Orchard offers support to Grits

[CHIMO]

Former Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful David Orchard publicly backed the Liberals Tuesday, calling a Stephen Harper Conservative government a threat to national unity.

"In triggering this election at this time, both Harper and (NDP Leader Jack) Layton were prepared to play with the fires of Quebec nationalism in order to increase their own positions," Orchard said. "It's a dangerous and a short-term effort that could hurt our country badly. I believe that there's only one party capable of holding our country together, and that's (the Liberals)."

Orchard, who farms near Borden, made the statements in Saskatoon while announcing he is backing Saskatoon-Wanuskewin Liberal candidate Chris Axworthy, a friend of 20 years.

If the Conservatives form government, they will govern with the support of the Bloc Quebecois and work towards granting more power to the provinces, Orchard said.

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=cf09482b-0b48-429b-a970-45fc311d7257

[Telly Savalas]

1. I'm curious.

Martin promised to call an election after the full Gomery report which would have happened within the next few months. If calling an election now "plays with the fires of Quebec nationalism" then why wouldn't an election called in a few months do the same thing?

[CHIMO]

2. Perhaps Tomorrow

Will shed some more light.

The House

Saturday, January 14, 2006

This week, Anthony Germain talks to two potential kingmaker, Bloc Leader, Gilles Duceppe and the NPD's Jack Layton. If there's a minority government, either could wield the balance of power. Find out what they plan to do with that power. Also, all the parties are trying to woo Canada's ethnic communities. Derek Stoffel tromps through Canada's most ethnically diverse riding to see who is succeeding. And Rod Etheridge meets a group of Newfoundlanders who take a long commute to work, all the way from the Burin Peninsula to Fort McMurray, Alberta. That's The House , Saturday after World Report at 9:11 AM. (9:30 NT) on CBC Radio One. You can also get the scoop by catching The House on Sirius Satellite Radio, 137 at 7:10AM Eastern Time.

http://www.cbc.ca/thehouse/thisweek.html

http://www.cbc.ca/thehouse/audio.html

[Spazito]

3. The only way Harper, if he is lucky enough to win a minority, can

survive is with the help of the Bloc and, imo, to have that support he has to support the idea of separatism and do it publicly, without that support, all other issues important to the faux Cons are not issues supported by the Bloc. They are anti-war, anti-bush, pro social programs with their focus, of course, solely on Quebec.

The only way the NDP can prop them up would be to sell off their principles or Harper sell off his party's principles because the agenda of each is the anathema of the other, again imo.

[CHIMO]

4. No

Not exactly. If he gives the Provence's authority that has been assumed by the federal government then the Bloc will support it.

When he brings in his Kyoto plan, Star Wars plan, Same Sex Marriage plan and attack Iran plan then he will separate the Quebec population from the Canadian view as expressed by their federal government.

Thus there will now be definite differences between Quebec and the Rest of Canada.

[Spazito]

6. I agree, somewhat, in that Harper will dilute federal powers and

enhance Provincial powers but would argue doing that would feed into the Bloc and sovereigntist main agenda toward taking Quebec out of Canada. What would come afterward would not concern the Bloc because they would see it as not affecting the COUNTRY of Quebec.

Harper will, indeed, feed his base by growing the perceived angst between Quebec and the rest of Canada. All of the Reform/Alliance/faux Con supporters I know want Quebec to separate for the bigoted reason they want immigration to be marginalized.

[CHIMO]

8. Don't

Know where you're connection to the Bloc and the PQ logic comes from but it certainly doesn't follow my logic.

If there is a difference in country beliefs then there is definitely some basis for saying we have to do something to follow our beliefs. Who does that is not the point.

It seems very simple to me. No complicated third order derivatives.

[AX10]

5. "if he is lucky enough to win a minority" What does this mean?

Are the polls shifting away from the Cons?

[Spazito]

7. It all depends, as it did in the last election, on the swing voters, the

strategic voters who often change their minds re their vote and from this recent poll, they will be key and lean Liberal:

Poll shows undecided voters more likely to go Grit
Updated Sun. Jan. 8 2006 6:17 PM ET

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060103/decima_poll_060108/20060108?s_name=election2006&no_ads=

My take on it is the faux Cons are leading by about 4 points after one takes in the margin of error of the credible polls, that means it is going to be a very tight, very close call either way, imo. It all depends how the vote spread is, the faux Cons could be 4 points ahead yet not gain one seat because the increase in their support, for the most part, could in ridings they already hold so there would be a no sum gain for them and for the support that is in ridings not held by the faux Cons, their support may be up but that doesn't mean it would be enough to take the riding.

All in all, election night will be anything but a 'snoozer', that and only that is what I predict.

[AX10]

9. I understand. Thank You Spazito for the encouragement.

Come on, lets keep Canada free! :kick:

[Spazito]

10. You're welcome and I ditto your wish

KEEP CANADA FREE AND COMPASSIONATE.

[daleo]

11. I think you are right

Much of Harper's recent rise in the polls is due to some Quebec support showing up. I don't know if it will translate to votes, let alone seats.

The polls are close in Ontario and B.C., and those will be the decisive regions.