[LordMandeep]

Belinda switched and it was not really a bad move. In 2004 she won by a close margin, so when she switched her popularity let her win easily.

However Emerson and Khan are a much different story.

In Emerson's riding the Conservatives came in third place behind the NDP and over 11,000 votes behind the Liberals. Do you think he could bring 11,000 votes to his party.

Khan is in the Liberal heartland of the Greater Toronto area. He won by 6,000 votes. The conservatives across the GTA actually finished closer to the liberals but thats because they were on a high of support. That imo has ended and don't think his name only can bring 6,000 votes to the conservatives.

Like think about it if your in a riding in rural Alberta and you switch to the Liberals do you think you will win??If your a liberal in the heart of an anglo Montreal riding and switch to the Bloc, do you think you would win??

[The Chemist]

Khan's crossing the floor has very little to do with him and a lot to do with Dion, IMO. If Dion hadn't forced Khan out, he wouldn't have had to cross the floor. Crossing the floor for Khan was a matter of principle, and I applaud him for it. I hope the people of his riding realize this and vote for him again in the next election.

[shreddog]

Well to tell you the truth, I thought some people were idiots before they switched parties (Belinda) and even those that haven’t switched parties (Hedy), but as for Emerson and Khan, both appear to be very intelligent, sane and logical people, so no I don’t think they are idiots.

In the case of Emerson, he is a very educated and experienced manager and leader (ex-CEO of Canfor), so I think that there are very valid reasons he switched. He has pretty much stated that it is not his intention to seek re-election (said even before the election) and people who know himsay that the cause that was most dear to him was resolving the softwood lumber situation - which he was trying to do in the Libs last days. Given his background, this is not hard to understand. As such, many people believe that communications between Emerson and the Conservatives transpired that if they (the Cons) wanted a rep in Vancouver, he could be available as long as he got Industry and the mandate to resolve the SWL disagreement. Say what you will about the final agreement, it did get solved (something the Libs didn’t accomplish) and he can now return back to industry knowing he accomplished something.

As for Khan, Chemist said it best. The Cons had reached out across party lines to a member of the opposition to help them in Muslin/Asian countries. Khan rose above politics and did what he thought best for the country. Dion called him on this and it backfired. Dion has shown him to be a lacky of the old partisan political ways and insists that the good of the Liberals is more imporant than the good of the country. The funny thing is had this been left alone, Khan would have still won the seat for the Liberals next election and since only about 5 people in Canada knew about him helping out the Cons, if Dion had keep his mouth shut, the general populace would have been none the wiser. Personally I think the real loser here is Dion as he has shown his arrogance and pettiness.

As for what will happen next election, who can tell? I have seen the meltdown of both the Liberals and Conservatives in the past, so I will only make my predictions after the votes have been counted.

BTW, I will still work for and vote for the Greens in the next election, but personally, watching how the Libs handled the Khan situation would ensure that I didn’t vote for them (as long as Dion is around).

[marmorek]

I live in Emerson's riding and I can safely say that almost everyone (including myself) think hes a complete idiot. This riding hasn't voted Conservative in over 50 years and it will certainly continue that way.

[LordMandeep]

You do not live in his riding (i live beside it). His muslim "brothers" his main support are pissed and they are the ones that would never vote conservative.

PLus Khan is not a great man. He ran away from the Pakistan army during a war. Conservatives in the West and others who live thousands of KM from his riding may applaud but his main support the south asian community wants his head. Like it may be "honourable" but it will be costly and in the end i really think its stupid.

I gurantee he will lose, i know Khans riding, they are not happy.

Khans reputation is damaged where it counts his riding, however he can seek some pleasure that he is liked by Conservatives from far far away.


This is a poltical divide here.
Conservatives to Liberals, liberals love him.
Liberal to Conservative, Conservative love him.

[samne]

As for Khan, Chemist said it best. The Cons had reached out across party lines to a member of the opposition to help them in Muslin/Asian countries. Khan rose above politics and did what he thought best for the country.

