Saturday, November 29, 2008

Whose spin, and why?

I found this one graph in Don Martin's column interesting:

That’s why Stephen Harper has to wear this political mess himself. He personally ordered the incendiary paragraph inserted into Thursday’s fiscal update, ignored warnings from his own MPs who felt it was a lousy idea and clearly under-estimated his opponents’ resolve to defend their cash at any political price.

Not so much the fact Harper ordered this personally, although that is interesting. But what I find more interesting is that someone, undoubtedly high-ranking or well connected within the PMO, Finance, or the CPC, leaked this. Someone leaked information with the intent of pinning the blame for this situation, which may result in the Conservatives losing government, directly on Stephen Harper's shoulders.

I think that's a very interesting development.

Recommend this Post on Progressive Bloggers

3 comments:

Andrew P. said...

I thought this is a great point I plan on using

"Either way, that makes this showdown an unforgivable breach of the trust voters bestowed on Mr. Harper. He was elected to lead a minority government with a spirit of co-operation. "

RuralSandi said...

To all of those Tory supporters fuming with outrage at the possible “overthrow” of Harper’s minority government in an “undemocratic coup” and who are especially aggrieved at the thought of the Bloc’s participation in a progressive coalition government, please read the following letter from your Dear Leader to then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson dated September 9, 2004:

As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government’s program. We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority. Your attention to this matter is appreciated.

That letter was signed by all three opposition leaders: Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper.

h/t Red Tory

dys said...

what's truly interesting is some of the comments straight from outer space on that piece.