Scare-MongAIR

Apparently, that’s what the mainstream press tagging along with Team Harper have glibly dubbed His party’s campaign jet. And not unjustifiably so, I would say, given what has been witnessed thusfar from his stump speeches to ethnic crowds in the burbs of Toronto. There, the theme of “stability” that would come from a majority Conservative government and untold chaos in the wake of a “reckless coalition” seizing power was repeatedly hammered home.

I suppose in a sense all this talk of a “reckless coalition” is a brilliant ploy — by the way, did Team Harper purchase that hallmark expression from Frank Luntz, do you think? — but isn’t it really a frivolous distraction from why we are presently in an election?

When push came to shove, it was the result of a confidence motion on a breach of trust and contempt of parliament. While some contend that what the Harper government did (or, more precisely, wilfully didn’t do) to precipitate the vote of non-confidence in the House constitutes a “crime” — a position that I don’t happen to concur with, btw — it’s still an important matter that cuts to essence of what makes the Harper Conservatives so deeply objectionable.

Given the entire campaign lasts only six weeks, no more time should be wasted by any party on all this ridiculous, hypothetical scare-mongering about coalitions. Let’s get back to the issues… whatever they may be.

Rae on Ignatieff (Part I)

Bob talks to Paul Jay of The Real News Network about the events following the last federal election that led to Michael Ignatieff becoming interim leader of the Liberal Party. There’s nothing new here, but it sets the stage for the second part of the interview (not as yet posted) that promises to be somewhat more interesting given it will cover policy differences between Rae and Ignatieff.

MDL: The Coalition Option

From earlier in the week, Jabba the Hack talks to Tim Powers and Warren Kinsella about the possible future of the coalition and problems that the arrangement poses to the “branding” of the Liberals.

This seems to be the first instance of Powers testing the “Ignatieff as the new Mr. Dithers” meme, but it never seems to get off the ground. Doubtless however, it’s sure to be picked up by the Conservative faithful, along with the other non-too-endearing names for Iggy they’ve managed to come up with so far. Personally, I think that when you start off with a name like “Iggy” such efforts are bound to be pretty ineffective.

I assume the commentary from 99thDimension is meant to be sarcastic — if so it’s hilarious.

Good News: Crisis in Canada! Seriously.

Roger Numbers, the animated host for a newish daily morning web newscast takes a look at the recent goings on in Canada.

This is a very cool feature created by the folks at GOOD magazine that I highly recommend checking out, or better yet, subscribing to.

The New “Mr. Dithers”?

I’m not suggesting that’s a fair characterization of Michael Ignatieff, but it’s one that Craig Oliver attempted to apply to him on today’s Question Period.

Oliver seemed a little frustrated that he couldn’t manage to get Ignatieff to go out on a limb with regards to unconditional support for the coalition or completely implacable opposition to Harper’s forthcoming budget when parliament resumes at the end of January.

Bob Rae: Selling the Coalition

Bob Rae talking with Evan Solomon on CBC’s News Sunday program and to Jane Taber on CTV’s Question Period about the coalition, the failure of the Harper government, and the future of the Liberal leadership.

100 Words

This curious addendum to an article in the Ottawa Citizen about petty infighting over the now infamously “botched” video response Dion made to PM Stephen Harper’s five minute address to the nation has an inadvertently poetic quality to it. A 100 words (and it is precisely that — I checked) describing Dion and the Coalition:

Beset with flaws.
Like a teenager proudly recording his first YouTube vlog.
A creepy coalition godfathered by backroom schemers.
Response looked like a hostage video.
Slap in the face to voters in the recent election.
In a world of hurt.
Where is Michael Ignatieff?
Coalition is toast.
Hard to believe Dion’s reputation could sink any lower.
Fraying.
Unwieldy.
A coalition if necessary, but not necessarily a coalition.
Disaster.
Pathetic.
An expression of enormous optimism. (Substitute the word “delusion” for optimism.)
Talk about a collision, I mean collusion, oops, coalition.
No time for a Coalition of Losers.
Stumblebum.
Dear Santa: Help!

Regarding that last point, it’s now understood to be a “foregone conclusion” that Dion will be forced to quit before Christmas.

“Drunk French Commies”

That’s how one commenter on YouTube described the coalition supporters protesting at Nathan Philips Square yesterday.

Keep it classy, Conservatives!

Speaking of classy: From the comments we learn that “SDA’s horde of mouthbreathers are posting photos and threatening to identify, track down and physically attack pro-coalition protesters.” How charming. And then they wonder why we sometimes regard them as fascists.

Dueling Coalition Rallies: Pro & Con

The anti-coalition, pro-Harper, Conservative sponsored rally in Ottawa yesterday. Heil Harper!

On Friday, around 500 people in Edmonton rallied in support of a coalition government between the in front of City Hall.

And another pro-coalition rally, this one (est. 1,000 people) in Vancouver on Friday at Canada Place (of course).

More flag-wrapping (literally) and invocations of “Oh Canada”… After watching those, this scathing article by Rick Mercer that appeared in Saturday’s Globe & Mail might prove to be a good chaser.

Anti-Coalition Demonstration: Calgary

This is getting really ugly and nasty.

Characterizing Layton as some kind of Communist and signs “written in Russian so the Communists can understand”… Are these people serious? Protesters waving signs with suspiciously high production values and masks of Dion — courtesy of the Conservative Party’s well-funded “war room” to be sure.

Anti-coalition protesters wrapping themselves in the flag and singing the national anthem… (something which it should be noted that Conservative MPs did on the Hill in their caucus meeting the other day) Good grief, how ridiculous. Not to mention shameful.