965...Who Is Jack Layton?

The last leader of the New Democratic Party to win more than ten seats.

With apologies to Merv Griffin and Alec Trebek I have Jeopardy!'d Mr. Layton which will most likely be his legacy.

On the good side I presume it will be a 2000$ dollar question or, may be, even the end of game question that could be worth thousands upon thousands.

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959...Thank You Jack

I really did not want to pound signs into lawns after the frost set in.

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953...When He Is Wrong He Is Wrong

If you watched Lloyd Robertson on the CTV National News last night you got a peek at NDP leader Jack Layton's adverts that are hitting the air for real today across our home and native land.

The ad is an attempt by the NDP to sell its new message, the message being we are propping up the Stephen Harper government because if there is an election we will get beaten like a rented mule and end up with 8 seats.

This from the party that made such a big deal about being the party that consistently voted against the Conservatives at every turn.

Until now that is.

When it counts.

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952...When He Is Right He Is Right

Michael Ignatieff has said no truer words than those reported by the Canadian Press in a story just moved:

"'How do I explain to these people that I keep letting this government go on?' Ignatieff told reporters. 'And that's why, in my heart of hearts, after much reflection, we've decided as a party that we can't continue to give the government confidence in the House of Commons.'"

Jack Layton, the ball is in your court brother, your court.

"'We will do our job, even if they will not,' Ignatieff told the nearly empty Conservative benches in the Commons after detailing his list of government failings for more than 10 minutes."

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935...Now On To More Important Things

The party that should be running the show will be introducing a motion today to topple the Tory government today.

The Canadian Press reports that the Liberals will table a non-confidence motion in the Commons today and bring a vote on that Thursday. According to the story I am sourcing this is probably going to fail but at least, unlike, well, not to point fingers but, Jack Layton, hello, at least Mikey I talks the talk and walks the walk.

Gilles Ducppe, the Bloc Quebecois leader, says that he will support the Liberal motion.

This week we find out if the NDPers really are true to their convictions or going to hang with their friends in the Conservative Party. Like they did earlier this month.

The NDP's only Quebec MP Thomas Mulcair said today "...the important thing is to try to keep Parliament working so that we can do things that are in the public interest.'' He failed to mention that if the election is held this fall the NDP will get beaten like a rented mule.

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921...Good News For Toronto

According to Bill Curry at the Globe and Mail NDP Generalissimo Jack Layton is not going to run for mayor of Hogtown.

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900...Champions Don't Make Excuses; NDPers Do

Steve Wicary in today's Globe and Mail talks about why "..my party cannot, in good conscience, vote down legislation that is a step in the right direction."

By "...my party..." he of course means Jack Layton's party, the NDP, a party that if they drew Canadians into an election would get beaten like a rented mule.

Mr. Wicary writes that "Jack Layton explains himself in the op/ed pages of the Ottawa Citizen. The New Democratic Party, he says, is supporting the Prime Minister's legislation on employment insurance reform - not the government as a whole."

And the fact that they are, when you factor in the margin of error, at less than 10 per cent in the national polls and face probable ruin if an election were held this fall has nothing to do with Mr. Layton's stand.

Yeah, surrrrrrrrrrre.

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893...Speaking Of Heat

The Canadian Press' Murray Brewster passes along the news that the next Prime Minister is making Jack Layton squirm. The heat was turned up on the Dippers yesterday when Mikey I declared that they'll soon have to make a choice whether they are true believers in Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the minority Conservative government.

Principles or pensions is the question at the New Democratic Party's federal caucus meets these days.

The NDP spin is that "Instead of playing games, Mr. Ignatieff should look at his record," these words emerging from the mouth of spokesman Karl Belanger Sunday. "He propped up Stephen Harper for 79 confidence votes in a row and got nothing in return. The NDP is making Parliament work, trying to get a billion dollars to help the unemployed."

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888...NDP At A Crossroads

Your Toronto Star has a piece from Angelo Persichilli that summarizes the dilemma that Jack Layton and the Dippers are in. One can synthesize the problem to this concise paragraph:

There is a split in the party. There are some who are tired of being in opposition and want to be in government. Others would prefer to remain in opposition and keep preaching what is right for Canadians without being bothered by the annoying question of what is possible. Going in either direction presents some problems for the NDP leader. However, the worst decision is not to make one at all and risk losing both options.

We have seen this movie before with Ed Broadbent and I am willing to wager that Mr. Layton will dilly and dally and squander whatever political capital the NDP and their 36 seats have.

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885...The Headline Says It All

NDP support for Tories sign of broader strategy, analysts say (NDP-Switcharoo)

The Byrds sang Turn, Turn, Turn in 1965; Jack Layton sings Spin, Spin, Spin in 2009.

