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 concanJoined: 30 Nov 2004 Total posts: 8650 Gender: Unknown
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 Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 9:25 pm Post subject: David Emerson - not just your typical switch |
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I don't understand the outrage. David Emerson is a stellar politician and he's got alot of clout with the international trade community - hence this superb appointment. He is also been involved with the 2010 Olympic Games and his reputation there and knowledge CANNOT just simply be replaced. He made the right move and Harper made the right move to invite Mr. Emerson into his government.
Yeah, yeah... I hear the Belinda Stronach comments and people comparing the two but - c'mon this is not the same! Belinda Stronach has absolutely nothing to offer! She is the heir to her father's multibillion dollar parts-manufacturing business and has met the right people in her life to be where she was / is / will be. Big deal. As far as her personality goes or her importance to the people of Canada - she is a nobody.
Mr. Emerson was strategically placed by Liberals into the Vancouver Kingsway riding. Does anybody believe that he would really need that riding to get re-elected? If his numbers are down in that riding next time around, the CPC will put him into a safe riding - that's how important that man is to Canada and international trade & politics.
The Liberal voters of Vancouver Kingsway never had a candidate representing their sorry causes. This seat was not about them, this seat was to ensure Mr. Emerson got elected back to Ottawa. Liberal strategy backfired on them.
Folks, get it right. The CPC didn't just ask ANY idiot Liberal to cross the floor. We have NO USE whatsoever for Hedy Fry or Anne McLellan. We are not the Liberals who get a dumb blonde opposition party politician to cross the floor for ONE SINGLE dumb issue that had to be voted on.
Stronach and Emerson are not even apples and oranges. We're talking carrot stick and triple layer carrot cake! Of course MSM is having a field day with this but honestly, who cares? Voters will get very comfortable with this new Conservative government and will vote them back with a majority in four years.
Cheers, |
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hunterofvoters
Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Total posts: 4526 Location: Edmonton Gender: Female
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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Good post concan!! 
Or sardines and lobster??
Or hamburger and Porterhouse steak?? 
_________________
One mind/voter at a time.
http://climbingoutofthedark.blogspot.com
Opinions posted on Free Dominion are those of the individual posters and are not necessarily the opinion of Free Dominion or its operators. Free Dominion does not advocate violence, hate speech or an overthrow of the government. |
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| Smaug Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Total posts: 7396 Location: Edmonton Gender: Unknown
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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Sardines are way over the top. I simply refuse even to jump in that can 
Well, okay, maybe I'll just dip my toe in ...... Belinda Sardine, the poppa smurf of cold, dead fish. |
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hunterofvoters
Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Total posts: 4526 Location: Edmonton Gender: Female
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Smaug wrote: | Sardines are way over the top. I simply refuse even to jump in that can
Well, okay, maybe I'll just dip my toe in ...... Belinda Sardine, the poppa smurf of cold, dead fish. |
Too funny!!!
Buluga Sardine, the queen of NeverInMyLand??
_________________
One mind/voter at a time.
http://climbingoutofthedark.blogspot.com
Opinions posted on Free Dominion are those of the individual posters and are not necessarily the opinion of Free Dominion or its operators. Free Dominion does not advocate violence, hate speech or an overthrow of the government. |
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Peter O'Donnell
Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Total posts: 9071 Location: BC Age: 61 Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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I agree, Emerson will be invaluable with the difficult political problems Harper faces in British Columbia in particular, all with national implications. Cost over-runs for the 2010 Olympics, the softwood lumber impasse, the Prince Rupert mega-port -- these are all potential or existing major political stories and it's like a gift from above to have an experienced Cabinet minister available to take them on (continuing from previous experience). There was no real partisan element to this, I don't think Emerson was ever in the Liberal cabinet because of deeply held Liberal political beliefs, he comes across as typical of many centrists who support the B.C. Liberal Party and then choose their federal allegiance based on policies. It's not like we're taking in Joe Volpe or other partisans.
It never occurred to me that the guy was even available, but when I heard about it, after about five minutes of shock, I came to see how it was a very good development -- three major political problems given to an experienced and capable person with as much knowledge of the B.C. economy as anyone could possibly have. As for other Liberals who might want to take shelter, I'm presuming they would be backbenchers and welcome to them, but to the back of the line, s'il vous plait. |
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| springer Location: East Kootenays, BC Gender: Unknown
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Ezra Lavant handled this on Politics today, and did so, as per usual, brilliantly.
Ended by saying that Emerson is a highly capable and valuable asset to Harper's team, while Stronach basically saved Martin's bacon in a non-confidence vote as Minister of "Complex Files".
Said there was two types of people in Alberta who were making a big deal out of all this: a) Liberals and Dippers who could care less about Senate reform, but use this to poke Conservatives in the eye, and b) Reform purists who would rather be happy complainers on the sidelines, a la the NDP, then actually in a winning political party forming government.
