Categories: Capital Read, Inside the Queensway

Liberal Gut(lessnes)sWatch: The reckoning hour is at hand, or something like that.

by kadyomalley on Sunday, June 14, 2009 2:50pm - 81 Comments

The last line is my favourite:

For Immediate Release
June 14, 2009

Michael Ignatieff News Conference

Event: Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, will make an announcement regarding the Conservative government’s accountability report.

Date: Monday June 15, 2009

Time: 11:00am

Location: National Press Theatre

150 Wellington Street

Ottawa, ON

Please note that all details are subject to change.

Tags: at least it's a *reasonable* reckoning hour of the day, Gut(lessnes)sWatch 09, Michael Ignatieff, suspense is killing us

More by kadyomalley

Anon

Guts, ITQ? With a double-digit lead in Ontario and Quebec, and outside the MoE elsewhere, how much guts would it take? I mean, if the roles were reversed, Harper would be out campaigning by now.

Also, isn't the last line a standard disclaimer attached to all event press releases?

My "guts" prediction: Iggy will announce that for "..not bringing in EI reforms, for failing to deal with the isotope crisis, and for having no long-term plan to achieve fiscal balance," the Liberal Party will no longer support the Conservatives in any confidence motion.

My "gutless" prediction: Just play back any Dion pronouncement on the subject, only with better English and more sound-and-fury.

http://intensedebate.com/people/BCVoiceOfReason BCVoiceOfReason

Kim Campbell was in a better spot than Mr. Ignattieff is today (polls) and she got two (2) MPs elected.

Mr. Ignatieff at 62 and with very shaky credentials is very much aware that he will only one chance at this. If he reads the tea leafs wrong he will replace Dion as the worst Liberal leader in history.

Things that could likely go wrong for the Liberals:
Quebecers do not change their minds (maybe 2 or 3 times)when they find out Mr. Ignatieff is not a Quebecious and does not want to move all the Oil sand Money to Quebec and is not going to relocate GM Canada in Chicoutimi

2) That Ontario does not realize that 13B is as big a hand out that anyone can ever get….. and If it was given by the Liberals there would be a real worry about the West taking their portion of the debt and leaving.

3) No one will like Mr. Ignatieff's stands on education (Harvard style elitist Univeristies good for Canada?), medicare (British public/Private?), equalization payment, EI, and tax increases to fund social programs, Immigration based on potential votes rather than job skills?
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/BCVoiceOfReason BCVoiceOfReason

Kim Campbell was in a better spot than Mr. Ignattieff is today (polls) and she got two (2) MPs elected.

Mr. Ignatieff at 62 and with very shaky credentials is very much aware that he will only one chance at this. If he reads the tea leafs wrong he will replace Dion as the worst Liberal leader in history.

Things that could likely go wrong for the Liberals:
1)Quebecers do not change their minds (maybe 2 or 3 times)when they find out Mr. Ignatieff is not a Quebecious and does not want to move all the Oil sand Money to Quebec and is not going to relocate GM Canada in Chicoutimi

2) That Ontario figures out that $13B is as big a hand out that anyone can ever get….. and If it was given by the Liberals there would be a real worry about the West taking their portion of the debt and leaving.

3) No one will like Mr. Ignatieff's stands on education (Harvard style elitist Univeristies good for Canada?), medicare (British public/Private?), equalization payment, EI, and tax increases to fund social programs, Immigration based on potential votes rather than job skills?

http://intensedebate.com/people/LeenieJ LeenieJ (imho)

i take it you have a portal into Mr. Ignatieff's mind somewhat akin to the very intersting movie "Being John Malkovich"?

http://www.intensedebate.com/people/BCVoiceOfReason BCVoiceOfReason

Kim Campbell was in a better spot than Mr. Ignatieff is today (polls) and she got two (2) MPs elected.

Mr. Ignatieff at 62 and with very shaky credentials is very much aware that he will only one chance at this. If he reads the tea leafs wrong he will replace Dion as the worst Liberal leader in history.

Things that could likely go wrong for the Liberals:
1)Quebecers do not change their minds (maybe 2 or 3 times)when they find out Mr. Ignatieff is not a Quebecious and does not want to move all the Oil sand Money to Quebec and is not going to relocate GM Canada in Chicoutimi

2) That Ontario figures out that $13B is as big a hand out that anyone can ever get….. and If it was given by the Liberals there would be a real worry about the West taking their portion of the debt and leaving.

