Tuesday, December 02, 2008

The Only Thing That Bothers Me Is...

...should the unthinkable occur, and the GG turn down the coalition's offer to form a new government, are the opposition parties ready to fight another election, and are the Liberals in particular ready to fight another election behind Dion?

Just asking.

17 comments:

mauser98 said...

these 3 $1.95 male prostitues will have their abortion of a coalition blow up in their faces.

Anonymous said...

@mauser98 what you said makes no sense

I think the Liberals would be ready if the grassroots are ready.

penlan said...

Wow. These Con trolls are sooo polite non?

I think we all have some form of the jitters right now. It's normal.

And no, unfortunately, now is not the time for another election. Too many bad optics here.

bigcitylib said...

It isn't so much the jitters so much as I hope somebody in the brain trust has gamed this scenario out a bit.

Anonymous said...

I think the discussions could not have proceeded without discussing that possibility. I think they've done what they can to ensure they've met the qualifications to not face an election.

But should an election be called - as part of this coalition and as a financial matter - I believe the coalition partners would not run against each other in any ridings they won. In fact, the NDP and Liberals may well have agreed to allow the party that ran second against the conservatives in the October results to run with no competition and full support of the other party in those ridings.

Greens might run - and might pick up votes - since they aren't part of the coalition.

The reason I speak so optimistically is because the document they produced and the press conference they gave yesterday clearly showed a lot of comfort - even joviality - with each other. In addition, they all spoke of the coalition in terms that showed they recognized the risk and gravity of the conviction they were making as men and as party representatives.

To balance your fear, do keep in mind that an election at this point might actually help cement a Liberal / NDP coalition so there are some risks for the conservatives as well.

It might be easier for the conservatives to register a reaction in the next few days that to sustain it for a couple of months. Ultimately, Canadians do recognize that Harper created a poison environment. The cameras could turn directly back to him in an election, and it won't be a flattering image.

Northern PoV said...

I will bet that Iggy's recent acquiescence for this deal was in return for a promise to install him as leader if the GG doesn't play fair.

Reality Bites said...

Harper was a upset during the last campaign at Dion supposedly having "two seats at the leaders' debate."

I wonder how he'd feel about him having four instead.

I think though, in the event of an election call, a new leader could be chosen, just as happened during the 1980 election, after Trudeau resigned. In that case the leader they chose was Trudeau, but had he been unwilling to return, or unwanted, another leader would have been chosen.

Harper in a debate with Iggy/Rae, Layton and Dion all on the same side would make Sarah Palin look like a skilled debater.

Degenerasian said...

What happens to these parties in the next election in 2009 or 2010?

The Liberals, NDP and Bloc totally bashed each other in the last election.

In the next election, whenever it is, do they continue to run as three seperate parties and go back to bashing each other? That would look really bad.

Ti-Guy said...

What happens to these parties in the next election in 2009 or 2010?

People like to believe that political calculus is that long term, but it really isn't. Politicians communicate to give us the impression that they have planned far into the future, but they're guessing just as much as the rest of us are.

The fundamental uncertainly here is the global economy and a fundamental disagreement among the elite about what all the various fiscal stimulus packages will mean for the Canadian economy in the near future.

The conclusion: No one knows anything. The only thing I've always been extremely wary of with the Conservatives is that they're supported by cretins. Ergo, they don't inspire confidence.

Hishighness said...

Yup, I agree, I worry about that too. But nothing worth having comes without risk.

Gayle said...

"I believe the coalition partners would not run against each other in any ridings they won. In fact, the NDP and Liberals may well have agreed to allow the party that ran second against the conservatives in the October results to run with no competition and full support of the other party in those ridings."

I hope this is the case, because then Harper will have no one to blame but himself when the LPC emerge with more seats.

Ti-Guy said...

Another election should be completely out of the question, and if the GG goes for that, she's out of her mind.

Reality Bites said...

I'm willing to have another election, provided the Conservatives pay for it with their vaunted fundraising. I mean all of it. The cost of running it, and all parties' expenses.

Unknown said...

"Another election should be completely out of the question, and if the GG goes for that, she's out of her mind." - Ti

Another election would be the most reasonable course. The opposition is now acting irrationally and against the interests of Canadians.

Our elections are quick, and since the coalition would be so unwieldy, an election should be the preferred route to go.

Unknown said...

Why would I shut up Ti? If the subject is too hot for you to handle, refrain from posting.

There is no "economic issue" at play here. The whole imbroglio boils down to the fact that Harper "disrespected" the opposition, and for that, they feel they can stage the equivalent of a coup.

You have no clue as to how the GG will decide on this issue so quit pretending otherwise.

Ti-Guy said...

There is no "economic issue" at play here...

...and Global Warming's a myth. Like I said...zip it. Don't make me come over to your house and beat you up.

Ryan Ringer said...

The Liberals are absolutely not going to fight another election under Dion. If the GG decides to push the election button, there would be an emergency meeting of the Liberal caucus that would go something like this:
"Dion you're out.
Iggy you're in.
Oh, and... fuck."