Palin Harper 2012

Palin - Harper for President in 2012.
Because Democracy is for Elitists.

Stephane Dion has a posse

So, Stephen Harper thinks this is a schoolyard brawl between him and that wimp Stephane Dion.  
He forgets that Dion has an unlikely posse.  Turns out Dion's posse has a memory, or at least a elaphantine filing system.

Stephen Harper, so intent on wrapping himself in the flag and pounding on Dion's patriotism, just got a kick in the nuts from the Bloc Quebecois.

The BQ  produced a fax from 2000 describing a coalition just like this  new one, one thatat its time  included the precursors to the current Conservative party,  and led by a current cabinet minister, Stockwell Day.

First rule of bar brawls: While you are exclusively pounding on one guy you leave yourself exposed to a kick in the nuts from another. 

That's what happens when your punching bag has a posse. 

Understanding that merely requires social skills.

Second Chances

Would the GG accept a Prime Minister's resignation combined with a prorogue if the purpose of the latter was to form a new government on the incumbent side?

Given that, assuming a sane second try, all bets might be off.

However, if the result was another government-side debacle, would that circumstance then offer her no choice but to give the opposition coalition a chance instead? Doesn't that situation put a huge onus on the GG regarding which side is more ready and more stable?

Grinch Government

And what if the Grinch’s heart stayed two sizes too small?
The who’s-who of Whoville will answer the call!
There will be Eds and Jeans and Gilles and Stephanes!
To counter Jimmy and Johnny and Pollivere, man.
The whos in Whoville will see Jack Jack Attack!
But this time it’s not a wind up toy, no-sir-ee Mack!
This time he’s a statesman, a cabinet seat too.
It sure takes a Grinch to unite Whoville’s who’s-who.

With apologies to Dr. Seuss

On coalition governments

September 9, 2004

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, CC, CMM., COMCD
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1

Excellency,

As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government’s program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.

Sincerely, Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader of the Bloc Quebecois

Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the New Democratic Party

There's a bear in the woods

Yo, Cons:

Welcome to fear.

Nothing like it clears the head, right? It's really invigorating.

Guess what: Millions of people are going through it, for keepsies, 24/7, over issues of family survival: a roof on the head and food on the table. Lil' Jimmy's retort to them? Drop dead.

Look at this way: Steve and Jim have found themselves in the way of family security in the way hikers find themselves between a mama bear and her little cub. Only this time lil' Jimmy is poking the cub in the eye with a stick saying "loser loser".

It's not the Liberals who are about to eat you up and spit you out. It's the voters. The Liberals don't have to outrun the angry bear: they merely have to outmaneuver you.

Helluva Job, Steve

So Prime Minister Stephen Harper has managed to unite the Liberals into a single cohesive fighting force, get Quebec separatists to speak candidly and constructively with the guy who developed the Clarity Act, while turning Jack Layton into an effective statesman and potential cabinet minister.

Helluva job, Steve.

Is the Liberal leadership race over before it has really begun?

I think so.  I do not think I am alone.

Murray Chotiner's political translation of Lao Tzu's military strategy still applies to this day: Never let your opponent define you. Bob Rae just let his ultimate opponents as leader define him, and in doing so has already lost to the Conservatives before he’s even announced himself as a Liberal leadership candidate.