David Emerson crosses floor to the Tories

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by Hakan

If I was still living in Calgary I would be appalled at the lack of loyalty shown to some of the party's roots. Diane Ablonczy? Jason Kenney? They were there in the thick and thin for the party and get nothing. While some Liberal turncoat gets a plumb appointment. Are Harper's true colours showing through already?

If you were expecting all of the cabinet posts to go to those in Alberta and/or Calgary, then you were just fooling yourself.

Harper has done a good job trying to get ALL of Canada involved in the government, not just the west. He wants an inclusive government to build Canada, not a 'Ontario centric' government that has fostered Western and Quebec seperatism. It's smart, and it's the right thing to do.

Am I disappointed that Ablonczy didn't get a post? Definitely. I think she is one of the best ministers available. Same with Art Hanger (former policeman, could have done a lot with Justice) although Vic Toews will do just as good if not better of a job.

Who best to do the job of Western Trade than someone who is in the area? Only makes sense to me...

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Who best to do the job of Western Trade than someone who is in the area? Only makes sense to me...

I can't believe anyone would try to defend this appointment as if it was based on merit. It was obviously based on bribery and it was given to a bald-faced liar.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I can't believe anyone would try to defend this appointment as if it was based on merit. It was obviously based on bribery and it was given to a bald-faced liar.

I agree.

I don't have a big problem with spreading the cabinet appointments across the country and I really don't have a gigantic problem with a non-elected guy getting a cabinet post either (although Harper looks pretty ridiculous with that one as well given prior statements). That's not terribly unusual stuff and just part of politics.

This Emerson thing stinks from one end to the other of fraud, not only monetarily but also morally, and reeks of a bad decision on the Tory side as well.

The guy has gotta step back in front of voters. I signed the petition. Looks like there is 1500 more signatures than there were when I signed this morning.

EDIT: By the way, the Globe & Mail today with an editorial demanding Emerson face a by-election.

Cowperson

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I can't believe anyone would try to defend this appointment as if it was based on merit. It was obviously based on bribery and it was given to a bald-faced liar.

It's utter garbage, all of it.

The excuse I hear most often now is it's good because Harper gave representation in the government to Vancouver.. well if he wanted that representation he should have worked harder for it, plain and simple. The Conservative in that riding had what, 17% of the vote? Emerson wouldn't have swung that either way.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Conservative in that riding had what, 17% of the vote? Emerson wouldn't have swung that either way.

No doubt, but I don't think you'd get him to agree to that though. Reading his comments lately, the guy must be the most arrogant sonofabitch in the province. He seems genuinely surprised that he's gotten a negative reaction. He's whining in the paper today about how he didn't expect the public and the media to react negatively and how he might be just too disillusioned after all this to run again. When the Liberals said they wanted their money back he basically said "what? after all I did for them"?

For a guy who's supposed to be so clever, he's sure coming across as a real dummy. I mean really, who couldn't see this coming?

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

For a guy who's supposed to be so clever, he's sure coming across as a real dummy. I mean really, who couldn't see this coming?

Sadly . . . . Stephen Harper.

Cowperson

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

For a guy who's supposed to be so clever, he's sure coming across as a real dummy. I mean really, who couldn't see this coming?

Exactly, what a dolt. I also love the excuse that Harper has been giving about wanting representation in all major cities. Well, that is all well and good, but you didn't win seats in that city, so tough beans, deal with it. I don't have a problem with the Cabinet placing of the guy in Montreal, except he said he wouldn't do that.. where are the high standard of Moral for God Boy?

I'm just glad I didn't vote for anyone in either the Liberal or the Converative party.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I can't believe anyone would try to defend this appointment as if it was based on merit. It was obviously based on bribery and it was given to a bald-faced liar.

So, the reason Emerson was chosen had nothing to do with the post he was given... it was only because he had to bribe someone and Emerson was as good of a person as any?

Are you listening to yourself?

I don't like the move. It should have gone to someone in the Conservatives. I don't like how freely the MPs can shift parties.

BUT....

I like the rational behind the choice. Harper is trying to get the best person for the job, AND trying to get representation from all parts of the country. That earns him points in my books, even if I'd MUCH rather he do it by having the right people elected.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I also love the excuse that Harper has been giving about wanting representation in all major cities. Well, that is all well and good, but you didn't win seats in that city, so tough beans, deal with it.

I like that he is trying to give representation to all areas of the country in spite of who they voted for. That is true leadership, not the whole "you didn't vote for me so screw you" bs that happens most often.

[Clarkey]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Exactly, what a dolt. I also love the excuse that Harper has been giving about wanting representation in all major cities. Well, that is all well and good, but you didn't win seats in that city, so tough beans, deal with it. I don't have a problem with the Cabinet placing of the guy in Montreal, except he said he wouldn't do that.. where are the high standard of Moral for God Boy?

I'm just glad I didn't vote for anyone in either the Liberal or the Converative party.

Who exactly is God Boy?

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by calculoso

So, the reason Emerson was chosen had nothing to do with the post he was given... it was only because he had to bribe someone and Emerson was as good of a person as any?

