I just thought the Norman Spector would not mind a Spectorism.
...Mr. Dion's surprise selection also presents several opportunities for the Conservatives. His English, by his own admission, is not as strong as Mr. Rae's French -- particularly on complex issues or when he becomes flustered. He's not been battle-tested as a leader during an election campaign and, as a dark horse, was scarcely pressed by the media or his opponents during the leadership race.
Mr. Dion's shaky first week in English during Question Period and his strategic stumbles on dual citizenship and free votes are likely to have Mr. Harper gently revving up the Conservative campaign team. Since Mr. Dion insists that Canada can meet its Kyoto targets if he takes office in 2007, Mr. Harper may want to give Canadians an opportunity to evaluate the budgetary costs, personal sacrifices and economic trade-offs this would entail.
With Quebec and Ontario beginning to feel the negative effects of a strong dollar, Mr. Harper would be able to campaign on his middle-class values and economist credentials, contrasting those with Mr. Dion's doctorate in sociology and his propensity to come off as remote from the everyday concerns of ordinary Canadians. Explicitly or implicitly, the message in an election campaign would be that this is not the time to take a flyer on a novice with few links to the private sector.
I think the battle-tested thing could be a key. Stephane Dion was won in Liberal safe seats to get and remain in Parliament and won a collegial leadership campaign. Things will not be anywhere near as easy going up against four opposition parties. I am guessing the Conservatives will not even have to go hard against Dion wrt the environment because if the NDP does not want to get eliminated and if the Greens actually want to win a seat then they will have to do the heavy lifting.
Comments (4)
I am guessing the Conservatives will not even have to go hard against Dion wrt the environment because if the NDP does not want to get eliminated and if the Greens actually want to win a seat then they will have to do the heavy lifting.
The thought the CPC could go after anyone on the environment is too funny. Your only hope is that the Harperites can somehow halt the development of an “anyone but Harper” movement. If that happens, Jack and Elizabeth could put on a fan dance ( I hope you haven’t just eaten) and no one will care.
Posted by Greg | December 11, 2006 9:08 AM
Posted on December 11, 2006 09:08
The Conservatives should consider taking Dion’s Kyoto claim at face value. Something along the lines of “Dion will make Canadians reduce their energy use by a third over the next two years. This means that, for people who heat their houses, use electricity, and drive their cars, they can choose any two”. This is an essentially correct description of what would be needed to actually meet the Kyoto emission requirements. The question is, would any Canadians actually believe that Dion really intends to carry out Kyoto? My worry is that everybody already knows that the Liberal position is big hypocritical talk on the environment, combined with no action whatever, and that that is exactly what most people want: to be allowed to feel virtuous without making sacrifices. If the policy people actually want on the environment is empty promises, then the CPC under Harper will find them very difficult to satisfy.
Posted by Mark Childerson | December 11, 2006 9:42 AM
Posted on December 11, 2006 09:42
Maybe Dion will go after Alberta’s cattle ranchers next…. (just kidding)
Cow flatulence worse for environment than cars
A report released by the UN reports that cows generate more greenhouse gases than all forms of of transport combined. The study called “Livestock’s Long Shadow” warns that methane and carbon dioxide release by cows is drastically damaging our environment.
h/t http://www.indiescribe.com/2006/12/cowflatulence.html
Posted by wilson61 | December 11, 2006 10:48 AM
Posted on December 11, 2006 10:48
Stating that the environment will be the dominant issue during the next campaign is speculating in the dark.
Economic and personal issues always trump the environment. Its partly why the one tonne challenge didnt and wouldnt work. I’d love to see the southern ontario hockey parent group examine their use of minivans and SUVs to drive their kids to and from school and after school events. Their environmental impact is huge and negative.
Its easy to focus on the environment in the absence of an election, during a long campaign the issue would get tired quickly.
Posted by colin | December 11, 2006 11:16 AM
Posted on December 11, 2006 11:16