(Canwest) Harper acts strangely like a man with a majority government

[tuvor]

He wasn't kidding. It becomes increasingly obvious, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper marches stubbornly through his agenda, that he is determined to pull this country sharply to the right -- public opinion be damned.

It was clear in his first speech to the United Nations Thursday.

(snip)

This will please Harper's fans. But they aren't his problem. If he wants a majority, he has to win over people who don't agree, and "winning over" isn't his style. Telling us what is right and dismissing doubters as bitter Liberals or spineless New Democrats or misguided sovereigntists -- that is his style, as we were reminded this week when question period resumed in the House of Commons.

In fact, it was a bad debut for a disgruntled Harper and, for the first time in many months, the Liberals began to seem a plausible alternative.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=1dff78c0-a9c8-460c-885f-8a78ecd8cd4c

[daleo]

1. I think if the Liberals choose Kennedy or Dryden they are a lock

Same for Dion. Rae and Iggy are more problematic.

I know this is exactly the opposite of what the media is saying, but most of them are shilling for the Conservatives now, so you can pretty well assume they are saying the exact reverse of the truth.

[Canadian Socialist]

2. IIRC, Kennedy has pulled out

I stand to be corrected of course. However, (not being a Liberal fan by any means), if I had a choice, I would prefer Dryden as Liberal leader... he was a goalie. You already know how crazy he will be. He can't get any worse. Plus, I like most of his stances. Still, in my heart of hearts, I want an NDP government...

[IntravenousDemilo]

3. IIRC?

What dat?

Pulled out of what? The leadership race? I just got an email from his campaign just before suppertime today that mentioned nothing about it, so what time did he pull out?

[glarius]

4. I saw a poll about the Liberal leadership campaign a few days ago

on CBC I believe it was. Anyway the poll asked two questions. The first one was to the general public and the second one was to Liberal supporters only. The question was "who do you want for Liberal leader?" On both questions, the number one choice was Ken Dryden. I agree. After hearing him a few times during this leadership campaign, I have been impressed by his intelligence and knowledge of issues...Also he does NOT sound like a politician, which is refreshing for a change. If the Liberals really want to win, perhaps they should pay attention to what the people want and not choose some dud like they did with Paul Martin!

[tuvor]

5. Plus...(I know this sounds silly, but still...)

Who didn't like Ken Dryden in the 70s?--I don't believe he's done much since to tarnish that memory.

[glarius]

6. I believe he would be a good sell in Quebec also because of his

career there with the Habs.