The Formal Response to Cherniak
Dion’s problem, as it was before the leadership race, was his lack of charisma. Simply put, the guy can’t light up a room. Neither can Harper, so it doesn’t really matter. People do not feel inspired by the man. There are reasons for that.
To blame Dion’s lack of a position on many issues on Michael Ignatieff asking the 4th and 5th questions of QP is a little ridiculous. Party officials in
Dion needs a clear message and a clear alternative to Stephen Harper. The Liberals cannot hide their hand until the election like Jason would wish. It is irresponsible.
My mother, who pretty much hates all politicians except Jean Charest, told me something the night Paul Martin lost. She said “Anthony, you and the Liberals are made for each other. A little more humility, and people would like you more.”
Ever since that loss, I took a closer look at the Liberal Party. Jason says admitting mistakes makes for good attack ads. He believes Michael Ignatieff should have never criticized the Liberal environmental record, despite its blatant weakness. If our pitch to Canadians next time is bringing back the same Liberal Party, people will pass again.
The “so-called” fiscal imbalance is an issue that dates back to 1992, under the old Mulroney government. Martin exacerbated in the problem in 1995, but when the finances at the federal level were back under control, rather than restore the cuts, the federal government opted to go around the provinces and give money directly to people, with popular programs like the Millenium Scholarships. Little did people know that as a result of the Millenium Scholarships and the bureaucracy surrounding the programs, their tuition would rise. It’s a big jurisdictional squabble but to many Quebecers, the issue is VERY important.
The Liberals were arrogant. The Tories didn’t invent that about us. Constructive criticism would be to take a good hard look at our record, and say where we can improve, and where we have to change course. To remove other bright stars from around you only makes the Liberal Party look weaker.
What happens if GK gets elected and he does well in QP, does he have to stop asking questions as well. Dion’s position as leader is stable. Nobody is threatening him, despite the paranoid remarks of the likes of Jason and Shosana Berman.
My blog has not been particularly kind to Dion, but only because to effect real change in the party in this province, we have to stop playing political games. Rebuilding this party from the ground up is necessary. The only way we are going to do that is if we take our BEST assets and put them forward. Saying the 13 year reign of Chretien and Martin was flawless, as Cherniak seems to do all the time, really hurts the party. Kool-Aid drinkers of the sort embarrass us. This party has enough cheerleaders.
There are those that wish to call Cherniak’s comments the beginning of a civil war. We had enough civil war, so please put a stop to all that sort of talk. There is room in this party for people to speak their mind. We hope the OLO is listening…
I said before the votes were counted December 2nd that no matter who won, I was still going to push the agenda of the youth forward in this province. It has been the same for two years.
1) Recognition of the Fiscal Imbalance and increase in a dedicated federal transfer for education.
2) Recognition of the government of
3) Tangible action, not words and photo-ops for the environment.
4) A foreign policy where never again,
Dion is at about 2.5/4 right now, which isn’t all that bad.
Don’t worry, I was not shy to criticize Martin either. This is the agenda I believe we need to push forward, as does the YLC(Q).
We threw a 200 person bash for our leader last week. We are committed to getting ourselves elected. However, we would appreciate it a little more if the leader’s policy reflected our values as the YLC(Q) a little more. Is there any harm in that? I don’t think so, because THAT, my dear Jason, is constructive criticism.
par / by Anthony à / at 11:51 a.m.
8 Commentaires:
The reference was to Rwanda. It was not a Liberal mistake as it was one of the international community.
We did, as a party,. say we werent gonna let it happen again.
As far as I know, we have kept that promise.
good editorial
Antonio - I have yet to meet your mother but she is a very smart woman.
If there is one federal party leader who knows humility it is Stéphane Dion.
I know you perhaps don't know Stéphane as well as those of us who worked on his campaign (as Jason, Sho, Denise, Melissa, Simon, Jeff etc..).
In here lies our frustration.
We know the man, we know the vision.
It is our challenge to help you, other Liberals and Canadians in general see the same.
Notre pétit castor canadien est prêt.
Instead of daily unconstructive jabs from the outside, give him a chance.
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Someone recently brought up the fact that the LPC needs an issue that the CPC won't touch with a 10' pole, but which could bring the other parties on board and possibly take some numbers from them. Whoever it was mentioned proportional representation and I personally agree with them. PR is an issue the CPC will look very bad arguing against, since they frequently lay claim to 'the one, true democratic ideal'. It would give the LPC back to the people and would mark a sea change from the previous Liberal governments. There's no need for constitutional reform for implementation. It would also be in the best interests of the LPC to define the terms early on with regards to such a drastic change in the electoral system, rather than let another party do so and beat them to it.
With all due respect to westmount liberal, the Dion we see now is the Dion we Quebecers always knew, academic, wordy, and stubborn.
This is why we are not really surprised...
Today was hardly an uncontructive jab, my goal was constructive criticism
I certainly agree with your mother, I must say.
For whatever it's worth, it's looking more and more like the Tories claimed quite a victory when they announced it was their doing to scare people off of Rae. Now, I admit that I was "for" Rae -- but not until the very end of the race, I don't have any real personal attachment to him.
I've got to be honest, I'm disappointed in Dion. When he won, I was pretty pleased - even delighted, perhaps. But the shine has really worn off in a hurry.
Well, the next election will improve things - I expect Rae, MHF, and Kennedy to win seats, so the world won't have to put up with Marlene Jennings as the face of the Liberals any longer. Those three, with Ignatieff and Dion, should make a good team.
In Opposition, that is. I'm afraid the Liberals just haven't learned the needed lesson yet. A little humility goes a long way - and it's not on display yet.
There is no fiscal imbalance Antonio, especially not for Quebec where the province spends $1500 more per person than Ontario. Why should we keep funding this with more and more transfers. The Quebec government needs to deal with this itself. It created it.
Second of all, we will not be highlighting any perceived errors the Liberals may or may not have made in the eyes of 20 year olds in the last 20 or so years, in our next election campaign Antonio, sorry.
Third of all, the reason why Ignatieff is on the front bench asking questions is because, not only is Dion not arrogant, he is self assured and unthreatened by having him there. It's exactly what Stephane has asked him to do and Jason is wrong.
Dion is building self confidence and unity among the caucus and your mother is right. Harper didn't win the last election, we lost it because we were divided. Dion's primary focus has been on building caucus relationships, skills, depth and trust. This superceeds any issues and it is the only way we will win the next election.
Ignatieff has asked you to be behind Dion 150%. You should listen to him. What does need to be examined is why Rae decided to publicly criticise Dion's decision this week on the sunset clause and sow dissent among the caucus, while seeking nomination. He should have his ass kicked for this. People have been kicked out of caucus for less, especially when his ties to the Party are less than solid. You don't publicly criticize the leader.
Ignatieff has not done this, his followers have which is getting tedious by the way and even the MSN press is starting to comment on it, but he hasn't. IN private maybe, but not in the press. Rae would have to be disciplined if he were in caucus already. This should give Liberals in Toronto Centre pause before voting for him.
P.S. Listen to your friend Michael and support the leader, 150%.
David.. I would suspect the person arguing for PR would have been me.
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