3) No one will like Mr. Ignatieff's stands on education (Harvard style elitist Universities good for Canada?), Medicare (British public/Private?), equalization payment, EI, and tax increases to fund social programs, Immigration based on potential votes rather than job skills?

http://intensedebate.com/people/KadyITQ KadyITQ

The ITQ gut-o-meter is calibrated specifically to measure the relative level of gutsiness not only compared to the darkest of the abstinence-only Dion days, but also past instances of downbacking under Ignatieff, like, for instance, those appallingly bad crime bills.
http://intensedebate.com/people/JPro JPro

Not a fan of C-15 either eh Kady? I thought that was revealing as well.

Off topic: holy crap, I hate this new comments system.

Tim

I'm hearing Brian Murphy was give no end of crap for announcing that "they jury was still out" on C-15 in the NaPo. Iggy's people went into total "don't mention the war!" mode and made him use the government talking points in debate.

Yeah, they'll probably cave again.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Crit_Reasoning Crit_Reasoning

My prediction: no summer election. Iggy needs more time to bolster party finances, he thinks an election now is too risky, he thinks he can chip away more at Harper's support if given enough time, Liberals have already made their vacation plans, etc.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Crit_Reasoning Crit_Reasoning

My prediction: no summer election. Iggy needs more time to bolster party finances, he thinks an election now is too risky, he thinks he can chip away more of Harper's support if given enough time, Liberals have already made their vacation plans, etc.
Mike T.

I predict he will announce he will vote non-confidence on current bills. I suspect either scenario works out for the Libs: either an election, or if certain pundit wisdom holds, they send the NDP and Bloc scrambling to support bad legislation.
http://www.canadiannewsreader.com ferrethouse

I predict a summer election so that Iggy can resume teaching at Harvard in the fall.
josh

The fact that he’s doing the announcement at the npt makes me think he’s going to take them down. You don’t a press conference to announce your backing down.

http://accidentaldeliberations.blogspot.com The Jurist

Somebody should have told Ignatieff that before last time he did just that.
RayK

Except that’s exactly what Ignatieff did when he backed down on the budget–11:00am (?) presser at the NPT.

Probation II: Electric Boogaloo!

Mulletaur

Weasels ripped my flesh.
Ticked

Like most Canadians I am still waiting for the Liberals to give us "the better way of doing it".
So far there has been nothing to say that Mr.Ignatieff is going to handle the economy any different than what's already presented.
And all this because he wants an election?
Not enough there to justify spending $300 million in the middle of vacation time.
If he pulls the plug,this is one voter that won't vote for Mr.Ignatieff and his Liberals.
I work too damn hard for my money….to see some politician take it away because he wants to be P.M.

Mulletaur

Wow, PMO works weekends, very nice. OntarioTown is right. $300 million is cheap compared to what 'les Cons' are going to cost Canadians in economic terms. Sooner rather than later, I say.
http://intensedebate.com/people/JPro JPro

And I'm sure that Ignatieff is eager to share his campaign platform with you early like Dion did. If you want a preview I can tell you the plan is to introduce a new national Energy Program and riase income taxes by 300%. There, happy?

Also, love how you know "most Canadians" share your point of view. Doing your own polling are ya?

Finally if there's an election it won't only be because of Ignatieff. Layton and Duceppe would have have to vote the same way too. And Harper would have had to be inflexible and arrogant enough to push all 3 into doing it. So spread some of that contempt around cowboy.

http://intensedebate.com/people/JPro JPro

But not during cottage season for God's sakes! Where's the decency I ask?

http://www.intensedebate.com/people/JPro JPro

And I'm sure that Ignatieff is eager to share his campaign platform with you early like Dion did. If you want a preview I can tell you the plan is to introduce a new national Energy Program and raise income taxes by 300%. also, everyone wil have to take mandatory French classes. There, happy?

Also, love how you know "most Canadians" share your point of view. Doing your own polling are ya?

Finally if there's an election it won't only be because of Ignatieff. Layton and Duceppe would have have to vote the same way too. And Harper would have had to be inflexible and arrogant enough to push all 3 into doing it. So spread some of that contempt around cowboy.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/JPro JPro

And I'm sure that Ignatieff is eager to share his campaign platform with you early like Dion did. If you want a preview I can tell you the plan is to introduce a new national Energy Program and raise income taxes by 300%. also, everyone wil have to take mandatory French classes. There, happy?

Also, love how you know "most Canadians" share your point of view. Doing your own polling are ya?

