Priorities

Thank you, Globe & Mail (dot com), for not making Michael Jackson your top story.

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Fudge You Toronto

Survey says!

In the 416 area code in Toronto itself, the Liberals have the support of 52 per cent of respondents, while the Conservatives and NDP are tied at 19 per cent. The margin of error for this sample is eight per cent.

In the 905 region, the Liberal lead is 50-27, with the NDP at 11 per cent. The margin of error in this data is 7.8 per cent. Before the last election, the Tories led 44-32 here.

[Canadian Press, Tories on a downslope in support in key areas: poll]

The Tories should recall that city dwellers pay more in taxes.

Fudge you, Ottawa.

Yeah, I said 'fudge'. I'm bad.

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Compassionate Conservatism Making Sexy Time

For those folks looking to keep track at home, here is a list of those cases of human suffering that Conservatives find sexy and not sexy. Let me know if you know of more.

Cancer is sexy.

AIDS/HIV was at first not sexy, got sexier, but then got unsexy again.

Drug addiction is not sexy.*
* Unfortunately, the Liberal Party thinks it's not sexy too.

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Lessons for the Progressive Conservative Annals

Here's what happens when provincial Tories stand up for their province, and against the Harper Conservatives [Wikipedia, Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007]:

On election day, however, while the Progressive Conservatives did win nine more seats than they held at the dissolution of the previous legislature, and won just under 70 per cent of the popular vote, the highest popular vote share ever attained by the PC party in the province, they did not sweep all 48 seats in the legislature. Three Liberal incumbents, as well as New Democratic Party leader Lorraine Michael, successfully held their seats. Notably, however, Liberal leader Gerry Reid was not reelected in his own riding.

Here's what happens when provincial Tories stand against their province, and with the Harper Conservatives [CBC, N.S. voters elect first NDP government]:

Nova Scotia has its first ever NDP government.

CBC News projects a historic win for Darrell Dexter's New Democratic Party, ending a decade of Progressive Conservative rule.

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Just Asking

I wonder how many of those students appalled by Barack Obama's stance on abortion are appalled by the Catholic Church's stance on child abuse? I guess it's just more fashionable for the religious right to protest a Democratic president than their last hope for their failing hypocrisy.

Every single one of those protesters should read StageLeft's post.

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Reaganomics Motivational Poster

I lol'd.

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Pick Me David~!

Here's hoping that I make the cut -- not that my personal self-esteem is based upon the number of friends I have on Facebook.

David Akin, Time to pare it back on Facebook: Goodbye to some FB friends

I've come to the conclusion that less is more on Facebook -- fewer friends means greater value. So, over the next little while, I'm going to be saying goodbye to Facebook friends and Facebook apps.

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Unquote

On a day when we've got record bankruptcies, (when) we've got unemployment skyrocketing, all this government can think of doing is running attack ads on me. This is the old style of politics. We are in the middle of a serious economic crisis. This government needs to grow up and do its job properly.
- Michael Ignatieff, May 13, 2009

[H/T, BigCityLib Strikes Back]

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Thoughts on Vancouver to Come ...

Nothing on Vancouver, just yet.

In the meantime, rock out to Econoline Crush.

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Gone Fishing

I leave for Vancouver tomorrow morning for my first Liberal Party convention ever where I will drink of teh red Kool-Aid.

As such, this will be my last post until likely after the convention.

I'm waiting for the opportunity to meet with some of the individuals running for the executive positions before announcing any endorsements.

I continue to support the weighted one member - one vote proposal, and I'm opposed to the YLC amendment.

I'll see you all when I get back.

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Open Letter to Toronto Haters

Toronto Sun, T.O. posts lowest crime rate:

Toronto the Good hasn't gone away.

Statistics Canada -- using a new crime severity index developed with help from police, justice officials and academics -- reports Toronto had the lowest ranking out of the 27 metropolitan areas in the country in 2007.

That year, Toronto also had the lowest rate of police-reported crimes for cities across the land, with 4,278 offences called in to cops per 100,000 of population.

Hogtown's grades are worse when it comes to violent crime but still below the national average and far less than the highest crime cities in the country, which include Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

I asked some folks previously to back that tractor up. I wonder if they will.

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Liberal Convention Coverage on The Progressive Right

While I will do my best to blog some of my thoughts from the Vancouver convention, in all likelihood, I will not be blogging full time while I'm there. I'm going a couple of days early to sight-see and visit with some old friends before hunkering down to do whatever it is us Liberals do at these things.

Remember, I'm new.