Just before him, Senator elect Morton said Harper did what he had to do for the sake of building the best possible winning team for the next election. Said he's not concerned at all that Senate reform is still a priority for Harper. And made it clear that the time to judge Harper for these strategic moves is not now, but two years from now.
Also, G&M's Quebec editor and the CBC's Quebec correspondant both said the move to put Fortier in the cabinet is going over really well on all fronts in Quebec, but especially in Montreal. Both said nobody cares at all about the temporary Senate placement thing.
You know...
Liberals butt-unowhat us for 13 years, and just barely enough people decide they've had enough of it to finally dump them. Three days into a Conservative government and the chattering classes, along with Conservative purists, are bordering on rioting in the freakin' streets and/or slashing their wrists over what amounts to nothing more than "Basic Politics 101".
I'm coming to understand why Conservatives have such a bitch of a time winning elections, and when they do, holding onto power. I don't think there's one in ten who can see the forest for all the damn trees in their way. There's just too many romantic idealists in the ranks way too ready to fall on their swords ten minutes into the battle over idealism, without giving even a thought about the consequences of losing the war on anyone else.
Frankly, I don't know why anyone would even want to lead a Conservative party in the first place. It's got to take about the same amount of effort and patience as would herding 10,000 cats from Calgary to Dallas.
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Jason Kauppinen
Joined: 26 Dec 2001 Total posts: 12100 Location: Kingston, Ontario Age: 33 Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I don't think there's one in ten who can see the forest for all the darn trees in their way. There's just too many romantic idealists in the ranks way too ready to fall on their swords ten minutes into the battle over idealism, without giving even a thought about [what] the consequences of losing the war [are for everyone] else. |
springer, I took the liberty of altering what was written before quoting it.... only because I think this now more clearly states the idea you were trying to convey.
It's just an issue of placing things in proper perspective, reacting with the proper magnitude, and of course, keeping the overall strategery in mind.
It is healthy for the CPC for the upper levels to hear about people's concerns over this, but actions should also be judged on results as well, and also on where they force our political opponents to be too.
_________________
Warren Kinsella is the Jar Jar Binks of Canadian Politics
1985 (OPC Minority)/1987 (Loss) /2003 (Loss)/2007 (Loss) --The OPC Red Tory record.
"Back in 1215, if you read Magna Carta Libertatum (my italics; I don’t think they had ’em back then), human rights meant the King was restrained by his subjects. Eight hundred years later, “human rights” CHRC-style means that the subjects get restrained by the Crown, in the form of Queen Jennifer. I liked it better the old way." -Mark Steyn |
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King Rat
Joined: 07 Jan 2002 Total posts: 1468 Location: Calgary Gender: Unknown
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| springer wrote: | Ezra Lavant handled this on Politics today, and did so, as per usual, brilliantly.
Ended by saying that Emerson is a highly capable and valuable asset to Harper's team, while Stronach basically saved Martin's bacon in a non-confidence vote as Minister of "Complex Files".
Said there was two types of people in Alberta who were making a big deal out of all this: a) Liberals and Dippers who could care less about Senate reform, but use this to poke Conservatives in the eye, and b) Reform purists who would rather be happy complainers on the sidelines, a la the NDP, then actually in a winning political party forming government.
Just before him, Senator elect Morton said Harper did what he had to do for the sake of building the best possible winning team for the next election. Said he's not concerned at all that Senate reform is still a priority for Harper. And made it clear that the time to judge Harper for these strategic moves is not now, but two years from now.
Also, G&M's Quebec editor and the CBC's Quebec correspondant both said the move to put Fortier in the cabinet is going over really well on all fronts in Quebec, but especially in Montreal. Both said nobody cares at all about the temporary Senate placement thing.
You know...
Liberals butt-unowhat us for 13 years, and just barely enough people decide they've had enough of it to finally dump them. Three days into a Conservative government and the chattering classes, along with Conservative purists, are bordering on rioting in the freakin' streets and/or slashing their wrists over what amounts to nothing more than "Basic Politics 101".
I'm coming to understand why Conservatives have such a bitch of a time winning elections, and when they do, holding onto power. I don't think there's one in ten who can see the forest for all the darn trees in their way. There's just too many romantic idealists in the ranks way too ready to fall on their swords ten minutes into the battle over idealism, without giving even a thought about the consequences of losing the war on anyone else.
Frankly, I don't know why anyone would even want to lead a Conservative party in the first place. It's got to take about the same amount of effort and patience as would herding 10,000 cats from Calgary to Dallas.
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Boy have you got that right!!!
_________________
Robert Attrell
"While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease,
it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns
raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem-cell research.
Even the most noble ends do not justify any means."