Are you listening to yourself?

I don't like the move. It should have gone to someone in the Conservatives. I don't like how freely the MPs can shift parties.

BUT....

I like the rational behind the choice. Harper is trying to get the best person for the job, AND trying to get representation from all parts of the country. That earns him points in my books, even if I'd MUCH rather he do it by having the right people elected.

Harper would have a lot fewer problems right now if he'd appointed an unelected person from Vancouver . . . . . . people would be miffed and his opponents would have some ammo, but it wouldn't be the same affront and fraud.

And yeah, I do think Emerson was appointed to cabinet because he was the only person in Vancouver they could bribe and yeah, I think that had nothing to do with his qualifications.

Why wouldn't I think that? This is as crooked as a three dollar bill.

Cowperson

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by calculoso

I like that he is trying to give representation to all areas of the country in spite of who they voted for. That is true leadership, not the whole "you didn't vote for me so screw you" bs that happens most often.

So screw you? Emerson and Harper just screwed over the overwhelming majority of people in that riding that didn't vote for the party he just jumped ship too, let's not talk about screwing people over.

I like the fact Harper is trying to get representation in all cities, but unfortunatly he didn't get that with his current governemnt, so that means he has to work harder in that area next election to win a seat there, not just give Emerson a reacharound to get him to jump ship.

It's a great idea, he went about it the wrong way.

If Paul Martin snagged a Conservative in Calgary last Election and turned him Liberal.. the outrage here would be epic.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Good quote by Emerson here.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2006/01/24/1408892.html

"I'm going to be Stephen Harper's worst enemy," he warned. "We're going to stir the pot and you better believe we are going to make a heck of a lot of noise."

Sure sounds like a guy who is a "small C" Liberal and is suprised his (former) supporters are outraged about what he did. I mean come on, clearly they should have known he might do this when he proclaims he will be Harper's worst enemy.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Good quote by Emerson here.

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/2006/01/24/1408892.html


Sure sounds like a guy who is a "small C" Liberal and is suprised his (former) supporters are outraged about what he did. I mean come on, clearly they should have known he might do this when he proclaims he will be Harper's worst enemy.

Bwahaha, looks like he's making his statement come true.

[HOZ]

This was a bad bad move by Harper.....

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by calculoso

Are you listening to yourself?

Laugh. I am. Are you? You are the one, after all, saying "ho hum, it was the prudent thing to do, a fine move, he is the man for the job!".

How long ago was it that this guy 1) said the Conservatives were a bunch of heartless creeps and other niceties 2) was a Cabinet Minister in a corrupt government?

Suddenly he switches sides and he's a hell of a guy, a great choice? What did he do, go through the Morality Carwash? Spend a night with Maggie Thatcher?

What did you say about Stronach crossing? Did you think that was perfectly fine?

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Harper would have a lot fewer problems right now if he'd appointed an unelected person from Vancouver . . . . . . people would be miffed and his opponents would have some ammo, but it wouldn't be the same affront and fraud.

I agree. His aim was admirable, his execution was pathetic.

Originally Posted by Cowperson

And yeah, I do think Emerson was appointed to cabinet because he was the only person in Vancouver they could bribe and yeah, I think that had nothing to do with his qualifications.

I heard something on the radio this afternoon which has me wondering more about Emerson than before. Seems as though the Liberal Gov't had some kind of a softwood lumber deal 70% done with the US and Emerson was one of those that kept it secret/was blocking the release of news of it... and is now one that stands to reap in the praise of getting the deal done.

This strikes me 2-fold. First, it does show that he was directly involved in this portfolio, so the decision to give it to him again had at least something to do wtih his qualifications. Next though, I wonder what he'd have to gain by blocking the news before the election only to gain it afterwards.... wierd.

Again... I don't like that he switched parties... but to say it has nothing to do with his qualifications? Don't be so blind. He would have had a totally different post.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I like the fact Harper is trying to get representation in all cities, but unfortunatly he didn't get that with his current governemnt, so that means he has to work harder in that area next election to win a seat there, not just give Emerson a reacharound to get him to jump ship.

It's a great idea, he went about it the wrong way.

If Paul Martin snagged a Conservative in Calgary last Election and turned him Liberal.. the outrage here would be epic.

I agree 200% to the bold/underlined part - which is much more than most others here are saying.

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Laugh. I am. Are you? You are the one, after all, saying "ho hum, it was the prudent thing to do, a fine move, he is the man for the job!".

You're obviously not reading what I'm saying.

Harper had a plan. He had an aim. He wants to get the best people for the positions. That part is awesome and what I like a lot.

How he's gone about filling some of these positions, like Emerson, is the part that I don't like.

It just seems like most here are jumping on the HOW and not even considering the WHY.

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

What did you say about Stronach crossing? Did you think that was perfectly fine?

The Stronach thing had no justification what-so-ever... nothing to even remotely put a sunny face on it.

The whole jumping party thing is a sham.. should never happen.. but the reason it happened in this case is a whole lot better than the reason behind the Stronach case.

[Clarkey]

I still want to know what Pedil meant by 'God Boy'.