Is that all there was? Given how much praise – and criticism – the Harper government’s strong support for Israel has attracted, it’s somewhat surprising that so little was said about the Jewish state in the Sept. 28 Munk Debate on foreign policy in Toronto. The night’s only exchange on
Continue readingTag: Justin Trudeau
Montreal Simon: Stephen Harper’s Terrifying Justin Trudeau Nightmare
In my last post I ran a video report by CTV's Bob Fife, where he talked about the total demoralization of the Con campaign.And how the Cons fear that some of their biggest names like Joe Oliver, Chris Alexander, Julian Fantino and others could lose their seats.And best of all
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Noah Smith weighs in on the effect of cash transfers in improving all aspects of life for people living in poverty. But Angus Deaton recognizes that individual income will only go so far if it isn’t matched by the development of effective
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: #elxn42 Platform Review – Liberals
Finally, let’s take a look at the Liberals’ platform. Leaving aside the question of whether the Libs can plausibly live up to their campaign messaging of simultaneously being more progressive than the NDP, more business-friendly than the Conservatives, more devoted to the revolution than the Marxist-Leninists and more subcutaneous esplanade
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: If Not Harper, Then Who?
“I’ve seen issues come up before that get a lot of press attention, and sometimes a photograph or sometimes a side issue can move votes, but I always believe that the big votes are moved on the big issues. I don’t believe that most people are attracted by the rabbit
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Failed War on Justin Trudeau
Oh dear. I see that Stephen Harper had to take the day off yesterday. No doubt to try to recover from the brutal effects of the long campaign he inflicted upon himself.And get a full spa treatment. Because let's face it he needs one… Every day he looks more bagged and more
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Fortune favours the brave? Trudeau risks advocating sane gun laws and ripping PM’s dog-whistle bigotry
PHOTOS: Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau during a visit to Edmonton last year. Below: NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It should have been natural for the leader of the NDP to finally be the one who clearly called out Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his unprincipled
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Trudeau’s Endorsement of Harper’s Trans-Pacific Partnership Deal Insulting
Justin Trudeau blindly endorses the secretive Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, and then attacks Stephen Harper for failing to be transparent “especially in regards to what Canada is conceding”. The post Trudeau’s Endorsement of Harper’s Trans-Pacific Partnership Deal Insulting appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On campaign reflections
There’s been a flurry of discussion elsewhere about the NDP’s campaign over the past couple of weeks, and I’ll chime in quickly with my own take on how the campaign has developed so far – and what we should hope for as it reaches its conclusion. To start with, I
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Justin Trudeau to give Canada’s NSA more powers to spy on Canadians
Justin Trudeau promises to give the Communications Security Establishment, Canada’s most secretive spy agency, more powers to spy on Canadians if the Liberals form the next government after the 2015 federal election. The post Justin Trudeau to give Canada’s NSA more powers to spy on Canadians appeared first on The
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Rosemary Barton discusses why it’s in Canada’s best interest on the global stage to work on building strong multilateral institutions (including the UN) rather than counting on bluster to make a difference. But Gus van Harten notes that we’re instead signing onto
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Caricature of Justin Trudeau
From the moment Justin Trudeau was named Liberal leader, Stephen Harper and his foul Cons went after him in what can only be described as a bestial manner.The brutish Harper has tried to portray Trudeau as foppish dilettante, not ready, and too dangerous to be prime minister. He has questioned his
Continue readingCuriosityCat: The Debates: Who won, who lost, and why
Trudeau: The Fighter Let’s start with the view of how Tom Mulcair behaved in the Munk foreign policy debate, from Gerald Caplan: But if I remove my mask of detachment, I must report that it was not at all the night the NDP needed to recover its faded lead. But
Continue readingCuriosityCat: The Debates: Who won, who lost, and why
Trudeau: The Fighter |
Let’s start with the view of how Tom Mulcair behaved in the Munk foreign policy debate, from Gerald Caplan:
But if I remove my mask of detachment, I must report that it was not at all the night the NDP needed to recover its faded lead. But there’s still three weeks left – a lifetime in politics. We have the most polarizing and, yes, dangerous, government in Canadian history and we have the NDP positioned to take advantage of it. Yet the NDP focuses its attacks far more on Mr. Trudeau and gives the government almost a free pass. A huge mistake, in my view. And not too late to change, by any means. It ain’t over till it’s over, in baseball or politics.
Each of his debates have proved disappointing, when they were supposed to seal his deal with the electorate. I fear the deal is almost becoming null and void.
This time, there was political blood in it.
Then, close on his heels, came Mulcair.
And Trudeau? Most thought it would be a victory for him if he did not fall flat on his face while walking to the podium; once there, if he did not collapse like a squeaky and ill-tied birthday balloon; and during the one-on-one segments, if he could snatch a small portion of the air time away from the two debatemeisters.
Trudeau has the luck of being underestimated, like Jean Chrétien was, and the intelligence to turn to experienced people the way Pierre Trudeau and Lester B. Pearson did. Perhaps like all Liberals, there is the will to win in his blood. Given his family pedigree, perhaps the will to win is not only powerful but predestined. Yet if he achieves victory, it will not be just because of his last name, but because he works hard, performs well, knows his weaknesses, and plays to his strengths.
Speaking to the Globe and Mail’s editorial board on Wednesday, Mr. Mulroney said he believes Mr. Trudeau is a strong candidate who shouldn’t be underestimated. “He’s a fine young man, he’s going to do well,” he said. “And I’ll tell you: People who underestimate him, they do so at their own peril.”
He said he considered Mr. Trudeau’s father to be a “very tough, able man,” adding, “You know, the apple sometimes doesn’t fall far from the tree. He certainly has some of the grit of his dad, and he’s obviously got, as well, he obviously has some of the qualities required to win an election.”
“Let’s be very clear. My fists will be up. I am a boxer,” he said.
Montreal Simon: The Munk Debate and the Justin Trudeau Challenge
I thought it was the best debate so far, if only because at long last it was all about our precious and very threatened Canadian values.And as predicted, as soon as Stephen Harper stopped groping the hands of his opponents, he set out to destroy them.By reaching into Lynton Crosby's sweaty
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Russian boots on Syrian ground create new reality for Canadian leaders, whether they discuss it or not
PHOTOS: Russian President Vladimir Putin – creating new realities for Canadian leaders to talk about … or not. Below: The three Canadian debating amigos, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper and NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair. As the three principal contenders for the job of running the country
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: The Liberal Party and the Public Service: A History Lesson
Today Justin Trudeau published an open letter to public servants attempting to convince them what a friend they have in the Liberal Party. I can only assume that Mr. Trudeau is hoping that public servants have forgotten or are ignorant of the Liberals track record. In the not so distant
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: The Liberal Party and the Public Service: A History Lesson
Today Justin Trudeau published an open letter to public servants attempting to convince them what a friend they have in the Liberal Party. I can only assume that Mr. Trudeau is hoping that public servants have forgotten or are ignorant of the Liberals track record. In the not so distant
Continue readingRandom Ranting Raving and Ratings: The Liberal Party and the Public Service: A History Lesson
Today Justin Trudeau published an open letter to public servants attempting to convince them what a friend they have in the Liberal Party. I can only assume that Mr. Trudeau is hoping that public servants have forgotten or are ignorant of the Lib…
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Readiness!!!
Ladies and gentlemen, the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada: Sitting in his riding office in Montreal, Cotler says he didn’t like C-51, despite ultimately voting for it. The Liberals, he says, supported C-51 largely out of political considerations. “The party voted against the multilateral mission [against ISIS]. Then
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