Sponsorship Fallout -- Defectors, Libs 'Petrified', Ekos Poll, Cosh & Worthington

There is talk of a few Liberals fleeing the Liberal Party -- maybe up to five of them. David Kilgour is one but who are the others? This scandal is disheartening for decent Liberals. There is talk of ridings refusing to support the Liberals because of the same-sex marriage legislation, in addition to the sponsorship shenanigans.<:br>

David Kilgour: Voters now see the Liberals "looking on the public trust as a vulture looks on a dying calf."

Some Liberal MPs reconsidering futures Sue Bailey and Jim Brown, Apr. 11, 05

"Three (Liberal) backbenchers have told me they've been approached by the Conservatives besides me. . .I'm sure there's more, frankly."

[. . . . David] Kilgour sent an e-mail to caucus officers Monday saying he hadn't decided what to do yet, but he won't be attending caucus meetings while he's pondering his options.

O'Brien (Pat, London, Ont.) said he will decide his political future by early next week. He would not reveal the names of other MPs targeted by the Conservatives for possible recruitment.

But Liberals renowned for being at odds with their government's bid to legalize gay weddings - including John McKay, Paul Steckle, Tom Wappel and Paul Szabo - all denied any plans to leave their party. [. . . . ]

Liberals: Conservatives could win next government -- 'Libs are petrified' F. Abbas Rana and Kate Malloy, The Hill Times, April 11th, 2005

[. . . . ] But another Liberal source, who asked not be identified, said if there was an election this spring, the Conservatives could win it, but they wouldn't win big. However, this top source also said that the Libs are looking at winning too, despite the damage.

[. . . . ] But Liberal political staffers on the Hill last week said that there might be an election in the next four to six weeks and that the Conservatives may form the next minority government. [. . . . ]

The Liberal source, however, said that if the Conservatives cooperated with the Bloc in bringing down the government, that this would give the Liberals an opportunity to label the Tories as supporters of the separatist party. [. . . . ]

There are no depths to which they will not stoop. Penitence, Libs!



Pollsters caution against snap election based on Gomery Paco Francoli, The Hill Times, April 11th, 2005

Party standings expected to change in wake of explosive Gomery testimony; Liberals to take a hit

[. . . . ] "You can't win a campaign only based on negatives if you're Stephen Harper because you've got too many negatives. You have to neutralize your negatives, get rid of all your hidden agenda stuff, and put some policies on the table that appeal to mainstream Canadians, and most importantly in Ontario," added Mr. Marzolini who was the official pollster for the Liberal Party under former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

[. . . . ] "You can't win a campaign only based on negatives if you're Stephen Harper because you've got too many negatives. You have to neutralize your negatives, get rid of all your hidden agenda stuff, and put some policies on the table that appeal to mainstream Canadians, and most importantly in Ontario," added Mr. Marzolini who was the official pollster for the Liberal Party under former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

[. . . . ] The pollsters said the only federal party that stands to gain serious ground by gambling on a snap election would be the Bloc Québécois which currently has 54 of Quebec's 75 seats. [. . . . ]

In this article, advice is given from "Mr. Marzolini who was the official pollster for the Liberal Party under former prime minister Jean Chrétien". Take it from where it comes.

The Liberals' have been ignoring mainstream Canadians' wishes for years. The Liberals do not define the center. That is wrong.

As for "hidden agenda stuff", there is no hidden agenda. Did he watch the Conservative Policy Convention? Policies are in the open. Of course, the real hidden agenda is the Liberals' dealings with Quebec -- alleged, of course.




EKOS POLL -- Federal voting intentions -- Download the .pdf

BC and the Atlantic region stand out in different ways.

The present prime minister appears to regard the existence of this donation as a demonstrated fact, since he brought it up in the House of Commons; and the PQ, which offered on Saturday to return the money, has thereby confirmed it. Colby Cosh

Colby Cosh: In the war against separatism, high treason Colby Cosh, Apr. 11, 05

[. . . . ] I've spoken and written of "the Liberal mafia" hundreds of times, but how could I, or anyone, do so now without a shudder? The phrase no longer savours of poetic hyperbole.

It's not so much that Mr. Brault's testimony, which is backed up by an extensive paper trail, reveals a pattern of simple wrongdoing. The real horror is what it discloses about the Liberals themselves -- that beneath all the intellectual posturing, the true heart of the party is a bizarre gang of striving bagmen and lackeys who recognize no ethical or judicial law beyond the interest of the clan. The Braultian utterance that has stayed with me since I learned the substance of his testimony was the one he made when first approached to make illicit donations in exchange for phony contracts. "We've been good Liberals for generations," he told Alain Renaud, who was on his payroll as the Liberals' Groupaction point man. [. . . . ]

The tolerance of Canadian voters for political corruption seems limitless.

Grits brace for a bomb -- Peter Worthington says AdScam probe uncovering deep rot Peter Worthington, April 11, 2005, Toronto Sun

If last week at the Gomery inquiry was tough for the Liberal party, this week threatens to be even tougher.

Liberals and government defenders insist that Groupaction president Jean Brault's week of testimony was "allegations, not proof." Maybe, but is there anyone in Canada who doesn't believe his testimony was true -- candid, clear, categorical? [. . . . ]

Most pundits think the Liberals are dead in Quebec.


Comment: re CBC Coverage

In an effort to minimize the damage to their patrons, it appears that the CBC response to the scandal is that all politicians are corrupt. Their political reporting is doing a disservice because they are so biased -- particularly to those of us who actually like talking heads programs, Canadian documentaries, Canadian films, CBC FM for classical music, et cetera, and hate sitcoms. Some of us would like an improved public broadcast network NOT tied to government. It could be a journalistic beacon if it were not funded by government with Canadians' tax dollars, but out of the desire of decent people to support public broadcasting at its best. However, the present CBC crew keep disappointing us with their evident bias.

Buck up, will you? NJC