Thursday, February 07, 2008

Roy Cullen Onside With Afghanistan Mission

Through a spokesperson:

“Your source has given you misinformation. Mr. Cullen has respected party loyalty and party discipline for the 12 years that he has been an MP. As such he is not going to discuss what occurred at caucus. It is unfortunate that your source does not have the same basic respect for their party or their colleagues.

“However, for the record, Mr. Cullen did at no point ever say that he would vote against the leader, or use the language that you are reporting.”


If Dion says no Afghanistan combat mission after Feb. 09, then Mr. Cullen will toe the line. Good for him. This one act has the potential to concretely effect the result of any Spring vote. Now if Dion can whip a few of the party other Divas into line, things will be looking good.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The actual position one takes on this issue is very important, obviously, but perhaps more important is actually taking a position.

When thousands of Canadians are putting their lives on the line over seas for this mission, the least we can ask for our political leaders is to take a position.

Having the fortitude to make a firm political decision, no doubt pales in comparision to the true bravery of our fighting men and women,

but failing to take a stand, as Dion has done, is the epitome of spinelessness, and completely belies the heroic spirit we Canadians are showcasing to the rest of the world.

One needs to have a backbone to be a leader.

One has to be capable of taking a stand, and bravely defending it, to be a leader.

Dion is no leader.

Burton, Formerly Kingston said...

Dion leadership aside, I truly believe that this should be a free vote on all sides. This is not or should not be a partisan. If there is any thing in the H of C right now that should be a free vote it is this.
As to whipping the other Diva's inline BCL, your kinda of throwing water on the old Big Tent theory, if his bill has no merit and it makes it to a third reading the members can vote it down. Remember it is a private members bills, I really do not understand why Mr.Dion even got himself involved in this by asking him to withdraw it. Would of been much better to say, In the LPC we expect members to take a stand on their opinions but we as a party will not be endorsing Mr.Martins bill.

ottlib said...

chuck,

I guess you have just not been paying attention. Mr. Dion has taken a position and he has stuck to it.

Even when Mr. Manley disguised Mr. Harper's position in nicer cloths he did not fall for it and he stuck to that position.

Even when Mr. Harper threatened in their little meeting a couple of days ago to make any vote a confidence motion he came out of that meeting and reiterated his position.

Even when some media types asked him about any divisions in his party he stuck to his position and stated he would whip the vote.

chuck just because you disagree with Mr. Dion's position does not mean he does not have one.

Indeed, it is quite clear and not by coincidence it happens to be in line with broader public opinion.

Which is why Conservatives like yourself are trying so hard to say he does not have a position.

Here is a question chuck. Does Mr. Harper have the balls to put forward his position clearly and concisely to Canadians? Will he show Canadians leadership by allowing them to honestly choose between the two conflicting positions or will he do his usual thing, obfuscate and bullshit his own position while misrepresenting his opponent's position?

Of course not, because Stephen Harper is not a leader.

Anonymous said...

BCL says "If Dion says no Afghanistan combat mission after Feb. 09, then Mr. Cullen will toe the line. Good for him. This one act has the potential to concretely effect the result of any Spring vote. Now if Dion can whip a few of the party other Divas into line, things will be looking good."

The operative word is "IF" which BCL is forced to use twice.

It reminds me of the Spartan magistrates' reply to the threat by Philip II, King of Macedon. To the threat that "If I enter Laconia, I will raze it to the ground" the Spartans simply responded "If."

Of course Dion here is not threatening to raze anything to the ground (except his own credibility, such as it is) but is just trying to come up with a position, which is like pulling teeth. "Do you think it's easy to make decisions?" Dion is probably hissing at his fellow MP's. I can imagine the likes of Ignatieff rolling his eyes.

Chuck "Dion is no leader" is now an understatement.

Anonymous said...

OT - we haven't been graced with the utterances of Ti-guy. Does anyone know if he's obtained gainful employment?

Ti-Guy said...

Does anyone know if he's obtained gainful employment?

I was busy banging your mother.

Anonymous said...

Just out of curiosity, Tiguy, are you even french?

For a guy with Gallic blood allegedly corsing through his veins you are remarkably uptight. I know frenchmen; they have a certain bonhommie bred in the bone, and you don't act or sound like any of them. You sound more like a Scotsman, am I right?

Ti-Guy said...

For a guy with Gallic blood allegedly corsing through his veins you are remarkably uptight. I know frenchmen; they have a certain bonhommie bred in the bone, and you don't act or sound like any of them. You sound more like a Scotsman, am I right?

Got any more stereotypes you want to trot out or are you done?

By the way, your hive queen KKKate is a Scot. Don't be dissing Scots now, or you'll wake up with horse's head beside you.

Anonymous said...

"Got any more stereotypes you want to trot out or are you done?"

One more. Georges St. Pierre has been going on about how "hot-blooded" his "people" are for months now in anticipation of the first UFC fight in Montreal (exact quotes). Take it up with him.