Ok, so we've been harsh on Chantal, I won't speak for Dean, but my beefs have largely been because she's not agreeing with me on Dion, or the 'nation' debate, or on anything else coming out of Quebec. I think I've fallen into the trap of confusing 'separatist' with 'nationalist'. Chantal is the latter. Is that wrong? I don't know. Depends on how much I've had to drink. But to hear her on the CBC's At Issue panel last night, it's quite clear she's not a separatist. Her insights into the Quebec situation partially rehabilited her in my mind. Her hair is still not doing anything for me, but it's light years ahead of the disaster that is Andrew Coyne's. Don't get me started on his suit.
Chantal's points:
She used to think Boisclair was under-rated. Not anymore. Calling snowflake for the flake he is always gets points in my book.
Joining him in the over-rated camp? Duceppe. He grossly miscalculated in his 'nation' gambit, and his musings about confidence votes on the Afghan mission were loudly rejected by the Quebec punditry (but we know how much weight their opinions carry here!)
As for the latest poll out of Quebec, she pointed out that the Tories didn't so much lose support to the Liberals. They lost it to the Greens. If this trend exists outside of Quebec, the NDP is in big trouble.
Which brings us to what will likely be the least reported story of the day: News that the Liberals and Greens may work together in the next election. The Greens want a seat, any seat. The Liberals want to split the NDP vote, and regain lost seats. Seems like an odd fit, but consider the NDP and their lifeline to the Conservatives on the clean air bill. If Layton gives further backing to Harper, ala Budget of 2005, then we're faced with two clear choices: A Conservative environmental plan with NDP backing, or a Liberal-Green alternative. The Conservative plan is a joke, and by supporting it with marginal changes, the NDP have only tarnished themselves. The Liberals and Greens have the momentum and the advantage. Having dropped the environment ball in favour of an anti-war platform (that will, as Duceppe is about to realize, fail to energize voters), the NDP is going to hurt in the next election. I'm not entirely sad to see this happen. The NDP had so much potential to claim the spotlight in this House, and they have blown it.
So sorry Olivia, but I'd have to add your husband to the 'over-rated' list too.
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3 comments:
Elizabeth May is a very smart woman, has no political baggage and is very, very respected. People listen to her - she's certainly an advantage to the Liberals.
I watched the news this a.m. and David Suzuki is getting the Order of Canada - and he likes Dion and was very impressed with how Dion arranged the International Environmental Conference during election - it was a big moment I gather with Suzuki. He said he's also spoken to Layton and Duceppe and that at least they "get it" about green house gasses.
These little perks can't hurt Dion I'd say.
I'd say there's another kind of toxic emittions they're not talking about and that's the constant "bash, trash, divisive statements" coming out of the mouths of the Conservatives.
Sandi
From my point of view the fact that the Quebec punditry thinks that it's a bad move on Duceppe's part to fell the govenment on the Afghanistan issue makes me think it's a good move given how accurate the Quebec pundits have been lately.
But hey, what do I know.
Good point, but I think they may actually be right this time. Support for the mission isn't really moving anywhere. Barring some disaster, I think Canadians are resigned to sticking it out to 2009, and Quebecers are no different.
I'd also like to think Quebecers aren't so narrow minded that they would only start actively objecting to the mission once soldiers based in Quebec start taking casualties (the Valcartier-based Van Doos ship out this spring).
But ditto, what do I know.
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