That said, I know some folks will be blogging the convention - either as full-fledged delegates, media types or as accredited bloggers. If that's the case, I'd like to offer you a free link from my blog. That way I can claim I'm covering the convention. :)

Just comment on this post and I will add you to my yet-to-be-added-Liberal-convention-coverage sidebar.

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Reader Poll - iPhone vs Blackberry

I've put a poll up on the right hand sidebar for you folks to help me choose between an iPhone and a Blackberry. If there's something better, vote for "Other" and comment on it here.

I'm hoping to have it before Vancouver.

Cheers.

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Conservative Party of Ontario?

Stephen Taylor is reporting that Randy Hillier is going to propose changing the name of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario to the Conservative Party of Ontario.

I believe it's just a Randy Hillier trial balloon attempt to rouse the masses as Stephen suggests. Get the word out there and see what happens.

As I said over at Stephen's blog, you generally only change the name of a party if you want to associate or disassociate the party from another party (see the history of the Yukon Party and the discussion around the Alberta Liberals).

Is this the time for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party to hitch their brand to the federal Conservative Party?

I'd be interested to hear what Christine Elliott, Tim Hudak, and Frank Klees think.

I'm surprised Randy hasn't endorsed Frank yet.

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Appealing to the Masses

I'm in the market for a smart phone. Please help decide for me.

iPhone or Blackberry? Or...?

I'd like to be able to text and email, update the blog and surf the interwebs. The problem I have is, I'm not sure I'm too much into the touch screen jazz.

Thanks.

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Opposition to the YLC Amendment Facebook Group

If you're opposed to the YLC amendment to the OMOV proposal, feel free to join the Facebook group and share your feelings on your opposition.

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John Lennard on Growing the Youth Wing

To further the point about an energized youth, look at this quote from YLC Presidential candidate John Lennard.

The Liberal Party will always be progressive if we, as a youth wing, constantly focus on growing our active base. Youth will never be marginalized if we punch above our weight with real numbers. No one will be able to ignore our ideas if our members have real influence, not just every couple of years, but all the time, and throughout the Party. And so at the very least, we need to double our membership. I'd personally like to see it triple, or quadruple, or even reach 100,000. But we have to start somewhere. So let's get on with it!

That's youth energy. That's why the OMOV amendment is unnecessary.

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No Amendment to OMOV

A number of other Liberal bloggers have commented on the proposed amendment to give the Liberal youth a 25% allotment of votes under a One Member One Vote (OMOV) system. Jeff has a great run down of his opposition to the amendment. Steve voices his concern as well.

Here's a summary of their proposal.

The YLC is proposing an amendment to the amendment to allot a minimum of 25 points to youth voters in each federal riding in order to maintain our representation in LPC. This amendment would translate to having separate youth ballot boxes at a leadership vote in every riding, and the votes would be tallied separately and given a minimum of 25/100 points in that riding. However, if the percentage of youth exceeds 25%, the larger number will be counted.

Quotas are undemocratic and will ultimately undermine the purpose behind OMOV; giving each riding a direct vote in selecting a leader.

I cannot support this amendment.

From my short time within the Liberal Party, I see both an energized and determined youth wing of this party who do not need this amendment to maintain their influence.

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I'm Off the Christmas List for Sure

Canada's back!


Well, I can officially cancel any hope of getting that Senate seat now.

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Ontario PC Leadership Prediction

Here are my predictions for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leadership race as it stands now.

Randy Hillier will drop out of the race and endorse Frank Klees before the vote.

Christine Elliott will endorse Tim Hudak shortly thereafter.

Tim Hudak will win the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.

The social conservatives will rally around Klees, and the blue Tory base will rally around Hudak. The moderates will support Elliott, but will go to Hudak to stop Klees.

(A little tidbit - during the 2004 PC leadership vote, I chose Frank Klees as my second choice to prevent a Jim Flaherty win. Jim's anti-Toronto rhetoric drove me around the bend. So, take it with a grain of salt when I say moderate conservatives would try to stop Klees)

Still early, I know ... but, I don't think it's going to shake out much differently even if some others decide to step into the race. I'd likely still predict a Tim Hudak vs Frank Klees finale.

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Might Need a Bathroom Break?

CBC, Take 2: G20 group photo snapped again after Harper's absence:

The traditional photo of the G20 leaders was reshot after Prime Minister Stephen Harper missed his opportunity Thursday to be in the first snap.

Harper met with his officials following the first working session in London on Thursday morning when the picture — dubbed the family photo — was scheduled to be taken.

Officials said the prime minister was getting a quick briefing on changes to the communiqué that is expected to be released by the G20 at the end of the summit.

The BBC, however, is reporting that Harper was in the bathroom while the photo was being taken.

