Who will replace Harper?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Jean Charest is a Conservative? When did that happen?

You do realize that Charest was the leader of the federal Progressive Conservative party from 1993-98, right?

[RueBulmer]

I chuckled a bit today, hearing Rona Ambrose mention gay rights. Nice to know she cares. But if that's where they are headed it disqualifies a lot of people from the reform side.

Please no more party line robot voices like Roxanne James and Stephen Blaney.

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Nnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need a PM who does good Hyundai commercials on radio.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Jean Charest is a Conservative? When did that happen?

Charest was a well known Conservative long before he ran for the provincial Liberals. I've never considered myself old, but compared to some of the people here...

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by GernB

I'd like to see Lisa Raitt declare. I don't know enough about her but she has impressed me at times which is more than I can say for most of the other names that have been tossed around.

Also like to see John Baird declare. Peter MacKay and Jason Kenny will also run I imagine. Don't much care for MacKay though.

I was under the impression that Wall had stated he wasn't interested.

I really, really hope Charest doesn't run. No retreads please.

Baird is gone. Too gay for the party.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by RueBulmer

Baird is gone. Too gay for the party.

Not too gay, perhaps too indiscreet (at least in Egypt).

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

First off do you forget how bad Harper's French was before becoming PM? Even after it was nothing to write home about. Don't forget about 'les erections federales'.

Second: what did Kenney do to alienate Ontarians? Genuinely curious as I hadn't heard this before.

Sorry I missed a word. It should have read "immigrant Ontarians."

Many praised Kenney for attracting the support in 2011 of many people who immigrated from different parts of Asia. But the recent election showed that the support vapourized.

Kenney is not exactly a household name in Ontario and I know of many around here who find him appealing. Too much association with Harper. He just always seemed off beat with things that would be popular here.

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Charest was a well known Conservative long before he ran for the provincial Liberals. I've never considered myself old, but compared to some of the people here...

I'm old too and I remember. But the end of his term in Quebec was plagued by corruption allegations, go figure. It's Quebec. A lot of it was left unresolved.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Jean Charest is a Conservative? When did that happen?

As was mentioned, he was a federal Progressive Conservative Mulroney cabinet minister in the 1980s and early 1990s and deputy PM under Kim Campbell.

But don't forget, the Quebec Liberal Party since the 1970s is a coalition of both left and right leaning federalists. The party tends to be viewed as somewhat right of centre in Quebec and could be considered as a "Progressive-Conservative" type party as the Parti Quebecois has been generally left of centre.

The right-wing CAQ is a more recent party as is the left-wing Quebec-Solidaire.

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Not too gay, perhaps too indiscreet (at least in Egypt).

Do tell!

I met him several years ago at a vernissage, before he was a household name to Canadian political junkies. As I recall, his date left early with my date. He had bad breath, I left with someone else.

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

You do realize that Charest was the leader of the federal Progressive Conservative party from 1993-98, right?

Yeah, not only was he the Federal Leader of the PC's in 93 to 98; he was the leader of a party of two; only he and Elsie Wayne were elected in that election.

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by Loco101

As was mentioned, he was a federal Progressive Conservative Mulroney cabinet minister in the 1980s and early 1990s and deputy PM under Kim Campbell.

But don't forget, the Quebec Liberal Party since the 1970s is a coalition of both left and right leaning federalists. The party tends to be viewed as somewhat right of centre in Quebec and could be considered as a "Progressive-Conservative" type party as the Parti Quebecois has been generally left of centre.

The right-wing CAQ is a more recent party as is the left-wing Quebec-Solidaire.

It really is harder to peg the major political parties in Quebec. There are PC remnants in the Quebec City area. PQ is traditionally left of centre but they are not above enacting conservative measures to balance a budget, and they are socially conservative when it comes to immigration.

[Loco101]

A relative of mine shared a house with John Baird when he attended Queen's University. His nickname was Rusty and I think some people still call him that. I was told that he was quite funny, never dull and quite loud at times....not a surprise!

I remember his days in the Ontario legislature and as a cabinet minister under the Mike Harris PCs.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

You do realize that Charest was the leader of the federal Progressive Conservative party from 1993-98, right?

Wasn't he a provincial Liberal in Quebec though? That's all I've ever known him for. Pardon my ignorance.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Charest was a well known Conservative long before he ran for the provincial Liberals. I've never considered myself old, but compared to some of the people here...

I'm 32.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Loco101

Sorry I missed a word. It should have read "immigrant Ontarians."

Many praised Kenney for attracting the support in 2011 of many people who immigrated from different parts of Asia. But the recent election showed that the support vapourized.

Kenney is not exactly a household name in Ontario and I know of many around here who find him appealing. Too much association with Harper. He just always seemed off beat with things that would be popular here.

I think if you meant immigrants that would extend far beyond Ontario.

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Wasn't he a provincial Liberal in Quebec though? That's all I've ever known him for. Pardon my ignorance.

Yes, he was. Not that long ago.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Wasn't he a provincial Liberal in Quebec though? That's all I've ever known him for. Pardon my ignorance.

He was only a Liberal in Quebec because he is a federalist. The Quebec Liberal Party is an umbrella party, just like the Liberals in BC.

Quebec Liberals = federalist so
BC Liberals = anti-NDP

[RueBulmer]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I'm 32.

I'm old. 56

[ssiguy]

I never thought I'd say this but so far I am actually quite impressed with Rona Ambrose.

She definitely seems to be setting a far more conciliatory and moderate tone than what we have been used to from the Conservatives for the last decade. She seems to understand that Canadians not only want a more responsive government but also a more civil tone.

Yes it is early but her distain for the dog fighting mantra of Harper and the far right and alienating policies of the old Reform seem to be serving her well and she is setting a far more receptive tone that will pay dividends that will pay dividends over the long term. I don't think she would make a good PM and would never be voted in as such but she does seem to have been a very good pick for interim leader.

So far I think she is doing surprisingly well............she is setting a positive tone and with her pleasant personality she is just what the Tories needed.