After a gazillion years of not supporting the anathema that is the Conservative Party of Canada the NDP did a nice 180 degree turn this week propping up the Stephen Harper regime so they, the Tories, can fight another day and shape Canada in the Conservative image.

The above Canadian Press headline is reflective of the both the spin "...broader strategy..." and reality "...Switcharoo...".

The broader strategy is the Dips strat to rule the country by being more practical and accessible and acceptable to Canuckistanians in the same way Premier Darrell Dexter appeals to the Nova Scotians.

The switcharoo is their selling their souls to save their thirty plus seats, a number that will go way, way, way down [Julie Van Dusen on CBC Radio Friday mentioned the magic number could be crazy, as in eight] if we hit the polls this fall.

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870...At Least Michael Ignatieff Has Stones

Love him or hate him, fact is at least one knows where the next Prime Minister of Canada stands.

New story out of Ottawa bureau of the Canadian Press states that, following the Bloc Quebecois, Jack Layton and the NDP will support the Tories in Stephen Harper's bid to cling to power and the perks that it gives him.

"The NDP says it will support the Conservatives on a crucial budget motion Friday - and keep propping up the government long enough to pass EI legislation to help unemployed workers. The news appears to rule out a fall election - as long as EI legislation is still in play."

So now we have the right wing right way Tories in bed with the party that wants to break up the country and the dreaded socialists. At least you are consistently inconsistent Mr. Harper.

My Lord we do need Mikey I and we need him now but I am willing to wait til next summer when all the pensions of the soon to be losing candidates in the NDP and Bloc are vested.

Then Canada will truly soar.

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862...The BQ Blinks First

It was either Jack Layton or Gilles Duceppe that was going to save the Tories from another election. Gilles Duceppe, who has 16 MPs who need to hang in til middle of 2010 to get their pension, was the man who blinked first.

The BQ says it will support the Ways and Means motion because there is nothing bad in it. Just in case the NDP will also support the motion Friday because of the EI stuff they want pushed through.

This means that future Calgary realtor of the year [or should that be Realtor of the Year] Stephen Harper and the minority Conservative government will survive at least until the first week of October when the next Prime Minister of Canada, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals plan to introduce a non-confidence motion.

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856...More Reasons Why No Election

Polls released around supper time on Monday show the Tories up 9 on the Liberals and the NDP sinking like a lifeboat full of rejects from NBC's The Biggest Loser. Jack Layton's gang is at their lowest level in years, a mere 12 per cent in comparison to the Tories at 39 and the Liberals at 30. In fact the Dips are within the margin of error of the Green Party who are parked at 8. Imagine the horror in the corridors of non power at NDP HQ if the Greens ever get a leader who has a clue.

The Ipsos-Reid poll reported by Andrew Mayeda of Canwest News Service indicates that anti-election sentiment is running especially high at the moment with 71 per cent of us not wanting to go through yet another election.

Fingers crossed.

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849...Here Is Why There Won't Be An Election

For months I been saying privately what Mike De Souza writes about in today's Edmonton Sun.

What I have been saying is that there is not going to be an election because one in five Members of Parliament need to stay put until July of next year to qualify for their pensions. The amount of money at stake is not huge but it is hugeish, to wit, if the 74 affected members [36 Conservatives, 16 Bloc Quebecois MPs, 14 Liberals and eight New Democrats] stay put for another ten months or so they will qualify for a 25,000 dollar annual pension. If they don't and they go down, no pension.

New Democrat Nathan Cullen, who finds himself in the category of members with less than six years of experience, suggested the issue of pensions might be a concern for some of the older politicians. He added, however, that he doubts it is a major factor that could determine whether they try to force or prevent an election.

Interestingly Jack Layton is one of the MPs that needs to build time to get his pension. I would posit that his seat is a safe one but he has seven fellow Dips who also need to build time and at least one, Dennis Bevington from the Western Arctic, is looking at a tough fight to hold his seat and if he loses, no pension. This has to be weighing on his and many other MPs minds.

It all factors in.

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848...Why Can't We Be Friends?

For the good of the country.

I thought about this last night when I was watching the NFL on NBC. During the game there was an advert for the Monday night games on ESPN, an ABC property. ABC and NBC have been long time competitors but, for the good of the NFL, they cross promote during their games.

Wouldn't it be nice if Michael and Stephen and Jack could be friends? For the good of the country.

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841...No One Reads Comments Sooooooo

I am printing this one.