Please. They reached out to him for Muslim Asian votes in the GTA. Theyre trying anything to break into the suburban Toronto. Just the same way they are trying to get the Jewish votes in suburban Toronto with their Pro-Israel stand in the summer.

As for Khan doing whats best for the country. Apparently you dont know the man, he's a cheap car salesman and an opportunist.

[LordMandeep]

and he went Awol from Pakistan...

The Cons tried to please Quebec. It hasn't worked as much as they wnated. They know going to try get the immigrant vote, but the whole Isreal war has sent Muslims here far away from Conservatives.

Like Emerson and Khan are in Liberal dominated areas. Belinda was in Liberal/Cons area. They have no chance and Belinda had starw power and lots and lots and lots of support and money for her election. Emerson and Khan are nobodies. They have to bring like over 6,000 to over 11,000 votes to thier side alone.

Anyways the best conservatives imo are conservative in a minority govt. I think me and many here in The GTA will do anything to prevent a Cons Majoirty.

[Bassic Lab]

Dion did the right thing. The entire point of having an opposition is not to have it serve the government, it is meant to oppose it. Khan evidently did not understand this principle of the Westminster system. He wanted to feel all special, advising the PM and writing government reports, while being in the opposition, but it just doesn't work that way. The Liberals are not in coalition with the Tories, this is not a unity government, this should not happen.

Why does every one love the concept of bipartisanship these days? Parliament is supposed to be partisan.

Harper is really showing himself to be one of the best tacticians Parliament has seen. He seems to be coming out ahead from most of these things. I wonder how the electorate will react, in many instances they seem to see things as dirty tricks, Vancouver Kingsway being particularly pissed.

[ArchiCAD]

Well to tell you the truth, I thought some people were idiots before they switched parties (Belinda) and even those that haven’t switched parties (Hedy), but as for Emerson and Khan, both appear to be very intelligent, sane and logical people, so no I don’t think they are idiots.

In the case of Emerson, he is a very educated and experienced manager and leader (ex-CEO of Canfor), so I think that there are very valid reasons he switched.
So when talking about floor crossers Emerson is smart becasue he managed a company, but Belinda Stronach is an idiot because she managed a company...

Can someone translate this for me.

[LordMandeep]

Conservatives to Liberals, liberals love him.
Liberal to Conservative, Conservative love him.

[shreddog]

So when talking about floor crossers Emerson is smart becasue he managed a company, but Belinda Stronach is an idiot because she managed a company...

Can someone translate this for me.
Umm, look at what they have done with their lives.

Emerson - PhD in Economics, ex-President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada, ex-Deputy Minister of Finance (BC), ex-Deputy Minister to the Premier (BC), ex-President of the British Columbia Trade Development Corporation, ex-President and ex-CEO of Vancouver International Airport Authority, ex-Pres and CEO of Canfor (one of Canada's larget forest companies).

Belinda - daughter of the founder of Magna founder Frank Stronach, dropped out of York U business after 2 years. Ex-member of the board of directors of Magna, ex VP of Magna, ex-Pres of Mgna, ex-board chair of Magna subsiduaries Decoma, Tesma and Intier. While she is fluent in German and helped found the Conservatives, I think comparing her business creditionals and that of Emerson is a bit of stretch (to say the least).

Anway, Emerson appears to have no plans to run again, so what does he care? As I said above, there is enough info out there that indicates that this man wanted to resolve the SWL dispute, regardless of whatever party he would have to be in. While an opportunist, at least that can be respected.

As for Khan, don't know him from boo, and while he will likey lose as a Con next election, the truth is that Dion looks like the fool. Again, no one in Canada even knew about this before Dion made it an issue. Regardles of whether there should be partisan or bi-partisan activities in Parliament, Dion comes across looking like an argogant, self-serving leader.

And finally, LM, I am neither a Con or a Lib (reread my post and my signature) but as an unbiased bystander IMHO Dion and the Libs look bad on Khan, and Emerson looks no worse than Belinda or Brisson.

PS, ArchiCAD, though I have never Emerson, I have met Belinda and even had a brief "chat" with her for about 30 seconds. Thought she was an idiot then - still do.

