It seems every summer, one political story comes out of nowhere to dominate the headlines. After all, pundits need something to pontificate on, a task that has grown more challenging with the next election four years away. Last summer’s break-out hit was the Census. No one saw it coming as an issue, but it grabbed […]

…and all the anonymous news reports that come with it: NDP ‘unease’ surrounds Turmel’s Bloc secrecy There’s a serious unease in the NDP over interim leader Nycole Turmel’s memberships in two Quebec sovereigntist parties, a party staffer said Thursday. The staffer, speaking anonymously to RDI’s La période des questions, said it shows a lack of […]

We all knew the NDP’s flirtation with the separatists would emerge as an issue at some point during the 41st Parliament. I just don’t think anyone expected it to move to the forefront quite so rapidly: Interim NDP leader Nycole Turmel says she’s a federalist, despite having had links to two sovereigntist parties and being […]

Although there certainly wasn’t a lot of merriment around the gravy fountain at my election night party last October, the one consolation I took from Rob Ford’s victory was that the next four years would be entertaining. If you’re the sort of person who cheers for the most interesting outcome politically, then a Ford victory […]

Given the challenges facing the Liberal Party, January’s national executive elections could very well be the most important in the party’s history. And the way it’s going, it looks like there will be more star power in the race for LPC president than in the race for LPC leader. Party veterans vie for Liberal presidencyBy […]

Tough crowd to please: Poll: 52 percent approve of God’s job performanceBy John Blake, CNN (CNN) – If you think voters are in cranky mood over politics, a new poll suggests that some of the dissatisfaction may run deeper. God’s job performance has trouble measuring up to many Americans’ expectations, according to a poll by […]

Very sad news today, with Jack Layton announcing he is now battling a new form of cancer. He will be taking a leave of absence as party leader to focus on getting health, and has recommended that Nycole Turmel take over as interim leader.

1. Stephen Gordon reminds us about the Census, and gloomily points out that the Tory majority means we’ll likely find ourselves without credible data from 2006 to 2021. 2. Stephen Harper will be guest staring on Murdoch Mysteries next week – presumably detective Murdoch will attempt to get a clear answer about the government’s mysterious […]

I remember a time, 5 or 6 years ago, when a young Stephen Harper was aghast that Paul Martin would have the nerve to suggest Liberal values were more Canadian than Conservative values. Young Harper railed against “Liberal arrogance” every chance he got. Now? Harper spends his time predicting his opponents’ demise, and telling Canadians […]

That was Harper’s dig on Paul Martin four years ago, after turning down a meeting with Bono. Since then, Harper has been a bit more hot and cold on the issue.