent minister with both Martin and Chretein. He is a Trudeau Liberal. So he can help bridge the gap between the 2 camps. He is not the party establishment's man. The report that came out after the sponsership scandal never mentioned him even remotely. He is as clean a candidate as anyone out there. Dion is the architect of the Clarity Act. This b.s. that he is dual citizen with France and trying to drum up things about him saying that he is anti-Canada is crap. The man is about Canadian as they come. In his youth he might have supported the PQ and his mother was born in France so he can keep his dual citizenship just like the rest of us. All this crap is coming from Ezra Levant who published those anti-Islam cartoons and offended Muslims everywhere and gave them a reason to hate Canada.

If he is a "Trudeau Liberal" Alberta will be its own nation faster than you can say increased standard of living.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

If he is a "Trudeau Liberal" Alberta will be its own nation faster than you can say increased standard of living.

Why? The National Energy Program worked wonders for us!