Canadian Election Watch - Day 2

So, we're just off to a rip-roaring start, aren't we?

Partisan bickering and allegations of lies and mismanagement gave way to threats of court action Monday on the first full day of the 2008 federal election.

Yes, it seems the masters of mediocrity - collectively known as the leaders of the Cons, Liberals, NDP, and BQ - managed to muscle the Green Party's Elizabeth May out of the upcoming debates. May more than strongly hinted to a CBC anchor on Monday that there was a whiff of sexism to the decision made by the "old boy's club" and the media consortium that, according to her, was privately pressured by the boys to keep her out of the clubhouse. No girl germs allowed. In response, the boys basically mumbled "whatever" (except for Steve, of course) and changed the subject. The consortium claimed, according to May, that it had received threats from the boys that some or all of them would boycott the debates if May was allowed to participate. She dared any one of them to come out of the treehouse and say that in public. Thus, off to court she goes.

Control Freak in a Sweater Vest Steve, who started his day off on the west coast in a campaign appearance with a local candidate whom he wouldn't allow to speak, said (again) that May was a de facto Liberal. He still doesn't get the concept of different political parties, apparently. Meanwhile, Andrew Steele of the Globe and Mail seems to think that keeping May out of the debates is a good idea because, his reasoning goes, if people don't really know what the Green party is all about, they can project whatever policies they want onto it. Yeah. There's nothing like an uninformed electorate to keep Canada's democracy healthy! Don't we already have more than enough of that with people believing that Conservatives are fiscally responsible while they continually leave us with deficits? Reality check on aisle 4.

I really don't even know why there is a Conservative party since they believe in privatizing everything. Why not just privatize the federal government and be done with it? That would have the added benefit of letting Warm and Fuzzy Daddy Steve spend more time with his family. And who doesn't want that?

Not to be overshadowed by Vesty Steve, Stephane certainly came out swinging - accusing the PM of lying about his policies. Ouch. Take note, yanks: politics ain't beanbag up here either (whatever the hell that means). No more Mr Nice Dion. He obviously means business. Will he manage to unravel Steve's sweater vest? Stay tuned.

Mr "I'm running to be Prime Minister" This Time, Jack Layton - (what were you hoping to be the last time, Jack? the court jester?) - kicked off his day right here in Cowtown. Yeeha and all of that. He then flew reporters over the oil sands in Northern Alberta so they could check out the horrendous environment on their way up to the real Great White North. If he'd wanted to have a bigger splash, he should have pissed on the heads of the oil execs while he was at it. Oh well. You can't have everything this early in the campaign, I guess.

Gilles Duceppe? Farting around somewhere in Quebec trying to save his party's ass. Good luck with that!

Update:

Diva Rachel has a list of contacts if you want to express your opinion to the party leaders and media about May being excluded from the debates.
 

You say it's your birthday...

It's my birthday too, ya!



1 year away from 50 and I don't feel a day over 86. Woohoo! (cough, hack, ouch)

Parteh!!


And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
 

Canadian Election Watch - Day 1

Game on!

My election prediction: some older white guy will end up running our country in October.

Alrighty then...

A note to my American readers. I'd call you "friends" but I don't want to sound like John McCain. Anyway, when our current PM 'Steve' campaigned for the Cons the last time around, he promised fixed election dates because he really really would rather be an American (I guess). So, his party pushed a bill and it became a law. Yay, Steve, his partisans applauded. But now, since he really does love des choses American he thought he'd emulate your Emperor George and turn around and break that law the minute he got the chance. Thus, although we Peon Canadians all thought we were going to the polls in October of 2009, Steve has decided that he wants to harvest our votes this October instead because he's out of ideas, basically.

'But, wait!', you say, 'At least you don't have to suffer through an excruciatingly long election season like we do, ergo, [I know some of you use the word "ergo" - I've heard you] by having the election next month, you'll be spared all of that."