Emphasis mine. I wondered if I could ever use that picture again.

Canada's back!

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Compare and Contrast

Stephen Harper plus Brian Mulroney?

[theGritGirl]

Stephen Harper minus Brian Mulroney?

Simmering tensions between Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government and predecessor Brian Mulroney boiled over with party sources saying he was no longer a Conservative and the ex-leader insisting he will be a party member as long as he draws breath.

...

"I can confirm [Brian Mulroney] is no longer a member," said one Conservative source.

...

"I remain a member of the Conservative Party and I will remain so until the day I die," Mulroney said.

[CTV, Tories, Mulroney in tiff over party membership]

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The Price of Politics, A Follow-Up

It's fascinating how art and poetics can continue to captivate us. Case in point, I just took another look at the post card from PostSecret that I just recently blogged about.

On first blush, I just assumed that the poster was talking about their ambitions within Canadian politics impacting their personal life. I just assumed that their "love" was for another person.

Interpreting it another way, perhaps the poster loves Canadian politics, but their ambitions -- say in the private sector -- keep them away. Perhaps joining a political party is simply not an option due to private or public concerns ...

Ah, I love the mystery.

Here's the post card one more time.



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An Observation

Was listening to Howard Stern interview Cloris Leachman.

Someone needs to let Cloris Leachman know it's coitus interruptus, not colitis interruptus. Unless I got the context of her conversation completely wrong.

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Twitter

A few points on teh Twitter.

1) I'm on teh Twitter.

2) I think Scott Tribe protests too much about teh Twitter.

3) Why aren't my blog posts twitterfeeding to teh Twitter anymore?

Updated: I seem to be Twitterfeeding again.

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The Price of Politics

I was perusing PostSecret's latest update on March 29, and I noticed this secret. Recognize this building?


Naturally, I recognized the House of Commons.

The general consensus is that a life in politics can cause a strain on one's private life - especially when you spend a great amount of time away from your family. I could also imagine that someone who has the ambition to get into politics may find themselves unable to commit in a relationship.

Working on a campaign involves long hours and irregular sleep patterns.

I would argue that "un-moderated" ambition in any career can cause strain on one's personal life, unless I suppose you share the same passion ...

But, I'd have to imagine it's ultimately harder for a politician. Politicians need to win the favour of the electorate in order to stay employed -- and if you take time away, you find yourself all over the media with negative press. How'd They Vote will track your absences, in case you forget.

I hope whoever posted this secret finds the balance they're seeking.

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Blogging for a Harper Free Canada

I'm Blogging for a Harper Free Canada.

Grab a blog badge from Impolitical's site.

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PerezHudak.com

Anyone else seen PerezHudak.com?

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Er, What?

I don't even know where to begin to cut the irony on this one. [Globe & Mail, Supreme Court won't hear paralyzed MP's case]:

A paralyzed Tory MP has lost a bid to have the Supreme Court of Canada hear his case against Manitoba's public insurer.

The court refused today to hear Steven Fletcher's appeal against a decision by the Manitoba Public Insurance Corp., which denied him more money for full-time care.

Is it really the case of a Tory MP looking for an activist judge to intervene in an area of provincial jurisdiction when the private sector would be more than happy to help him out -- or, was it publicized to show that, as implied ...

Lawyer Sidney Green said bureaucrats were punishing Mr. Fletcher because of his Conservative politics.

... the Supreme Court and the bureaucracy is stuffed with Liberals.

I hate being cynical; I'm trying to take some mental health days away from blogging.

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Off the Air

Really super light blogging for the near future. I hope to be back soon.

Comment moderation on until then.

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RIP, Mel Brown

Via PSA at Canadian Cynic, I've learned that Mel Brown has passed away. I spent many a Wednesday night at Kitchener's Pop the Gator during my much younger university days.

RIP, Mel.

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Send Me to Vancouver

We interrupt this blog for a pledge moment.

Like a few other Liberal bloggers, I have been selected to be a delegate to the Liberal Party biennial convention in Vancouver.

Part of the joys of participating in partisan politics is paying fees to attend these conventions.

With this convention, the Liberal Party has made it possible for us to offset some of the cost of the delegate fees by actively seeking donations. You can see my personal page on Liberal.ca by clicking the link below. As a free bonus, just for clicking the link, you get to see me pictured in front of the legendary Bluesmobile.

Click here to help me out.

Any help is appreciated. In fact, any help to any Liberal is appreciated.

If you're a Liberal attending the convention, and would like to take part in some fundraising, click here to get started.

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Final Thoughts on Ontario PC Leadership Race

Elizabeth Witmer's out. I'm out too.

Have fun folks.

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