[vid]

Coming from someone who's MP switched from Progressive Conservatives to Liberal to get elected (Conservatives will never get elected here because of our rampant socialism, but oddly, a conservative that calls himself a liberal is welcomed with open arms.) I probably don't deserve a say in this, but I'll say something anyway.

If you voted for Emerson in the first place, how is he an idiot now that he is a conservative? Do you mean to tell me that a (to quote the above members) 'complete idiot', as marmorek said of Emerson; 'not a great man', as LordMandeep said about Khan; 'cheap car salesman and an opportunist', as samne said of Khan; 'nobodies', as LordMandeep said of both; can get elected as Liberals, but not as a conservative?

So what; We can only vote for idiots if they run as Liberals? That seems kind of, I don't know, STUPID to me.

If Emerson was a complete idiot, he wouldn't have been elected, regardless of party affiliation. Liberal or Conservative, he is the same person. Many people, like myself, fall between the Liberals and Conservatives on many issues, so people like me, and both MPs from my city, will have their support split between both parties. And, just perhaps, we might vote for the other party once in a while. Who knows?

The Liberal Party had a say in Government affairs, especially foreign policy, and they gave that up. Khan's 'defection' speaks more of the Liberal party than it does of Khan himself. If it wasn't for misguided Liberal voters he wouldn't have been in parliament in the first place.

"The entire point of having an opposition is not to have it serve the government, it is meant to oppose it."

The Opposition is a counter balance to hold the current government accountable to their actions. The Opposition party raises issues it feels the government is neglecting or looking too much into, and, in a perfect world, would make them change their policy. The entire point of having an opposition IS to have it serve the government, not for the governing parties good, but for the peoples. It is an essential part of our democracy and without it, the conservatives would likely have even more power than they do now.

[LordMandeep]

The truth is unless you are a high profile person you likely win because you belong to a certain party. When you swicth sides, that is when more and more people focus on the person.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Emerson might not be an idiot- but he is a traitor who has guaranteed that he will never, ever, ever again hold public office in his riding.

[LordMandeep]

Serious Emerson defected to a party which finished in third place...

Atleast Belinda riding it was only 1000 votes difference.

[Doug]

Emerson might not be an idiot- but he is a traitor who has guaranteed that he will never, ever, ever again hold public office in his riding.

But he resolved the softwood lumber dispute, which is far more important than winning a political posting.

[ArchiCAD]

He didn't resolve it.
He gave away money.

If someone steals your car and returns it with the doors missing, the problem is not resolved.

[trueviking]

good one^

i dont even get how normal people change their minds....how do you change what you believe.

it is more amazing that someone who took the time to run a campaign would change their values.

they should pass legislation that you have to sit as an independent if you step down from the party that you were elected to represent...as it is, it opens up the potential for opportunism...as we have seen too much in the last few years.

in our system, people vote for the party more than the person....

[samne]

they should pass legislation that you have to sit as an independent if you step down from the party that you were elected to represent

good one. at least wait until the next election to run for another party.

[Xelebes]

Just remember, it's not always about party lines.

[jeffwhit]

Conservatives to Liberals, liberals love him.
Liberal to Conservative, Conservative love him.

That's pretty much what it boils down to.

[tkoe]

I don't understand why Dion looks bad after the whole Khan Affair. Basic_Lab is right, the point of the opposition is to oppose the Government. Khan cannot be an advisor to the Prime Minister and then work to defeat the Government in the House. Dion did what any party leader should do; he told Khan to pick either the Grits or the Tories, and Khan made his choice.

I have no problem with him crossing the floor - its his voters that he will have to reckon with now.

[caltrane74]

Khan has zero chance of holding his seat next election.

[LordMandeep]

I agreee, for him to win a significant change must came through this area.

I doubt my local liberal MP can lose, he is liked first south asian MP.

[CC420]

All the parties seem like corrupt fools to me. So switching sides doesn't make them any more of an idiot to me. Except for Emerson just because his switch allowed for the United States to rape and pillage our country once again over the SWL dispute.

Re: parties. I vote independant every time because the system needs change from a very old and decreped parlaiment. We need something like New Zealand has. Proper proportianal representation. :notacrook:

[sync]

Just remember, it's not always about party lines.

no, in canadian politics, it is.

