Apparently Belinda Stronach has a better chance than we thought

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1074899414286&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

In a campaign where every riding carries the same weight, Quebec alone cancels out Harper's massive lead in Western Canada.

As ludicrous as it might seem, by capturing the other absentee Alliance markets of the GTA and Atlantic Canada, Stronach will have, under the formula adopted for this leadership contest, a mathematical chance of becoming the leader of the new party — regardless of performance and of what an overwhelming majority of the members of the party might think of their prospects under her neophyte leadership.

For those who see politics as a game — and that is the case of many of those who have signed onto the Stronach campaign — this is a lucrative and fun-filled challenge.

But by cynically using a Quebec shell to cancel out live members in Western Canada and elsewhere, the great thinkers who are behind the Stronach Quebec Trojan horse risk stumping on something more fragile and more precious.

Hilarious! God I hope she wins.

[Bush loves Jiang]

1. lol...

From www.belinda.ca

"In her home town of Aurora Belinda Stronach asked Conservatives across Canada in uniting our new party to win government and unlock the potential of Canada."

Is that even English?

[Minstrel Boy]

2. Editorial from Squamish BC: "The Tory Trudeau?"

Remember, the last federal leader to come out of the political wilderness was also relatively young, also came from a fairly tony family background, and, while interested in politics for many years, never sought the hurly-burly of elected office before emerging from nowhere to claim the top job.

That young man’s name was Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

The comparison is far from perfect — but at this first impression, she has at least the potential to be the same kind of breath of fresh air that helped propel Trudeaumania in 1968.
http://tinyurl.com/2vsvs

Amazing. And of course, the "Tory" Party is dead.

A more apt comparison may be Schwarzenegger. A laughable candidate with money, connections and not a frigging original thought, but with a shot.

I'm beginning to think Tony Clement might be the compromise candidate to take it.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. The problem with Clement is that no one outside Ontario has a clue

who he is.

[Holly]

5. Nobody knows Clement

because we're Belinda'd to death. The CBC carried four stories in one hour about Belinda, last Friday. And she never has anything to say..

[Minstrel Boy]

6. And the other problem for Clement is that Ontarians do have a clue.

Each of the three have serious baggage:

Harper: Retains much of Western core, but surrenders illusion of leading a national party.
Clement: Western support softens, and lifts eastern vote enough to add to NDP's seat count through three-way splits in Ontario.
Stronach: Free fall across the board.

[iverglas]

8. Schwarzenegger indeed

That does sound like the best comparison. (I mean ... Trudeau ... gimme a break. And anyhow, in point of fact, he *was* elected, and was the actual Minister of Justice, when he ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party.)

But as that Globe & Mail letter-writer from San Diego noted, the circumstances were very different for Schwarzenegger -- he was able to become his party's effective candidate without all the bother of things like getting the nomination. In Stronach's case, the equivalent is winning the leadership of the party, and she can't avoid that.

Of course, given the possibilities for rigging constituency delegate selection processes (she should maybe consult Paul Martin just to be sure she isn't forgetting anything), that's still possible.

I, too, devoutly hope she wins the leadership, and look forward eagerly to the great leader's debates that will result. I think that all Jack might have to do is point and laugh.

Couldn't help but giggle at the Toronto Star columnist's take on Ed Broadbent's nomination in Ottawa Centre. There's the NDP, according to the columnist, looking "back to the future" for some old has-been to carry the party standard. Why does the name "Paul Martin" come to mind when I read that?

And how I wish that Mike Harris had joined the battle. We never did hear quite enough about his sordid past (and present), and I'd have loved to get some more of that dirt.

.

[Holly]

3. LOL

if Belinda wins they are done in Ontario. This thinking proves to me, just how out of touch this bunch is. If they think that the voters of Ontario admire her family conections....well bring it on. This is gonna be funny, and I'm going to enjoy this side-show.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. How about this pearl of wisdom from BS (what apt initials!)

"I feel the experiences that I've had in my life, you know, growing up in an immigrant household, helped shape me. ... In the early days we didn't have money. You know, my father poured it all back in the business so it could grow. And we always, you know, at the dinner table, we had discussions about, ah, you know, about being a good person. It's important to contribute back, you know, life's been good to you, you should give back."

As a white Western European immigrant myself, I know how painfully hard and excrutiatingly difficult it is to make it in Canada, especially with the extra burden of a wealthy father.
(sarcasm ends)

[Minstrel Boy]

9. A social conservative bashes Belinda:

http://www.concernedchristians.ca/belindamartin/

Go Belinda! I can't wait to see those wingnut heads pop, and for us to pick up the pieces. :evilgrin: