Political Review and Awards of 2007
Political Event of the Year:
France: The election of Nicolas Sarkozy and a new generation of politics. Sarkozy is the first president since 1958 born after the Second World War, the only president without memories from the War in Algeria. The new generation of politicians as witnessed in the presidential race, the two frontrunners had never run for president before, the third placed candidate was only on his second try. All minor parties candidates, with the exception of Arlette Laguiller, were on their first or second attempt.
Canada: The butchering of the environment by the Harper government. Harper and company’s refusal to follow Kyoto, their refusal to commit to environmental protection might ruin their chances of forming a majority, or even a government again in 2008. Honorable mention to Mario Dumont’s ADQ for becoming the official opposition.
Political Gaffe of the Year:
France: The TVA sociale proposed in the week between the first and second round of the general election. The VAT polemic prevented the “blue tsunami/wave” from happening and in fact led to the defeat of UMP incumbents and a better performance than expected by parties such as the Greens, PS, or even the MoDem. Honorable mentions go to Segolene Royal on saying entirely stupid things during the campaign and getting immature in the debate (without forgetting pissing off Eric Besson etc.). Another mention to Bayrou, in his refusal to co-operate with either PS or UMP brought his “MoDem” to 3-4 seats.
Canada: John Tory easily. How stupid can one be? I mean, the PC led in polls at some point early in the campaign before he started talking of his religious school funding. The man just had to focus of the Lieberals and McGuinty’s broken promises instead of talking about a hated idea and losing votes and leading to the re-election of a Liberal government. Honorable mention to Mario Dumont and wanting to call an election over 8% turnout in school board elections. Is it news to anybody that people don’t give two shits about school board elections? Jesus Christ man.
Best Political Maneuvering:
France: Sarkozy’s strategy of ouverture shot the PS another bullet after taking a first one in the presidential election. By taking some of the PS’s leading figures and putting them in government (Bernard Kouchner, Jean-Marie Bockel etc.), or giving them a better job (DSK at the IMF instead of being a opposition MP for a Paris suburb constituency that goes up in flames every once in a while)
Canada: Well firstly, Stephen Harper clearly isn’t as smart as Sarkozy. The best thing he did is naming a Liberal like John Manley head of a panel on the Afghan mission.
Rising Star(s):
France: The new government, and some of its members such as Rama Yade, Rachida Dati, Eric Besson.
Canada: I know everybody will go “JUSTIN TRUDEAU” but no, the guy is another “son of” type of person who seems as arrogant as his father, and for the love of god, the guy isn’t even an MP yet! He needs to unseat an incumbent first! I’d say Michael Ignatieff. If Dion looses the next federal election, Ignatieff has a good shot at becoming Liberal leader.
“Kid Kodak”:
France: And Arnaud “the Bad Student” Montebourg sweeps the award again! When medias are looking for somebody to whine about something they turn to a irrelevant MP of Saone-et-Loire for his irrelevant two cents. And, being on the 8 o’clock news every time the right does something isn’t enough, he also needs to say a stupid thing on Royal/Hollande during the campaign which gets him a “yellow card” from the Grade One teacher, Segolene Royal. Honorable mentions to Noel Mamere, one of the 4/577 Green MPs, Francois Bayrou, Segolene Royal etc.
Canada: John Baird if only Stephen Harper didn’t keep his cabinet in the Mariana Trench all year long.
Country Specific Awards:
France:
2007 Whiner: Arnaud Montebourg and Francois Bayrou.
The Teacher: Segolene Royal and how she gave the bad student, Arnaud Montebourg a “yellow card” for one month for making a stupid comment on her (now over) relationship with party boss Francois Hollande.
Canada:
Deny Reality!: John Baird “it’s not broken! it’s not broken!” on the environment. Uhm, sorry to break your Conservabubble, but it’s broken. Now you and Steve fix it up.
The Rebel: Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams and how he stood up to Steve Harper on the Atlantic Accord. About time somebody stands up to the school Principal.
The Stupidity Award: John Tory for messing up his chances with religious school funding, but also by running in Liberalia (Toronto) against a popular incumbent. As much as may hate parachute-drops, for your own sake, run in some safe PC seat, not in Toronto against the Minister of Education!
“Darn Polls!”
France: Bayrou’s surge from 5% to 23% in about a month, and the second round polls during the June legislative election that still predicted a blue wave.
USA: Huckabee’s primary surge in Iowa and now nationwide from 1-2% to 30% (in Iowa) and second place nationally. January 3rd will tell if the polls were right
Canada: The Green Party’s surge from 4.5% in 2006 to 9-13% in polls now, and the Ontario Greens’ surge from 2% in 2003 to 8% in 2007.