Well, thank you for caring about our collective sanity but when an election is called in this country (or when the writ is dropped according to this new law that apparently isn't the law anymore), our campaign season only lasts just over a month - always. We aren't the suckers for political punishment that you guys are. We save that kind of brutality for hockey games.

In the meantime, since Steve knew he'd be calling an election, he's already put out ads trying to sell himself as Soft and Cuddly Sweater Vest Guy. That may attract the typical Conservative voter who's searching for a daddy figure (get therapy, will ya?) but we're not big on the whole 'biography' son of a mill worker kind of stuff up here. Time is short. There are issues to discuss. Screw Mr Sweater Vest and his daddy schtick.

As for the major opposition parties - none of which really have much of a hope in hell of gaining majority status (not that the Cons are guaranteed that either): the New Dems have released their ad, "A New Kind of Strong", which I haven't been able to watch online due to video problems. I assume it isn't a deodorant commercial, as the name implies. The Liberals (that's a sweater Dion has on - a vest with arms) came out passionately swinging with Stephane on Sunday emphasizing greeniness.

While Steve seems to have the edge in the polls as the most "decisive" - not always an admirable trait: see - Bush, George - Stephane will have to overcome his Nerdy French Guy image. Jack Layton - well, he'll huff and puff but he won't be blowing any houses down. Maybe if he'd stop compromising his party's core principles by propping up the Cons, he'd actually get somewhere.

But, I digress.

One issue that both the Liberals and Conservatives won't be able to run from is our continuing commitment to the Afghanistan war that both parties have pledged this country to until 2011. I suspect that if the Cons win a majority, Canadian troops will be over there until eternity and/or when that war actually ends - whichever comes first. And Canadians were all reminded of our losses in that useless war on Sunday when shortly after the election call it was announced that 1 more of our soldiers has died and 7 were injured. The fact that support for this mission is at its lowest point ever ought to be a major concern for both parties, but just how loud will Canadians yell - especially in the political battleground that is and always has been the province of Quebec? That remains to be seen.

So grab your popcorn, pop open a Canada Dry™ or a Molson™, stay away from the processed meats, mushrooms and cheese and enjoy the game. And don't forget to yell "Car!" if you see one coming. We all have to look out for each other up here. Dog knows the government won't do it for us - no matter who wins.

See you on (a less wordy) Day 2.
 

Quote du Jour: Emerson's Identity Crisis

"I was never a Liberal."
- David Emerson

A befuddled-looking Emerson then quickly walked away from the podium mumbling, "And I was never a man either", as he pointed down to his hot pink, high-heeled pumps.
 

Friday Fun: A Wonderful New Drug Hits the Market

Enjoy!

See more Adam "Ghost Panther" McKay videos at Funny or Die

h/t Madman in the Marketplace
 

Protesters Removed During McCain's Speech

Via the WaPo. Looks like CODEPINK:

10:27 p.m. Two women sitting beneath the press seats attempted to unfurl a pink banner. They screamed, "Get out of Iraq," before people next to them snatched the sign and started to wrestle them out of the hall. This led to a noticeable disruption of the speech. --Matthew Mosk UPDATE: Two antiwar protesters came down aisle 118 with homemade pink cloth signs. "End the war in Iraq," yelled one, holding up the two-fingered peace sign. The signs were snatched by one man and a scuffle ensued. As one of the protestors continued toward the floor, getting within a few feet of it, she was stopped by two men. One grabbed the credential strap around her neck. The protesters were escorted out, with one McCain supporter yelling: "Sit down you Nazi!" --Kevin Merida

10:25 p.m. Multiple screaming protesters were just taken out up the aisle behind the stage and next to the press risers. The audience drowned their shouts with chants of "USA!"
--Ben Pershing

I'll post the video when it's available.

That's nothing compared to what happened outside:

In another tense showdown, police in riot gear swept into the State Capitol grounds Thursday evening, using snowplows, horses and dump trucks to seal off downtown access to a group of antiwar demonstrators attempting to march on the final night of the Republican National Convention.

