Why does the Liberal Party exist? What is their purpose in Canadian politics? Should a political party be kicking out lifelong members because they do not adhere to party policy? What is the purpose of the Liberals? …the Stalinistic removal of a life-long member of the party has proved that the extremists really are in charge. I think it is time for reasonable Liberal supporters to reconsider what their political goal is. [source]
That bit above is plagiarized somewhat from Cherniak – though with one or two small trifling differences.
He wrote it in response to the NDP’s expulsion of one of their members, but it seems to fit for the recent Liberal actions towards their national director.
Dion [pictured above-left] is the Liberal leader we Tories have been dreaming of all these years. I swear, I almost expect to see Dion call a news conference to propose banning the notwithstanding clause (a la Paul Martin).
Below, I’ve excerpted some of the Liberal reaction to the Carroll affair and other current events in their party:
Hopefully some measure of sanity and calm will return with these moves, and the Liberals can stop fighting each other and start concentrating on who the real adversary is – which is Stephen Harper. [source]
Smart guy, of course. Wired in to Dion, the party, but especially the blood sport of public life. He’s the typical youngish, experienced, jaded, talented, hard-ass, hard-ball political 24/7 junkie you want at your elbow when you’re a minister, a leader or a candidate for greatness. Until hours, or minutes, ago, he was in charge of the Liberal Partry. [source]
No-one can say Dion didn”t try he open velvet hand. He’s been criticised for being too naive, too open, too understanding. Well, he took people at their word and he understood the party had no desire for any further anti-democratic, top-down ratfuckery, and it’s against his instincts anyway. He’s by nature very collegial. But now it’s time for the iron fist. [source]
one has to admit the optics of it were not good, especially given the reputation he had gained from his past statements. Perhaps this will help party unity, but I’m really not sure. [source]
I’m disappointed that Marc Garneau will not run in any riding for the Liberals. But then again in the 2006 election he was not the strongest candidate. [source]
The Liberals need to stop this Top to bottom management style, it’s hurt the party so much and it leaves the wrong impression. This is a party run by the people and not run by one person. [source]
the reality is that the leader is the leader and the party is the party and the leader is the public face of the party. They will both rise or fall together. If you attack one, then you are attacking the other. [source]
Filed under: Canada, Liberal , Liberal Party of Canada, Stephane Dion
Bye-bye, Dion
Liberal leader Stephane Dion faced calls for his resignation yesterday as veteran Liberal insiders said their party is beginning to implode in Quebec. Pierre-Luc Bellerose, who quit this week as the Liberal candidate in the riding of Joliette, east of
“Dion [pictured above-left] is the Liberal leader we Tories have been dreaming of all these years.”
Of course, the picture is that of none other than Stockwell Day, the Reform/Alliance/CCRAP/CPC leader that NOBODY in their right minds wanted.