A view from the Center

Sunday, December 7, 2008

An interesting thing to consider

In the previous post I posted a video by Real News. In the news clip you hear Michael Ignatieff saying that he is completely behind decision to make Dion the leader of the Coalition Government. Yet after the decision by the Governor General last week he was the first one to brake ranks. Even worse he continues to do it. Clarey he hasn't been in politics long enough to learn divide and concur 101. So I will take this opportunity to give him a crash course in it.

Lesson 1) Any cracks in the solidarity of the Liberal Party the Conservatives will take full advantage of; as a way to legitimatize their claim that the Coalition is undemocratic.

Lesson 2) Any Liberal seen as aiding the Conservatives to discredit their leader no matter how much his is disliked or liked will suffer nasty backlash. Further the liberal will go down in history as only looking out for himself; with little regard for what is in the best interest of the party.


Douglas Bell of the Globe and mail posted this:

Weasel dialectics

Douglas Bell, December 6, 2008 at 3:59 PM EST

Among the esteemed bloggers on this site I make no bones about my status as a decidedly junior partner.

I'm really only good for two things: the occasional blinding glimpse of the obvious and/or a couple of (provisional) laughs.

I have only cursory access to insiders and as to interpreting poll numbers, whether it be Ekos, Nanos or Ipsos, I tend to dizziness and occasional nausea.

That said, in the face of probity, reason and objectivity I want it known that Michael Ignatieff, for all his talent, brains, and accomplishments (no sneer quotes), is getting on my nerves. His cautious and constant parsing of his “support” for the coalition is an exercise in weasel dialectics.

“I want to make it clear that this caucus is as one in maintaining the credibility of that dissuasive instrument”: Isn't exactly “we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets.”

Arguments will rage for generations as to whether the Liberals were right to enter into a partnership with the NDP. But, history will also note that in that moment, one candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party spoke up with brio and conviction and one, er, didn't.

What Mr. Bell says is 100% true. What message is Ignatieff trying to send to Canadians and liberals voting in May. Because as it stands the message I am getting is: in May at the leadership convention any vote cast against Ignatieff is a vote cast in favour of the continued survival of the Liberal party and its relevance in Canadian politics.

If I were a delicate at the May convention at this stage in the game I would NOT be casting my ballot for Ignatieff.

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