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Showcase Showdown
It doesn’t compare to the high stakes floor crossings and backroom deals that define delegated conventions, but yesterday’s Liberal Showcase still offered the speeches, signs, buttons, and hospitality suites politicos have come to expect at these gatherings. Justin Trudeau had cowbells. Martin Cauchon made swag history, handing out Liberal-red socks. Joyce Murray brought in a […]
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Robocon
The first charges in the Robocon Scandal have been laid against Michael Sona. Most interesting in this, is that Sona’s lawyer has signalled they intend to shift the blame to the Conservative Party: Neither Mr. Sona or I will be making any public statements beyond the following statement at this time. Although the charge is […]
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Ralph’s World
After the passing of Peter Lougheed last year, another Alberta PC titan is gone, with Ralph Klein passing away at the age of 70. Although it is customary to offer tributes and praise at times like this, many of my motivations for getting involved in politics grew from a strong dislike of the way Klein […]
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Updated Power Rankings Show Trudeau in Control
When I released my first set of LPC Power Rankings in early February, I was a bit surprised to see Justin Trudeau up at 66%. These rankings aren’t intended to be a first ballot predictor, but they came pretty close to the mark in the NDP contest and it was still a bit of shock […]
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A True Debate
For a while we could pretend the Liberal leadership debates were going to effect the outcome of the race. It was just over a month ago that Martha Hall Findlay jabbed Justin Trudeau about his privileged upbringing, prompting many to wonder if this would be the turning point. A few weeks ago, all eyes were […]
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“Brazeau Vows to Fight Charges”
Sen. Patrick Brazeau tweets vow to fight charges against him Sen. Patrick Brazeau did not attend a brief hearing Friday over charges of assault and sexual assault against him, and maintained his innocence in a passionate tweet. The 38-year-old’s lawyers claimed they had not received full disclosure of evidence against their client, forcing the hearing […]
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Beau Risque
The Quebec Liberal leadership race drew few headlines outside the province, but everyone is paying attention to newly elected leader Philippe Couillard now: Quebec Liberal leader Couillard sets sights on Constitution signing After a convincing victory on Sunday as new Quebec Liberal party leader, Philippe Couillard has his sights set on becoming premier and steer […]
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Shuffle Bored
Inevitably every summer, we all get bored with the monotonous predictability of majority government life and begin speculating about a “massive” Cabinet Shuffle. A new Finance Minister? Will Peter McKay be demoted? What rising star is on their way to Foreign Affairs? And just as surely, we rarely get anything more than a new International […]
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Liberals Will Try to Retrieve Labrador
Given how obstinant Stephen Harper is about sticking behind Cabinet Ministers embroilled in cotroversy and how disdainful the Tories have been any time Elections Canada suggests they’re in the wrong, it was a bit of a surprise to see Peter Penashue not only step down as Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, but resign his seat so that […]
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Coronation
The media reaction to Marc Garneau’s exit from the Liberal leadership race has not been kind. The party is “not a happy place“, the race is a “fiasco“, this is the “worst-case scenario“, “is the Liberal Party serious?”. I haven’t checked out SunNews’ take, but I’d imagine they aren’t overly ebullient either. None of this […]