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Canadian Election Buzz

By Steve Jalsevac

Response to Conservatives Same-Sex Marriage Announcement

Ottawa Citizen editorial praises Stephen Harper's candour when he said he wouldn't obstruct efforts to repeal legislation allowing gay weddings.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/editorials/story.ht...

Paul Thomas, a political scientist at the University of Manitoba writes about Harpers gay 'marriage' announcement, "But then, as I thought about it more, I realized it was a calculated judgment. I don't think there's a huge downside, and it may provide protection against it surfacing later."
http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Election/2005/12/01/1331869-...

Don Martin in the National Post
“The way it's been explained to me by two sources attending the private meeting, Harper canvassed his caucus on what, if anything, the party should do following the Commons vote to legislate same-sex marriage into law last June. Do we push harder or back off, he asked his MPs.
The lone voice of Calgary MP Jim Prentice rose to argue it was time to down tools and concentrate on winning policy. The rest of the room erupted in howls of opposition, demanding the Conservatives make their opposition a policy hill to die on.
Well, so be it. That beating sound you heard an hour after Harper's campaign launch was the drums of the Liberal war room on full alert. Paul Martin's spin doctors were instantly available for quotable fearmongering and I don't even have to wait for Martin to speak to know he'll pounce on this as proof all Conservatives are homophobic Charter-overriding ideologues. Sigh.
If this becomes the agent of fear for the Liberals to demonize the Conservatives, it's pretty thin gruel. By promising to honour existing same-sex marriages and pledging a free vote on repealing legislation, Harper has set up same-sex marriage reconsideration for an almost certain defeat by the other three parties under a Conservative minority rule.
Perhaps it's a blessing as a day-one hiccup. Getting same-sex quickly out of the closet, so to speak, will give voters time to tire of the Liberal hysteria before they cast their ballots on Jan. 23."

Duceppe Denounces Harper's Same-Sex Marriage Comments
Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe is denouncing Stephen Harper for reopening the debate on same-sex marriage. During a news conference in the heart of Montreal's gay village, Mr. Duceppe said he will fight any attempt to ban homosexual marriage.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051130....

Other Election Reports

The Top 199 Liberal Scandals
http://riteturnonly.blogspot.com/2005/11/but-what-have-you-d...

Bad Blood Between Martin and McGuinty Spells Big Trouble for Liberals in Ontario
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=10b2e120-3...

Canadian Election Campaign Lull Expected Over Christmas Holidays
New Democrat campaign director Brian Topp's idea to forge an agreement suspending at least the leaders' tours for four or five days over Christmas was rejected Thursday by the Liberals and the Conservatives.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051201....

US National Review article on Canadian Political Parties - All Left
" Canadian conservative is similar to a moderate Democrat here. There is no true conservative party in Canada, as we know conservatism. With the three national parties in Canada — the Conservatives, the Liberals and the New Democratic party — best described as left, more left and most left, Canadians simply would not tolerate a government that behaved like U.S. Republicans, as Martin will warn about the Conservatives Canada is now virtually a one-party 'democracy,' along the lines of Mexico before Vicente Fox was elected. And while Canada may have a conscience, it is absent a soul, a country devoid of any national identity except that defined by its anti-Americanism."
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/gamble200512010816.asp

 

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