Canada General Discussion

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And besides, it's not like the Conservatives have not used anonymous ways to personally attack an opponent (e.g. the last minute "scandal" involving Layton).

I bet that whoever did Vikileaks either is or will be on the party strategic team. Seriously, that idea was brilliant.

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Oh, and Rae told the House that a Liberal staffer was behind Vikileaks, then apologized to Toews.

I bet that staffer will be on the Liberal Party Strategy Team in, say, three months.

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Tories way down: http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/03/02/frank-graves-poll-so-where-are-we-in-the-midst-of-scandal-a-measure-of-sway/

The next election is only 42 months away.

Yes, but it's not implausible that two or three thumping by-election losses will rattle the CPC caucus' confidence in Harper's leadership style, which could lead to the first serious leadership crisis he has faced.

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Attack ad against Bob Rae: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XgsjkPb_AM

Do the Tories realize that an election is 3 years away? I guess everyone thinks we're still in perpetual election mode just like before 2011.

By the way, the NDP is preparing ads after the convention trying to promote whoever the new leader will be. Smart move, for sure. I don't think I've ever seen NDP ads outside election time, so it will be interesting to see.

Good thing that unlike the previous two Liberal "leaders", Bob Rae already has a plan to respond.

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Harper's governing style really reminds me of the Soviet or Chinese Politburo more than it does a Westminster Parliamentary system.

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Shouldn't be overly hard to get the 9 vote margin in Montmagny - L'Islet - Kamouraska - Riviére-du-Loup overturned based on this ruling.

Hopefully the five people who were found to have voted twice cop a hefty fine.

If I were the CPC strategist I wouldn't risk it. Given the current NDP honeymoon and anti-Harper sentiment in Quebec, a by-election could well result in a solid NDP victory and prompt accusations of Conservatives wasting money for being sore losers.

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I sure won't want the job of BC Liberals election strategist now.

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Maybe Clark actually doesn't want her job and is looking for the most elaborate way to get out of it.

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So when does Peter Penashue get appointed to the Senate?

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Does anyone have the suspicion that Harper leaked the Duffy emails to ensure Duffy takes all the blame and limit the attention at himself?

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PMO wants him to resign and run in a by-election.

...like how David Emerson and Wajid Khan switched to the Conservatices?

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Rathgeber's statement carefully blamed a group of PMO staffers for prompting him to quit, and not Harper himself. He even states he believes Harper's professed ignorance about the $90000 cheque.

On second thought I think this is worse than not resigning at all. It seems like he's leaving the door open to rejoin the CPC Caucus under Harper at some point in the future.