[asws]

I find the partisanship of many people in this country deafening... on both sides. It seems that the liberals could have a dog running in a riding and would win, just because it is liberal giving absolutely no relation to what the parties believe in. Do people actually read what a party is for? No of course not... they vote the same every time, not caring who is actually running, just to support their own party.

In my opinion, the Liberals are a Ontario/Toronto/Montreal party, dominated with people from that region, and the reason that the conservatives have not made major in rodes to urban Toronto/Montreal is the perception of the loss of power that they always had enjoyed under the Liberals. Yes I do think it is that shallow, shallower than a teenage kid finding a porn site by "accident". :yuck:

[samne]

I find the partisanship of many people in this country deafening... on both sides. It seems that the liberals could have a dog running in a riding and would win, just because it is liberal giving absolutely no relation to what the parties believe in. Do people actually read what a party is for? No of course not... they vote the same every time, not caring who is actually running, just to support their own party.

In my opinion, the Liberals are a Ontario/Toronto/Montreal party, dominated with people from that region, and the reason that the conservatives have not made major in rodes to urban Toronto/Montreal is the perception of the loss of power that they always had enjoyed under the Liberals. Yes I do think it is that shallow, shallower than a teenage kid finding a porn site by "accident". :yuck:

before you talk more out of your ass, maybe you should look at this:

2006 federal election results by seats and votes.

Alberta

CON 28 65.03%
LIB 0 15.3%
NDP 0 11.68%

Ontario

LIB 54 39.94%
CON 40 35.09%
NDP 12 19.45%

Do I need to be ignorant to live in Alberta or would I grow into it?

Now WHO would elect a dog if it ran under a certain party?

[asws]

before you talk more out of your ass, maybe you should look at this:

2006 federal election results by seats and votes.

Alberta

CON 28 65.03%
LIB 0 15.3%
NDP 0 11.68%

Ontario

LIB 54 39.94%
CON 40 35.09%
NDP 12 19.45%

Do I need to be ignorant to live in Alberta or would I grow into it?

Now WHO would elect a dog if it ran under a certain party?
Oh come on... I could have predicted this faster... screw the iconic CSI: Miami sayings. I am not denying that Alberta is a one party province, but I am saying that the conservatives have a large base of core yellow dog voting, but I am talking about URBAN TORONTO, which also has that deep sense of voter loyalty to the brand of Liberal, no matter the management or people running it. Canada is so segmented it is fucking redicious.

Think before you do your twitchy ass flaming... it shows exactly what I was trying to convey...from my view(which may or may not be right)... you are insecure about control over canada and blame the west (mostly Alberta)... how typical... :rolleyes:

[MolsonExport]

Personally, I find voters who automatically vote for the same party, regardless of who is running, major issues, etc., year-in and year-out are idiots. Reminds me of people who think along the lines of "My country, right or wrong."

I have no problem with people who switch parties, as long as it is not only done for opportunistic reasons. If you find that your party no longer represents views that you wish to accept and promote, and that the party is not open to diverse viewpoints, then it behooves the individual (whether a rank-and-file liberal party member, a Bloquiste, or a PC cabinet minister) to make a switch.

[samne]

Think before you do your twitchy ass flaming... it shows exactly what I was trying to convey...from my view(which may or may not be right)... you are insecure about control over canada and blame the west (mostly Alberta)... how typical.

Blame the West?...for what? Did something happen I should know about?

You have as much control over Canada as I do.

[asws]

Blame the West?...for what? Did something happen I should know about?

You have as much control over Canada as I do.

I agree... we have absolutely no control... good. :yes:

[MonkeyRonin]

I find the partisanship of many people in this country deafening... on both sides. It seems that the liberals could have a dog running in a riding and would win, just because it is liberal giving absolutely no relation to what the parties believe in. Do people actually read what a party is for? No of course not... they vote the same every time, not caring who is actually running, just to support their own party.

