I just saw a TV interview with Mike Ignatieff on the CBC, and boy the chosen one was sure stumbling mightily through his word selection. Ever since Prophet Donolo took control, Iggy sightings have been rare. I have called this the "Where's Waldo" strategy. Donolo is sharp enough to recognize that people don't like his client, so the best move for the Liberal Party is to keep him off television as much as possible. Let other more seasoned and smooth veterans like John McCallum, Stephane Dion, and Scott Brison handle the media.
He was interviewed on the floor of the house today about his pending support for the HST. You could tell that he was pissed off that he was forced to say what he said. By voting for the HST, they are taking away what was supposed to be a key talking point in the next campaign. It is off the table as a partisan issue if the Liberals support it, and you could see the furry in Iggy's eyes when he was talking about it. It is seldom that "the great word smith" is at a loss of words. I get Donolo's strategy is more important, and the back room can indeed override the Czar.
"A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel."
-Robert Frost
The Libs had no choice but to support the Gov't. The biggest surprise is that Waldo has apparently whipped his caucus.
ReplyDeleteThis puts Dosanjh in a pickle since his 10%ers in rather blunt terms portrayed the HST as Harpers tax.
David
I suppose it is now the HIST, Harper Ignatieff Sales Tax. I bet you the Liberals already had TV commercials on this line of attack in pre or post production.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how it's the "Harper" tax at all. No one is forcing the provinces to implement the HST except the premiers themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe premiers make their decision and some provinces already have the HST while the liberals were in governement, so it is rather ironic for Ignatieff to go against something which provinces already have. And those provinces with HST are doing very well business wise.
ReplyDeleteThe HST is not some new thing; it has been around for a many years.
Leeky Sweek said...
ReplyDeleteI don't see how it's the "Harper" tax at all.
This tax is definitely a Provincial Premier responsibility; but needs the co-operation of the Federal Government. There are presently three provinces New Foundland, Novia Scotia and New Brunswick that have already harmonized tax it has been a benefit to the business communities in these Provinces in that it is cheaper to purchase machinary, and office equipment which allows for expansion of business and thereby reduction in the unemployment rate.
Is it just me, or is Iggy looking more and more just like a puppet each day. I wonder who was pulling the strings today?
ReplyDeleteThe Government have forced the opposition to deal with this on their timetable and remove it from the Liberals as a talking point.
ReplyDeleteThe NDP will have little support from CPC voters who oppose the HST in ON/BC.
The CPC may have helped weaken the Libs further as some Libs have to defend their flip flopping on this issue.
Julie van Dusen's report showed Iggy saying "this is a government bill, it will be a whipped vote".
ReplyDeleteBut later, Keith Martin was on CBC's "Power & Politics" suggesting at the end of his interview that he might vote against his Party
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This arrangement of Lib MPs is looking less and less like a team, and more and more like a bunch of free agents, each looking out for themselves. You can't blame them, as their re-election is going to depend on their personal popularity and the strength of the Liberal name. None of them will be riding to victory on Iggy's coat-tails.
For Ignatieff to announce today that the Liberal party "for 15 years has supported sales tax harmonization" then that begs the question . Why has the Liberal party under Michael Ignatieff - to use the words of ( leader in waiting of the Liberal party) Bob Rae , been skating on the issue for the past several weeks and holding clandestine meetings to decide the Liberal position before Canadians are informed just days before the vote?
ReplyDeleteWhat is baffling to Canadians is Ignatieff's absurd and incomprehensible observation today "Harper has walked away from this issue - not taking any responsibility" . Hello - can someone remind him that it is the Conservative government that has the bill before the House on which the vote will be held this week and Harper is still the leader - it is Ignatieff's leadership that is tenuous and fragile not Harpers.