The group of more than 700 demonstrators had a permit to rally and march. But the permit expired at 5 p.m. and police refused to let them march, leading to an hourlong standoff on the John Ireland Boulevard bridge over Interstate 94 at rush hour.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said about 50 people had been arrested, but that number was expected to climb as several hundred people were blocked on the Marion Street bridge with their hands on their heads. Police used pepper spray and tear gas to quell some of the unrest.

Update:

It looks like CODEPINK was visible during Palin's speech too . Good for them. Someone needs to speak up, loudly and visibly.

Update #2:

CODEPINK in action during McCain's speech -


 

Palinpalooza

There they are, Mr and Mrs America, in amber waves of nausea.

Those who watched Tuesday nite's coverage of the RNC already know the buzz word Republicans are using to push Sarah Palin: reformer. And that is no doubt what her debut speech to the world will be about tonite.

And, although some pundits have postured that Palin will not serve in the attack dog role that so marks US vice-presidents, a preview of her remarks shows otherwise.

Not only will she come out swinging at the "elite" media (ie. everybody but FOX), she's going for Obama's throat:

Palin, whose revelation earlier this week about the pregnancy of her 17-year-old daughter sparked a media frenzy, is expected to make her case as to why she should be vice-president, citing her record as governor of Alaska and, before that, as a mayor of Wasilla, a town with a population of 6,700.

"Since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves," her text read, taking aim at Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

You can find a longer excerpt here.

No matter how reportedly jittery some Repubs may be about McCain's VP choice as they sweat in the backrooms of their convention center, there is one certainty: they have the power of the presidency and they plan to keep it - no matter what. Their partisan discipline will keep them together behind the unlikely pairing of their party's so-called maverick and the unknown woman he's chosen as his running mate. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if McCain announced that Palin's going after Osama bin Laden with her moose-hunting rifle all by herself. Obama/Biden will have their hands full until November. (By the way, where are they? Has anybody actually seen them since Friday?? Funny how things change so quickly...)

Afterspeech thoughts:

Not only did Palin serve the red meat, she hunted it down, dressed it in the field (as Fred Thompson said on Tuesday nite), and threw it out raw into the middle of a hungry crowd that acted like it hadn't eaten in weeks.

Complete text.
 

Quote du Jour: Bush, again

Bush in Baton Rouge:

And finally, the people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there's a lot of prayer -- prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I'm one of them.

Palin's Daughter is Pregnant

And I have 2 words for Democrats: tread carefully.

To rebut rumors, Palin says daughter, 17, pregnant

ST. PAUL (Reuters) - The 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said on Monday in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child.

Bristol Palin, one of Alaska Gov. Palin's five children with her husband, Todd, is about five months pregnant and is going to keep the child and marry the father, the Palins said in a statement released by the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Bristol Palin made the decision on her own to keep the baby, McCain aides said.

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us," the Palins' statement said.

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support," the Palins said.

The Palins asked the news media to respect the young couple's privacy.

"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media, respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates," the statement concluded.

Check out some of the responses at Daily Kos where many have been pushing the conspiracy theory that Bristol Palin was actually the mother of Trig, the latest Palin family baby born 4 months ago even though we're learning now that Bristol Palin is 5 months pregnant. Not much humility to be found over there for getting that fabricated story completely wrong.

Instead, there are reactions like this:

Holy shit… (2+ / 0-)


a 17 year old pregnant for 5 months who is not married to the father yet?

When is her birthday, was she 16 when this happened?

And McCain decided that this was ok? Is he freaking nuts, does he even know who the father is or what family he comes from?

Wow, just fucking wow!!!

What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. (Albert Pine)

by laughingriver on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:14:23 AM PDT

I was a pregnant 17 year-old too and reactions like that were common 30 years ago when I had my daughter. Not only was being a pregnant teenager shameful in society's eyes then but being a single parent was equally as contemptuous.

I thought things had changed. Obviously not.

And it's even more disgusting that these kinds of attitudes are coming from so-called, left-wing progressives today.