In my opinion, the Liberals are a Ontario/Toronto/Montreal party, dominated with people from that region, and the reason that the conservatives have not made major in rodes to urban Toronto/Montreal is the perception of the loss of power that they always had enjoyed under the Liberals. Yes I do think it is that shallow, shallower than a teenage kid finding a porn site by "accident". :yuck:

mmm.. hypocracy is my favourite :)

[LordMandeep]

Yes blame Toronto for stoping the Conservatives from getting a majoirty....
I think thats the main reason people vote liberal here, because they don't want Harper to have full control of govt.

Don't lie, i bet you can have a scholar as a liberal and a moron as a conservative and the conservative would win in most of Alberta.

So stop acusing us of being blind sheep as you are doing the same. So it all equals out.
Your wants and our wants are met, Liberals don't form Majority, Conservative don't for Majority.

That makes us both happy.

Also there are some idiots in the conservative party that win as well in landslides like the liberals here in Toronto, so it all equals out.

[asws]

Yes blame Toronto for stoping the Conservatives from getting a majoirty....
I think thats the main reason people vote liberal here, because they don't want Harper to have full control of govt.

Don't lie, i bet you can have a scholar as a liberal and a moron as a conservative and the conservative would win in most of Alberta.

So stop acusing us of being blind sheep as you are doing the same. So it all equals out.
Your wants and our wants are met, Liberals don't form Majority, Conservative don't for Majority.

That makes us both happy.

Also there are some idiots in the conservative party that win as well in landslides like the liberals here in Toronto, so it all equals out.
That's the way the shit flows I guess... whatever, it's not like it matters anyway...

[LordMandeep]

see we agree that what you say is true for our area, however it is also true for your area as well.

In my Area the Liberal MP has been around since 1993. Swept into power in the "liberal revolution" at that time. Every seat in Ontario went Liberal expect one.
The man was seen as the face of th south asian comunity in Ottawa as he was the first one to go there. So he was strongly supported by South Asians. He also a good guy, sure his english sucks but he is still a nice guy. Now there are like 6 south asian Mp's in Brampton and Mississauga (suburban West-end Toronto) so he is likely going to be replaced soon by most likely a younger Canadian born south asian person.



Thats why my riding votes Liberal.

[samne]

mandeep, so someone of the same ethnicity is automaticly the best person for the job? :koko:


Also, a little too self serving to claim Toronto as the reason behind a Con minority.

Its the URBAN vote accross Canada that voted for this.

Cons have very strong rural support in ON.

This is 2004 but you get the idea.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/election200411683039256668.gif?t=1168304303

[LordMandeep]

no, but that is the reason he wins, the south asian community is the near majority here so they mostly want someone like them to represent them.

[Sacamano]

and the reason that the conservatives have not made major in rodes to urban Toronto/Montreal is the perception of the loss of power that they always had enjoyed under the Liberals.

has nothing to do with power

the west can't forgive the liberals for NEP while the East can't forgive the conservatives for free trade at all costs ( economic suicide)

[Boris2k7]

I think that some people are idiots regardless of which party they switch to. Stronach just happens to be one of them.

[shreddog]

Really, I'm not sure who the biggest idiots would be:

In Calgary, the Cons could nominate a moldy 40lb bag of potatoes with a criminal record ... and it would win.
In Hamilton, the NDP could run a sack of nails ... and it would win in a landslide.
In Toronto, the Liberals could run a reptilian alien that eats kittens ... and it would win.
In the Sagueny, the Bloc could nominate a pair of boots ... ditto.

Anywhere in Canada, the Greens could nominate a cross between Tommy Douglas and Lester Pearson ... and they would still lose.

I think that pretty much sums it up.;)

[m0nkyman]

Really, I'm not sure who the biggest idiots would be:

In Calgary, the Cons could nominate a moldy 40lb bag of potatoes with a criminal record ... and it would win.
In Hamilton, the NDP could run a sack of nails ... and it would win in a landslide.
In Toronto, the Liberals could run a reptilian alien that eats kittens ... and it would win.
In the Sagueny, the Bloc could nominate a pair of boots ... ditto.

Anywhere in Canada, the Greens could nominate a cross between Tommy Douglas and Lester Pearson ... and they would still lose.

