Tory Rob Clarke Doesn't Want To Debate David Orchard

What a surprise Rob. That would require being able to speak in public...something Stephen Harper doesn't want his candidates doing.

Gotta love this line:

he doesn't want to get into a debate before the leaders' debate Oct. 2 for fear of contradicting leader Stephen Harper

Here's the rest.

Star Phoenix September 20/08


CLARKE NO-SHOW AT FORUMS

The first candidates' forums in the Desnethe riding won't include the incumbent. Clarke said he has several reasons for taking a pass on the forum planned for Meadow Lake Sept. 25: His schedule is full; he doesn't want to get into a debate before the leaders' debate Oct. 2 for fear of contradicting leader Stephen Harper; and he's not a big fan of forums in any case.

"Usually with a debate, you only get about 20 people to show up. And what happens is it's usually staged. You get people from other camps asking questions and it just turns into support for one candidate."

Clarke has committed to an Oct. 9 forum on MBC radio, which will reach more of the riding.

Marjaleena Repo, the co-campaign manager for Liberal candidate David Orchard, said Clarke has also passed on a second Sept. 25 forum in Spiritwood and one scheduled for La Ronge Oct. 1.

"This is quite shocking to me," she said.

Clarke said he's got a different style than Orchard.

"The one thing I've noticed about David Orchard is all he wants to do is debate," Clarke said. "Debate debate debate debate in every town. My opinion is he doesn't want to go and meet the voters."

And Another NDP Candidate Bites the Dust

This time in Vancouver Quadra. Kirk Tousaw, a lawyer, has resigned his NDP candidacy.

Who Would Be the New Foreign Affairs Minister?

If his royal Highness Stephen Harper were to win back government who would win the position of Foreign Affairs Minister now that David (I can't win as a Conservative) Emerson is gone.

Here's a couple ideas:

Maxime Bernier (Again)
Peter MacKay (Who then takes his spot)
Bev Oda (she nees more limo time)
Josee Verner

How about these one:

Benoit, Leon
Bezan, James
Blaney, Steven
Boucher, Sylvie
Breitkreuz, Garry
Calkins, Blaine
Carrie, Colin
Grewal, Nina
Obhrai, Deepak
Pallister, Brian
Storseth, Brian
Warkentin, Chris

Another Listeriosis Death...And Harper Defends Ritz Again

An elderly woman has died in BC from listeriosis. Stephen Harper, in the meantime, thinks his Agriculture Minister shouldn't resign because he was under "stress". I wonder if this poor woman's family - along with the previous 17 families - was under a little stress recently.

Here's one of Harper's lines:

"Minister Ritz clearly did not intend to make any such comments publicly and has thoroughly apologized," the prime minister said.

Oh. Well that settles that I guess. The "jokes" weren't meant to be public.

Dionomics Wins Over The Federation of Municipalities

Breaking News: The Canadian Federation of Municipalities has just endorsed Stephane Dion's plan to bolster municipalities with $70 Billion over 10 years to address infrastructure shortfalls. This is a winner for Stephane Dion and the momentum is clearly heading the Big Red Way.

Harpernomics in Action in Afghanistan...The $22 Billion WAR

Harpernomics at its best. Flaherty, O'Connor, MacKay and Harper all lied to Canadians about the real cost of the War in Afghanistan. In fact, it was always a big secret and they threatened elections if there was anybody opposed to their extension of the mission. At times there was no debate allowed.

They went to lengths to explain to Canadians that the war would cost no more than $8 Billion.

The minority Conservative government has estimated the cost of the six-year mission at under $8 billion. If the new figures are much higher, it could be bad news for Harper.

Well, my friends, the war will cost no less then $22 Billion. $22 Billion!!!

The Afghan war is going to end up costing the Defence Department more than $22 billion, both in actual money spent on the mission and future payments to rebuild equipment and provide long-term care for veterans, a military conference heard Wednesday.

That's Harpernomics!!! My guess is there will be an instant plunge in the polls for the Harper crew...especially in Quebec.

UPDATE: Red Tory has a take on this regarding the "TRANSPARENCY - or lack thereof - of the Harper government"

Gerry Ritz Jokes About Canadians Dying...That's the Kind of Government We Have

What a sick individual Gerry Ritz is! Joking over people dying of lysteria is absolutely sick. My God this man should resign and if not the PM should ship him to the Arctic.

UPDATE: I mean no disrespect to the good people of the Arctic.

I'm Gonna Bet Harper and Flaherty Guestimated Wrong on Afghanistan

Harper and the boys (read the Harris Boys) have told Canadians the budget guess for the War on Terror in Afghanistan is less than $8 Billion Dollars. Now the report is ready to be released and I'm gonna guess that it's much, much more. If that's the case, Harper can kiss Quebec seats goodbye and hold onto his hat everywhere else.

Speaking of "sound fiscal management", did anyone notice the TSX dropped another 350 points today. That's a 52 week low folks. Does that sound like a situation where we have sound fiscal management? Too bad we didn't have that extra GST money to fall back on.

Harper Says Conservatives Offer Sound Fiscal Management

Well then. That settles that. Obviously all these national headlines must be wrong.

Federal government runs $517M deficit in April, May

Auto trade deficit with U.S. doubles

Advisers Warned of Market Decline

Canadian Dollar Slips On Sof Commodities

Credit crisis pushing up vacancy rates

Plant Closure Costs Welland 800 jobs

GM to close plant

Nortel cuts outlook, plans asset sales

Oil Sands Economics Under Pressure

TSX drops almost 500 points, as commodity prices slump

Hosed at the pumps

Canada's travel deficit expected to widen

What country is Stephen Harper living in? Sound fiscal management my butt!

The Pipes, the Pipes Are Callin'

Oh Danny boy. He wants to make sure everything is legal...unlike the Conservative In and Out thingy. Thatta boy Danny, you get him tiger.