Thoughts on the David Emerson Defection
Although I am not as angry as some bloggers are about Emerson crossing the floor and becoming a Cabinet Minister, I must say I am disappointed. I can see the practicality of making such a deal, I think everyone agrees that Emerson is a very competent MP and Cabinet Minister and is not a bad fit in the Conservative party. He also adds a 'Metro' voice to the caucus as well as being a good fit to look after the Vancouver Olympics. When he was a Liberal I didn't hate him, which is saying a lot.
I'm sure that a lot of bloggers and columnists will not like this deal as it smacks of the same horse-trading and back scratching that we all didn't like in the previous regime. On the other hand, insiders of all stripes will privately acknowledge this as a great acquisition by Harper and a nice coup. That being said, I think the biggest impact this will have is in the big cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, who will now see the Conservatives as a winner. These are the same people who are hooked on survivor and admire winning at all costs, the exception being their hockey teams (Burn!!!).
I can understand some compromise will be needed to work in a minority parliment, to build a bigger tent, etc..., but we should not have to compromise our principles. This guy was elected only 2 weeks ago as a Liberal. Will this effect my support for Harper and the CPC? No it won't, but if disappointments like this start pilling up, maybe me and a few friends will have to start talking about small 'c' conservative 'Reform'!
I'm sure that a lot of bloggers and columnists will not like this deal as it smacks of the same horse-trading and back scratching that we all didn't like in the previous regime. On the other hand, insiders of all stripes will privately acknowledge this as a great acquisition by Harper and a nice coup. That being said, I think the biggest impact this will have is in the big cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, who will now see the Conservatives as a winner. These are the same people who are hooked on survivor and admire winning at all costs, the exception being their hockey teams (Burn!!!).
I can understand some compromise will be needed to work in a minority parliment, to build a bigger tent, etc..., but we should not have to compromise our principles. This guy was elected only 2 weeks ago as a Liberal. Will this effect my support for Harper and the CPC? No it won't, but if disappointments like this start pilling up, maybe me and a few friends will have to start talking about small 'c' conservative 'Reform'!
posted by "Expert" Tom at 4:37 PM
8 Comments:
But the fact is, "our" vision of democractic reform is alittle different that the Conservative party's vision. We are disappointed because "we" wanted people to sit as an independent or run in a by-election. This was not Stephen Harper vision as he stated during his interview with the CBC during the election. He isn't being a hyprocrite and he managed to grab an excellent MP from another party.
It is part of business, as we all know companies steal employees from other companies all the time. Time to grow up people.
I was bought, took a much better offer from a competitor. It happens all the time. Everyone knows someone who moved to another job for a better offer.
It may be part of doing business for employees to jump companies or sell themselves to the highest bidder. However, MP's present themselves to their constituents for election, ususally as a member of a political party. Without the votes of their constituents they would not be going to Ottawa. Once elected, I believe, an MP has an obligation to their constituents, who elected them, to remain with the party whose banner they ran under.
As an employee in the private sector you are not beholdin' to other people for your job. That's the difference between elected office and the private sector.
Of course its a coup and a damn fine one at that. Its great political theatre and it fits the Canadian parlimentary body plolitic like a toque. But wasn't it the Conservatives who said it was time of a change.Well I guess they meant change as in the more things change the more they stay the same.
Liberal or Tory...
it's the same old story.
That dig against the hockey teams was uncalled for, especially against the Canucks, who are a first rate team, almost as good the Calgary Flames.
But not as good as the sens! ;-) But ya, freealbertan it was more of a dig at Toronto and Montreal and it was completely called for! Go Sens GO!!
I think we have to expect politicians to be politicians. Like it or not, Harper was doing his job by bringing Emerson to his side. He strengthens his government by doing so.
1) He's one vote better off for winning risky votes in the House of Commons.
2) He gets better representation in big cities (Vancouver)
3)He's poached from his opponents, weakening the enemy.
I think this is a very calculated strategic move, but not an unethical one. That being said, I think they should probably run a by-election.
Thanks so much for your post, pretty helpful material.
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