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IF coalition happens, who replaces Harper as leader of Conservatives?
November 30, 2008 - 10:52am
My first answer, would of course be Satan, but he's too pragmatic and does not hold a seat in the HOC (in his true, natural form, not just mere possession). My second scenario would be my personal worst nightmare, Clement..... dunno if his French is strong enough though.....
Thoughts?
Well, the economic statement was Jimmy "I never met a blind man I couldn't trip" Flaherty's, so if anyone takes a fall for this, I think it would be him, first. Then again, it depends on how much autonomy Jimmy "can't walk through Walkerton in daylight" Flaherty had in formulating the document.
It's early yet though.
Let's hope the Cons stick with Harper - he's our best hope now that the Cons will eventually sink into obscurity (I can't believe Harper has sunk so low so quickly!).
From the Star:
fig newton?
Alternance is good. But I doubt Charest wants it.
Two Conservative MPs from Quebec got over 50% of the vote: Jean-Pierre Blackburn (52.5%), and my personal favourite, Maxime Bernier (62.4%).
Then there's Josée Verner (47.1%), or Christian Paradis (46.7%).
No?
Lawrence Cannon, in case you're wondering, won a four-way race with 32.7%.
Perhaps they have a problem in Quebec?
I recomend Justin Trudeau
Conservatives for Prentice.
That didn't long. Note that they're flying the Blogging Tories logo. Either they're really Conservatives or Stephen Taylor hasn't caught up with them yet to make them take it down.
Funny, I was telling a friend of mine yesterday that the problem with the Conservative Party is they have too many ex-student politicians at the top who think this is still campus politics where you can be as viscious and manouevering as you like and it doesn't matter that much because real people aren't actually paying attention.
LOL!!
Lord Conrad Black
I'm going for gold Brian Mulroney.
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why is it that polling booths look like cattle chutes?
There will be some push for a Quebecer or at least a francophone (Bernard Lord would be a possibility if he hadn't blown up his government - but then again in a world where Bob Rae is a serious leadership contender I guess anything is possible).
I don't know if the hard core ex-Reformers would be very happy about "another Quebecer" possibly running the country.
I'm sure a by-election could be arranged. Maybe Satan could go to Hull?
Let's see... who are likely candidates
Starting with the also-rans from their (CPC) last leadership convention:
Belinda Stronach is no longer a member, so unlikely she will run again (LOL).
Which leave Tony Clement -- and I would assume he would try again.
As to the pre-shotgun marriage leadership candidates, on the Alliance side:
Stockwell Day is still an MP, as is Diane Ablonczy. Grant Hill was last heard of trying to organize anti-SSM candidates for the 2006 elections. That was the field, and I would doubt any of them would try again.
While on the former Progressive Conservative side:
Peter MacKay, likely to run.
Jim Prentice, sure to run.
David Orchard and Scott Brison (see Belinda Stronach and no longer a member)
Craig Chandler (who the hell knows, he can't win a seat as Calgary Alderman and the provincial Tories won't let him run under their banner cause he is so rabid).
Which of course leaves us with those MPs who haven't run for the leadership before, but have some prominence (or is that notoriety) within the CPC ranks:
Maxime Bernier, well, if the tell-all book from Ms. Couillard is correct, he has the ambition.
John Baird, would love the face time with the media.
Jason Kenney, hmmm, more of a sidekick to Harper than a viable candidate (why do I always think of him as "Gary" to Harper's "Ace" in SNL's "Ambiguously Gay Duo animations?)
Jim Flaherty, LOL.
I will say what so many others have said before. The Conservatives have no bench strength. It is Harper, Harper, Harper all the time. The only likely candidates would be Clement, MacKay and Prentice with Bernier tossed into the mix for amusement value. Clement has his Harris history to contend with, MacKay his signed pledge with Orchard to explain leaving Prentice, in my eyes at least, as the front-runner. Of course he would be viewed with suspicion by the Alliance wing of the shot-gun wedding and while Bay Street might embrace him, I don't think the Canadian population as a whole would be enthralled by yet another Albertan leading that party.
Oh yes, please bring it on... I would LOVE to see the Conservatives having to elect a new leader.
John Tory?
Hey, stop laughing.
Might as well elect a giant marionette...
hmm that would be a cool street theatre to demonstrate at the next conservative leadership convention. A huge puppet show reenactment of the procedings inside. One puppet for each delagate!
okay I had my little dream.
Seriously, as long as it is a old school PC as leader, things may be palatable.
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why is it that polling booths look like cattle chutes?