* President George W. Bush, Aug. 9, 2001 |
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hunterofvoters
Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Total posts: 4526 Location: Edmonton Gender: Female
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| Posted: 02/ 08/ 06 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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Liked that falling on their swords bit, cause it is so true, we can't seem to celebrate the fact that finally after soooooooo long, we have a chance to govern this country like it needs to be, with a firm hand and with someone who has a true vision of how great we can be, which we have in Stephen Harper.
Are preceived slights to our principles so important that we can not support our PM?? I feel so sorry for Stephen, he is not power hungry, he is trying to unite this country and we are stabbing him in the back. Well, if we want the Liberals back again, keep it up, if not, get with the program!!
If he can entice one of the best Liberals left, to cross the floor to help us create this vision of Canada we so deperately need, OR there will be no Canada left, I say we OWE him our total support!! It's easy to win Jeopardy sitting in your chair in front of the TV, but, try going on that game show, for real, and see how easy it is!!
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One mind/voter at a time.
http://climbingoutofthedark.blogspot.com
Opinions posted on Free Dominion are those of the individual posters and are not necessarily the opinion of Free Dominion or its operators. Free Dominion does not advocate violence, hate speech or an overthrow of the government. |
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Splendor Sine Occasu
Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Total posts: 6491 Location: Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 09/ 06 12:09 am Post subject: |
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Good grief!
As I said in another thread, I gave Chretien and the Libranos more time to prove themselves in 1993 than many "Conservatives" here are giving their own party now!
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poliscimaster
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Total posts: 419 Location: Newmarket, Ontario Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 09/ 06 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| Peter O'Donnell wrote: |
It never occurred to me that the guy was even available, but when I heard about it, after about five minutes of shock, I came to see how it was a very good development -- three major political problems given to an experienced and capable person with as much knowledge of the B.C. economy as anyone could possibly have. As for other Liberals who might want to take shelter, I'm presuming they would be backbenchers and welcome to them, but to the back of the line, s'il vous plait. |
The fact is, now that Emerson has made the switch, he had better darn well deliver the goods. Regardless of one's viewpoint on the party-switching issue, the reality is that Prime Minister Harper has expended significant political capital in getting Emerson where he is. That being the case, Emerson is obliged to deliver some fine results for his new colleagues, and he'd better do it fast. Otherwise, he risks hurting the Conservatives and Harper even more than he already has. As a loyal Conservative, I don't want that to happen. The same is true for newly minted Senator cum Public Works Minister Michael Fortier.
One of the distasteful realities of the situation is that being in a minority government makes it far more difficult for a party to stand on principle. No doubt it was with this pragmatic view in mind that Harper's team did what it did. I think, in fairness, that Harper overestimated the importance of having big-city representation in his Cabinet. I also think he went overboard in making his Cabinet "rookie-proof" by emphasizing experience over other considerations. A lot of core Conservative supporters are upset by this turn of events, with some justification. There's no doubt that a lot of loyal Conservative MPs should have got Cabinet posts and didn't. So it's difficult in a lot of ways.
But all of that is water under the bridge now. The best way for Conservative supporters to overcome this situation is to work full-tilt for a Conservative majority in the next election, so we won't have to make these uncomfortable compromises in future. So let's not cut off our noses to spite our faces here. Let's do the best with what we've got and move our party forward to the next level.
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"In conservative politics, moderation is overrated." - poliscimaster 
"God keep our land glorious and free!" - from the national anthem of Canada
"He also shall Have Dominion From Sea to Sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth." - Psalm 72:8 
"God Bless Canada!" - Prime Minister Stephen Harper |
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| kenan Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Total posts: 5914 Location: British Columbia Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 09/ 06 12:31 am Post subject: |
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| poliscimaster wrote: | | Peter O'Donnell wrote: |
It never occurred to me that the guy was even available, but when I heard about it, after about five minutes of shock, I came to see how it was a very good development -- three major political problems given to an experienced and capable person with as much knowledge of the B.C. economy as anyone could possibly have. As for other Liberals who might want to take shelter, I'm presuming they would be backbenchers and welcome to them, but to the back of the line, s'il vous plait. |
The fact is, now that Emerson has made the switch, he had better darn well deliver the goods. Regardless of one's viewpoint on the party-switching issue, the reality is that Prime Minister Harper has expended significant political capital in getting Emerson where he is. That being the case, Emerson is obliged to deliver some fine results for his new colleagues, and he'd better do it fast. Otherwise, he risks hurting the Conservatives and Harper even more than he already has. As a loyal Conservative, I don't want that to happen. The same is true for newly minted Senator cum Public Works Minister Michael Fortier.