Even though the person that wrote it was not proud or secure enough to sign it he/she/ts/q/etc [see I am politically correct!] he/she/etc makes some valid points:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "824...Stephen Harper Makes A Video":

Why would Stephen Harper get warm fuzzies over the Opposition? Layton proudly declares he has voted against the Cons 79 times (didn't have to even read the budget to declare the NDP would vote NO!) That's real cooperation, Jack.
As for Ignatieff, he has met with the P.M. 3 times since his coronation in Jan. (twice at the request of the P.M.) His attitude of "he (Harper) knows where to find me" reeks of arrogance. When Harper was in Opposition, he was in constant communication with the P.M. advocating for Canadian people, a high-salaried job that Ignatieff has no clue about as official leader of the opposition. So... 9 months into the year we have heard blustering remarks from Ignatieff about his desire to take down the government no less than 3 times. We are starting to look like a banana republic internationally. The NDP and Liberals equate Harper's "meaness" with not caving in to their expensive demands, other than the budget which was opposition driven. I think the shoe is on the other foot..the Opposition is not cooperating with Harper. If you doubt this check "How'd They Vote" a website which clearly shows the voting records of all M.P.'s. It's an eye-opener!
As for the justice system --WHAT JUSTICE SYSTEM??? Thankfully Harper has initiated a federal agency to support VICTIMS of crime, since they have largely been forgotten by the NDP/Liberals and Bloc.
And NO, the Bloc should have no positions in the outcomes of what happens to the rest of Canada, since their mandate is to separate from it. They represent Quebec--leave it at that. Canadians don't want a nanny state --although lately the groanings indicate we might have to grow up a little. As Kennedy said (paraphrased) "ask what you can do for your country, not what it can do for you."

By the way, about 20 sics in there.

LOL.

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821...Dennis Bevington Got His Name On My Blog

In what has to be a highlight of his career, Dennis Bevington, whom you never heard of until this very second, has made The World Famous Dan Shields' blog.

For those of you who know Mr. Bevington, he needs no introduction. For those of you who don't know him, and I would think that includes everyone, he is the NDP MP for the Western Arctic.

Mr. Bevington is quoted this morning in the Hay City Hub [I told you that I read 'em all] as saying that Michael Ignatieff's remarks in Sudbury last week were "...irresponsible..." Mr. Bevington, who, by the way, like his leader Jack Layton, has a porn star moustache, goes on to say that if Stephen Harper is willing to make compromises his government will survive.

Let me translate all this bullsh't for you. Mr. Bevington has been an MP since 2006; he needs a few more years to get a pension. He has won the last two elections but not exactly by a landslide and he has no fall back plan, he needs this gig to feed himself. The last thing he needs is an election that he could very well lose.

That's it, that's all.

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778...The Dippers Speak Out

Scribblings in the various Sun papers today indicate that the NDP could save the Conservative government from a fall defeat if the Tories make strides to boost pensions, slay bank and credit card fees and help the unemployed.

The national director for Canada's fourth party, Brad Lavigne, was succinct when he said that "The Prime Minister needs to decide if he wants to call an election or call Mr. Layton."

The Dips have 36 seats which is a lot of seats for them and I would think they know that things probably won't get any better but they sure as hell could get a whole lot worse.

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634...Olden NDP Disses Jack Layton

Reading the letters to the editor in this morning's Vancouver Sun, I came across this piece by old warrior Harry Greenwood from the worker's paradise of West Vancouver.

He is a wee bit cranky it seems. With good cause I may add.

Mr. Greenwood points out that he was at the original convention back in 1961 when the CCF, Canadian Commonwealth Federation, decided to change its name to the New Party under Hazen Argue or perhaps something with a socialist twang. As is wont to happen, during the convention the supporters of Mr. Argue moved to The Greatest Canadian Tommy Douglas and inserted Democratic into the New Party.

Their national vision was clear though, Tommy Douglas' "...proclaimed that when the economy was being debated, we should focus on health care and make sure it never strayed far from the table." Mr. Greenwood remarks that Jack Layton has lost that vision and that to debate a name change is merely an academic exercise. He rightfully says that "...the passion is gone..." I say "...a spent force..."

The passion is gone in the CCF/New Party/NDP. They have, on the national level, become the party of the chattering classes insulated in their West Vancouver, Glebe, Outremont bubbles.

A rose by any other name.

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596...NDP Poised For Big Breakthrough In Alberta

That is what Jack Layton, federal leader of the NDP, is quoted by the Canadian Press as saying yesterday in Edmonton, Alberta.

Of course, what you expect him to say?

The NDP got a career high one [1] [une] [uno] seat federally in the Wild Rose province last time out.

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