February 09, 2008
Dion remains flakey
The Conservative government yesterday confirmed that it will extend the Canadian mission in Afghanistan until 2011. Harper is doing so in a confidence motion that won't be voted on until March. While Liberal leader Stéphane Dion doesn't seem to be willing to compromise on the Afghan mission, he didn't speculate on the possibility of an early election, either.
Probably because he knows he wouldn't win, if an election were held.
The Harper government continues to bait the opposition, making a tough anti-crime bill a confidence issue, as well.
In the sidelines, Dion wrings his hands, knowing an election would mean certain death for him as Liberal leader. While Dion is technically in a position of power, able to force an election at any time, he in fact holds no power, because Harper is increasingly popular, for reasons I don't understand.
Perhaps it is a charismatic problem. A recent study found that while Canadians don't feel Stephen Harper is a charismatic leader, Dion is even worse, personality-wise.
I don't even think it is a language issue: Jean Chretien had a horrible French accent when he spoke English, and often didn't make sense, or his point was lost. But at least Chretien stuck to his guns. Meanwhile, Dion has no apparent backbone and waffles on issues in a voice that could best be described as a French-Canadian Kermit the frog.
So, Harper is free to trounce the official opposition, holding all the cards despite holding a minority government - a position which theoretically should have him walking on political eggshells. But no, his best bet is to continue to bully the opposition, baiting them while passing ridiculous legislation he claims Canadians want. He's free to say what he likes, because Canadians would rather vote for a Conservative with backbone than a Liberal with the personality of a dishrag.
Probably because he knows he wouldn't win, if an election were held.
The Harper government continues to bait the opposition, making a tough anti-crime bill a confidence issue, as well.
In the sidelines, Dion wrings his hands, knowing an election would mean certain death for him as Liberal leader. While Dion is technically in a position of power, able to force an election at any time, he in fact holds no power, because Harper is increasingly popular, for reasons I don't understand.
Perhaps it is a charismatic problem. A recent study found that while Canadians don't feel Stephen Harper is a charismatic leader, Dion is even worse, personality-wise.
I don't even think it is a language issue: Jean Chretien had a horrible French accent when he spoke English, and often didn't make sense, or his point was lost. But at least Chretien stuck to his guns. Meanwhile, Dion has no apparent backbone and waffles on issues in a voice that could best be described as a French-Canadian Kermit the frog.
So, Harper is free to trounce the official opposition, holding all the cards despite holding a minority government - a position which theoretically should have him walking on political eggshells. But no, his best bet is to continue to bully the opposition, baiting them while passing ridiculous legislation he claims Canadians want. He's free to say what he likes, because Canadians would rather vote for a Conservative with backbone than a Liberal with the personality of a dishrag.
// posted by VB @ 2/09/2008
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