Posted on 01/23/2006 1:55:32 AM PST by goldstategop
WINNIPEG — Canadians must deliver a damning indictment of 13 years of Liberal rule when they head to the polls today, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said as he capped off an eight-week campaign by driving home the need for wholesale change in Ottawa.
Working to stave off potential last-minute voter jitters, Harper warned of the “consequences” of putting the Grits back in power. The status quo isn’t enough and Canadians deserve better, Harper told supporters in a final cross-country sweep with stops in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
“A re-elected Liberal government would interpret a victory, even a tiny victory, as a reward for 13 years of scandal and inaction,” he said. “We would never find out what happened to the missing money, the scandals and investigations would continue, the result would be decisive — the image of the country tarnished, its unity threatened.”
Harper also went for Paul Martin’s jugular, attacking his Liberal rival for running a “disorganized, desperate and directionless” government and a campaign based on bogus claims.
“What are Mr. Martin’s five priorities? Fighting a Quebec referendum nobody wants. Running ads attacking our military and talking about martial law. Picking a phony fight with the U.S. Starting an abortion debate nobody needs. Promising a handgun ban we’ve had for decades that he can’t enforce,” he said. “The only real thing about his campaign has been the new police investigations.”
While polls predict a Conservative win today, it remains a toss-up between a minority and majority government. Yesterday, Harper cosied up to NDP Leader Jack Layton — the man he will need to enlist for help passing key legislation in the House of Commons.
“I think he’s run an honourable campaign: I think he’s clear where he stands. Obviously, I don’t agree with a lot of those things, but he’s clear where he stands and you know, we’ll just have to see what happens,” he said.
Common ground’
Harper said he shares “quite a bit of common ground” with Layton on the issues of government accountability and reform.
Selling himself as a tonic to disenchanted Quebecers who see federalism as corrupt, Harper shot back at a new Bloc Quebecois ad that shows a cowboy hat and suggests Calgary will rule the federal government.
“The guy from Calgary offers Quebecers something the Bloc can’t give them and won’t give them, and that’s a chance to be part of a government and part of making decisions in power,” he said.
On board a flight to his final campaign rallies in battleground B.C., Harper told reporters today’s results will lead pundits to conclude whether he’s “a genius or a fool.” He said a strategic Liberal misstep was assuming Canadians would buy the fearmongering that cast him as someone who should be despised.
At a rally in Victoria last night, Harper supporters faced youthful protesters who raised concerns about charter rights, abortion, same-sex marriage, “muzzled” candidates and the environment. Speaking inside the packed auditorium, Harper took aim at the NDP, which hopes to boost its seat count on the West Coast.
“What are Mr. Martin’s five priorities? Fighting a Quebec referendum nobody wants. Running ads attacking our military and talking about martial law. Picking a phony fight with the U.S. Starting an abortion debate nobody needs. Promising a handgun ban we’ve had for decades that he can’t enforce,” he said. “The only real thing about his campaign has been the new police investigations.”
I think the money quote here is: "The only real thing about... [Martin's] campaign has been the new police investigations." Right on! The Liberals refuse to tell Canadians why they're the subject of so many criminal inquiries. Its pathetic to hear Martin accuse Harper of having a "hidden agenda" when the Liberals won't come clean with the public about their misdeeds in power. Now is the time for Canadians to Stand Up For Canada and clean up the house. I hope it'll be a beautiful Blue Monday. Time to roll!!!
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
What does "grits" stand for in this article?
Twenty - twenty - twenty four hours to go
I wanna be sedated
Nothing to do
Nowhere to go
I wanna be sedated
Just get me to the airport
And put me on a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane
I can't control my fingers
I can't control my brain
Oh no oh ho ;)
"Grits" is the old slang term for the Liberal Party.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Thank y'all. I thought that grits were something you ate.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I'm getting confused with this whole 'red state', 'blue state' thing. I think it was part of the MSM's attempt to slant news by assigning 'blue' to Dems, when 'red' really is the Dems appropriate color.
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