Canada: Is the Liberal leadership a Joke? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Charlatan · 03-09-2006, 07:54 AM

Rick Mercer is at it again.

This time he has put a "Liberal Leadership Kit" up for sale on E Bay. I find it interesting that so many of the front runners dropped out of the race so early and given the tarnished reputation of the party after the Sponsorship Scandal, who would want the job?

I am thinking this sort of kicking the corpse while it's down is a good thing for the party. Look what it did for the Reform party.

LINK

Quote:

Not-so-serious bids flood spoof auction Satirist's eBay idea for beer money taking off
GLORIA GALLOWAY

OTTAWA -- Apparently the Liberal leadership is worth something after all.

Asserting that the top job in the federal party that held power in Ottawa for the past 13 years is "not the prize that it once was," Canadian satirist Rick Mercer told his television audience Tuesday night that he had put a Liberal leadership kit up for sale on eBay.

The kit includes a 15-minute conference call with the staff of The Rick Mercer Report to help the winning bidder craft a campaign message and the use of the show's colour printer for "photos and such. Ink cartridge is running low on magenta."

By late afternoon yesterday -- 72 bids later -- the kit that drew an opening bid of $15 bid had garnered an offer of more than $24,000. A scant two hours later, after 101 bids, the bidding was up to $16-million. The auction closes Tuesday.

The concept began over beer with some of the show's writers as well as a few Liberal and Conservative friends.

"It was a big, huge argument about the Liberal leadership," Mr. Mercer explained yesterday. "At one point, one of the Tories said: 'What's it worth, anyway? Somebody should put it on eBay. It's probably not worth $200.' So I thought: 'Well, I'll steal that idea.' And I put it on eBay and we thought we'd make about $200 or $300, which would go for our beer money."

Clearly, Mr. Mercer and his pals can't spend $24,000, or whatever the final total turns out to be, on beer.

"We have jobs to do and the productivity of the writing staff would be affected," he said. "So, if in fact there is a substantial sum raised, we will indeed ensure that it will go to a charity." But he won't specify which charity because, well, he is concerned that the winner might not pay up.

"I am concerned that the people who are bidding for the leadership of the Liberal Party, they could be shirkers," Mr. Mercer said. "They are essentially making a promise that they will pay this money and, like a lot of politicians, they may later break that promise."

But, as he pointed out, no one can place a bid of more than $18,000 on eBay without registering a credit card with the on-line auction company.

There are about a dozen potential candidates for the Liberal leadership, including former cabinet ministers Belinda Stronach, Joe Volpe, Scott Brison and Denis Coderre. Mr. Mercer said he did not know whether any of them were among the bidders for his kit. When the bidding sat at a meagre $24,000, he joked, "if it immediately jumps to $2-million, I'm guessing that Belinda's in."

fresnelly · 03-09-2006, 08:29 AM

Until the first session of parliament begins: yes. During this transition period, there isn't much for the opposition to do. The Conservitives are too busy focusing on damage control (Emerson, etc...) to make policy statements, and aside from Olivia Chow and the NDP protesting the cancellation of the Liberal Daycare plan, everyone's just twiddling their thumbs.

Hopefully, the silly season won't last for long. Also, I can't imagine the $16 million lead bid is serious. At the very least, some charity is in for some cash.

vox_rox · 03-09-2006, 11:22 PM

Well, I hate to be so negative, but the entire Canadian political landscape has just become a satire of itself. Even political satirist don't know what to do with it all. I mean, how can they compete with real-life antics like the musical chairs game for the Liberal leadership and Harper showing how he's going to make the PM's more ethical by telling th ethics officer to ram a poker up his arse after Harper was told he's being investigated for the Emerson thinig?

Jeez, it's become as silly as Alberta politics, without the rebate cheques (I got mine - wohoo!).

Anyway, I see an election in the not too distant future, and I'm already practicing my righteous indignation. Still, can you see Stronach as a Liberal PM in a minority government? Hilarious! Beats the hell out Air Farce any day!

Peace,

Pierre

percy · 03-18-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

I am thinking this sort of kicking the corpse while it's down is a good thing for the party. Look what it did for the Reform party.

LINK

Maybe this Liberal senator can come out of her land of milk and honey and show us her leadership skills. She might even be fast tracked because of her attitude. Yeesh,...someones got issues. Sorry, couldn't resist

OTTAWA (CP) - The federal Liberals are distancing themselves from a senator's harsh criticism of the United States in a letter she sent defending the Canadian seal hunt.

Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette replied recently to a letter from a U.S. family which called the hunt "horrible" and "inhumane." Hervieux-Payette responded what she found horrible is "the daily massacre of innocent people in Iraq, the execution of prisoners - mainly blacks - in American prisons, the massive sale of handguns to Americans, the destabilization of the entire world by the American government's aggressive foreign policy, etc."

Opposition Leader Bill Graham issued a statement Friday saying those words "reflect her personal opinions and not those of the Liberal Party of Canada."

"The Liberal Party of Canada values the friendship and commitment to democratic principles that Canada shares with the United States."

The Liberals are sensitive about perceived anti-Americanism within the party in the wake of past controversial comments by several MPs.

Scotty Greenwood, executive director of the Canadian American Business Council in Washington, said the remarks would be noticed in the U.S capital, where legislators might not easily distinguish between Liberals and the Conservative government.

"It's really unfortunate and not what we need in the relationship right now," said Greenwood.

"Instead of taking those concerns and dealing with them, she attacks the policies of the United States."

U.S. officials have been clearly relieved at the prospect of improving relations strained under the Liberals.

Former prime minister Paul Martin banished Carolyn Parrish from the Liberal caucus after she made harsh comments about U.S. President George W. Bush. But she was a sitting MP in a government party while Hervieux-Payette is an unelected senator from the Opposition.

There was no suggestion Hervieux-Payette's comments might bring disciplinary action from her caucus.

The Quebec senator was unavailable for comment.

The letter from the U.S. family was sent to all senators but Hervieux-Payette was apparently the only one who replied.

The senator's remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Rebecca Aldworth of the Humane Society of the United States, who said Hervieux-Payette was out of line.

"Her statements were inflammatory and offence to Americans, who have the absolute right to speak up on the seal hunt regardless of U.S. foreign policy," Aldworth said.

"Her comments weren't at all appropriate or relevant."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20060..._cda_seal_hunt

highthief · 03-19-2006, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vox_rox

Still, can you see Stronach as a Liberal PM in a minority government?

I almost think that's why Harper brought Emerson in. He knew the Liberals would freak, the media would rip him apart - but he also knew that with such criticism of Emerson, it almost precludes Belinda from running for PM or Liberal leadership - the juxtaposition of the two would be intolerable for the Liberals.

This may yet come to be seen as some sort of master stroke.

fresnelly · 03-23-2006, 05:26 PM

With Ashley MacIsaac, everyone's favourite watersports loving fiddler, throwing his hat into the ring, I believe the answer to the original question, is an undeniable "Yes".

Charlatan · 03-23-2006, 05:52 PM

I'm gonna throw *my* hat in the ring.

percy · 03-23-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

I'm gonna throw *my* hat in the ring.

My condolences. Are you a Leaf fan also?

03-09-2006, 08:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	Until the first session of parliament begins: yes. During this transition period, there isn't much for the opposition to do. The Conservitives are too busy focusing on damage control (Emerson, etc...) to make policy statements, and aside from Olivia Chow and the NDP protesting the cancellation of the Liberal Daycare plan, everyone's just twiddling their thumbs. Hopefully, the silly season won't last for long. Also, I can't imagine the $16 million lead bid is serious. At the very least, some charity is in for some cash. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

03-09-2006, 11:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
vox_rox Psycho Location: Comfy Little Bungalow	Shenanigans Well, I hate to be so negative, but the entire Canadian political landscape has just become a satire of itself. Even political satirist don't know what to do with it all. I mean, how can they compete with real-life antics like the musical chairs game for the Liberal leadership and Harper showing how he's going to make the PM's more ethical by telling th ethics officer to ram a poker up his arse after Harper was told he's being investigated for the Emerson thinig? Jeez, it's become as silly as Alberta politics, without the rebate cheques (I got mine - wohoo!). Anyway, I see an election in the not too distant future, and I'm already practicing my righteous indignation. Still, can you see Stronach as a Liberal PM in a minority government? Hilarious! Beats the hell out Air Farce any day! Peace, Pierre __________________ --- There is no such thing as strong coffee - only weak people. ---

03-23-2006, 05:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	With Ashley MacIsaac, everyone's favourite watersports loving fiddler, throwing his hat into the ring, I believe the answer to the original question, is an undeniable "Yes". __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

03-23-2006, 05:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke