Prince George-Peace River MP Jay Hill says he's surprised and disappointed at Stephane Dion's decision to not bring down the minority Conservative government over the throne speech.
"It's not a very principled reaction I would suggest," Hill said from Ottawa
Jay Hill's weekly column, Sept. 27th:
The underlying myth in this debate about whether there will be an election this fall is that the Conservative Government must attract the support of at least one of the opposition parties to survive. They’re wrong. There is another option.
Conservatives set an historical precedent when we abstained from voting on the Liberal’s 2005 budget, allowing Paul Martin’s minority government to survive. At that time, our leader Stephen Harper said there were many aspects of that budget we fundamentally couldn’t vote to support. Yet, we respected the will of Canadians which strongly indicated they didn’t want an election.
Mr. Dion, as leader of the Official Opposition, could take the same, responsible course of action now. Canada’s economy is performing very well. Unemployment is at its lowest in 32 years. Taxes are down. Consumer spending remains robust and Canada is regaining its good reputation on the international stage thanks to the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Harper.
You don't get a more pure form of contradiction than that.
10 comments:
Jesus, pulling a 180 not two weeks later.
Bravo, Mr. Hill.
meanwhile . . what is being reported about Steffi & the almost dead LPC . . .. . .
Yesterday I wrote that when a political leader is perceived to have little leadership ability, his ability to defend and willingness to fight for his principles is often the last saving grace he has.
Expect the Liberal knives to be out in full force for Stephane Dion.
Hours later, in what amounted to little more than 43 minutes of audio hell, Stephane Dion displayed to the country that his principles can take a backseat to political opportunism. The consensus is in across the countries editorial boards, reporters, journalists, and even some Liberal MPs: When push comes to shove, Dion is little more than a push-over.
Lorrie Goldstein: “What can be said of Dion and the Liberals is that yesterday they didn’t behave like complete idiots. …That’s a compliment.”
Dion needs a new dog: “What is now abundantly clear is that the Liberals do not have a coherent platform of their own.”
Greg Weston: “Dion managed to turn an already badly written speech into 43 minutes of audio hell, his message (was) utterly lost …. The good news is the latest poll shows there are still 12% of Canadians who think Dion would make the best prime minister.”
Liberal MP Garth Turner: “This is a defining moment for Stéphane Dion…It’s about his leadership and it’s about the Liberal brand”
James Travers: “Dion…hardly an inspiration …. The big political question (is) now about Stéphane Dion and competence …. His vision isn’t clear.”
Montreal Gazette: “There was a…key message in Dion’s speech: He expects to keep his job. …Hardly what Canadians might have expected from a leader so often … reeling, on the rocks, desperate, etc.”
Barbara Yaffe: “Dion conjured up a … boogeyman”
Globe and Mail: “Paint this as an act of cowardice”
Les Wittington: “Dion has failed to connect with Canadians”
Laghi, Taber, Galloway: “Dion’s desperate bid.”
David Rodenhiser: “Dion lacks stomach to defeat Harper. …In a vain attempt to save face, he unveiled a convoluted scheme that Canadians will easily see through….Pathetic. Stephane Dion’s chances of ever becoming prime minister are diminishing by the day.”
National Post: “An embarrassing climb-down from positions Mr. Dion has clung to passionately even before he became his party’s leader.”
Yesterday I wrote that when a political leader is perceived to have little leadership ability, his ability to defend and willingness to fight for his principles is often the last saving grace he has.
Expect the Liberal knives to be out in full force for Stephane Dion.
Hours later, in what amounted to little more than 43 minutes of audio hell, Stephane Dion displayed to the country that his principles can take a backseat to political opportunism. The consensus is in across the countries editorial boards, reporters, journalists, and even some Liberal MPs: When push comes to shove, Dion is little more than a push-over.
Lorrie Goldstein: “What can be said of Dion and the Liberals is that yesterday they didn’t behave like complete idiots. …That’s a compliment.”
Dion needs a new dog: “What is now abundantly clear is that the Liberals do not have a coherent platform of their own.”
Greg Weston: “Dion managed to turn an already badly written speech into 43 minutes of audio hell, his message (was) utterly lost …. The good news is the latest poll shows there are still 12% of Canadians who think Dion would make the best prime minister.”
Liberal MP Garth Turner: “This is a defining moment for Stéphane Dion…It’s about his leadership and it’s about the Liberal brand”
James Travers: “Dion…hardly an inspiration …. The big political question (is) now about Stéphane Dion and competence …. His vision isn’t clear.”
Montreal Gazette: “There was a…key message in Dion’s speech: He expects to keep his job. …Hardly what Canadians might have expected from a leader so often … reeling, on the rocks, desperate, etc.”
Barbara Yaffe: “Dion conjured up a … boogeyman”
Globe and Mail: “Paint this as an act of cowardice”
Les Wittington: “Dion has failed to connect with Canadians”
Laghi, Taber, Galloway: “Dion’s desperate bid.”
David Rodenhiser: “Dion lacks stomach to defeat Harper. …In a vain attempt to save face, he unveiled a convoluted scheme that Canadians will easily see through….Pathetic. Stephane Dion’s chances of ever becoming prime minister are diminishing by the day.”
National Post: “An embarrassing climb-down from positions Mr. Dion has clung to passionately even before he became his party’s leader.”
In yesterday’s article, I also predicted that Dion will be out of a job by January 1st. Well, I was exaggerating, somewhat. I will change my prediction to April 1st, 2008. A day longer than that should surely be hailed as a victory for him, albeit utter devastation for the Liberal Party.
The CPC must be paying these trolls.
So, inadvertently Jay Hill, super-goon squad leader, let the cat out of the bag - Harper did want an election.
So, all those reporters look quite stupid right now - if nothing else, Dion has at least frustrated Harper.
Dion is taking it on a issue by issue basis - that's smart.
The crime bill is a no brainer as most of the stuff had been passed prior to shutting down parliament - no reason to go to the polls over that.
Oh silly little anon - nice use of selective quotes. You mean some people wanted an election and were disappointed they did not get one?
Back to the topic at hand - is anyone actually surprised a Harperite said one thing one day and another the next?
Some people call that hypocisy. I call it the new conservative party.
The New Conservatives: "You don't want to know what we're willing to do to get your vote." *wink wink"
Ti - I like that. The new New Conservative motto.
Ti-guy, Gayle & Co.,
I'm a Conservative and my opinion of Mr. Dion has now changed. I've come around to kind of liking the guy. I really like him as a matter of fact. What's not to like? He's handing Quebec to the Conservatives at a time when the Bloc are waning. He makes Harper look like Mr. Charisma. He's too far to the left of the Liberal party and the country. (Hasn't anyone clued him in that the Liberals talk the talk but don't walk the walk when it comes to leftist policies?)
And finally he does seem to be a decent and honest fellow like Joe Clark was. I think the Liberals kind of liked Joe too!
BCL — Ha! Great catch. Man, that's priceless.
I'm a Conservative and my opinion of Mr. Dion has now changed. I've come around to kind of liking the guy.
That kind of passive-aggression is (and pardon the sexism) really effiminate.
I don't give rat's ass whether you like Dion, or how pleased you are that Dion is the only one who can make the Conservatives popular, because, obviously, they can't do it on the strength of their own ideas.
All I expect from you Conservatives is that you all shut the fuck up, already. You're all stupid, dishonest, aggressive, angry and have nothing useful to say.
You guys are far more impressive (and amusing) when you're all howling at SDA.
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