Paul Martin was supposed to be Prime Minister for ten glorious years. Instead he got two though it seems like ten to some of us.
I'm hearing a lot of Liberals screaming at people who betrayed the party. I'm even seeing a few yelling at New Democrats like it's somehow their fault.
Suck it up, guys. The Liberal party did this to itself. The damage was done when the party leadership was hijacked by a bunch of back room operators. And the deal was sealed by the Earnescliffe Stategery Group (or whatever they're calling themselves these days) who never met a focus group they didn't like even when the newest focus group contradicted the previous one. Ask a silly question...
When Dithers' reign of error began he talked a lot about the democratic deficit. As the Liberal party begins the process of rebuilding itself in the wake of his resignation as leader last night, maybe you ought to think about that. Democracy begins at home.
re: Liberals "rebuilding."
I'd like them to disappear. They had a few decades, but they've been coasting since the 1980s.
Then I'd like the CPC to disappear as a political force. Just a small group of frustrated homophobes and oil patch types blaming everyone else for their problems.
Then I'd like to be able to fly.
Would you settle for a pony?
We all know how the Liberal Party is thinking to rebuild itself. Does any of that sound democratic to you? McKenna? Manley? (eek)
I*******f? (many eeks)
Backroom branding is what the Liberal Party does. They have turned into an advertising agency. They are totally hollowed out by now. Canadians appear to have noticed. That could be permanent.
The Tories are no believable alternative to me, but somebody is going to have to do some fast fancy footwork before the next election to produce such a thing, and I don't see the Liberals capable of that.
Just got hooked on the pogge blog this election, & I hope that you bloggers all (whoever you are) recognize that Peace, Order and Good Government in the 21st century are strengthened by people like you talking a little sense amidst all the partisan blab and pundit yap. So keep it coming. Please.
skdadl:
I really don't expect the Liberals to listen to me. But I thought it was worth a shot while we still have all this traffic.
Jimmy:
Thanks. We intend to try, at least.
Skdadl, the hollow core of the Liberal party was certainly exposed under Paul Martin's leadership, and I think that was in large part what Canadians rejected. They sensed there was no there there. Still, I think it is premature to count the Liberal party out. They are a remarkably resilient poltiical machine.
Jimmy: As one of the contributors here, let me say thanks for the kind comments. We're sort of political junkies, so I think you can count on us to keep it coming.
I'm hearing a lot of Liberals screaming at people who betrayed the party.
Are you? I've only seen one incident of it in the blogosphere.
I've seen several and heard others in conversation.
I'm hearing a lot of Liberals screaming at people who betrayed the party.
The only reason I'm pissed at the NDP is because they gave Harper a free ride. Weren't they trying to beat both of these parties. Instead they followed the Conservative approach and screamed "corruption" for most of the election. Hey the Liberals deserved to be blasted but that doesn't mean Harper's history should be diminished. What's with the NDP don't they know what's going on south of the border?
That bit at the end of the election where Jack would say "the Conservatives are just wrong" was pathetic. He sounded like some kid in public school. The way I see it the only one, being attacked in this election was the Liberals and that was just "wrong". It would be really interesting to know how many Canadians even have a clue about Stephen Harper's past.
Why am I the only one who liked what the NDP did with the last budget and want it to continue? Instead we get Harper and the Bloc, yea.
The Liberals have been alternating between resting on their laurels and filling their pockets since Trudeau left. Chretien got in because he was one of Trudeau's guys. What the Liberals desperately need is a new generation of leaders, but I don't see anyone out there who looks appealing - I think they will run to the right and try to suck up all the old PCs and red tories who are going to be appalled by Harper's neo-conservatism and the bible-walloping crowd he's brought with him from the old Reform party.
a topic I will addess on the Woodshed soon, meanwhile part two of the post election series "the rural urban split - Red Deer's last ride" is up on the blog now at http://kevinswoodshed.blogspot.com/
PeterW said "Why am I the only one who liked what the NDP did with the last budget and want it to continue?"
Actually, I think an awful lot of people felt that way, and an awful lot more would have if they'd been paying attention. And if all those people actually VOTED NDP the political landscape would look rather different.