Finally if there's an election it won't only be because of Ignatieff. Layton and Duceppe would have to vote the same way too. And Harper would have had to be inflexible and arrogant enough to push all 3 into doing it. So spread some of that contempt around cowboy.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/JPro JPro

And I'm sure that Ignatieff is eager to share his campaign platform with you early like Dion did. If you want a preview, I can tell you the plan is to introduce a new National Energy Program and raise income taxes by 300%. Also, everyone wil have to take mandatory French classes and learn how to synchronize swim. There, happy?

Also, love how you know "most Canadians" share your point of view. Doing your own polling are ya?

Finally if there's an election it won't only be because of Ignatieff. Layton and Duceppe would have to vote the same way too. And Harper would have had to be inflexible and arrogant enough to push all 3 into doing it. So spread some of that contempt around cowboy.
http://intensedebate.com/people/LeenieJ LeenieJ (imho)

the inconvenience of an election interfering with your vacation plans.

$300M as opposed to what? $50B+ (maybe $100B or higher?)? an election is pennies on that deficit dollar.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/LeenieJ LeenieJ (imho)

the inconvenience of an election would interfer with your vacation plans eh?

$300M as opposed to what? $50B+ (maybe $100B or higher?)? an election is pennies on that deficit dollar.

Cynicatheart

No way will there be an election this year. Last I heard there are 80+ MPs who have one more year to go before they qualify for a permanent place at the trough (MP Pension Plan). We're safe until next year!

http://intensedebate.com/people/Douglass Douglass

It be nice if they could secure their Pension, however I don't think they are all going to play nice and get along just so a bunch of their co-workers can secure their retirements. Mp's just don't have that kind of job security.

Mulletaur

"Iggy needs more time to bolster party finances." – they always do. Winning an election, even a minority, would also bolster finances.

" … he thinks an election now is too risky … " – elections are always a crap shoot. A government without a significant lead going into an election is at risk.

" … he thinks he can chip away more of Harper's support if given enough time … " – yes, but that could go the other way as well.

" … Liberals have already made their vacation plans … " – they can just as easily be unmade if MP's want to keep their jobs.

Oh, and the number of ridings where candidates are not nominated are also not an indicator. That can be done very quickly if necessary.

The most important question is : do Canadians want a change of government so much that they are willing to go through a summer election ? If so, Iggy should go for it. If not, he should wait.

André

Well, one thing about a summer election is there will be a higher student and a lower baby boomer turnout. It would be a good strategy to promise help on loans and students fares.
Ottawa

I don's see the citizens being asked if they want an election, polls are considered to gage a parties confidence, no one really cares what the citizens want. If Ignatieff who was brought here (to clean up the Liberal image, no record at all, out of the country for 34 yrs) thought he could win he would go for it. They were foaming at the moutch last November trying to get the power. They still are…

The big Liberal accountability???? When was that? I missed it.
Ottawa

I don's see the citizens being asked if they want an election, polls are considered to gage a parties confidence, no one really cares what the citizens want. If Ignatieff who was brought here (to clean up the Liberal image, no record at all, out of the country for 34 yrs) thought he could win he would go for it. They were foaming at the moutch last November trying to get the power. They still are…

The big Liberal accountability???? When was that? I missed it.

Mulletaur

Pshaw. Or should I say, pshawsh.
http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

Did they want one bad enough to go to the polls/campaigning at Christmas time, when an election was planned for the end of March 06?
http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

What's the difference – $300 mill now, fall or whenever?

Voting only takes a few minutes and if you are going on vacation you can vote ahead or by mail – what's the big deal?

geo

And what about Mr.Ignatieff's better way ? What is it?…..
….and going to an election for what?
To get another minority government maybe Liberal this time…what's gained?
Get a grip,it will be the same old,same old.

http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

Hmmm…Kady, by your title Ignatieff is damned if he do and damned if he don't.

Just no pleasing some.

http://intensedebate.com/people/LeenieJ LeenieJ (imho)

actually we are the ones increasingly damned.

Mulletaur

Perhaps not. But that was not the Liberals' judgement, it was the judgement of the opposition. Liberals seem to be held to a different standard.

paulsstuff

Right. The standard there was the Liberals were have found to have been involved in an illegal kickback scheme to fund election campaigns. You might call it a different standard, but I myself would hope that regardless of what party is in power, if something as serious as Adscam rears it's head, and the allegations are proven in a federal inquiry, that party should be voted out of office.

Mulletaur

They were. Criminal charges were laid and those who were found guilty served time.

By the way, has Brian Mulroney answered yet for taking cash from a crook like Schreiber with no coherent explanation ?

Mike T.

I note that the in and out proceedings continue apace, as well.

http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

How's that In-and-Out thing going by the way?
Leila

For sure!!!