I think that pretty much sums it up.;)

One addendum.

And 60% of the population in each case are pissed because their candidate didn't win. Gotta love first past the post. :tup:

---- yet another westerner who will vote for whichever baby eating puppy killer is most likely to be elected over the Liberal, either NDP or CPC ---

[Kilgore Trout]

on a side note, why are we referring to "belinda" and "hedy" but not "david" and "wajid"?

[Rusty van Reddick]

on a side note, why are we referring to "belinda" and "hedy" but not "david" and "wajid"?

The Cons on here are already licking their wounds, because whereas Stronach GOT RE-ELECTED, as a LIBERAL, you fucking idiots, EMERSON'S POLITICAL CAREER IS OVER.

God, you Conservatives and your pathetic delusions...

[ac888yow]

Personally, I find voters who automatically vote for the same party, regardless of who is running, major issues, etc., year-in and year-out are idiots.Couldn't have said it any better myself.

Unfortunately, it is obvious most of the country does this.

[shreddog]

The Cons on here are already licking their wounds, because whereas Stronach GOT RE-ELECTED, as a LIBERAL, you fucking idiots, EMERSON'S POLITICAL CAREER IS OVER.

God, you Conservatives and your pathetic delusions...
Well Furry, since you must know I am a Green, that comment obviously wasn't directed towards me. That said, I stand by my statements on Emerson.

Prior to the election, he had indicated that this was likely his last time running. Coming from Canfor and trying to resolve the SWL issue under the Liberals makes it pretty obvious that that was most important to him and it appears that he wanted to get it done, regardless of part banner. Again, since he wasn't gonna run next time, what does he care.

As for Khan - don't know him, so I can't tell.

Regarding Belinda - well as I said before, I met her during her quest fto "unite the right". Thought she was an idiot then, still do.

Now another floor crosser that has been missed is Brisson. Personally, I respect him WAY MORE than Belinda. Scott made a decision based on a change in party position. Belinda was being opportunistic - that's all. Does anyone remember the main reason she left? (other than "I don't like Stevie and really want to be Minister of Human Resources even though I have no appropriate skills or experience!")

Anyway, contrary to what some people here believe, crossing the floor is a key foundation to the Westminster parliament system. Remember, Churchill himself crossed the floor - twice!!

Cheers.

[vid]

"I think thats the main reason people vote liberal here, because they don't want Harper to have full control of govt."

No, the reason people in the GTA and NO vote Liberal is because they have ALWAYS voted Liberal, they will ALWAYS vote Liberal and that will NEVER change. They didn't vote Liberal because they didn't like Harper. They voted Liberal because they have always voted Liberal. Except for an occasional interruption, pretty much every Liberal riding in Ontario now has always been Liberal.

"EMERSON'S POLITICAL CAREER IS OVER."

It sure is. He made that decision in December 2005 when he said 'I probably won't run again after this'. Did you know Bush decided not to run in '08? He wants to spend more time with his family, so he won't be running. Misunderstanding is fun!

In Northern Ontario, a 'Liberal' that is against same sex marriage and, eight years earlier, was a conservative, won.

[trueviking]

Personally, I find voters who automatically vote for the same party, regardless of who is running, major issues, etc., year-in and year-out are idiots.


i disagree completely...each party has different basic values that manifest themselves in how the country is governed under that party...it affects every issue that they try to solve....voting for the party that will approach the issues of the country using the framework of values that is most closely aligned with yours is what is most important.

voting on a single issue against a party who will approach all other issues in a way that you dont agree with makes no sense...someone who supports social programmes, but opposes gay marriage and votes con will be screwed when it comes to national day care and arts funding etc.

in our party system, your local candidate is very often irrelevant, so using that criteria, except in the few cases where your candidate is more than a vote in the house, is pointless.....would you vote for the con candidate that you like as a person if he will vote for issues that you dont believe in because you tend to the liberal mentality?

in my mind changing your vote every election is like changing your values every 4 years...i dont get it.

