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A Chretien Comeback???

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Tue, 2010-05-25 20:52

#1

Ryan1812

Ryan1812's picture

A Chretien Comeback???

So today Chretien's portrait was hung in Parliament while the leaders of the main opposition parties and the PM were in attendance. The former PM quipped "In the 19th century, William Gladstone returned to power at the age of 83." This was a tongue in cheek comment, but with all the talk about Iggy's poor performance and the Chantele Hebert article regarding the NDP/Liberal coalition, I want to pick peoples brains and see if they think a Chretien comback is perhaps a solution for the Liberals leadership troubles.

Thoughts?

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Politics in Canada

Tue, 2010-05-25 21:04

#2

remind

remind's picture

Paul Martin

Tue, 2010-05-25 21:21

#3

ss atrahasis

Who knows about a comeback, but his portrait that was released today is pretty crap-tastic. I didn't know brill-o pads could fill in for paint brushes, but that's what it looks like painted it... Maybe I just don't have a discerning eye though...

Tue, 2010-05-25 21:24

#4

Boom Boom

Boom Boom's picture

I watched the coverage of the Chretien hanging on CPAC. He certainly looks much the same, maybe just a bit fragile as he is in his 70s. Layton, Duceppe, Harper, and Iggy were in the front row, and Iggy and Harper both looked as if they were just barely tolerating the moment. Chretien got off some good one-liners, something you never expect to hear from Iggy.

Tue, 2010-05-25 22:13

#5

Freedom 55

No thanks. I'd rather Harper stay than have Chrétien return. At least Harper helps to disabuse Canadians of some of the myths that we've created about ourselves.

Tue, 2010-05-25 22:17

#6

remind

remind's picture

"the Chretien hanging" lmao

It is not a bad painting as portraits go.

Wed, 2010-05-26 01:29

#7

Augustus

His charismatic presence demonstrated what is lacking in the current Liberal leader.

Wed, 2010-05-26 01:31

#8

RevolutionPlease RevolutionPlease's picture

RevolutionPlease's picture

I'll bet you I'm almost as afraid of a Chretien comeback as Augustus is. ;)

Wed, 2010-05-26 08:38

#9

Boom Boom

Boom Boom's picture

I was quite annoyed when Chretien said that politics is a noble profession - has he forgotten the Sponsorship scandal that happened under his watch? And all the other political scandals of the past in Canada? What's noble about being entitled to a gold plated pension?

Wed, 2010-05-26 09:32

Caissa

I think Chretien could take Harper out in the upcoming election. The debates would be priceless.

Wed, 2010-05-26 12:20

Boom Boom

Boom Boom's picture

I'd love to see Chretien debate Harper! He almost challenged Harper yesterday in his speech. But I'm not convinced even Chretien could rescue the Liberals from themselves.

Wed, 2010-05-26 12:36

remind

remind's picture

Not so sure myself boom boom, in watching his performance and thinking about his words, I think a trial ballon was being floated...did not like the whole "noble" comment myself.

....are we really going back to "royalty" daze.

Wed, 2010-05-26 12:52

Boom Boom

Boom Boom's picture

I think people are truly tired of Chretien. Yes, he's better than Iggy or Harper, I suppose, but that's not saying much. He is after all the PM that allowed the Sponsorship Scandal to happen under his watch. Personally, I think Chretien is full of himself. He gave a good speech yesterday, but just the thought that he wants back into the political arena makes my eyes roll endlessly.

ps: where's the 'rolling eyes' smiley???

Wed, 2010-05-26 13:06

Augustus

I don't think he wants to come back into politics - he is just having some fun.

Wed, 2010-05-26 15:03

remind

remind's picture

Don't know, he left in a cloud that he may not want for his legacy, ya know......

Wed, 2010-05-26 20:59

Ryan1812

Ryan1812's picture

remind wrote:

Don't know, he left in a cloud that he may not want for his legacy, ya know......

This is good to note. Everyone sees that the Sponsorship Scandal happened during his watch, regardless of how many golf balls he has signed form world leaders, he had a role to play. However, he definatly has something that is lacking. I never liked him much as PM, and He was such a key architect of the platform to the left, implement to the right, but at least he inspired a feeling. Iggy inspires nothing. Would I refer Iggy to Harper? It doesn't actually matter becuase they are fundamentally the same. The Liberal party as it stands is as neo-liberal as the Conservatives. The only difference is that the Libs have a grassroots that contains some people with a social conscience.

Wed, 2010-05-26 23:54

Augustus

Would you prefer Chrétien to Harper? Would people vote for Chrétien over Harper?

I suppose it's an interesting proposition to consider.

Thu, 2010-05-27 00:33

Ryan1812

Ryan1812's picture

I think people would vote for Chretien over Harper. Chretien would be able to bring the Liberal party together and I think probably could bring NDP voters into the fold as well. Hell, he might even pinch some Bloc voters.

Thu, 2010-05-27 02:21

milo204

you know we're in a rotten place when the prospect of chretien coming back gets people excited.

remember the grand speeches and tribute to reagan?

Thu, 2010-05-27 04:34

Augustus

Ryan1812 wrote:

I think people would vote for Chretien over Harper. Chretien would be able to bring the Liberal party together and I think probably could bring NDP voters into the fold as well. Hell, he might even pinch some Bloc voters.

In his final election, Chretien was able to get more votes in Quebec than the BQ did.

I don't think he would get as many today though because some damage was caused by the Sponsorship Scandal after he left, but he would do better than Iggy.

Sat, 2010-05-29 13:26

Stuart_Parker

I hated him at the time but I miss the old man.

Chretien had that great "so what" response to problems in the vein of Bill Clinton. If we had leaders who were so unapologetic today, there would be real competition with Harper, the least sorry PM since Trudeau.