I understand that Sarah Palin is a strong advocate of abstinence-only education (or non-education, if you will). That's a fair angle to go after her on. But don't make her daughter the poster-child for what her mother believes.

Take a moment to think about what this girl is already going through. If you've been there as a teenager facing an unplanned pregnancy, you understand the tremendous wave of anxiety and uncertainty that comes with being in that situation. It's hard to deal with. And it's even more difficult when society views you as a freakish pariah. Multiply that 1,000 times now that this young girl is in the political spotlight because of her mother's candidacy and it will be amazing if Bristol Palin makes it through all of this unscarred emotionally.

Some Obama supporters/Democrats have been absolutely vicious and sexist towards Sarah Palin since her candidacy was announced - just a continuation of their Hillary hatred.

Absolutely appalling.

If she can't control her daughter now? (0+ / 0-)

How is she gonna juggle 5 kids, a grand child, and the axis of evil:[sic]

by starlicious on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:19:38 AM PDT

Does Palin really deserve that? I sure don't think so. Would the same be said of a male candidate? Not a chance.

Democrats should know by now that the Republicans can spin anything to their advantage. An illegal war, torture, the decimation of human and civil rights. Do you really believe this issue will be a problem for them considering that Palins' daughter is doing exactly what the right proscribes in these situations?

1. She's keeping the baby.
2. She's getting married.

So, tread carefully, Democrats. If you don't, all of your glee and celebration over this girl's predicament will come back to bite you in the ass big time. And frankly, if you demonize Bristol Palin because she's pregnant, you'll deserve every single bite you get.

Update:

Obama's response: "Back off these kinds of stories."

And I will say it - I told you so:

Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law, said: "We're all sinners."

"We all make mistakes. Certainly, the ideal is not to get pregnant out of wedlock. But she made the right decision after her mistake," he said.

Hurricane Gustav, meet Hurricane Palin

This, from the largest community of so-called "progressives" on the tubes: Daily Kos

Well, Sarah, I'm calling you a liar. And not even a good one. Trig Paxson Van Palin is not your son. He is your grandson. The sooner you come forward with this revelation to the public, the better.

Can you spell "l-a-w-s-u-i-t"?

You'd think they'd embarrassed themselves enough during this campaign. Obviously not.

With so many issues with which to go after a very inexperienced Sarah Palin, one would assume that would be enough to successfully pit the Obama/Biden team against McCain/Palin to make a convincing case for the Democratic candidate. Instead, far too many kossacks have decided that using the nastiest smear campaign they can possibly come up with is the way to win in November. And as if that wasn't enough, one of their female front pagers, georgia10, decided to post a sexist caricature of the Alaskan governor as well. Is it any wonder I left that place years ago? How can anyone take it seriously anymore?

"Progressives", heal thy selves.

The place has turned into a pit of vipers. So much for hopeychanginess.

And, for a laugh: you just knew this was coming... (or should have known, fools).

******************

In the real news world, Hurricane Gustav is set to most likely hit NOLA and the Gulf Coast hard on Monday and the Republicans are scrambling to make lemonade out of the impending flood waters:

Convention organizers and McCain advisers watched nervously as Gustav chugged toward land, fearful that the storm could evoke memories of the administration's widely criticized response to Hurricane Katrina three years earlier as Republicans seek to rebrand a party that has been battered under Bush's leadership.

They damn well should be nervous.

McCain campaign manager Rick Davis told reporters that the seven-hour program scheduled for Monday night will be pared down to a bare-bones session of roughly two hours, devoted mainly to meeting the legal requirements involved with opening the convention. He said that there will be no partisan speeches and that officials will assess what to do with the rest of the convention on a "day-to-day" basis until the magnitude of the storm damage becomes clear. He said the GOP will seek to make sure that "nothing we do detracts" from the response efforts in the Gulf states.

Afaic, they should all go down there for the cleanup. Some penance for Katrina is still required.

Updates on Gustav as they come in on Monday. May everyone stay safe.