[MolsonExport]

i disagree completely...each party has different basic values that manifest themselves in how the country is governed under that party...it affects every issue that they try to solve....voting for the party that will approach the issues of the country using the framework of values that is most closely aligned with yours is what is most important.

voting on a single issue against a party who will approach all other issues in a way that you dont agree with makes no sense...someone who supports social programmes, but opposes gay marriage and votes con will be screwed when it comes to national day care and arts funding etc.

in our party system, your local candidate is very often irrelevant, so using that criteria, except in the few cases where your candidate is more than a vote in the house, is pointless.....would you vote for the con candidate that you like as a person if he will vote for issues that you dont believe in because you tend to the liberal mentality?

in my mind changing your vote every election is like changing your values every 4 years...i dont get it.


Ok, fair enough. But often, those 'different basic values' that you refer to go out-the-door once the party is elected. Witness the Mulroney and Chretien eras.

[CC420]

Personally, I find voters who automatically vote for the same party, regardless of who is running, major issues, etc., year-in and year-out are idiots. Reminds me of people who think along the lines of "My country, right or wrong."


I think people that vote for the 4 sitting parties are idiots. I call them sheeple and they think their choice is only who gets press coverage.

[shreddog]

Maverick MP Garth Turner joins Liberals (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/02/06/turner-liberals.html)

Sanctimonious Liberals … Exit stage right!

[vid]

Now, if the liberals were anything like they say they think the conservatives should be, they'd kick him out of the party, because obviously, people who switch parties are idiots. :)

[Rusty van Reddick]

Garth Turner was kicked out of the Cons, if you will recall. That's not quite the same as opportunistic lying bastards like Emerson. Bastards whose careers are now toast.

[vid]

Yes, that is why Emerson is totally irrelevant and no longer has a shred of clout, unlike the highly influential Garth Turner. All hail Garth Turner! Champion of Democrazy!

He still switched from the party he was elected to.

[e909]

I guess he didn't really "switch"

[chris]

He swtiched from Ind. to the Liberals. That's a switch.

[LordMandeep]

true he switched but he got kicked out of the party for doing his job...

Garth Turner is alright, i always liked him even as a conservative.

[m0nkyman]

What all this really proves is that there isn't that much real difference between the Consiberals and the Libatives.

So who all has switched from and to the NDP again?

[e909]

What all this really proves is that there isn't that much real difference between the Consiberals and the Libatives.

So who all has switched from and to the NDP again?
I don't think anybody has ever switched to the NDP.

[vid]

Who would WANT to switch to the NDP?

[Taller Better]

Sometimes it makes sense, as in the case of Belinda, but in most cases it is self serving greedy twits who hop into bed with whoever can give them the most power and money.

[m0nkyman]

Sometimes it makes sense, as in the case of Belinda, but in most cases it is self serving greedy twits who hop into bed with whoever can give them the most power and money.

Did you even read what you wrote?

And it was sooo tempting to include the five words before the second bold section...

[vid]

Yeah, god forbid someone with passion about a problem in this country take the opportunity to bring about change! If Emerson knew what was good for him, he'd have let Harper give the trade portfolio to someone qualified and conservative, like Rona Ambrose, or a cactus plant!

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/senior/flowers/images/large/cactus1.jpg
Tommy the Cactus Plant is excited
about his plan to end the softwood
lumber dispute! :tup:

[shreddog]

^^ Too late Vid, rumour has it that even after heavy lobbying by the Greens, Tommy has decided to make history and switch to the NDP. He promises to be a real "thorn" in the side of the Conservatives.

Yet another exciting day in Canadian politics!

[habsfan]

Don't you think some people who switch parties are Idiots??


Personally, I find voters who automatically vote for the same party, regardless of who is running, major issues, etc., year-in and year-out are idiots. Reminds me of people who think along the lines of "My country, right or wrong."

Exactly what i was thinking!

ONly Idiots NEVER change their minds!

[Taller Better]

Did you even read what you wrote?

And it was sooo tempting to include the five words before the second bold section...