Rich

There won't be an election IMHO, the announcement about an announcement is to gather the press and issue a statement that progress on the economic front is terrible and though the libs think this gov't is inept, they will support the gov't a bit longer.
It's a PR grab to stave off criticism that would flow if the libs just supported the gov't.; it is just time in front of tyhe cameras doing the blah-blahs.
Nothing to see here.as usual….please move along.

Linda

I agree…this whole setup the Liberals have going is continuous attacks and all for free. Mr. Ignatieff loves to hear himself talk and in front of a camera – even better.

There will be NO election this summer….why? Nothing to do with the wishes of the voters, nothing at all. Nothing to do wilh the millions it would cost. Nothing to do with delaying the stimulus package. Nothing to do with guiding this country through the world recession (so far we haven't heard a single plan from the Liberals). Nothing

Liberal lead in the polls is very slim – too risky – that is all that counts.

http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

You are blatantly admitting you've fallen for the BS – you should let your gullability show.
http://intensedebate.com/people/bazoo bazoo

Not to be a stickler, but technically the hour of reckoning isn't at hand. Rather, it is nigh. It makes me sad when this nighness isn't recognized.

Mulletaur

Yes, but for whom does the bell toll ?
Mike T.

It is a bit nigh-handed, but nothing we haven't seen before. :)

http://intensedebate.com/people/Jack_Mitchell Jack_Mitchell

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, Mulletaur.

Mulletaur

No man is a nighland.

http://intensedebate.com/people/JustinWordswrth JustinWordswrth

Canadians should get to vote on whether or not they want an election.
kcm

Seems to me iggy is letting his inexperience show. He shoulda beaten the Dips and blocs to the punch and made them support the cons. I wonder if there's any way he can still pull that off? After all they have, aside from the gov't, the most to lose in an electon as things now stand.

http://intensedebate.com/people/LeenieJ LeenieJ (imho)

a little perspective please? WE the ppl have the most to lose…

kcm

What's your point? We have to be governed by someone.

http://intensedebate.com/people/DaveFromToronto DaveFromToronto

One thing that struck me about the whole "will he or won't he" question is that no one is asking Stephen Harper a similar question. There's no one wondering whether Harper will have the guts to try to win a majority government (presumably, because no one thinks that the Tories can gain a majority, given their current status in Quebec).

Ignatieff faces the same problem that Dion had before him: he's been given a gun with only one bullet in it. He may wind up seeming ineffectual if he chooses not to bring the government down. But he would seem even more ineffectual if he forced an election and the result was yet another Conservative minority government. The Tory war room would have a field day with that!

kcm

The converse is also true, if harper fails to gain a majority this time he's done too!
Again i think Iggy missed the boat, if he had found a way to make the other opposition parties pull the plug he might have been home free – maybe even a majority??? as Canadians may be ready to ditch this minority bs – but not in Harper's favour. But with Iggy pulling the plug all bets may be off, as it would be relatively simple to paint him as an opportunistic carpetbagger. Toughie – Iggy has to find a way to point the gun, while making the other guy pull the trigger.

Mulletaur

" … if Harper fails to gain a majority this time he's done too !"

That ship has already sailed.

kcm

I certainly hope so!

http://intensedebate.com/people/BCVoiceOfReason BCVoiceOfReason

Agree that Harper needs a majority next time…. but he already has established a positive legacy …. longest running Minority, combining the right, rebuilding Cnada's military and internation reputation as US skirt hider, fighting off coallition coup attempt,and managing Canada through a generational economic downturn.

Mr. Ignatieff is looking at all time worst Liberal leader ever…… definitely worse than Stockwell Day, Joe Clark and even John Turner. Only Liberal close to as bad was the guy he back stabbed, Mr. Dion.
herringchoker

Dream on. If Haper is still PM after the next vote, majority or not, he'll be PM for a long time afterwards. He'll probably enjoy watching the Liberals twist themselves into knots trying to get Iggy back to Boston though.

http://intensedebate.com/people/WDM WDM

I wonder what Iggy and the Liberals are going to ask for in return for their support. That's my assumption as to what tomorrow will bring, a deal on something. Part of me thinks EI is the obvious solution, although they may want to keep that for a potential fall campaign.

anonlinereader

Great post / prediction . But why not three points .? Stiffen up PBO , short term (during recessions ) improvements to E.I. and task force on Chalk River .
anonlinereader

Elections are the only time politicians listen or heed our needs .Iggy can get harpers attention right smartly .

Stiffen up PBO , short term (during recessions ) improvements to E.I. and task force on Chalk River or no confidence from Liberal caucus ..