One of the distasteful realities of the situation is that being in a minority government makes it far more difficult for a party to stand on principle. No doubt it was with this pragmatic view in mind that Harper's team did what it did. I think, in fairness, that Harper overestimated the importance of having big-city representation in his Cabinet. I also think he went overboard in making his Cabinet "rookie-proof" by emphasizing experience over other considerations. A lot of core Conservative supporters are upset by this turn of events, with some justification. There's no doubt that a lot of loyal Conservative MPs should have got Cabinet posts and didn't. So it's difficult in a lot of ways.
But all of that is water under the bridge now. The best way for Conservative supporters to overcome this situation is to work full-tilt for a Conservative majority in the next election, so we won't have to make these uncomfortable compromises in future. So let's not cut off our noses to spite our faces here. Let's do the best with what we've got and move our party forward to the next level.
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Excellent post!
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| TomFoolery Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Total posts: 5870
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| Posted: 02/ 09/ 06 1:27 am Post subject: |
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First - this has nothing to do with "getting representation from the large cities". The whole demographic thing is a theoretical observation and the attempt to link Emerson's appointment to such a proposition is simplistic conjecture, at best.
- - - - - - -
Emerson's claim to fame in BC and in the forest products sector generally is that he took up the cause of dealing with the softwood lumber dispute as a private citizen and CEO of Canfor - in light of zero progress by the Liberal Gov't over the past 15 years.
In my experience in the softwood lumber industry, Emerson stood out above anyone of being committed to the resolution of this dispute - which is necessary for the long term stability and maintenance of the Canadian ownership of the forest products industry. This is an issue that transcends every province in Canada - but mostly impacts BC, ON, and QC in a significant way.
You will note that the Liberal supporters beginning petitions etc. are Central Canadians who know NOTHING (nor care) about one Western Canadian's contributions to Canada while the 13 year Libera Government did did screw all to nothing on the file.
That an international trade issue had to, out of desparation, have to be taken up by private interests in Western Canada, more illustrates the complete ignorance and incompetance of former Liberal governments than it has to do with opportunism of Emerson.
Like the most ironic joke - the ONE time Liberals become principled is at the time when one of thier own members actually has the knowledge, competance, influence and personal motivation to deal with this 20 year old issue.
And now, they are trying to destroy him.
If these ignoramouses are successful in removing Emerson - they will cost CANADA billions via softwood lumber. Contrast that with the $96,000 they are claiming Emerson "cost the Liberal Party".
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Splendor Sine Occasu
Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Total posts: 6491 Location: Cariboo Regional District, British Columbia Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 09/ 06 1:34 am Post subject: |
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| TomFoolery wrote: | First - this has nothing to do with "getting representation from the large cities". The whole demographic thing is a theoretical observation and the attempt to link Emerson's appointment to such a proposition is simplistic conjecture, at best.
- - - - - - -
Emerson's claim to fame in BC and in the forest products sector generally is that he took up the cause of dealing with the softwood lumber dispute as a private citizen and CEO of Canfor - in light of zero progress by the Liberal Gov't over the past 15 years.
In my experience in the softwood lumber industry, Emerson stood out above anyone of being committed to the resolution of this dispute - which is necessary for the long term stability and maintenance of the Canadian ownership of the forest products industry. This is an issue that transcends every province in Canada - but mostly impacts BC, ON, and QC in a significant way.
You will note that the Liberal supporters beginning petitions etc. are Central Canadians who know NOTHING (nor care) about one Western Canadian's contributions to Canada while the 13 year Libera Government did did screw all to nothing on the file.
That an international trade issue had to, out of desparation, have to be taken up by private interests in Western Canada, more illustrates the complete ignorance and incompetance of former Liberal governments than it has to do with opportunism of Emerson.
Like the most ironic joke - the ONE time Liberals become principled is at the time when one of thier own members actually has the knowledge, competance, influence and personal motivation to deal with this 20 year old issue.
And now, they are trying to destroy him.
If these ignoramouses are successful in removing Emerson - they will cost CANADA billions via softwood lumber. Contrast that with the $96,000 they are claiming Emerson "cost the Liberal Party". |
Excellent post. Sums up Mr. Emerson's history before politics nicely.
I believe that he got into politics because Martin duped him into thinking he can accomplish more on the file in government.
I also believe that he didn't think the Conservatives would accomplish much more until he talked to PM Harper after the election. Then he realised that he could work much more effectively in a Conservative government. I also think that he was looking for a way off the sinking Librano ship the day after the election.
BTW, these assumptions are based on nothing more than gut feeling, the same one that told me the Tories were in trouble in British Columbia.
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| scy71 Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Total posts: 30 Location: Pitt Meadows, B.C. Age: 38 Gender: Male
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| Posted: 02/ 09/ 06 1:39 am Post subject: |
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| Mr. Emerson was on CTV Vancouver and he was talking to Bill Good, Emerson said that he didn't want to run again but Martin ask him to run again. But i won't be surprised if David Emerson decides to quit poltics before the next election |
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