Yes I read what I wrote. She changed parties because rather obviously she was butting heads with Harper, and she was diametrically opposed to so many things in the Conservative platform (eg. gay marriage). You can take my word for it, she does not need more money or power. Perhaps you have forgotten the situation that was happening at the time, or were unaware of it. My use of the term "jump into bed" was a metaphor. I don't judge her by who she physically sleeps with, any more than I do a male MP, but I know of a lot of sexually frustrated people who do.

[the dude]

i've been careful not to jump on belinda; pardon the pun. ideally, she should have waited until an election before changing her colours. crossing the floor is not democratic in the least and should be abolished. if you're elected as a conservative then you need to sit as one too. also, she didn't cross the floor to sit as a back-bencher, she was lured with a portfolio. i certainly think there was a touch of opportunism there.

[Taller Better]

Remember how Steve was fighting with her in the background, and doing his best to keep her down? I think he was jealous of her, and feared her becoming a potential rival. I don't blame her one bit for crossing the floor. I suspect the only reason she joined the Conservative Party in the first place was from family loyalty, and as she began to mature politically, she realised she could not live within those boundaries.

[LordMandeep]

however she got re-elected quite easily, so that issue is at rest.

Emerson and Khan on the other hand are gonners....

[MonkeyRonin]

People are also failing to realize that Turner's riding - unlike Emerson or Khan's - does not consistently favour one party. It can go either Liberal (such as in 2004) or Conservative (such as in 2006), and it will be a close race either way, so its not as if Garth is betraying his people, or at least, not to the same extent as some other MPs.

[SteelTown]

Rude gestures, hoots greet Turner's first day as Liberal
Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Halton MP Garth Turner was greeted by hoots and a rude gesture from his former Tory colleagues Wednesday when he made his question period debut as a Liberal.

His new comrades gave him a standing ovation.

Turner once again offered to lay his Commons seat on the line if Prime Minister Stephen Harper would promise an immediate byelection.

The Liberals roared. Tories booed. Selkirk MP James Bezan pumped his forearm in a vulgar gesture in Turner's direction.

Tory House Leader Peter Van Loan marvelled that after only 24 hours in the Liberal caucus, Turner got an ovation by promising to resign.

Turner, who was kicked out of the Tory caucus last fall and joined the Liberals on Tuesday, also challenged the prime minister again to call byelections in the seats held by Conservatives David Emerson and Wajid Khan, both of whom defected from the Liberals.

[shreddog]

however she got re-elected quite easily, so that issue is at rest.

Emerson and Khan on the other hand are gonners....

So if you quit your party to be opportunistic, but get re-elected you're not an idiot. If, on the other hand you quit for alturistic reasons but don't seek/get re-elected, you're an idiot.

Well I do agree, idiots are at play here, but they're not just the politicians.

[shreddog]

dp

[LordMandeep]

no then that means the people didn't really mind then in that riding. It doesn't make it okay, but if you get re-elected after switching then you really can't go after that MP anymore,because he or she has proved him or herself.

IF Khan and Emerson get reelected then i will forget about it, but if they don't then they will be seen as fools then.

Its a test sort off.

[vid]

Well bug the person whose job it is to call the by-election.

[LordMandeep]

Khan is done, his muslim support has left him and they are very diehard liberals.

[Ottawa]

It's unfortunate that people can't think past the party and vote for the person. If that were the case, it wouldn't matter what party the elected individual belonged to, or moved to. That would be much closer to real democracy and not the false democracy we think we have in this country.

As for Garth Turner - he will always be an independent. He certainly was never a Conservative and likely will never be a Liberal. I wish Dion,etc. luck with this loose cannon.

Khan - who cares - never made a difference before and makes no difference in the long run. He's just a number. He's already off of the national radar.

Emerson - he got the softwood lumber deal signed - job accomplished. Of course he wouldn't win and probably won't even run in the next election. He also makes no difference in the long run politically but I bet you he does pretty well in private life after his political career is over.

Belinda - opportunistic poor little rich girl. Proves you too can buy yourself a place in history with a large enough bank account courtesy of daddy. Hardly what I would call leadership potential though. She rightly deserved to lose the Conservative leadership in spite of all the hype around her. She had zero political experience. Other than being rich and blonde, what was the atttraction?