Beyond The Commons

 Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

The historic unpleasantness of the Vaughan by-election

by Aaron Wherry on Monday, January 3, 2011 12:03pm - 23 Comments

Julian Fantino doesn’t let 2010 pass without explaining that Hitler reference.

Shortly after the Nov. 25 byelection, Fantino drew fire when he drew comparisons between the campaign and Hitler, a comment he says was taken out of context.

“A lot of this is show business and taking things out of context,”Fantino said. “What I did … refer to a process that I experienced and not cast aspersion on any particular person … That whole passage of history is unpleasant. And some of the things that happened to me on my campaign were unpleasant too.”

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  • Fido

    “The voters are taking notice that so much of the negativity that has gone on and goes on in politics needs to be re-focused on doing what we are supposed to do…"

    So, from today forward, I will re-focus my own negativity on what I am supposed to do, that is, continue thinking Mr. Fantino is a tourist. Can I be more negative?

    BTW, wouldn't "Goebbels Theory" be more accurate?

  • gottabesaid

    I hope somebody from Conservative headquarters is having a talk with Fantino. While I'm sure he had a pretty rough ride during the campaign, I'm also quite sure none of his campaign experience can be compared to Nazi Germany or Hitler's political tactics.

    Memo to all current and future politicians: Leave Hitler out of it.

  • D-R

    I thought he got off pretty easy, they mostly justed whined about his peek-a-boo campaign. Didn't really go after his long career of thuggery.

  • Jenn_

    I'm very willing to give the Hitler reference a pass. Newbie mistake, (although, VERY newbie, I'm not sure how you could be paying attention and not know Godwin's Law and the inevitable result)

    What I'm less prepared to forgive is the way he completely internalizes what happened to him, and doesn't see a (rather glaring) example of the same thing going the other way. Like a contestant on Survivor, who plots to get rid of the best friend, only to have the best friend's plot to get rid of them succeed first. The outrage, the feelings of betrayal, and some of them really mean it!

    • Mike T.

      New parliamentarian, long time public figure. Lifetime moron.

    • tedbetts

      Even if an ordinary personal should be given a break for such an obnoxious and offensive comparison of his trials and tribulations in an election campaign to the genocide and slaughter of millions upon millions – I don't think it is appropriate for anyone – he is only a newbie Member of Parliament. He's been a public servant for decades. There is no excuse and he's compounding the original offense by defending it and expounding upon it.

    • http://www.jesserosenberg.com Jesse_Rosenberg

      You're letting the first Hitler reference pass, or this one, where the millions killed in WWII were unpleasant like his campaign?

    • Thwim

      My image of you is tarnished forever now, Jenn_.

      To think.. you watch Survivor.. *shudder*

      • Jenn_

        In a last-ditch effort to shine up my image, does it help that I stopped watching it about three years ago now? One too many outraged conspirators did it, I think.

  • Richard_S_Argent

    For a man who's been a public figure since 1991 to make not one, but two Nazi references is staggeringly idiotic.

    I'm beginning to think Vaughan might not stay Conservative for too long.

    • Inkless

      Or it may remain Conservative forever.
      http://www.cherylgallant.com/

      • Richard_S_Argent

        Touché :)

    • Blues Clair

      "staggeringly idiotic"

      yep. Some pollster needs to wordle Fantino.

      • Jan

        Strictly for the entertainment value, I hope he starts using Twitter.

  • NorthernPoV

    "That whole passage of history is unpleasant."
    I am not sure this mild epitaph would meet the new standards: http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_conten…

  • TimesArrow

    “I really don’t care about all this Twittering and this labelling. It just doesn’t mean anything to me at all. It’s a waste of time. I do what I do. I’m guided by my principles. I know who I am. I’m very comfortable with me. I know what I’m here to do and I know who I’m here to serve. I don’t worry about any of that stuff.”

    For a guy who doesn't really worry about that stuff he, well, really seems to worry about that stuff.
    I suspect he'll always be out of context and always the victim.

  • http://twitter.com/MichaelTripper @MichaelTripper

    I retweeted this as Fantino's Holocaust, just to put the comment in perspective. Beyond offensive to really evil, using the death and misery of so many to whine you didn't have a red-carpet rolled out into office. The blithe callousness of it alone makes him unfit for public office.

  • s_c_f

    Fantino has always been a narcissist and an idiot. I don't expect him to get much traction in the Harper government.

    • MostlyCivil

      " I don't expect him to get much traction in the Harper government"

      Oh, he'll have just as much power as any other cabinet minister.

  • s_c_f

    I expect he'll get nothing. Bernier was more deserving and more promising, despite his flubs. Fantino is too much of a narcissist.

  • Gary

    Yes, because NO Liberal would ever stoop to such gutter politics, eh Wherry?
    http://www.canada.com/topics/news/features/decisi…

    • Jan

      Please note the full apology. Fantino would be well advised to stop whining and do the same.

  • Vaughan Voter

    No doubt the term ‘unpleasant’ to describe human atrocities and/or Mr Fantino’s campaign problems has insulted many. Can nothing come out of this man’s mouth that isn’t either PMO fed or just plain stupid? Thus political partnership will be entertaining to watch. Opposition just needs to bait him a little, Fantino will hang himself. Also look for Mr Fantino’s Vaughan “Developer” buddies help to also muddy the waters. Qeuebec style political scandal.

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